ComputerandVideogames.com is reporting that Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, confirmed a Spring 2006 release for the PS3 at a meeting yesterday. The date is pretty much what everyone was expecting. The meeting didn't mention any regional specifics, but there are really only two ways Sony could do it:
Option a: the traditional staged approach. This means that it'll hit Japan in April/March sometime. After that we're talking US releases "later in the year" with a European release in late 2006/early 2007.
Option b: a simultaneous worldwide release. Microsoft are planning a worldwide release of the Xbox 360 over a total of two weeks. Sony would be lagging if it goes for the traditional 6 month roll-out. It's hard being a US or EU gamer waiting for hot next-gen game hardware (as owners of imported PSPs will no doubt tell you).
Note that this is not an official confirmation of the release date and is based upon the word of the company's CEO. Stay tuned for an official confirmation.
