Not a Japanese Rumour: PS3 delayed for real

From gamesindustry.biz

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Japanese newspaper reports PlayStation 3 delayed to November

Rob Fahey 19:01 14/03/2006

Six month delay caused by unresolved technical issues with Blu-Ray

One of Japan's leading newspapers, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, is reporting in its Wednesday morning edition that the PlayStation 3 console has been delayed to November due to unresolved issues with the Blu-Ray technology.

According to the paper, the problem lies with the copy protection system used by Blu-Ray, details of which have not yet been finalised - which will now cause a delay of some six months to Sony's PS3 plans.

Sony has always maintained that the PS3 will launch in spring of this year, but most industry commentators and third-party publishers are currently anticipating US and Japanese launches late in 2006, followed by a European launch in early 2007.

If the Japanese launch doesn't occur until November, that could put any hope of a US launch in 2006 in jeopardy - which would give rival Microsoft a second Christmas on the market before the arrival of PS3 in the US as well as in Europe, as well as giving Nintendo a head-start with the Revolution console.

The newspaper report comes just hours before Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi is due to address a conference audience of media, analysts and third party publishers in Tokyo, where he is expected to announce details of the firm's plans for the next-generation PS3 system.

However, it's not clear whether Nihon Keizai Shimbun is reporting on leaked details from this conference, or whether the report is based on information from other sources. Speculation that technical problems with Blu-Ray could delay the roll-out of PS3 has been rife for well over a month, and has not been quelled by the announcement that Blu-Ray movie players will ship in North America in mid-May.

Sony's conference is planned for 3pm in Tokyo on Wednesday - around 6am GMT - and is also expected to feature a first look at some of the launch line-up for the console.

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Nobody saw this coming. :rolleyes:

I can't imagine that they'd be satisfied to let 360 get another Xmas headstart on them in the US, but who knows? If that's the case, there's gonna be a lot of cheesed off devs that were planning on some signifigant revenue from PS3 launch games during the holidays... and it'll essentially be giving 360 a bunch of timed exclusives.

The unresolved issue with Blu-Ray is that it's a piece of shit.

I didn't even realize this wasn't "official" yet

I'm pleased as punch with the 360 though, so who cares when it comes out. BTW, that Blu-Ray excuse is BS. There are plenty of better reasons, most notably "WTF I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE GAMES WITH THIS FANCY GEORGE FOREMAN"

I'm super happy that it has to do with the copy protection.

HA! Maybe MGS4 can be a launch game afterall. :lol:

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Originally Posted by Chux

The unresolved issue with Blu-Ray is that it's a piece of shit.

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IBTN.

Is this the great news from the Sony conference or something? If it is... LAWLL!!

This is the time for Sony to drench the news with PS3 awesomeness. The time when 360s arent on the shelves. The fact that they're not doing so says, well, it says that there is no PS3 awesomeness.

And copy protection is owning Sony AGAIN. Amazing.

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Originally Posted by diffusionx

And copy protection is owning Sony AGAIN. Amazing.

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http://www.naprazdniny.info/sponzor/...0it%20logo.jpg

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Originally Posted by Bacon McShig

Nobody saw this coming. :rolleyes:

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You saw this coming? Seriously?

I thought the rumour that they'd do Aug/Sep in Japan and then November in the west was likely, but the conjecture that they'd skip a holiday in the west was just silly fantasy. This is pretty shocking to me.

But, I guess this means the rumour of a 4 gig PSP camera redesign + $99 PS2 carrying them through Christmas hold alot more water now.

BTW - do you guys really think it's some copy protection thing? I can't help but wonder if those $800 PS3 component estimates were accurate after all. and they were only willing to take a loss on a small number of $600 Japanese conoles...

Anyway, I guess this means I'm going to track down a 360 at their relaunch thing in April. Oblivion, here I come...

I'm sure Ken Kutaragi will say at the press conference how, although the PS3 has been pushed off, it will launch in spirit when they said it would, and crush the X360 out of principle.

How do you not see this coming? We haven't seen a single game yet! That should be a big clue.

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Originally Posted by StriderKyo

You saw this coming? Seriously?

I thought the rumour that they'd do Aug/Sep in Japan and then November in the west was likely, but the conjecture that they'd skip a holiday in the west was just silly fantasy. This is pretty shocking to me.

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Well, the US release slipping to '07 is just heresay and conjecture at this point, if they really do allow that to happen, it would be surprising, yes. But the news of the JP release being pushed back to the end of the year was pretty obvious.

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BTW - do you guys really think it's some copy protection thing? I can't help but wonder if those $800 PS3 component estimates were accurate after all. and they were only willing to take a loss on a small number of $600 Japanese conoles...

