READ this and weep SONY :)

Yes we have all been speculating of how much of a mess SONY are in but various sources are confirming this rumour as true and the fact it might not even reach us by summer.

Sony's next-generation PlayStation 3 console could miss its spring launch if industry specifications for some of its technology are not finalised soon.
The PS3 will offer games as well as the ability to play music and watch films, as it seeks to take on rivals Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Revolution.

The new console is expected to feature cutting-edge processors and graphics.

Sony said if industry specifications on some of the PS3 were not decided soon "the launch could be pushed back".

'Last possible minute'

"We're aiming for spring, but we haven't announced specific regions," a spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment said.

They said Sony was waiting for final specifications - which are decided by industry consortiums - on some of the technology in the PS3, including that connected to the Blu-ray disc drive and to input and output video and sound.

"We're waiting for them until the last possible minute, but the launch could be pushed back if they're not decided soon," the spokesman said.

Yuta Sakurai, a senior analyst at Nomura Securities, said he expected Sony to try to launch the PS3 in Japan in early summer, in time for the school holidays in July.

Shares hit

Other analysts believe the US launch will not be until before November's Thanksgiving holiday, while a European launch is expected in early 2007.

"No one is seriously thinking a spring release is realistic any more," said Hiroshi Kamide, an analyst at KBC Securities.

Sony shares closed 3.64% down on the Toyko market.

"If the launch is delayed, it will be beneficial in the short term, but will be negative from the standpoint of share price," said Merrill Lynch analyst Hitoshi Kuriyama in a research note.

"If it is on time, the PS3 will weigh on the company's profitability."

"If Japan only gets it in Autmn therefore USA will get it near Christmas and thats still pushing it"

"When will the UK get it then??? Who knows"

This cheered me up

Yeah I knew a Spring Launch was a long shot but expect Sony's Hype Machine to be at full strengh come E3.

i wish they bankrupt.....hah ha ha ha haha!

Sony has been keeping this all under wraps. They have kept every game, hardware and their new online service "Playstation HUB" very secret and secure. You should expect alot of information on the Sony show coming this February which is based around the PS3. Expect prices, launch dates and games announced for the system. It might get a summer-autumn launch and hopefully they will do a worldwide launch, so Japan, NA and Europe can all get their PS3s at the same time.

I dont know man. Unless they try to release it in 2007 because i heard they're having problems with all kinds of stuff. It would be impossible to manufacture that many units ( especially withs its "unique" hardware) in that short amount of time. Maybe......

You never know, maybe they are making the units as we speak. I seriously doubt that Sony, the most respectable console maker would let the PS3 rot or get delayed becuase of a lack of information. I think everything is going to be revealed this next upcoming Sony show. They had a website up, I will try to get a link, but it said on it they will be focusing on releasing new "Important" information on the PS3. I hope they get a spring-summer launch, I would prefer that so, so, much, and Im hoping for a 300-500 dollar price range.

Originally Posted by Steve You never know, maybe they are making the units as we speak. I seriously doubt that Sony, the most respectable console maker would let the PS3 rot or get delayed becuase of a lack of information. I think everything is going to be revealed this next upcoming Sony show. They had a website up, I will try to get a link, but it said on it they will be focusing on releasing new "Important" information on the PS3. I hope they get a spring-summer launch, I would prefer that so, so, much, and Im hoping for a 300-500 dollar price range.

Uhhh... you're not quite close to the real price.

As this article explains, the production cost of ONE ps3 is somewhere around 900$ (!) , depending on if you want the Hard Disk or not. If you don't, subtract 100$: it's still 800$ per unit.

Now, Microsoft Xbox360 losses per unit were around 70-90$. If Sony wants to last another couple of months after PS3 launch, it should do the same.

So, the final price is: 800$ (799$) for the Premium package (including the HD), and 700$ (699$) for the "core" one.
And this is the main reason for Sony's 3,6% share drop on Tokyo stock market.

