Sony says European gamers "don't mind" delays and later releases
by Blake Snow 
{ Oct 6th 2006 at 11:10AM }
Some one needs to get Sony a PR firm. Not that their statements are always wrong (though some are), but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should. Case in point: Sony executive VP Jamie MacDonald had this to say when asked by GamesIndustry.biz regarding later releases (or delays) in Europe:"European consumers have shown that historically they don't mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan. In Europe, it doesn't seem that the release of our platforms after the US and Japan-in the long run-affects how consumers feel ... If we were sitting here in five years' time, I don't think we'd really think about or notice that PlayStation 3 was four or five months later in Europe."
The man has a point. I don't think anyone remembers the PS2 being released in the US almost eight months after Japan in 2000, and Europe getting the console one month after the US. But when you specifically delay a product in a region by your mismanagement (read: PS3), don't suggest your consumers are indifferent to the blunder.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Phranctoast @ Oct 6th 2006 11:14AM
they should have never promised a worldwide launch. thats were they went wrong. Europe should have been getting it later like usual. There would be a lot less complaining.
Franky Digital @ Oct 6th 2006 11:15AM
I anxiously await the EU explosion that's incoming to this thread.
crono141 @ Oct 6th 2006 11:16AM
You really should put up the rest of the interview. I just put a tip in for this (a little late, d'oh!) but he had great things to say about UMD and Wii60 as well. Engadget's got this writeup too.
Didly @ Oct 6th 2006 11:16AM
Yeah, thats quite true. Im not bothered nor my friends, wasn't planning on buying it this christmas anyway.
logikil @ Oct 6th 2006 11:37AM
I think this situation is a bit different. Microsoft committed to a worldwide release (almost to a detriment.) Nintendo has also committed to a worldwide launch and has the hardware to pull it off quite easily. And then you have Sony, who not only committed to a worldwide launch, but also gave dates for each region. Then they retract that and nix EU until 2007. If i recall, MS only had like 300K 360's available at launch. Sony has more than that just for the US.
It may be true that EU will ultimately forget about this, but it really does suck to be consistently slighted. All those potential consumers now have two other alternatives, and i'd be surprised if many of them didnt take them.
Savok @ Oct 6th 2006 11:25AM
I personally remember every moronic delay that a major dev has put me through and hold a grudge accordingly. He should say that to a PAL gamers face, see how "indifferent" they are then, as I personally haven't met a single PAL gamer who isn't filled with venom over getting screwed on a release date for 32462726th time.
Todd @ Oct 6th 2006 11:22AM
Wow, the nerve of that guy! Obviously, in the eyes of Sony, Europe is of far less concern and importance. I think a boycott is in order. Ouch!
JimmyHACK @ Oct 6th 2006 11:22AM
meh, EU is used to waiting, they will survive
In Europe @ Oct 8th 2006 1:49PM
Well... he is actually correct on this.
I am perfectly happy with my x360. Will probably add a Wii, but have no plans to buy the PS3.
So personally I dont mind at all about the delay. Actually I dont care at all when they launch here in Europe.
gamefan1975 @ Oct 8th 2006 8:14PM
no biggie. let the bugs get sorted out and they will have a bigger launch line up and not be forced to get those first few games that come out that are less that desireable. EU wins actually.
Tetranitrocubane @ Oct 6th 2006 11:27AM
The problem here is that executives and PR people only understand the language of MONEY. When we as a gaming comunity are willing to open our wallets and shell out hard currency for hardware that doesn't even exist, the companies in question don't give a flying fsck about anything else we say. This is why buggy games are released to hype, and then never patched. This is why Sony doesn't see a problem.
They'll still sell every unit, even amid complaints. The only way to get these companies to take notice is to NOT purchase their product - and I think we all know that's unlikely to happen.
Devwar @ Oct 6th 2006 11:34AM
I dunno about that Sony. I still remember how the only game I had for my PS2 for a good 6 months was Summoner.
greenfly360 @ Oct 6th 2006 7:34PM
Hey when you next see that guy could you give him a message? The message is to go and f* himself. Cheers
playclever @ Oct 6th 2006 11:33AM
To Sony:
Sales figures are the same as public opinion/feeling.
