Sony PS3 Delayed until March 2007

PlayStation 3 Euro launch delayed....

The launch of Sony's long-awaited PlayStation 3 games console in Europe
has been delayed until March 2007. Ken Kutaragi, head of Sony's global
computer entertainment division, said the machine would still be
launched in November in the US and in Japan. Mr Kutaragi blamed the
European delay on problems in mass producing elements of the
high-definition Blu-ray disc drives in the machines.

Sony said it still aimed to ship six million new PlayStations by March.
But it halved its forecast for the end of 2006, saying just two million
units would be shipped worldwide before the end of December.

Production problems meant that fewer machines than anticipated would be
available for the launch in Japan and the US, Mr Kutaragi said.
Speaking at Sony's global headquarters in Tokyo, Mr Kutaragi apologised
for the delays to the PlayStation 3 launch. But he said Sony had
decided to focus on the US and Japan in the run-up to Christmas.

"I am so sorry not to be able to answer all the expectations," he said.
The delay is due to a problem with the mass production of the blue
laser diodes needed for the Blu-ray DVD player in the machine Sony
said.

Long delays

This is not the first time the next-generation console has been hit by
delays. In March Sony were forced to postpone the original launch date,
scheduled for spring 2006, because of problems with the Blu-ray disc
copy protection technology.

Normally Sony staggers the release of a new console, releasing in Japan
and America, with Europe coming a belated third. The initial delays
meant that Sony revised its schedule, saying that the console would be
released in all three markets at the same time.

David Reeves, head of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe said at the
time: "This is an exciting first for Europe, and is a huge endorsement
and vote of confidence in the strength of the European market and its
importance globally." The latest delay means that European gamers will
have to wait a further 4 months to get their hands on the next
generation console.

Christmas disappointment

It also means Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched last year, will
enjoy another Christmas without facing a challenge from Sony in Europe.
Nintendo's Wii console is also scheduled for a worldwide release this
autumn, although no firm date has been set.

Ray Maguire, senior vice president and managing director of Sony UK,
said: "We are extremely disappointed at news of this delay, and can
truly empathise with everyone who was looking forward to PS3's imminent
release. "We will however be working tirelessly to ensure that the
March 2007 launch, is the biggest and best in the company's history."

On Wednesday Sony began introducing UK retailers to the new games
console. Some were hoping to begin taking pre-orders for the console
from the middle of September.

Tim Ellis, head of games for HMV, said the delay was a disappointment
for gamers and for retailers, who had been waiting for the launch for
much of 2006. "It also presents a major opportunity to Microsoft to
consolidate Xbox's position in the market, while Nintendo have a great
chance to launch and firmly establish Wii," Mr Ellis added.