Now the question is: at THESE prices, would you still buy the PS3?
My answer is: farewell, Sony.

Yet there have also been articles on the how the Xbox 360 costs 700-800 dollars to make. They are losing millions of dollars because they can, and Sony is looking forward to year two, when the profits start to kick in. They are not stupid, they will put the PS3 at a price close to the Xbox 360. Rumors of the price like this are just insane.

Originally Posted by Steve Yet there have also been articles on the how the Xbox 360 costs 700-800 dollars to make. They are losing millions of dollars because they can, and Sony is looking forward to year two, when the profits start to kick in. They are not stupid, they will put the PS3 at a price close to the Xbox 360. Rumors of the price like this are just insane.

Mmh.. I think "insane" would be selling something they pay 900$ for 500$.
400$ loss PER UNIT? Remember we're talking about MILLIONS of units: that would be a KO hit even for Sony. And analysts say that prices will lower by 300-400$ in THREE YEARS, starting from 2008. So... maybe in 3 years the PS3 will cost as the X360 costs NOW. :brow

These are the numbers. If you want proof, I'll link it for you again:

Gamespot News on PS3

When PS3 comes out, it will be so late that 100 games will finished for release day and HALO4 will be out at the same time!!!

HEHEHE!!!

I highly doubt this, the Sony is smart enough not to make a console worth 1000 dollars and sell it at 400. They definatly have something up their sleeve. I doubt they will do this, and if they do the Playstation will fail. See Xbox fanboys are hoping this would happen, hoping so much they will state it to be fact when it really is not. Just when sony people were making fun of the Xbox 360 look and launch titles, so dont be hypocrits and do the same to Sony becuase they have been in first place for so long.

I think it will take a year after the PS3 launch to get the 1-2-3 punch going- just remember that Sony and Nintendo are alot more popular in Japan then Microsft is, expect Sony to be leeching off of Japan like Nintendo has in their first couple of months.

Don't get me wrong Steve, I'm not a Playstation nor a Sony hater.

I own a PS2 and I think it's a fantastic console, especially thanks to its huge amount of games and third-party developers. But, when I had a look at PS3 specs, I thought that maybe this time Sony has tried a little too hard: The "Cell" processor, the Blue-Ray drive - that's expensive stuff to be manufactured at this time, you know. I thought that, perhaps, the pressure of making the ultimate next-gen console has made them miss the target. Yes, it is powerful indeed - but is PS fanbase rich enough to afford it? Ehr... I'm not

Anyway, time will say if you're right - and Sony has something in its sleeve - or not. And if PS3 will be released at 499$, I'll definitely go and buy it.

I would too, but anything higher I would be dissapointed and with the money I saved up for it, I would buy all the Xbox 360 games and sell my PS2 to a bunch of vicious primitive barbarians. I mean they aren't that dumb, they just can't believe and say oh well- "I guess the PS3 is going to cost $1,000 dollars, no biggie". That would be huge and the end of Sony in the console race which would be ironic because it would be very similar to how Sony basically destroyed Sega's chances of becoming one of the top consoles. Yes the specs say otherwise but Sony is probably going to do something so that they gain everything they lost in their first year with something great in their second year. They have announced Playstation HUB a subscription online service much like XBOX Live to compete with it, so like how Xbox LIVE saved the Xbox, I believe HUB will do the same with the PS3.

If it does go for a normal price like $399 or $499 I can't wait until Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out!

Nice one RILU I honestly doubt it that the PS3 will be released here this year.

Whose PS2 warranty when up their PS2 stated DISC READ ERROR???

Yeah too many of us. Would you still call that a respected company. Microsoft always deliver the best quality product immaculately and they know the computing business side more so thats why I have a 360.

