Sony PS3 launch could be delayed

CNN ^ | Monday, February 20, 2006 | Reuters

[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.

[knews_hound]

ditto

[Thoro]

They say the slimmer version develops disk read errors even faster.

Sheesh, I hope not. My PS2 experience has been *exactly* like my PS1 experience. The console was problem free for a year, then it started having odd loading problems for about a year, and then after that it was a ritual complete with tribal drums, incantations, and live sacrifices to get the unit to load any type of game or cd. Remember how the initial PS1 "fix" was to turn the console upside down? I remember using FAQs that explained how to manually tune the "F BIAS" screw that fixed it for a period too.

My PS2 was one of the year one units, and it developed the DRE error. I was able to ship it to Sony and they fixed it free of charge. The unit worked the way it was supposed to for about 3-4 months, and then went back to regular DREs. There's FAQs out there explaining how to re-tune the laser head, but I was in no mood to go through that. I bought the slimmer model almost a year ago to replace it, and it was my hope that, like the late model PS1s, they had the kinks ironed out so that it wouldn't happen anymore.

With that kind of track record, I worry about investing in a brand new Sony console. I can only hope they postpone the games I want long enough that the console will come down in price.

[LanPB01]

Do any other 360 owners have Call of Duty 2? I love the game, but I consistently have trouble accessing XBox Live with it. About 75% of the time, I get a message saying I am unable to join a server. I don't think its my XBox's connection to the internet, becuase I can access Halo 2 every time I try.

By the way, my screen name on Live is lpburk2, and I hope a lot of Freepers are planning to get Burnout: Revenge in March, cause I'll be looking for competition.

[Andonius_99]

it got Katrina'd

Well, do you at least know who looted it???

[Ultra Sonic 007]

I have Call of Duty 2.

It was a big screw-up on the part of the developer's (the multiplayer mode, that is). Just goes to show you how far ahead Bungie was in that department with Halo 2.

[LanPB01]

You would think Activision would try to fix that, whether that means releasing a patch or doing something to the servers on their end. I repeatedly tried to play last night, and was never able to get online.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

In EGM, the editor spoke of CoD2's crappy multiplayer (dubbing it 'Call of Frustration'). Activision's response? "We're looking into it."

[MinorityRepublican]

There's nothing remotely close to Halo 2 on Xbox Live. I'm waiting on the release of Halo 3 before I buy Xbox 360. Being that I'm a college student, I'm a little bit short on cash right now.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Halo 2 is the King...of the Hill. (Shot for pun)

[BigBlueJon]

I have it. It's a great game on single player and I haven't played it on Live. I just haven't seen the use for paying the $50 or $60 to go online for 360 when I can go online for free with SOCOM 3 on PS2 now. I have played Halo on Live when I had 1 month free but didn't really get into it. I would much rather stick to SOCOM right now.

As far as Burnout: Revenge, I'll be looking for it. I will probably pay the Live membership within the next couple months here. My screen name is CentreFire. There's a Freeper gamer thread around here somewhere but I just haven't joined yet.

[MinorityRepublican]

I have it. It's a great game on single player and I haven't played it on Live. I just haven't seen the use for paying the $50 or $60 to go online for 360 when I can go online for free with SOCOM 3 on PS2 now.

50 to 60 bucks for each game is a bit much. In a couple years, if the majority of games cost 20 to 30 dollars each, it'll be a good buy.

[LanPB01]

I can't really get into Halo online, either, but I really enjoyed Call of Duty 2 on the rare occassions I was able to log on. Burnout is scheduled to be in stores on March 7th, and I'm really looking forward to it.

[DrBombbay]

Whole smathering of games coming out next month....Blazing Angels,The Outfit,Battlefield,Oblivion Elder Scrolls....better start saving.Just finished GUN.