Breaking News: PS3 delayed until November!
by Christopher Grant 
{ Mar 14th 2006 at 3:45PM }
Just before it
reached the point of comic absurdity (alright, it might have already hit that point) Sony has acquiesced: the
PlayStation 3 isn't shipping in the next three months, despite what their website says to the contrary. The Nihon Keizai
Shimbun newspaper is reporting that the PlayStation 3 is being delayed until "early November" in Japan
due to complications with the AACS copy protection system being implemented into the Blu-ray specification. The unsourced story broke in Japan this morning, hours ahead of the 3pm (1am EST) Sony conference where we imagine this--and other--PS3 unknowns will be eliminated. With a November release in Japan, Sony would need to coordinate a simultaneous launch in the US in order to capitalize on the lucrative--and strategic--holiday shopping season. A simultaneous launch would be a first for Sony, who have historically launched in Japan first, with US and European launches following.
We're sure you're all as shocked as we were to hear the news. Seriously, we're just glad that soon, maybe by this time tomorrow, we won't have to bring you daily updates about the PS3 being delayed, not delayed, definitely delayed, still on track, not in manufacturing...
[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
lolzorztomynegativestars @ Mar 14th 2006 3:56PM
LOL, is this even official?
gx @ Mar 14th 2006 3:57PM
Gameover PS3.... long live XBOX360!
DuctTape @ Mar 14th 2006 3:58PM
here comes Nintendo vs Sony
lolzorztomynegativestars @ Mar 14th 2006 4:00PM
We're going to be stuck with a freaking 1.5 generation for a whole damned year. Oh well, at least the system won't get rushed. *cough* 360 *cough*
The funniest thing is that joystiq is reporting this as official when Sony hasn't said a word.
Robert @ Mar 14th 2006 4:00PM
If that's true, that means 2007 for the U.S. Something I've been saying for a while now.
Gonna be tough for Sony to introduce a really expensive gaming machine amid a much stronger 360 and blooming Nintendo Revolution.
nizzy1115 @ Mar 14th 2006 4:00PM
wow...we all knew this all along.
But seriously, i dont even think that it will ship in november. I believe it will be finished minus all the freaken restrictions placed on the new blue ray player technology. Im assuming it will come out mid febuary or the beginning of march of next year.
ncxcstud @ Mar 14th 2006 4:00PM
To #1..
Has anything been official? No, but its a lot closer than what Sony has been given us.
If you take what the Euro sony headman said last week to heart, we may not see the PS3 in America until 2007... As far as they know...Sony doesn't plan to have a simultaneous launch at all...
Who knows. I'm just ready to learn more about the PS3...even though I probably won't get one for a few years (2-3).
funkyflea @ Mar 14th 2006 4:01PM
Hehe @ #1 being a sony fanboy.
Well, I'm getting the great gaming on already with my 360 - why wait for Sony?
1up_clock @ Mar 14th 2006 4:01PM
Tee-hee.
Cameron @ Mar 14th 2006 4:04PM
If true, there is no way the US and Europe will get the system before 2007. I highly doubt Sony could handle a simultaneous launch beween at least the US and Japan. They had big problems with even the PSP, so due to the tech in PS3, the problem is only amplified. Giving MSFT two holdiay seasons in the US is a no-no. Plus you have Nintendo running around... We'll see what this Sony conference brings in the next few hours.
Spartacus @ Mar 14th 2006 4:04PM
Yes, it is official. It came from Sony.
What isn't official is the launch dates for the other territories and the price, along with many, many other details. Right now it looks that 2006 will be the year of the 360 and Revolution in the European regions... Sony will have some major catch-up to play when the PS3 is launched, if not in number of consoles, at least in available games. Check out 360fanboy to see a list of titles being released so far this year for the white box. It's impressive and very tempting...
The1 @ Mar 14th 2006 4:04PM
Gamesindustry.biz had this posted all day long. So this is not Joystiq quoting this. Tomorrow morning when you all wake up, we will have the news.
lolzorztomynegativestars @ Mar 14th 2006 4:05PM
Don't forget that PS3 will still outsell everything in Japan when it comes out, driving Japanese games to the console, driving sales in the states for all the true-non-born-only-for-fps gamers and casuals that don't want to pay a premium for a LIVE service or for a DVD player. In fact, most gamers won't give a damn, since
current gen games are better than anything on the 360.
