Sony confirms plans to launch PS3 in Spring 2006 (U.S.)

[Kolgar]

Seems to be part of the same story that questioned whether PS3 will ship with a hard drive.

Chatani also said the PlayStation 3 will follow a similar release schedule as the PSP, hinting it may be playable at the Tokyo Game Show this fall. Sony showed trailers of PSP gameplay at E3 in May 2004, and then it presented the machine in playable form at TGS the following September, before its release on December 12. He confirmed that Sony is still aiming for a spring 2006 US launch for the PS3, with a possible simultaneous launch in Japan. The console would debut just under six years after the October 2000 US launch of the PlayStation 2 (March 2000 in Japan) and 11 years after the original PlayStation hit the North American continent in 1995 (December 1994 in Japan).

Other interesting bits from the article:

Chatani commented that the PS3 is still at a prototype stage and has room for improvement in graphics and physics. Nvidia CFO Marv Burkett also revealed last week that the RSX graphics chip for the PS3 is also still under development and has yet to be finalized. The tech demos running at E3 last month were shown using current-generation PC technology with similar capabilities to the RSX, which is rumored to be a combination of a GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI GPU and/or a next-gen desktop graphics chip from Nvidia, which codesigned the RSX.

As SCE president Ken Kutaragi said in a recent interview, Chatani said he expects the PS3 to be an "entertainment machine," though he emphasized, "make no mistake--games will be the killer app for the PlayStation 3." Chatani said that he also plans to give the console powerful Internet-based communication functions to encourage owners to use it daily.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/02/news_6126832.html

Sony's obviously concerned about Xbox 360, and with good reason. Looks like they're definitely NOT wanting to be late to this party, and in fact, would like to play spoiler for Microsoft's launch.

Reminds me of Nintendo back in the mid-90s. PlayStation was set to launch in Europe, and during the holiday season, Nintendo ran ads featuring a child's letter to Santa - asking him to "please don't deliver those 32 bits this year" as the child really wanted the 64 bits in Ultra 64.

And then they postponed the launch.

 

[DuckThor Evil]

Well launching first in the US makes the most sense if you ask me. I don't think they have to worry about MS in Japan too much, US is the plaze where the hardest fight is, but if they can produce enough consoles, then they probably launch simultaneously in Japan too. Europe get's Fu****! like usually

 

[Gollum]

Launching in the US first makes perfect sense, that's the market that's most contested! Japan is a safe bet for them anyway. I hope Europe not being mentioned isn't representative of their attitude, I'm sick of how we're always being treated like the ugly stepchild. Served last and ripped off...

Something just doesn't add up though. A) They want to launch as early as spring 06 but B) their hardware is not only still in development but actually not finalized.

Lets be real, for any significant changes to happen to RSX (I'm assuming Cell is pretty much set in stone) they'd have to had started implementing them into the design at least half a year ago, if not longer. If they start adding or changing features now, they're asking for trouble. The typical time from tape out to mass availability is somewhere between 6-9 months IIRC, and that's after roughly 2 years of developing towards a specific set of features and performance targets. Considering the complexity of RSX I'd say 9 months is what we're looking at. When is PS3 bound to launch again, sping 06? Oops, that'd mean they'd have to tape out right about now if they want to have any kind of availability by then!

The best they can realistically strive for IMO, is upping core clocks on Cell and RSX. Then again MS could play that game too.

To me it sounds like they just want to give their fans and the gun-slinging media more fodder, now that some parts of the press seem to have caught on that PS3 isn't exactly as superior to X360 as Sony wanted everybody to believe...

 

[hey69]

well if they will use the psp launch , that means ps3 will launch 10 months after japan.... fall 2006? begin 2007

 

[chlovinka]

I expect Sony will release no sooner than Fall 2006. Right now, Spring 06' sounds very optimistic IMO.

 

[London Geezer]

I expect Sony will release no sooner than Fall 2006. Right now, Spring 06' sounds very optimistic IMO.

And you are...

 

[goonergaz]

There's still mumblings that Sony could release in all regions in March, however I do find that very hard to believe!

I'm not fussed TBH, yes I'd love both about the same time...but X360 this year, and PS3 next year suits my bank balance (and wife!)

 

[gurgi]

Why do the graphics and physics need improving? The demos at e3 looked hot, is this damage control a result of developer murmerings?

 

[London Geezer]

Why do the graphics and physics need improving? The demos at e3 looked hot, is this damage control a result of developer murmerings?

