European launch of PlayStation 3 delayed until March 2007

by Conrad Quilty-Harper { Sep 6th 2006 at 5:00AM }

Sony has officially confirmed that the European launch of the PlayStation 3 has been delayed, citing "production issues with the blue laser diodes needed for the Blu-Ray drive". Originally planned for a simultaneous global release in November, the PAL territories of Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia will now have to wait until March 2007 to get their hands on a PS3. Plans to launch the PS3 in North America and Japan this November remain unchanged.

According to the announcement, "the PAL market is the most complicated region in which to launch the system, and is therefore the most pragmatic choice to bear the brunt of a shortage of components". Everyone outside North America and Japan is used to getting a bum deal when it comes to console launches, so this broken promise is certain to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of gamers everywhere. That price premium pill just got a little harder to swallow, too.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Tags: delayed, Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

PS3 PAL delayed until March2007 On My Blog! @ Sep 6th 2006 5:04AM

exactley.

Robotochan @ Sep 6th 2006 5:08AM

Complicated? You mean by getting the most profit from us suckers in the UK? I just wish they'd see the UK as a seperate area, how hard would it be to just change "Color" and "Armor" to "Colour" and "Armour"?

kite @ Sep 6th 2006 5:08AM

I actually saw this on engadget just a moment ago, and was planning to notify you guys. Meh, seems someone was a step before me.

Anyway, I think this is...bad.
I wasn't planning on buying a ps3, but I can imagine that there were european people that were planning to buy. Leaving them in the cold because you started producing too late, it seems...cold.

Still, it was quite obvious something like this would happen. Sony risked quite a bit the last few months, and they still risk something with blu-ray. I guess they want to play safe on this part.

Jon @ Sep 6th 2006 5:09AM

Europe gets shafted. Again. Not that I care though. Nintendo better not repeat the same mistake.

Aaron Martin @ Sep 6th 2006 5:09AM

i sense the begining of the end for sony, people in europe are gonna be like the sony fanboy call. "bad news after bad news after bad news" sod it, im getting 360

CrazyDave @ Sep 6th 2006 5:10AM

Something funny.
Remember when Bill Gates said Halo 3 would hit at the PS3 launch? And how he got reigned in by Microsoft and Bungie?

Well, in Europe at least, we know who has the last laugh now.

I'm sure people will argue back and forth about Sony loyalty in Europe and the advantage this gives the 360 and Wii.

But keep one thing in mind. Many European gamers will have been waiting on their preorders for a year (supposed to launch in spring 06). By the time its out, Microsoft will have had a 16 month head start. At in Britain, theyll be paying over 800 US dollars for a piece of 2006 technology thats likely to have manufacturing problems.

With a strong Leipzeig showing and a lock on soccer games for a while, it seems like the 360s in a good position for Europe

Codicier @ Sep 6th 2006 5:11AM

When the North America Sony fanboys wake up and read this post on the blog they love to hate, I predict this comment thread going into the 100+ region....and it won't be a good thing.

Will @ Sep 6th 2006 5:11AM

This is going to screw them over for the holidays in europe, people there will get Wii's and 360's and by the time the PS3 finally comes out some of them might just be over it and pass it over.

Rezbit @ Sep 6th 2006 5:13AM

This is Nintendo's chance to reclaim "the lost region".

BPM? @ Sep 6th 2006 5:15AM

Ouch. No good for Sony to miss the holiday rush.

Those who really want a PLAYSTATION 3 (remember, that's the official spelling! XD) will still wait for it. Those who were deciding between it and 360 and/or Wii will get the other guys.

And, hey, they can always import a PS3 if they want! It will be region free!... Right? Or has that changed, too?

Vancaeyzeele @ Sep 6th 2006 5:15AM

Also there will only be 2 million consoles at launch acoording to Reuters instead of the re-reconfirmed promised 4 million.
So how many lies will Sony have to produce now to keep its stock from falling. (-1% already)

animejoe @ Sep 6th 2006 5:16AM

At this point, the only thing Sony hasn't done to help sell 360s and Wiis is actually sell 360s and Wiis. Why don't they just come out and say it, "We f***ing hate our loyal fanbase."

Kyne @ Sep 6th 2006 5:16AM

Knowing Sony, I would not be surprised, if they delay the launch even more to fall 2007..as they did with the PSP.

Bomb-Omb Al @ Sep 6th 2006 5:19AM

Ouch... but really, who didn't see this coming? We all know about the bad press Sony has been getting lately with BluRay and PS3.