Microsoft has been having many problems with the Xbox 360 repair stage as well man. Your Xbox 360 hasn't broke down yet. Ask some of the people who 360 has had problems and needed to be returned to the factory. The console took ages to repair for most of them, and was delayed from the dates that it was expected to be completed. Playstations and Xboxs alike will break down all the time for die-hard gamers because of overuse. Overuse is the reason for breakdowns 90 percent of the time. You can't insult Sony on having disc errors when it is happening on the Xbox's side as well.

Yeah but if you look at the percentage of 360s released with problems and the same with the PS2 I think the fraction will be far higher for the PS2

Bit bias but I believe its true even before I got my XBOX 360

Well you can say anything you want really, but like the Xbox did at the time the PS2 was first made Sony built the ultimate console. They are trying their best to make no problems, but I just can't see anyone being so stupid to putting their top product on sale for such a high price or anyone believing it just because it is rumored. People have put the Xbox 360 totalted to cost 700 for each console made. So if the the PS3 launches one price at $499 in a Worldwide launch they will be on par with the Xbox 360 in price and have the ultimate console ready to go. Everything will be shown and released most likely at the IGDA-London on February 22nd (aka 1 Day Before the Day After Tomorrow). Developers will meet with Sony reps, announces perhaps the price, launch date, and hopefully games planned for the launch.

It will be very interesting to see your views on both consoles when you have both in 2 years sorry so bad.


But before you bought both what excited you the most???HONEST ANSWER PLEASE

Im not sure what you are asking exactly, but are you asking what excites me both about the PS3 and the Xbox 360? I think that is what you are trying to say so I will answer that to the best of my ability.

What excites me both about the Xbox 360 was simply the controller. I really wasnt thrilled with my Xbox because the controller was the worst conconction on the face of this planet. The Xbox 360 controller is a work of art and it is a great additon. For the PS3 I would have to say the Blu Ray Player. No load screens, more graphic detail, larger games- how can you not be excited for it. Honestly I won't be able to choose between consoles, I don't discriminate against either of them because I love the PS2 and love the Xbox 360. I just dont like it when rumors are put down as Sony's flaws.

Well no specification details yet and the consoles supposed to be released in not even 2 months.Somethings up. MICROSOFT had their details finalised pretty much at E3. More details in early August, PRICE etc.And then they showcased the FINAL console in early SEPTEMBER. SONY unless they have a big massive announcement tomrrow I think have a long wait. It was the same with the PSP Q1 2005 no Q3 2005.

AND I MEANT TO SAY

Seeing both consoles(360 and PS3) what excited you the most???

I think the PSP did come out during the first Quarter of 2005 but if you say so say "ok". They will release it during this Spring in Japan and probably a wait for North America until Q4 or Q3. Not to much of a wait but it does give the Xbox 360 a full year advantage to promote it. So the PS3 will have to make up ground but it probably will have the same success the last consoles have.

Yeah I can see where we are getting mixed up I am in the UK and am giving an opinion based on what the big guns do here the PSP was probably released US in Q1 05 but it was supposed to conicide with the UK launch. I would probably be getting a PS3 if MICROSFTS attitude to the EUROPEAN market isnt as strong as it is because we are normally waiting an extra year at least for consoles but well you know...

You know you can usually just buy an imported Playstation3 from the states and have it shipped over to the UK. Makes much more sense, because you get your PS3 and it still reads in English. Yeah for most people it is hard to welch off of the US sales becuase most stores are so pre occupied with getting their pre ordered lists down its almost impossible to order a console and send it that far. Sony releases their products in the rate of success. They get most success in Japan (like almost all Technology) then North America and then shortly after that they will do the rest of the world in stages. Microsoft took a huge risk with the WorldWide launch and it didn't pay off in Japan but pulled out great in North America and Europe. I doubt Sony will risk that with their highest buyers.

If you get any console from the US you run the risk or a power surge to the console and also the video region problem.

YEAH 3 PIN PLUGS and NTSC and PAL problems and the risk of it being stolen or something happening is too dodgy £50 to ship it no way but can see what your thinking yet still too dodgy