Your console will still sell, but it doesn't make us any less annoyed.
mupwangle @ Oct 6th 2006 11:34AM
I don't think "don't mind" is the right word. "Don't have a frigging choice and are pretty much used to being dumped upon" fits better.
Anthriel @ Oct 6th 2006 11:34AM
If Europe wouldn't be Sony land, but rather a more contested area, as the USA is, then Europe surely wouldn't get screwed over as much.
That's what you get for being a loyal customer.
playclever @ Oct 6th 2006 11:35AM
Bugger. worst possible typo.
--edit--
To Sony:
Sales figures are NOT the same as public opinion/feeling.
Your console will still sell, but it doesn't make us any less annoyed.
zpr12 @ Oct 6th 2006 11:58AM
At first i thought "Yes, we do!" but then when i started thinking about it, it might be true. I don't mind it that much really.
azn_720p @ Oct 6th 2006 11:38AM
They better not mind waiting. Good things come to those who wait. Also, a special note to those who can't wait and get a Xbox 1.5 or WiiCube instead: you are IDIOTS and deserve not to have the best for not having the patience! One PS3 to rule them all!
Martin @ Oct 6th 2006 11:43AM
The article is true. If you people in Europe really did mind, you would stop buying the products, but you don't stop, so you are just giving in to them and letting them treat you like that.
Either Do something about it, or quit complaining!!!!
broseph @ Oct 6th 2006 11:40AM
He didn't say Europeans are indifferent only that the delays don't negatively effect sales. Seems resonable enough to me. It sucks when someone has to get the short end of the stick. Somehow I think the Europeans will survive though.
TexRob @ Oct 6th 2006 1:17PM
Sony must call you poor European gamers "Euro Lemmings" behind closed doors...well heck, probably out in the open. What arrogant jerks. Sony continues to amaze me with their insane comments.
Pierce @ Oct 6th 2006 11:46AM
europeans are not real people according to sony.
Carl @ Oct 6th 2006 11:45AM
No one expected Sony to release the PS2 in the US the same time as the Japanese did. It wasn't something that was usually done widely until the 360 launch. Hell, we were used to waiting almost a year typically for a console to make it to the States and even longer for the UK. Another factor would be that thanks to the internet... the public is more aware of these "problems" that the videogame companies go through. The kind of things we see from Sony isn't new. Many people have seen and heard Sony over the last 6-7 years and can already "see-through" what they've recently said about this upcoming generation. Sony's always been ignorant about it's competition and often it's at the expense of you. (Remember when AOL and Sony were supposed to work together to bring an ISP for surfing the web and stuff from your PS2? Remember when the hard drive was soo promising and it turned up being one big storage cache for FFXI and that's about it?) You really can't blame them though for their attitude. They will continue to control the Japanese market without question. (I live in Japan and trust me... 360 what?) But I myself got tired of hearing about what the last generation was "supposed" to be and wasn't...
Martin @ Oct 6th 2006 11:46AM
azn that is so funny. Too bad Europeans don't get their PS2.5 BluRay Player until March 07 if not later.
Dracula Jones @ Oct 6th 2006 11:47AM
Every morning, Sony PR wakes up as if after a night of binge drinking, and piece by piece they remember the day before, each memory adding guilt and regret until the weight is too terrible to bear... "PLEASE TELL ME I DIDN'T SAY THAT... OH GOD, MY HEAD..."
That or they just don't give a shit.
logikil @ Oct 6th 2006 11:47AM
azn_720p:
I know you are a Sony fanboy and all, but really the Xbox 1.5 and WiiCube comment show just how ignorant you are.
nijah @ Oct 6th 2006 11:49AM
Actually thats true I remember reading more than a couple posts of people from over there saying the worldwide release was too good too be true, and if anything goes wrong theyll(?) be the first to get the shaft
CJC @ Oct 6th 2006 11:50AM
European gamers won't mind the same way Japanese gamers "won't mind" Godzilla stomping Tokyo into the ground.
gman @ Oct 6th 2006 11:52AM
This is just how Sony operates...comon did anyone expect any other kind of statement? Has Sony ever declared "Hey, sorry about that whole UMD sucking thing....and minidisc...we got greedy there too. Oh yeah, sorry about fucking your computer with the whole rootkit thing...and the Ps3's high price? Sorry about that too."