I sort of expect negitive news about anything Sony related on a daily basis now.

jarod @ Sep 6th 2006 5:20AM

@ #2 http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/716/716490/black-ds-lite-20060705115015807-000.jpg

^THAT is why you guys are complicated. they had to change the entire package of the DS to fit THAT monstrosity, i can only image what its like with the behemoth known as PS3.

i cant believe sony. first theyre shoving this blu-ray crap down our throats, and now alot of us cant even get the damn system because of it. on top of the HDMI cable BS, wi-fi BS, and the just plain BS price, on top of 60-70 games, sony's basically just quit the console race.

you know, normally people dig graves 6 or so feet deep. sony is subcontracting oil drillers for theirs.

wii60ftw

Core @ Sep 6th 2006 5:22AM

And all this because they want that slow blue-ray reader in the PS3. If they just would have used DVD the PS3 would already have been launched, would not have had shortages, the hardware would not have been reduced and the console would have been cheaper.

So who wants to eat a BR-disk for dinner? And when will Sony order their blog-farmers to flood the blogs with flaming and 'the PS3 is superior and cheap' comments. I kinda miss them already?!

Wow @ Sep 6th 2006 5:23AM

How have they not been hit with some sort of lawsuit yet? I don't think this falls under antitrust...but...damn. First it's Spring 2006, which was obviously not happening from the get go, then they finally come out and admit it's not coming out, then they fully delay it by a year to a whole other region.

This is quickly turning into vaporware (Whether you will admit it or not it's ringing true) and Sony obviously hides these things from their shareholders, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them flounder in a big way by the end of 2007, especially if we aren't seeing regular shipments until Spring of 2007, in the same fashion the 360 did.

Just wow though, this is getting ugly fast.

Robotochan @ Sep 6th 2006 5:27AM

Very true #15! Our 230/240V 50Hz National Grid is the nemisis of all companies. I think this Christmas in the UK several people will just get fed up of waiting for it. Personally I'm getting a Wii and possibly a 360 if I ever find the money

Donutta @ Sep 6th 2006 5:28AM

Better get that stock chart ready again! :D

Seriously though, if Nintendo doesn't ship in PAL until after Christmas -- and let's face it, their track record (*cough* Animal Crossing) is hardly brilliant -- then Microsoft will have Christmas all to themselves. I bet they're fucking overjoyed at the moment.

jarod @ Sep 6th 2006 5:31AM

@ #19
considering several sites reported that final wii hardware packaging was underway back in JUNE, i dont think any of us have much to worry about. i only saw one article that said sony started ps3 manufacturing. at least 360s are easy to get now.

phyl0x @ Sep 6th 2006 5:32AM

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/06/business/AS_FIN_COM_Japan_Sony_PlayStation.php

"But far fewer machines will be available for the launch dates in Japan and the U.S. because of the production problem, Kutaragi said.
In the U.S., about 400,000 PlayStation 3 machines will be available when they go on sale Nov. 17. About 100,000 will be available on the Nov. 11 Japan launch date."

ouch

JJ @ Sep 6th 2006 5:32AM

Wow... its not anymroe Vaporware than the Wii.

I mean its not even scheduled to release for at least 2 more months so how can ya call it vaporware? Its not like we haven't seen it or video or clips on the games or nothing.

I mean its not the phantom. That'd be like caling Halo 3 vaporware

and they didn't delay it by a year... they delayed it by 5 months.

Still though, not good news at all.

JJ @ Sep 6th 2006 5:32AM

and jarod... Sony isn't the one who came up with the 60-70 price tag... that distinction goes to Xbox 360.
and what wifi BS.. the fact that the 600 system comes with it? and the price thing...get over it... its been months now.

CrazyDave @ Sep 6th 2006 5:34AM

Jeez, it actually gets worse...

"But far fewer machines will be available for the launch dates in Japan and the U.S. because of the production problem, Kutaragi said.
In the U.S., about 400,000 PlayStation 3 machines will be available when they go on sale Nov. 17. About 100,000 will be available on the Nov. 11 Japan launch date. Mass production of the machine is set to start end of September, he said."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/06/business/AS_FIN_COM_Japan_Sony_PlayStation.php

Please note that is 500,000 TOTAL at launch. With production starting sometime in September. And I imagine Japan will be getting more of the subsequent deliveries. Retailers have a floating price point for the PS3 there, meaning every store is an Ebay.

Also, given reports about problems with lower than expected Cell yields and BluRay Disc problems, expect many of those that do arrive to be faulty, probably worse than the 360s launch problems. The PS2 launch was riddled with broken systems and hardware revisions.

