PS3 to hit Taiwan, Hong Kong Nov. 17
by Kyle Orland 
{ Nov 3rd 2006 at 9:30AM }
The websites for Sony Hong Kong and Taiwan confirm that the Playstation 3 will launch in both territories on Nov. 17, the same day the system hits North America and six days after it hits Japan. Only the 60GB version will be available initially for NT$17,980 and HK$3,780 respectively, with the 20GB version coming in December for NT$14,980 and HK$3,180.
Non-Japanese Asian markets tend to get systems much later than their brethren in the land of the rising sun -- both the Xbox 360 and DS Lite launched in Taiwan months after their Japanese counterparts. The quick launch is made more quixotic because of Sony's well-reported supply problems, which recently led the console-maker to scale back launch shipment projections in Japan to 80,000 units. Taiwan tech site DigiTimes quotes Sony Computer Entertainment Asia Managing Director Tetsuhiko Yasuda as targeting a million buyers in the region, but didn't indicate how long it might take to reach that number.
[Thanks D123]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlindsideDork @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:37AM
So this means that Sony doesn't like Europe or don't care about them as much as they do Taiwan and Hong Kong, foooey!
Agent MOO @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:39AM
That's good let's get 3 consoles per country
Raynre @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:43AM
What the hell? Where are they getting all of these extra consoles from?!
Maybe these will be the 20,000 that they cut from the Japanese launch...
> @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:43AM
Where are these PS3s coming from: did they take 20k units from Japan and send them to HK?
Iscariote @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:48AM
Wow.
"We have horrible Blu-ray laser shortages, so let's also launch in Taiwan!"
Pimliconite @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:50AM
"My console is very, very big and these women will never have sex with you."
Fuzz @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:56AM
They should expect an initial shipment of 15 units, that in reality will be cut to 10 units.
unimental @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:56AM
How hard is it to get game consoles with frickin' blu-ray laser beams attached to them?
Sorry.
Sean @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:57AM
L-O-L.
Always good to wake up to a funny news post.
skwisgaar @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:10AM
sooo, how many consoles are we short now?
Joseph Villalobos @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:03AM
> L-O-L.
> Always good to wake up to a funny news post.
It is indeed!
Kevin @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:05AM
Wow, I didn't think the PS3 was actually that big..
BlindsideDork @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:09AM
#7
It is VERY hard to get them game consoles with frickin' blu-ray laser beams attached to their heads...the PS3 is an endangered species! Not too many of them around these days!
Pal @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:13AM
"How hard is it to get game consoles with frickin' blu-ray laser beams attached to them?"
If you read carefully, you would know that Sony wasn't having a hard time attaching lasers onto their consoles.
It's pretty hard when you don't have the lasers to attach.
choey @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:15AM
When did the launch numbers go under 500,000? As early as Sep 1 it was @ 4 Mil. They cut it to 2 Mil early Sep but now its under a half million?
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/220
Gamer G @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:20AM
Sony are worried aboy MS establishing themselves in Tawain and Korea in my opinion. They are made for mad for PC gaming right now but if MS can persuade them to go console then it would be a big helping hand in the battle for supremacy. I guess Sony see it as a major battle ground and need something in order that MS dont get free reign for a year or two.
This can only spell bad news for European gamers as Sony clearly believe that they have us in the bag so to speak and are therefore a low priority.
dt @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:21AM
"It's pretty hard when you don't have the lasers to attach."
LOL :D
BlindsideDork @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:21AM
#15
i thought they said they hoped to do 2 million or something like that be either end of year or march which BOTH are unlikely :P
crono141 @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:23AM
choey,
the 4 mil and 2 mil are target numbers for jan '07. Launch day has always been 500k.
Anonymouse Rep @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:53PM
Straight from the Hong Kong PS3 website:
"PS3 is the most advanced computer system that serves as a platform to enjoy next generation computer entertainment contents in the home, realized through the combination of Cell and RSX® processors."
"Video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately. Copy protected Blu-ray video discs can only output at 1080p using an HDMI cable connected to a device that is compatible with the HDCP standard. HDMI cable not included. Additional equipment my be required to use the HDMI connector."
These are BOTH official Sony quotes, right from their website.
http://asia.playstation.com/hk/ps3/eng/ps3_news.htm
Regarding the first one - it's supposed to be a freaking game console, NOT a damn computer. I use my computer for playing computer games (such as Civilization, WoW, and an assortment of strategic games including war simulators), and my console for playing console games (such as Lego Star Wars, Saints Row,Halo).