Oh, and I love Joystiq for its sensationalism in "reporting in advance" as news when as for now, it's just a rumor.
Ghost Box @ Mar 14th 2006 4:06PM
Wow! Microsoft's strategy for launching 1st really does pay off after all. They may now actually reach their goal of 10 million units by year's end.
I suppose now the big question is will Sony be able to launch the PS3 in North America before 2007?
James @ Mar 14th 2006 4:07PM
please lets not have anymore comments suggesting that Sony has blown it and the 360 will dominate this generation.
It'll NEVER happen and I dont particularly like Sony.
Scott @ Mar 14th 2006 4:07PM
I don't see Sony doing a simultaneous launch in the US and Japan. I just don't.
It will be early 2007 for the PS3 in the USA.
draco @ Mar 14th 2006 4:07PM
this doesnt mean 2007 for US, infact it means next to nothing for it.
just because it will be delayed until november for Japan, because of copy protection doesnt mean they can't build the machines and stockpile them, and wait for the final word on the AACS then flash all the chips on the systems, all this means is instead of 500,000 machines at launch in May, there will be 1.5 million machines at launch in November.
they can still make the machines, the only thing they can't do is sell them until a deal is reached with hollywood.
PC IS ALWAYS UP TO DATE(NEXTGENGPUDIRECTX10) @ Mar 14th 2006 4:08PM
GET A NEXT GEN PC CHEAP SKATES
Nolan Benbrook @ Mar 14th 2006 4:08PM
HAHAHAHAHA!
Sony just basicly said, "FUCK YOU SPRING!!"
Spartacus @ Mar 14th 2006 4:08PM
My bad. The Eurogamer article has a little different spin than the 1UP article, which makes it sound like this came straight from Sony... I retract my previous statement ;)
bv @ Mar 14th 2006 4:09PM
This is not official! Read the article :
"The story - the source for which is currently unclear - appears in the Japanese newspaper at the start of a day that is expected to see Sony deliver more concrete details about its plans for PlayStation 3 at a press conference in Japan."
"source for which is currently unclear"....
Just wait until Kutaragi speaks at 3pm tokyo time (9 hours from now) and then you can bitch and moan or point fingers.
James @ Mar 14th 2006 4:09PM
The worst thing about this news is that there will be no next-gen versions of many franchises for years as they won't be made solely for the 360.
No next gen Pro-Evo for me untill 2008 I fear.
alex @ Mar 14th 2006 4:09PM
sony oh sony oh that's why they are coming out with a lot of rpgs from enix with god of war 2 b/c thay knew this long time ago they just did not fell like telling anybody about it thank u sony thank u japan sad but true long live xbox long live bill gate
lolzorztomynegativestars @ Mar 14th 2006 4:11PM
"The Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper is reporting that the PlayStation 3 is being delayed until "early November" in Japan due to complications with the AACS copy protection system being implemented into the Blu-ray specification. "
From Sony. Yeah. Right. The article reads:
"Sony representatives were not immediately available for comment."
But yeah, it came from sony, Spartan. Hey Joystiq, give him another star for at least trying. Hey Spartacus, not all of us want racing games, american "RPGs", or FPS. Give us the god damned japanese games already, or at least Killer Instinct 3 from Rare while we wait for the actual Next-gen.
Xbox Fanboy @ Mar 14th 2006 4:11PM
Xbox 360 can't beat God of War 2 and Final Fantasy XII
Dreamcast.. the history repeats again.
huZZah @ Mar 14th 2006 4:13PM
To me, this is the first major strike against the PS3... especially if it does in fact miss the 2006 release window in the US... the second strike will be if it launches for more than $400... and that leaves them one more strike... and if the launch titles are anything less than earthshakingly stellar that would be three strikes and yer out Sony.