Except for hardcore line waiters and Ebayers, for all practical intents and purposes, the PS3 has been delayed in all territories till 2007

CrazyDave @ Sep 6th 2006 5:34AM

For all those who are about to mention region-free...
Kutaragi has said that region encoding is left up to the developers, which is the same as on the 360.

On the 360, most developers choose region specific games. There is no reason to think it will be different on the PS3.

And the 500,000 total at launch is still just Sony's projections. As they haven't started manufacturing yet.... It could be way less

PS3 PAL delayed until March2007 On My Blog! @ Sep 6th 2006 5:35AM

To Recap then:

- Overpriced
- Under Specced (compared to it's promise)
- Delayed (in Pal regions)
- No rumble (ARGH!)
- Arrogant Bosses and PR men
- No HDMI lead as standard
- Cack launch lineup
- Features "pinched from competition" (pad/entitlements)
- Oversized and fugly
- Made by Sony
- Cancelled games and devs being wary

Things are not good in camp Sony and they only have their arrogant selves to blame. If we wait for Sony to start the "High Def" generation we will be waiting forever.

Wow @ Sep 6th 2006 5:35AM

This isn't a five month delay...Sony said at E305 it would launch worldwide in Spring 2006. Spring 2007 is a year away.

And this isn't about the Wii, I can give a rat's ass about Nintendo at this point. Their total disregard for the consumer has driven me to just not care about when their new GameCube is coming out.

ill trooper @ Sep 6th 2006 5:36AM

Well, this might fare better for those of us in the U.S. who want to buy one at launch, now that one of the three major regions is delayed til 2007... Could make it easier to find one in Japan and the U.S. come launch time...

Paco From Del Taco @ Sep 6th 2006 5:36AM

Who cares. Japan and NA are the most important regions for sony. Europe has ALWAYS gotten the shaft, so how is this different? This is actually great news for us in the US, much higher chance of getting a system this holiday season!

Kris @ Sep 6th 2006 5:36AM

Ok. This is bad. I was holding out for the PS3 but almost nothing can stop me now from going the Wii360 way.

I was interested in the wii before this happened. but this makes the decision much easier.
The high pricepoint and the endless delays. Can't take it no more.

goodbye Gran turismo and Metal gear solid. It was fun while it lasted.

too bad. Can't believe the europeans get the delay. It was a market where sony still reigned.
Not as big as in japan. It really is a war now.
the most units go to the toughest market. They' ll keep some units at home. Where they will probably still own the market. And they sacrifice europe
Maybe when they make the price in europe somehow more attractive I could hold out. But they better get that statement out soon. And it isn't likely. I wish someone could explain the conversion rates from yen, dollar, euro and even pounds. The prices of games in europe are unheard of.
chances are that on my way home i'll pick up 360

Just want to add this. Surely Sony and microsoft read these blogs. They have too.
Hope sony will keep bringing out great games for the Ps2. That they don't go the xbox way.
Hope microsoft has learned this lesson too. And they don't stop with releasing great 360 games when the 720 will arrive

ben @ Sep 6th 2006 5:37AM

well thats not much of a surprise, they still havent started production and the yield on cell is pretty poor. Added to that there was mention at leipzig that the ps3 has a built in power supply, so localisation is gonna slow production alot as well. I doubt its gonna be region free, but you never know.

its gonna be an interesting time for sony stockholders:)

sjenky @ Sep 6th 2006 5:38AM

*sigh* Well it's not like we're not used to the abuse yet. I paid 1200 guilders (roughly 600 euro's, which is almost 700 dollars) for my PS2 on launch day, with the only games available being bubble bobble and donald ducks quack attack.
So now we wait untill march, if we haven't spent all our money on Wii/X360 games that is ;-)

Donutta @ Sep 6th 2006 5:44AM

"29. Who cares. Japan and NA are the most important regions for sony."

Actually, Europe/PAL gave Sony about 35 million sales (approx), which is more or less equal with America and is about 10 million above what was sold in Asia (not just Japan). You can put any spin on it you want, but this is bad news. Europe/PAL IS an important region. It's not about getting screwed; we're used to that. It's about who is going to have a console on the shelves come Christmas time.

Zach @ Sep 6th 2006 5:46AM

I hope Bill Gates calls up Kutaragi personally to thank him for handing this generation over to Microsoft.

400,000 units? I guess they're really pushing the scarcity=desirability envelope here. I wouldn't be surprised if this was somewhat on purpose, there will be a hell of a lot of news stories about the PS3 come Black Friday... though I suspect that the majority of them will dwell on the $600 asking price.