Just keeping the boys happy. Little bit of hype never hurts now does it, especially when everyone knows they bumped the PS2 clockspeed up at the last minute, and many kids are expecting the same thing for PS3...

It's PR...

 

[Almasy]

If Sony really intends on launching in spring, then they need to amass a nice list of "launch-window" games. MS is launching earlier, so they´re naturally announcing more of their games, but I´m curious about Sony´s support at this point.

 

[Alpha_Spartan]

Seems to be part of the same story that questioned whether PS3 will ship with a hard drive.

Chatani also said the PlayStation 3 will follow a similar release schedule as the PSP, hinting it may be playable at the Tokyo Game Show this fall. Sony showed trailers of PSP gameplay at E3 in May 2004, and then it presented the machine in playable form at TGS the following September, before its release on December 12. He confirmed that Sony is still aiming for a spring 2006 US launch for the PS3, with a possible simultaneous launch in Japan. The console would debut just under six years after the October 2000 US launch of the PlayStation 2 (March 2000 in Japan) and 11 years after the original PlayStation hit the North American continent in 1995 (December 1994 in Japan).

Other interesting bits from the article:

Chatani commented that the PS3 is still at a prototype stage and has room for improvement in graphics and physics. Nvidia CFO Marv Burkett also revealed last week that the RSX graphics chip for the PS3 is also still under development and has yet to be finalized. The tech demos running at E3 last month were shown using current-generation PC technology with similar capabilities to the RSX, which is rumored to be a combination of a GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI GPU and/or a next-gen desktop graphics chip from Nvidia, which codesigned the RSX.

As SCE president Ken Kutaragi said in a recent interview, Chatani said he expects the PS3 to be an "entertainment machine," though he emphasized, "make no mistake--games will be the killer app for the PlayStation 3." Chatani said that he also plans to give the console powerful Internet-based communication functions to encourage owners to use it daily.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/02/news_6126832.html

Sony's obviously concerned about Xbox 360, and with good reason. Looks like they're definitely NOT wanting to be late to this party, and in fact, would like to play spoiler for Microsoft's launch.

Reminds me of Nintendo back in the mid-90s. PlayStation was set to launch in Europe, and during the holiday season, Nintendo ran ads featuring a child's letter to Santa - asking him to "please don't deliver those 32 bits this year" as the child really wanted the 64 bits in Ultra 64.

And then they postponed the launch.

It's more like Sega rushing the Saturn to go against the PSX. Sony's just blowing smoke. This is propaganda. The system won't launch in March in the U.S. They didn't even have games at E3 and most developers are just getting dev kits. Don't believe the hype.

 

[Kolgar]

Alpha_Spartan:

I'm not sure what Sony has to gain by building up people's hopes only to delay the launch and disappoint its fanbase come next Spring. That wouldn't be smart.

Sony seems to be scrambling this launch so as not to let Microsoft get too big a head start. I can't blame them if they're worried about losing market share in the hotly contested U.S. market - it's a very real possibility.

As for games, we probably won't get much more than previous Sony hardware launches - which is to say, nothing extraordinary.

I'd expect several Xbox360 ports (enhanced?) and a game or two from one of Sony's partners... Tekken Tag 2 from Namco would be nice. Surely the Namcos and Konamis of the world have been working on PS3 projects and should have something ready for next spring?

June also sounds more likely to me than March. A simultaneous Japan/North American launch would be nice, followed by a European release no later than fall. Sony can't allow Microsoft more than a year's head start in Europe, something they must surely realize.

 

[Johnny Awesome]

It's possible. It's pretty clear that MS has scared Sony silly. The thought of Sony launching a full year in the US after MS is pretty crazy, but unless there are games ready then there isn't much point in launching.

I may be in the minority here, but it seems to me like Sony is about 1 year behind schedule with 65nm fab, dev support, and GPU tech, partly because NVidia was brought in as an 11th hour replacement for Toshiba.

All just my opinion of course.

 

[ralexand]

How are they going to launch in the spring when they said themselves that they haven't even finished designing their gpu. I smell bs.

 

[Knoel]

Alpha_Spartan:

I'm not sure what Sony has to gain by building up people's hopes only to delay the launch and disappoint its fanbase come next Spring. That wouldn't be smart.

They might be able to convince people not to buy an Xbox 360. Don't by a 360, our PS3 which is better, and will be ready in March, and then if the delay isn't too long, they could string them along. Just my $.02.