Regarding the second note - What was that about HDCP not being an issue for a while? Sure looks like it's hitting early - and once again, Sony is saying that if you want to actually see a high-def output, well then you need to dig in a bit deeper for appropriate cables. I'm wondering what the additional equipment needed to use the HDMI connector is - an adapter or something that you need to buy, or what?
tom @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:38AM
I bet those women in the picture are only wearing gloves to stop the PS3s getting covered in fingerprints.
Jeff @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:46AM
"Wow, I didn't think the PS3 was actually that big.."
It's not. That guy is really, really short.
I'm totally serious.
I took this picture: http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/8142/616/1600/_MG_3041.jpg
You can see the size there relative to a normal guy and girl.
btw, why is it that I always need to submit a comment like 5 times before it "takes" over the past few days?
shase @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:48AM
damn that chick reminds me of my ex...
Its kinda hard to "establish" in china when there arent many system to "establish" elsewhere... It would be awesome if in a week or so Sony finally tell us they increased the shipments
yke @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:53AM
MHUHAHAHA, Emergence Day
Guess i will be playing gears of war then :)
KilgoreTrout XL @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:04AM
Either the PS3 is fricken' huge or that dude is the world's tallest midget.
gamerx @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:05PM
Yay! Taiwan and Hong Kong each get 2 consoles! Sony FTW!
/end sarcasm.
Miharu @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:09AM
About Taiwan and Hong Kong's games, especially PS2 games, it seems like most of them are in Japanese! Some are in English and not that many get translated into Chinese. So how's it going to be with PS3? Anyway how can they play the Japanese titles when surely they speak as good Japanese as your average American?
I don't need a comment about how Japanese uses partly Chinese letters, I've learned both languages and I know one can't effectively read Japanese by just knowing Chinese.
Ringworm @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:10AM
The PS3 can also cook giant enemy crabs and walk on water.
Urbanstorm @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:13AM
Say what you want about microsoft but I for one am happy that they are in the console race.Think about it , do you really think we (americans) would be getting 400k systems if it wasnt for the fact that the xbox360 is doing so well in the states. Too long have we gotten the short end of the stick from nintendo and sony even though we buy more consoles and games then both euro and japan.
I love that this is forcing the japanese companies to start working for our american money and dont worry my euro friends you guys will get the respect soon.
I love being a non-fanboi this war is really working out for gamers like me that could care less what system he/she has , as long as the games are great.
Scott E @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:20AM
This is the actual picture, someone must have doctored the one that joystiq displayed:
http://i12.tinypic.com/2hfnclg.jpg
PiratePete @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:39PM
^^ LOL for real! That's a good one:)
@ 27, I agree. It's about time the N. American market starts getting treated more on par with their home one. It would of never happened if MS wasn't in the race.
Jarrett @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:39AM
What is intresting about this is Sony's dissing of the Europeans. WOW! If I am in Europe I am really pissed. Somehow they are going to squeeze enough units to ship to Taiwan and Hong Kong but not enough to at least get the Europeans kick started. So either the Japanese units are getting decreased or the American units are getting decrease. The numbers are not adding up. And not to mention that the PS3 has to be bug free at launch. Otherwise any issues with your PS3 .... you will be waiting for a replacement for awhile....
Miharu @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:12PM
Jarrett, they can easily give a few thousand PS3's to Taiwan (most likely just Taipei)and Hong Kong, as they are expecting a million buyers from those regions, and they'd just have to sell them in those major cities. But in Europe they'd have to get a good launch with millions of PS3's in stock for all the different countries they plan to sell it in.
I'm waiting to see a "PS3 to be released in South Korea before Christmas" very shortly in Joystiq.
TopaZ @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:29PM
Anyone exporting these from China?
Jarrett @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:03PM
Miharu-
Good point. But what does that say to the European buyer that has such a loyal following for your product that you delay their release. I hear what you are saying that it is only a couple of thousand and what not...but I still think it is a slap in the face. Just like I think it would be a slap in the face of the american consumer if next week we find out that a couple thousand units will be shorted here....
Just not good PR in my opinion.
Lou D @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:36PM
Well, in Sony's defense (despite being pro-Nintendo), the standard resolutions are the same (NTSC) for US and Japan (don't know about the rest of Asia). Europe uses PAL so you have to redo the aspect ratios of all your graphics plus translate into 4-10 different languages.
I think Nintendo has a patent on making graphics scale at the RAMDAC to make this process alot easier. The language localization is still a bitch though...
stan @ Nov 25th 2006 1:20PM
can anybody let me know weather playstation 3 in hong kong is pal ASAP