Sony currently has about 70 percent of the global market for game consoles.
Posted on 02/20/2006 10:20:21 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -- Sony Corp.'s launch of its next-generation PlayStation 3 video game console could be delayed if industry specifications for some of its technology are not finalized soon, although it is still aiming for a spring rollout, it said on Monday.
The launch of PlayStation 3 (PS3) has been the subject of heavy speculation in the industry as expectations are high for the powerful machine, which will feature cutting-edge technology in its DVD player, processors and graphics.
PS3 will be competing with Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360, which went on sale last November, and Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Revolution, which is expected later this year.
"We're aiming for spring, but we haven't announced specific regions," a spokeswoman for Sony Computer Entertainment said, adding that it was waiting for the final specifications on some of the technology it is using in the PS3, such as that related to the Blu-ray DVD drive and to input and output video and sound.
The specifications are decided by industry consortiums.
"We're waiting for them until the last possible minute, but the launch could be pushed back if they're not decided soon," the spokeswoman said. If the PS3 is not ready in time, the company will choose the next best timing for the launch, she said.
Sony has been promising a spring launch but has been deliberately vague about exactly when that would be. Analysts have said it could mean anytime between March and the end of Japan's rainy season in June.
Sony's shares fell as much as 4.4 percent on Monday after Merrill Lynch said in a research note last week that the PS3's launch might be delayed by six to 12 months and the cost of production could initially approach $900 per unit.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Sony currently has about 70 percent of the global market for game consoles.
Yippie...the price of blue lasers will fall....
Everybody I know, including myself has had read error problems with their PS2. Eventually you can't read any of your disks. I've had the same problems with lasers in all the Sony products I've bought in the past. They don't have a future in my house.
My PS2 has never had problems. I'm fairly loyal to Sony... and even more loyal to Metal Gear and Final Fantasy. I'll sit on my wallet for a few more months if need be.
The Cell Chip that is will contain will kill the Intel chip.
Dear lord....
I won't get one of those for a while then.
BTW, I do one season with Ohio State and another with Army :)
Have you owned it longer than 3 years?
I bought a Sony DVD-R for my computer that tends to have read problems from time to time. Of course, I've had bad luck in general with CD/DVD drives.
Umm... I think so. But it got Katrina'd. Didn't work too well after that.
We got DRE (Disc Read Errors) on our old PS2 three times. We eventually got it fixed for free...but it broke again. So we had to buy the new slimmer version. Nowadays, I hardly play the PS2.
(glances at the Xbox 360) Say what you will about Microsoft...they made a tough console. I've had no problems with it (or the older Xbox for that matter). Their addition of the hard drive to a console was a stroke of genius. And Xbox Live is STILL better than anything Sony has to offer.
Duh! I am not expecting the PS3 till Q1 or Q2 of 07.
I keep up with the gaming sites and they have been speculating this for months.
I also don't expect the Revolution till Q4 of 06.
Really? I hadn't heard that. That would be a major delay. I thought the Revolution was coming in Q2 of 06. And, although I had heard about the PS3's possible delay, Q1 0r Q2 of '07 is huge. Wow. Their Blu-ray must be screwed up.
FFX was one of the best games ever IMHO. I am looking forward to FFXII. GT4 was also right up there.
Why I get all three consoles:
Xbox - Halo, Fable, Perfect Dark, PGR-3, etc.
Game Cube - Zelda and Mario
Playstation - GT4, Final Fantasy, SSX, etc.
N-64 - Banjo Kazooie, Mario, Zelda, etc.
They say the slimmer version develops disk read errors even faster. Yeah, my xbox has never given me a problem and it's had three kids, four if you count me, drop it and spill things on it.
I am just speculating. I could easily be dead wrong.
(I sure hope so) I will get both as they come out.
I alrady have my 360, DS, PSP, Game Cube, PS2, and N-64.
You got that right. There's nothing even remotely close to what Xbox Live has to offer at this moment. Thus, Sony is at a huge disadvantage here in the United States. However, Sony makes many rpg games that Asians love so that means Microsoft will probably never be able to gain a foothold in Asia.
But this round, it's likely that Microsoft may get up to 50% of the US Market.
Ive had 360 since day one.Love it.PS3 will be looking at the next gen XBOX by the time they finally release it.PS2 disc read error was infamous...but easy to fix.That was the only glaring flaw in their last model IMO
Love the 360 also, here. My main gripe is game releases. Great console, but not enough games. I'm waiting for Elder Scrolls Oblivion. I have 360 and also PS2. Who needs therapy when one has SOCOM 3?
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