I remember hearing that the developers haven't had the kits very long. Maybe a few months.
Does it seam reasonable that game devs could have games ready for March, or even May?

 

[speng]

It's possible. It's pretty clear that MS has scared Sony silly. The thought of Sony launching a full year in the US after MS is pretty crazy, but unless there are games ready then there isn't much point in launching.

I may be in the minority here, but it seems to me like Sony is about 1 year behind schedule with 65nm fab, dev support, and GPU tech, partly because NVidia was brought in as an 11th hour replacement for Toshiba.

All just my opinion of course.

I agree, with the games point. Without games, a console isn't worth buying and a lot of gamers who aren't sony Fans will not buy it over an Xbox 360 with over 40 titles.

I also think there is no need to launch early. The folks who are already planning to wait for a PS3 will wait a year. I also think waiting a year may allow Sony to incorporate a HDD 20GB and cheaper manufacturing costs early on.

If PS3 launches with lackluster titles, gamers including me will go meh, Xbox 360 has more games and they look great. It needs at least 3-5 killer launch titles when it does, after the Xbox 360.

Speng.

 

[SanGreal]

IGN's take on the same interview is that he confirmed the spring launch for Japan, not the US.

Either gamespot or IGN has a translation/wording problem.

 

[Acert93]

This is confusing...

1. Very limited game footage of PS3 games was shown at E3

2. RSX is said to still be incomplete

3. Shipping first in the US, before Japan, could alienate some Japanese gamers

4. MS has 40 games slotted for their launch window

5. Sony will be missing the all important holiday season (i.e. annual get in debt season) and many of the holiday games (e.g. will they get a next gen Madden if they ship in Spring well after the football season?)

6. Spring/Summer is just slow for consoles and game sales


Unless Sony has a ton of killer games ready I think this would be bad. I would think reacting to MS would be bad (if that is what they are doing).

I think launching in Japan first is the best idea. Japanese gamers are more forgiving of large shortages. It would give them time to HYPE and stockpile for the US. That would also give developers 6 more months to work with NEW hardware and they will need it going up against Xbox 360 2nd gen games.

If Sony can have a strong launch library with better looking games I see no reason to rush. They have the hype, they just need to tease people with, "It is coming... the REAL next gen is coming in 2006". If the provide the goods, the games, the games they are promising (we all know what they are) then there is no worries. So unless they can bring those games out in Spring I see no reason for an early launch.

The only benefit of going in Spring would be to avoid a Halo 3 clash. I don't see Halo 3 being done until Fall 2006. It could be a bad recipe to have less games and (possibly) more expensive system (if MS drops lower) and have to contend with a uber hyped game.

I guess it comes down to the games. If Sony can have a solid game lineup in Spring go for it! But that makes me wonder... if they can hit Spring, why not go for late December? Ship with 3 or 4 games and limited HW... but totally kill the Xbox 360 hype.

My guess is that the Spring US rumor is more of a distraction. Why get an Xbox 360 if you can wait 3 or 4 months and get a PS3? Some have already said how they are eager for next gen and will get an Xbox just because it is out first. Maybe this is a PR move to give people some stamina? If they can get some gamers to not buy Xbox this fall they win--even if they delay until Fall 2006.

 

[Inane_Dork]

Launching in Spring or Summer in North America is an odd time. The PS3 will sell out no matter what date they choose, but it seems like the Thanksgiving/Christmas period is the prefered time. I wonder just how much that launch date has to do with MS. I don't think Sony is scared of MS, but I'm sure they don't want to unnecessarily expose their flanks.

 

[Pozer]

Alpha_Spartan:

I'm not sure what Sony has to gain by building up people's hopes only to delay the launch and disappoint its fanbase come next Spring. That wouldn't be smart.

They might be able to convince people not to buy an Xbox 360. Don't by a 360, our PS3 which is better, and will be ready in March, and then if the delay isn't too long, they could string them along. Just my $.02.

I remember hearing that the developers haven't had the kits very long. Maybe a few months.
Does it seam reasonable that game devs could have games ready for March, or even May?

I agree. This is strategy to keep early adopters away from the 360 by making them think the ps3 is right around the corner. Don't be surprised to hear a delay type announcment in SPring of '06. My guess is ps3 won't ship till 9months after 360 and most of the games will be better looking 360 ports. Since porting will be alot easier between the ps3-360 this gen than earlier last gen. With nvidia and ATI behind both consoles I suspect getting a game up and running will only be a matter of days between systems now.