| The news is out: the PS3 games console is to be | | | | Xbox 360 hit the stores last year and is still the |
| launched simultaneously around the globe in | | | | top gaming console according to market trends. |
| November 2006. But despite the grand global | | | | Jennie Kong, Sony's European branch's PR |
| launch plan for the PS3 games console, there are | | | | manager, defends the company's strategy and |
| doubts about its impact on the market. Even | | | | claims that the company doesn't allow itself to be |
| more, game analysts doubt if this global launch | | | | dictated by their competitors' moves. However, |
| can help Sony regain lost market because of the | | | | history supports the analysts' views of the |
| earlier release of Microsoft's Xbox 360. There are | | | | matter. It can be recalled that Microsoft and Sony |
| also many speculations why the new PS3's launch | | | | had once faced the same situation, only this time, |
| keeps getting delayed.Though Sony claims that | | | | Sony has the advantage with the early release of |
| the delays were due to digital rights management | | | | their PS2 over the first Xbox. Current Analysis' |
| or DRM troubles, many analysts believe otherwise. | | | | Steve Kovsky reminds that at that time, |
| Analysts pose more pressing issues as reasons | | | | Microsoft suffered huge losses; clearly, Sony is |
| for the PS3 games console's launch delays. Eiichi | | | | slated for the same fate with PS3.If Sony pushes |
| Katayama, an analyst from Tokyo-based Nomura | | | | for the November 2006 launch, it gives the Xbox |
| Securities' Financial & Economic Research, | | | | 360 a full year sales advantage. However, the |
| suggests that the delays are probably caused by | | | | PS3 games franchise's problem does not end with |
| the slow progress of graphics chip development. | | | | the launch's delays. Rumors and news are |
| Others offer reasons such as insufficiency of | | | | circulating that even before its game console's |
| appropriate software titles. However, Sony is | | | | launch, Sony is planning to outlaw its resale. |
| quick to dismiss these rumors and again reiterated | | | | Different sources claim that Sony plans to sell the |
| the problem of DRM for their Blu-ray optical | | | | new consoles with their own individual licenses. |
| drive.Blu-ray chips provide the new console with | | | | This effectively prohibits second-hand sales in |
| removable PS3 storage capacity that is five times | | | | person or in online shops like and In essence, |
| bigger than the storage provided by DVDs of | | | | buyers are only purchasing the license to use the |
| older consoles. Reports that PS3's Blu-ray and | | | | consoles; Sony still holds the proprietorship of the |
| DRM feature are almost finished make them | | | | product. Game analysts comment that this is a |
| unlikely causes of delays. According to Katayama, | | | | logical move, if proven true. Sony would need all |
| ROM mark and BD+ licensing have already started | | | | the push it can have to increase the sales of |
| which make copy protection technology an | | | | individual PS3 units.The company refrains from |
| implausible reason. Analysts believe that if DRM | | | | making comments about the allegations no |
| technology really cause the delay, the profit from | | | | licensing. They maintain that all important |
| PS3 games console would not suffer too much. | | | | announcements have been made during the E3 |
| However, if the reasons are as they believe -- | | | | trade show and all other announcements would be |
| graphics chip development -- the sales impact | | | | made on the PS3 games console launch. This |
| would probably be the worst in Sony's | | | | announcement, instead of putting a stop to the |
| history.Sony contradicts the analysts' measure of | | | | rumor mill only fuel the fire. But as it is, there is |
| the situation and denies that the delays set the | | | | nothing gamers can do but just play their PS3 |
| PS3 games console and the company at a | | | | games and wait. |
| disadvantage behind Microsoft and Xbox 360. | | | | |