GSI @ Sep 6th 2006 5:47AM

I plan on hitting up multiple game stores on the 17th and selling them on eBay for profit...they can buy some off me. LOL

(I predict this story's comments will be MASSIVE)

theGreenGrunt @ Sep 6th 2006 5:48AM

I predict the Sony SuperFanboys will be here in full regalia and will post the following...

1. Someone will post that Joystiq hates Sony.

2. And yet someone else will blame Joystiq for sabotaging the Diodes that Sony desperately needs.

3. Or they will blame the entire UK for not wanting the PS3 enough to get a second job to purchase a PS3.

Gianni Gotti @ Sep 6th 2006 5:49AM

Sorry Euro-Wankers! I need your PS3's to sell on Ebay.

someguy @ Sep 6th 2006 5:54AM

by the time ps3 comes out in uk. the 360 will probably have a price drop and halo 3 will be out

Ive Been Jipped @ Sep 6th 2006 5:58AM

By the time the PS3 comes out in the UK, reality TV will have died out, half of Britain will be underwater due to global warming, Xbox 720 will be the market leader in Europe and Gianni Gotti will have -10 stars for his piss poor attempts at trolling.

Paco From Del Taco @ Sep 6th 2006 5:59AM

33.

Europe is a big market, but the majority of games for the PS3 will be made in US and Japan. So they have to make sure those markets are taken care of before anything else. Europe just gets polished up versions of what everyone else has had, this is how its been since i can remember it. It sucks for europeans, but i honestly see it as a plus for those of us in the US.

btw, i hope everyone whos buying one just to ebay gets robbed and beaten up by a gang of thieves, since thats all you are, a thief.

Rocco @ Sep 6th 2006 6:02AM

When it comes out in Europe in march 2007, Microsoft will probably have Halo 3 out at about the same time, and you all know how well Microsoft's marketing department is gonna like that.

hohoho @ Sep 6th 2006 6:02AM

they should have never attempted the quasi-global launch. Putting just manufacturing aside, the logistics and pr would be no less than nightmare.

on the other hand, I applaud them for the balls to delay the launch in pal regions. Forcibly launching the system with starved hardware supply is more damaging. I'm pretty sure anyone knows about the shortages of 360 during launch. Funny how microsoft had to "re-launch" in japan for the crappiest launch lineup possible there.

I'm guessing that they want to have ample supply of ps3 for the initial and holiday rush. Getting as many units out there in japan and us as possible. A nice holiday season would also please publishers.

A possible consolation for pal region? Maybe another colour? slightly cheaper? less buggy? Better software lineup? Don't be such negative nancies. There're alwasy wii. :D

Zozart @ Sep 6th 2006 6:11AM

Ouch. I'd say that I'm disappointed that I can't get a PS3 until next year, but, well, that'd be a lie. I really don't want one.

The Wii will be the only console I buy this Christmas, that's for sure.

Hammer @ Sep 6th 2006 6:14AM

@ 40

I think you may be slightly confused. If someone buys a product, it is theirs to do with as they please. If they wish to sell it and some chump pays a hell of a lot of money for it, credit to them.

Unless they actually go to a shop and remove a PS3 without paying for it, a reseller is not a thief. He is however a profiteer.

KineticOnline @ Sep 6th 2006 6:16AM

Its about bloody time they admitted it wasnt going to be out on time, When it does eventually come out there better be a serious bonus for having to wait longer, i.e. reduced price, we already pay over the odds as it is

potato @ Sep 6th 2006 6:18AM

IT's region free so you can import it. ;-)

GunForHire @ Sep 6th 2006 6:20AM

And once again, Europe gets a good hard shafting from Sony...

KineticOnline @ Sep 6th 2006 6:20AM

@ 46
"Unless they actually go to a shop and remove a PS3 without paying for it, a reseller is not a thief. He is however a profiteer."

Then they should add a not for resale notice, which should prevent it from happening.

Mobster M @ Sep 6th 2006 6:21AM

This was always on the cards. Sony like to treat the PAL regions with utter contempt and charge higher prices. Sony need to fire the people who have patently lied (and new about this) for the last 12 months in the hope of holding off people buying a 360. This has backfired spectacularly for them. Also Kutaragi said this morning that Sony aim to ship 2 million PS3's worldwide by the end of this year... Now my limited geography says US and Japan only DOES NOT equal worldwide. The guy needs to to back to class. The bigger ramification of this fiasco is Software. Many developers have deployed phenomenal resources in getting "European" games ready for November, on which their earnings are dependant. This will be pretty bleak news for them indeed, and I am pretty sure Sony will have kept them totally in the dark. This generation Sony, even with their user base will not come out of it on top. Oh and i recommend Mr Stringer fires the whole PS3 PR team.