C. Grant @ Mar 14th 2006 4:15PM
Thanks for trolling bd,
We're not "reporting in advance" whatever that means, we're quoting an "unsourced" newspaper report, it's all up there for you to read. Since it's unsourced, how could it be official? That's why I mention tomorrow's press conference. If you can't be relied upon to use simple reading comprehension before flaming and trolling the comments page, you'll continue to distinguish yourself with more negative stars.
servo @ Mar 14th 2006 4:18PM
#11 lolzorztomynegativestars
"...for all the true-non-born-only-for-fps gamers and casuals that don't want to pay a premium for a LIVE service or for a DVD player. In fact, most gamers won't give a damn, since
current gen games are better than anything on the 360."
LMAO
This HAS TO BE the most idiotic statement I've read in a long while. LOL, I mean seriously, how does your lead-paint-damaged mind remember how to breathe?
WARREN @ Mar 14th 2006 4:21PM
Hell if I care. I plan on getting a PS3 whenever it comes out, but the Xbox 360 is ALL that and a bag of Cool Ranch. Sucks for the people ONLY waiting for a PS3 though. Their loss.
SCHUEY @ Mar 14th 2006 4:22PM
You know whats going to beat God of War....try Gears of War (plus i will be able to play it online. And I'll take Oblivion, a true RPG instead of playing FFXII. I can watch Advent Childern on my 360 when it comes out since Final Fantasy games are basically movies, lol. And don't tell me I have never played FF, I have played III for the SNES to FFX for the PS2!
alex @ Mar 14th 2006 4:23PM
servo are you okay? get over........lol
LunarDuality @ Mar 14th 2006 4:23PM
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper is considered by some to be the "Wall Street Journal" of Japan. It seems like a pretty credible source. Obviously they are quoting "anonymous" sources inside Sony but can't validate them for obvious NDA reasons.
The real interesting point is that if they do release this in November in Japan they'll be contending with Nintendo in Japan immediately and MS in North America eventually. I think the PS3 will do well, but that seems like a rock and a hard place.
Spartacus @ Mar 14th 2006 4:24PM
Hey lolzorztomynegativestars, I already corrected my statement, thanks. I read the article on 1up.com which made it sound more official. After I read the Eurogamer report and the gamesindustry report, I amended my post. And congratulations on your gaming tastes. More power to you. However believe or or not, the next gen is here, Sony is just late for the party (if this report turns out to be true). If you honestly thing the PS3 will be leaps and bounds better graphically than the 360, you are ill informed. The last generation didn't start when the Xbox hit shelves, even though it WAS a distinguishable improvement over the PS2. But hey, you're an idependent consumer who can think whatever he likes.
The Mole @ Mar 14th 2006 4:25PM
So, it won't hit Japan til November. When I blogged on this yesterday I figured on a November US launch, not a November Japan launch. Who expects to get this in the US this year? We all saw how hard it was for Microsoft to do a worldwide launch. Could Sony pull that off?
Probably not. I mean, they might be able to make about 1-2 million units by then, but is that enough to hold back the Revolution or the 360? Not likely. If anything the lack of PS3's available this holiday season will drive more demand for the 360 or the Revolution. Heck, the 360 is going to be the most available and possibly in-demand system come November. Now, if Microsoft can get Halo 3 (Halo Online) out the door by November, game over Sony.
A Nony Mous @ Mar 14th 2006 4:26PM
The only thing not mentioned in all these talkbacks is Sony's setup to pull a Saturn on all of us, and release the console in the next 60 days in Japan. After all, they've consistently promised Spring, the reasons given for the delay are weak and inconsistent with the rest of BluRay's deployment.
I wouldn't be suprised at all if we see a console from them in the next year.
For all we've been bitching about the console not doing this, or not doing that... These have all been speculative articles from anonymous sources who don't want to be revealed.
In case you haven't noticed, American journalism isn't exactly known for being grounded in reality. And seeing as how these aren't exactly Time, Newsweek, or even Entertainment Weekly, I wouldn't be shocked if there's a little bit of mis-truth in their reporting.
Look at EGM, GamePro, Game Informer, or OPSM's readership. It's kids and teens. So, couple sensationalistic journalism + short over agressive teen attention spans + haggling over a 2 months of time = MAJOR talk and news for Sony. They have no obligation to tell us anything, especially when it's bad news.
Who wants to go out to a press conference and say, "oops!" And doing it less than 60 days before E3, and a week before a conference about the PS3. I don't see negative here at all.
