Leave it to Electronic Arts to be the voice of common sense, right? EA's vice prez and general manager, Jens Intat, says that he'd like more physical units available in Europe upon launch than what was seen in North America and Japan. That really seems like an easy goal for Sony to meet. Intat also feels Sony's launch was a success, selling out of limited systems rather than releasing many that stay seated snugly on retailer's shelves.Intat's take on first day sales: "The first day is not overly important for us, it's more important that the machine keeps on selling. That's why it's important that the hype and momentum keeps running because the installed base builds up over time, not in the first week." This is very true, as you all know, the users for a system aren't just the early adopters -- in the marketing cycle, it's by the third cycle (where the price is reduced and latecomers purchase... and early adopters re-purchase should something be wrong with the original... think the slim PS2 vs. fatty PS2) out of a four cycle marketing life where most of the adopters come in. Basically, EA says to give Sony time and however many units they get out there, that's how many they will sell. Also, lots of games will be ready in March, so Europeans can enjoy a plethora of titles as the summer months approach. Sweet.