HAHA give me a break! Sony can do no wrong remember? The ps3's high price is FAIR....the UMD is a colossal success! the PSP is "shipping" TONS of units and is WAYYYY ahead of the DS/L! The minidisc is still thriving! Europe doesn't care about being assraped because WE'RE SONY!!! You cant get mad at us because we make PLAYSTATION!! and you cant live without that shit! And this is why I don't buy sony....maybe retards will learn someday....someday
RoroCo @ Oct 6th 2006 11:50AM
"azn that is so funny. Too bad Europeans don't get their PS2.5 BluRay Player until March 07 if not later."
You mean the BetaRay PS2.5 player?
TokeYo @ Oct 6th 2006 11:53AM
I find sony rather patronising.
I'll be importing both my Wii and PS3 so that I avoid the price and time difference.
Sony have botched both the PS2 and PSP lauches in Europe in a big way, and hearing comments like this makes it sound like "I wouldn't know if any European gamers care that we repeatedly screw them over, because we don't care enough to ask them."
Nick Marty @ Oct 6th 2006 11:54AM
What is going on with Sony?! I am starting to wonder if they aren't doing all of this crap on purpose. I don't know why they would intentionally do it...
Owen @ Oct 13th 2006 11:58AM
It didn't matter in the last gen because in reality they were the first of the big boys out of the blocks... By the time the xbox and cube came round they already had a big head start. Consumers couldn't vote with their wallets and go elsewhere.
Now the situation is different and there's credible opposition. Me and a few of my friends have 360's already and we're working on converting others. We may get screwed for prices by everyone - but when you're not in the market at all then it doesn't matter how much you charge - you're not going to make any money from us and lots of us will take our business elsewhere.
jonAgain @ Oct 6th 2006 11:58AM
I agree with Sony on this one. Europeans are not really people.
Why should I be in danger of missing out on a console at launch so that Sony can make a pretense of delivering entertainment to a pseudo-population? Europeans will not be able to appreciate the PS3 on account of their lack of humanity. Sorry, Europe. I don’t mean to offend, but then again, are you capable of that emotion?
Tim @ Oct 6th 2006 12:10PM
WHY are they CONTINUING to be arrogant? Hasn't anyone told them about the reaction from the well informed gamers? Sony needs to realize that they'll only succeed if consumers actually buy their PS3. Why are they doing their best to act arrogant and totally out of touch with their consumers? Putting words in the mouth of an entire continent is really not a good idea. It's still not too late for Sony to change their tone and apologize and be humble. It seems everyone except Sony sees trouble in their future.
TRUTH @ Oct 6th 2006 12:05PM
People that are buying a PS3 are: rich, ignorant, idiotic, will end up buying a 360.
People that are buying a 360 are: middle class, money smart, most rational
People that are buying a Wii are: middle class, classic gamers, want a 360
crono141 @ Oct 6th 2006 12:04PM
I do believe "azn_720p" isn't serious at all and is just making fun of "azn_1080p", because that guy is just dumb as hell.
OtakuCODE @ Oct 6th 2006 12:02PM
I think you guys are confusing things. Sony and other companies realize the truth of the matter. If you really, truly do CARE about this sort of thing, then you won't buy the console when it comes out. If you're just whining and complaining but you're going to buy it anyway, then you don't actually care in the first place.
Actions tell what you think - not words. If you say you value life above all else and then go shoot up a mall, guess what, no matter how much you profess or how strongly you believe yourself... you do NOT value life. It's that simple.
Now, if you really think you care about this, will you forego purchasing a PS3 or other later-released console for its ENTIRE lifespan? I doubt it.
zsavior @ Oct 6th 2006 12:03PM
I am sorry but I think people don't quite get what the person is saying.