And I do plan on buying a PS3, but I've owned all the major consoles (GC, PS2, XBX, and DC) of the last gen, 3 GBA's, a PSP, and a DS. I'm hardly a fanboy. I want games, not systems.
32_footsteps @ Mar 14th 2006 4:28PM
Taking a step away from the inflammatory comments...
I really wonder what this is doing to Sony's value as a company. It's long been assumed that the Playstation division of Sony has been helping the company stay in the black. How much is this hammering the company's net worth? Because if this does seriously impact Sony's financial well-being, and if video games are really the backbone of Sony's profit margins these days, the continued bad news for the PS3 could snowball into serious problems for the company.
You know, for all that people talk about comparing the Dreamcast to the Xbox 360, I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps the Genesis is a more apt comparison. The system is doing decently so far, although it has yet to gain any real traction with its games. Nobody saw Sonic coming until he was a huge hit; maybe the same thing will happen with Microsoft.
Of course, Nintendo are just wild cards in this entire thing. It's probably to their benefit that they haven't said any release dates yet.
Brian @ Mar 14th 2006 4:28PM
Maybe I'll be able to buy an Xbox 360 in stores by then. :)
I'd MUCH rather have them come out in late 2006 then cut features. Give me HDMI, 1080p, and Blu-ray in November rather than releasing sans-Blu-ray now. I'm happy with my Xbox (for now) and I'll be happy with my 360 soon, so I'm willing to wait on the PS3 if it's a superior product.
It better have some sick launch titles though.
JodyAnthony @ Mar 14th 2006 4:30PM
"sony oh sony oh that's why they are coming out with a lot of rpgs from enix with god of war 2 b/c thay knew this long time ago they just did not fell like telling anybody about it thank u sony thank u japan sad but true long live xbox long live bill gate"
I'm sorry, is there anyone that can translate this into english?
Jed Merrill @ Mar 14th 2006 4:34PM
Sony has blown it, though it is possible they will have more and better games at launch due to the delay. I don't see them having enough consoles to launch in more than one territory this year. I expect March 2007 for the US and May or June 2007 for Europe. They will sell out, but how much of a footprint are they going to make with 500,000 PS3's this year? Not much.
Xbox will dominate Sony until late 2008, when Sony's advantage in Japan helps them catch up worldwide. Nintendo, meanwhile, will do well in both categories. The Revolution is exceptional as is, and there are still surprises in store. There is a good chance they will beat out Microsoft by early 2008.
Congrats to MS for getting out there early. They will do well this generation, maybe well enough to break even!
bv @ Mar 14th 2006 4:34PM
The official story from the newspaper's website:
http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/
"TOKYO (Nikkei)--Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. will delay the release of its PlayStation 3 next-generation video game console until early November because the copy protection technology for the Blu-ray Disc has not been finalized, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun learned Tuesday.
The six-month delay could impact the Sony Corp. group's business rehabilitation plans because the PlayStation 3 is key to the group's business recovery.
Development of the copy protection technology has fallen behind schedule as consumer electronics makers and movie companies have been unable to work out the details.
Other core parts, including the Cell high-performance chip, are believed to have been developed on schedule.
Featuring the Cell, which came about through joint efforts by the Sony group, Toshiba Corp. and IBM Corp., as well as a Blu-ray Disc drive, the PlayStation 3 is expected to enable users to not only play game and movie software but also download and view high-quality videos on the Internet.
Sony Computer Entertainment announced last May that the successor to the PlayStation 2, the world's best-selling video game console, would be launched this spring. More than 100 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been shipped worldwide to date.
Among rival products, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 was released late last year. Nintendo Co. plans to start selling its next-generation video game console, code-named Revolution, this year."
No mention of actually speaking to any Sony Reps whatsoever.
Andy @ Mar 14th 2006 4:36PM
Wow, the Sony fanboys must be irate about this. Sony is letting Microsoft get away with murder. I was kind of expecting a 2007 US launch for PS3... That's TWO Christmasses of 360...