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Well the Blu-Ray CP is NOT finalized AFAIK. The outcry over the HDCP/480p thing was loud and they might be retooling. You're probably right, too - the components aren't cheap.

....

That's fucking hilarious Cow. :lol:

Wonder if this will have any bearing on that it would (reportedly) be region free (for games anyways).

Anyways, it doesn't matter if it's delayed by 6 months, it'll still be #1. Still lame though. BluRay/HD DVD not to mention the whole future proofing nonsense on their part is getting rediculous.

While it might stay #1 this will make it a closer race.

If the PS3 isnt on store shelves in the US this Christmas it probably wont be #1 here. I dont care about Japanese sales.

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Originally Posted by Chux

While it might stay #1 this will make it a closer race.

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I am all for that. And doubt it'll happen but I'd love to see the home console race as close as it is right now with PSP and DS.

Honestly i never for one second expected the PS3 would be released in the spring, PS1 and PS2 were both released in the Fall and i expected(long long long time ago) the PS3 to be released in fall 2006 too.

anyways, now that all BD movies will only run using HDMI and DVI, i really hope that doesnt apply to games too(i know it won't but im just double checking)

I'm sorta alright since my monitor does DVI, but it's a kick in the mouth that I can't use my 30in widescreen tv for it.

im assuming games will run in component. but in the case of movies, i hear some will run in component, and the copy proted ones will only work with HDMI. and if you dont have HDMI it will down convert to 480p or some crap like.......it's just some shit i read in the www.blu-ray.com forums

Radical-redesign to cut costs anyone?

Expect a scaled back design, revised specs, come november.

EDIT:

form http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/14/s...lu-ray-flicks/

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If you're one of those few people who rushed out and bought an analog HD display (like the 1993 model pictured above), you may actually be able to find some use for it. Sony Pictures has announced that it won't downsample Blu-ray output for analog sets, which don't support HDMI. That means you'll be able to watch full-res output if you hook up your Blu-ray player to your old display, rather than the 960x540 that could be outputted using the Image Constraint Token. While we're a little surprised that Sony would actually come out and do something so consumer-friendly, we're not that shocked. After all, the number of people with analog HD sets is relatively small compared to the overall market, Sony's piracy concerns have to do with digital copying, and, of course, Sony's in a battle for market share, and if this is a way to win a few more customers over to the Blu-ray camp, they're gonna do it.

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This just gives me more of a chance to save up the cash for the PS3. I still hate the HDMI thing. I have the slot but I'm more worried about having to buy the cord.

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Originally Posted by Wildkat

Radical-redesign to cut costs anyone?

Expect a scaled back design, revised specs, come november.

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-Remove all memory card readers and keep Mmory Stick(to save games on instead of PS memory card)

-Remove the extra HDMI output

-Remove half of the USB ports.

-Make controller wired, and sell wireless and an option.

-Make PS3 a top loader to cut back on the feeder mechanism

-Remove built-in wifi option. sell it seperately, or let consumers buy thier own wireless crap.

-Hopefully while removing some of the crap above, Sony could probably manage a including an HDD....heck Compact Flash comes in 10GB nowadays(make it for onilne(playstation HUB) purposes)

just my 0.02c

I never thought the PS3 would see a 2006 release in the US. Did they drop that dual monitor shit yet? That's a waste of money for 99% of the user base.

Yeah, last I read they dropped that moronic multi screen "feature." Poor 'lil Bow Wow will not be able to string four of his HD TVs together to make one giant Gran Turismo display when showing off his "crib" to his friends and MTV. :rolleyes:

From day one I had a feeling that the whole Spring launch was a sham. I guess we won't know until Dean Takahashi writes a book about it (as if his books are all factual).

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Originally Posted by Raz0r

This just gives me more of a chance to save up the cash for the PS3. I still hate the HDMI thing. I have the slot but I'm more worried about having to buy the cord.

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they're like 11 dollars at www.monoprice.com

don't be afraid of buying the cord and dont fall for the bullshit of having to buy overpriced BS from BB (cord wise)

for all your cord needs go to monoprice or some place similar (same quality builds for a fraction of the price)

The technical issue with Blu-Ray is that nobody will pay $1500 for a Blu-Ray player if they can buy a PS3 for $500.

Rumor has it that Sony is holding off the launch of the PS3 to retool the controller. The new controller will look just like a remote control.

So, with all the 360 shortages and this PS3 thing, it seems that launching hardware is getting progressively difficult.

This does not bode well for the fiscal health of the industry for the rest of 2006...

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Originally Posted by Shin Johnpv

they're like 11 dollars at www.monoprice.com

don't be afraid of buying the cord and dont fall for the bullshit of having to buy overpriced BS from BB (cord wise)

for all your cord needs go to monoprice or some place similar (same quality builds for a fraction of the price)

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Seriously, <3. The last one I saw was for $100 and I thought they all were that expensive.