"European consumers have shown that historically they don't mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan" - Jamie McDonald
Sony's VP just politly said, that No matter how many time we screw over Europe they BUY MORE, playstations then any other major market. Yet people are coming in saying, yeah we will still buy it doesn't mean we aren't angry. If a company openly disrespects you the consumer, and the money you bring to their product what is your answer? Here is a hint, you shouldn't still be considering buying the product. Europe is paying more for the same system brought out at a later date, on top of that they buy more systems than japan and america and yet this still earns Europe no respect what so ever?
All I have to say is Joystiq you are very wrong, Sony's PR is the best around because nothing sony's management says can keep them down. The PR doesn't have to do anywork, no matter what sony does or says Europe will buy a Playstation and thank them for it. At this point I think Sony has some sort of pool going on how much BS they can shove on Europe before there is any backlash. Racist advertising check, saying Euro gamers don't care about delays to them check. Next Sony should just empty the eletronics inside the PS3 shells, and replace them with a brick.
Mr Fujisawa @ Oct 6th 2006 12:04PM
Causual gamers, the people who dont read gaming websites and blogs, probably wont care no. But that ISNT us lot posting here, and we ARE annoyed at the arrogance of sony especially after Phil Harrison said "in fact i believe some of the first PS3s being produced are headed for Europe". If they just cut the arrogant BS maybe we wouldnt be so annoyed. And europeans have now had a worldwide launch for the first time with 360, so maybe we wont "not mind" this time
Joe A. @ Oct 6th 2006 3:18PM
The difference between the PS2's launch and the 3's is that PROMISES were made about a worldwide launch. And they kept saying they would keep that promise even after the obvious (read: "not in manufacturing yet").
Microsoft showed how a worldwide launch should be done. Even though there were massive shortages, they still put the console in those markets, as difficult as it was.
I believe Nintendo will do the best worldwide launch out of the three consoles, due to the fact that they will have a good supply of consoles. I just hope they market the Wii to the mainstream as well as the Xbox 360 was marketed.
CakeOrDeath @ Oct 6th 2006 12:04PM
Well they will see how much we care when they watch the bundles of cash we throw at MS and Nintendo this Xmas.
azn_480i @ Oct 6th 2006 12:08PM
"I do believe "azn_720p" isn't serious at all and is just making fun of "azn_1080p", because that guy is just dumb as hell."
As was proven in the Duke Nukem posts, retards won't heed your warning, they'll just continue to retort. Just sit back, relax, and have a good laugh.
crono141 @ Oct 6th 2006 12:08PM
Seriously, this guy is oblivious. Check out his OTHER comments.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/06/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-xv-europeans-dont-mind-waiting-for/
VampireHunter Z @ Oct 6th 2006 12:11PM
LOL did azn_1080p get downgraded to azn_720p. Wow what a reality check. I guess there is still hope for blind Sony fanboys.
gamerx @ Oct 6th 2006 12:10PM
Sony PR is worse than the Bush Administration.
Rohan @ Oct 6th 2006 12:21PM
This guy is a retard. We hate waiting for everything, movies in the cinema, movies on DVD, TV shows, gadgets, music, games. It doesn't feel great waiting for something to be released in your region when half the world is already over the eurphoria of its launch months ago.
Robert Jung @ Oct 6th 2006 12:22PM
"Well they will see how much we care when they watch the bundles of cash we throw at MS and Nintendo this Xmas."
That's only half the battle, folks -- the other half is for all you pissed-off Europeans to NOT buy the PS3 when it finally arrives in 2007. Failure to follow through only encourages them to screw you over again the next time around.
--R.J.
thomas_h @ Oct 6th 2006 12:24PM
me, and everyone else i know is really annoyed and tired of ALWAYS getting games and consoles later than Japan and USA...
kudos to MS for pulling off a release in EU one week or so after US launch.
a recent poll on a big norwegian gamer site, showed that apx 35% of the people who had preordered, decided to get a 360 INSTEAD of a PS3 when they heard of the delay.
thomas, norway.