Patrick @ Mar 14th 2006 4:37PM
@15 - Good point
Gonzo @ Mar 14th 2006 4:38PM
Once again, great name 32 footsteps, great point too. While most people I know have the ps2 and not xbox, sony's got some real rocks to think that the 360 can't capture their portion of the market in a year. If they can't sell the ps3 for under $500, microsoft may just whoop them even without a killer app. But if microsoft gets the next big game (they'll have to do better than Halo3) that everybody wants, the war will be over before the battle even began.
Not at all surprised about the announcement either. November is probably their last chance at making a splash with this thing.
Darth Pixel @ Mar 14th 2006 4:40PM
Cool!
Sony is playing the same strategy they played against the DreamCast. Launch later so that your console appears as obsoleting the competition.
It's going to be a nightmare for Peter Moore.
Musashi450 @ Mar 14th 2006 4:45PM
Does anyone recall the time difference between when the PS2 was launched in Japan and when it was launched on these shores?
I'm actually curious if this was purposely leaked? Only because I would think the upcoming event would want to be the focus of the postive aspects of the PS3. While I'm sure they planned (and still plan) to announce the delay, I would think leaking it ahead of time would relieve some of the initial sting.
I do agree that when PS3 comes out it will sell simply because its Sony's PS3 but I also agree that I think the general core gaming audience with high hopes on the systems graphics will be dissapointed. I know its been pointed out time and time again but let me point it out one more time that the initial wave of games never, while generally looking and playing better, never appear to be quite the level of next-gen that people anticipate. Those games are going to be seen in E3 2007.
I ask the intial question because if Revolution is debuting prior to the holiday season, and Sony doesn't, Nintendo is going to become the clear winner of the holiday business season. I dismiss the 360 only because I think the initial aw with the system is beginning to wear off. Although I'll admit I'm a true nintendo fanboy at heart.
alex @ Mar 14th 2006 4:47PM
sony will never be the same..........alejandro
Zsavior @ Mar 14th 2006 4:48PM
As much as I would like to shake my fanboy grove thing like a rebel on planet Endor with my freaky furry friends, as we watch the evil empire explode from below. I don't think this is actually a good thing for gaming. As much as love nintendo, did Xbox 360 teach us anything? Yes I think Microsoft's plan came to fruition betting that the parts for the PS3 might be to complicated, but has anybody seen the state of gaming for the third party developers.
This just isn't good news if you are third party, people have shown that they have grinded to a hault anticipating next generation consoles graphics and game play. The fall out now only gets worst as now third parties like SquareEnix and Capcom will be thrown into the mix. Not that I am a fan of E.A. or Activision, but we do need third part companies to survive for a variety of games.
With Xbox 360 still no where to be seen, Nintendo being very in house strong and capable, and PS3 release in Japan dated for November, if you are looking at this from a third party developer stance you just can't feel good. Also while Micrsoft third parties are very FPS, Sim based games, what happens to the japanese developers that depended on the PS3 spring release. I wonder if in a few months we won't be seeing charts on other companies projected loses and their need to cut back on projects. I just don't see anything positive about this right now in the state that gaming is in with everybody anticipating a giant gaming crash around the corner.
Z @ Mar 14th 2006 4:48PM
Good point, #38.
X360 seems like old news now. It'll seem much more obsolete when the Rev and PS3 roll around.
Carlton @ Mar 14th 2006 4:51PM
To #12
"Don't forget that PS3 will still outsell everything in Japan when it comes out, driving Japanese games to the console, driving sales in the states for all the true-non-born-only-for-fps gamers and casuals that don't want to pay a premium for a LIVE service or for a DVD player. In fact, most gamers won't give a damn, since
current gen games are better than anything on the 360."
Remember bitter people never prosper!
Pretty Obvious @ Mar 14th 2006 4:59PM
Sony is giving 2 holiday seasons up to the 360 and Revolution. Really, you guys are smoking crack if you think
a. Sonys brand name is enough to carry them.
b. they will be able to pull off a worldwide launch, especially when manufacturing this system aint gonna be easy.
c. Microsoft wont have a price drop on the 360 when PS3 finally releases
and
d. Sonys launch lineup is utter garbage.
Sony fanboys please think before you post your stupidity here. I havent even factored Nintendo into the equation here and they have the best possibility of pulling off a worldwide launch in Nov with a much cheaper console. Its not looking good for Sony, thats why they havent said jack yet....