P.S.: We need to plan another NY meet-up soon. Summer is coming up and now I'm 21 so I can hit the clubs lol.

Well maybe now with the delay Halo 3 may actually make it out for PS3 launch next Spring. :)

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Originally Posted by Raz0r

Seriously, <3. The last one I saw was for $100 and I thought they all were that expensive.

P.S.: We need to plan another NY meet-up soon. Summer is coming up and now I'm 21 so I can hit the clubs lol.

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Seriously, take care of ALL your cableing needs at monoprice

and yes we do some one should bump the old thread

When 360's are readily available, more substantially backwards compatible, and moving more units than the PS2, Sony will have to start worrying. MS is wasting it's head start so it doesn't matter yet.

I changed the thread title because Sony hasn't said a single word about this so it isn't quite official. They've got a PS3 press conference coming up tomorrow in Japan (12 hours ahead of Eastern time here, so it'll be late tonight).

If they announce it there I'll change the title back.

Whatever it is, it should be announced fairly quickly. It's 3PM Tokyo time as I type, which is when the press conference is scehduled to begin, so sites all across the web should be posting the news in an hour or so. Fine by me, I wasn't planning on turning in until at least 3AM anyway. :)

James

Not a rumor anymore. From IGN (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/696/696054p1.html)

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March 14, 2006 - Ken Kutaragi, PlayStation Master and keeper of big news has announced at the PS meeting today that the PlayStation 3 will be launching in early November worldwide for the North American, Asian, and European territories.

Once released, Sony will unleash one million units per month with a total of six million units in 2006 alone. Production numbers are higher for PS1 and PS2 in their initial years.

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Another worldwide console launch for the holidays. Nice.

Get your ass to the official thread folks.

dis is awesome news.....when can i preorder? .....i'll do it even if it takes flying to the U.S, go to EB to pre-order, then fly back to the UAE.....at the end it will still cost less than buying from local import stores here.

When the 360(the HDD bundle) came out, it was selling for $1360......sadly enough, people bought it! ;0

I can't believe that people are actually excited for a console with virtually no games shown for it yet.

MGS4 was shown. I'd buy a PS3 just for that.

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Originally Posted by arjue

I can't believe that people are actually excited for a console with virtually no games shown for it yet.

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Seriously. Who is this fly-by-night operation 'Soney', and what do we really know about them? Do you guys think they can get anyone to make games for them?

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Originally Posted by arjue

I can't believe that people are actually excited for a console with virtually no games shown for it yet.

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Fuck the Blu-Ray bullshit, this is the real reason the console isn't launching.

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Originally Posted by marwan

-Remove all memory card readers and keep Mmory Stick(to save games on instead of PS memory card)

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Waitasec, when the hell did they add a memory card reader? My biggest gripe with the original specs was that the system played PS1&2 games but it didn't have PS1&2 memory card slots. I never heard this announcement. If it's true, I'm a happy man.

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Originally Posted by Dylan1CC

Yeah, last I read they dropped that moronic multi screen "feature." Poor 'lil Bow Wow will not be able to string four of his HD TVs together to make one giant Gran Turismo display when showing off his "crib" to his friends and MTV. :rolleyes:

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:)

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Waitasec, when the hell did they add a memory card reader? My biggest gripe with the original specs was that the system played PS1&2 games but it didn't have PS1&2 memory card slots. I never heard this announcement. If it's true, I'm a happy man.

:)

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they mentioned the multicard thing back in E3 of last year. screw PS1/2 memory cards, id rather go for MS pro duo instead. besides, sony just might release a device where you can plug a PS1/2 card and MS to copy your old save files from the older format. or use a USB flash drive to it(it's easier and cheaper that way)

ofcourse, this is just my idea :)

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Originally Posted by marwan

ofcourse, this is just my idea :)

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I don't much care for your idea. Sorry.

Memory card slots. Hello! :)

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Originally Posted by marwan

they mentioned the multicard thing back in E3 of last year. screw PS1/2 memory cards, id rather go for MS pro duo instead. besides, sony just might release a device where you can plug a PS1/2 card and MS to copy your old save files from the older format. or use a USB flash drive to it(it's easier and cheaper that way)

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And since when has Sony had a precedent for that factoring into any of their decisions?

If MS can get away with not letting you transfer saves, then Sony certainly can.

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

I don't much care for your idea. Sorry.

Memory card slots. Hello! :)

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then your simpley out luck in transfering your PS1/2 save games on the PS3.

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Originally Posted by Bacon McShig

And since when has Sony had a precedent for that factoring into any of their decisions?

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It usualy involves creating an additional, unneeded Sony proprietary format that is more expensive, and inferior to whats out on the open market.