Analyst calls out Sony on 2007 PS3 launch

Sony keeps on saying they're gonna push that there PlayStation 3 out the door in Spring of 2006, which we're all hoping for somewhere near as much as we actually think it's maybe just wishful thinking. But in an Electronic Arts earnings call memo, a senior Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst predicted Sony may delay the console until 2007, and instead ride that $100 slim PS2 into the sunset until then. While we're positive this would be a certain form of corporate seppuku for Sony, we wouldn't exactly put it past them to hold out, especially considering the hard PR front they've crafting around this undeniably unwavering faith in the final product we consumers will be so blessed as to own.

[bowlhed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

thats a proper long wait,surely not good tactics considering xbox 360 is nearly ready to debut

[Alex G @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Yea...
2005 technology launched in 2007 with a 10 year shelf life? I think not.

Everyone who wanted a PS2 already has one. Selling it at $99 will not help at all to distract sales of the Xbox 360. It is something new and something that will be a hot item.

Come on Sony! Where is your head at? The Xbox 360 will do as good or even better or MUCH better than the original Xbox in sales. There is no reason for it not to, especially with the excellent line-up of launch games.

If the PS3 is set for launch in 2007, it can only help the Xbox 360 with respect to its primary title: Halo 3. Microsoft will probably reposistion the Halo 3 launch to whatever date Sony finalizes for the PS3. If it gets delayed till 2007, then Halo 3 will simply get more development time and, therefore, it will be an even bigger hit (hopefully).

I don't see how Sony is going to pull this off.

[SomethingGood @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Wow... every single day Sony seem to be giving me a new reason to buy an Xbox 360...

[Kwyjibo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Hmm. Looks like the 2007 release(in America) would only happen if the Xbox 360 doesn't do that well at launch. I think the 360 will have a strong launch so I'm still going to expect a 2006 release for the PS3....

[Kwyjibo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Hmm. Looks like the 2007 release(in America) would only happen if the Xbox 360 doesn't do that well at launch. I think the 360 will have a strong launch so I'm still going to expect a 2006 release for the PS3....

[Samuel Mateo, Jr. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

PS who? XBOX 360 all the way!

[Lectiod @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

SomethingGood wrote: "Wow... every single day Sony seem to be giving me a new reason to buy an Xbox 360..."

You said it man... At first I was all about getting a PS3, but more and more I am looking to the 360.

Someone somewhere said it best "A triple core 300 dollar Linux box, I'm there". I can hardly wait till emulators/other OS's come out for the 360.

[ixalon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Please remember this is just an analyst's prediction and is likely to be a guesstimate. The only word we have from Sony is still that "Spring 2006" suggestion.

[james hare @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I just think it's funny, first the PS3 is "too expensive for a single household" or something like that and now it's not going to be around for 2 years or so. I think it's basically the rule now that a console manufacturer cannot make more than two consoles. The Atari 2600 was great, the 5200 maybe okay... the 7800 didn't sell much at all. Then we have Nintendo, Super Nintendo and FLOP! Or SMS, Genesis... FLOP! Well, lemme be the first to predict it--Playstation, Playstation 2, Playstation 'Mega Expensive' 3=FLOP!

[Natiahs @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Just not gonna happen. Sony doesn't shuffle major releases, and they've already announced a May 2006 launch for PS3 (see their PS3 presskit for confirmation). EA's analysts can speculate all they want, but I'll put dolla dolla bills on that 5/06 date folding firm.

Natiahs

[Huey2k2 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

As an Xbox Fanboy (Yes I admit it), this makes me so very happy. If the PS3 launches in early 2007 the 360 will have had tons of time to gather up a large fan base and a good library of games. Also as Alex G pointed out above, MS is planning on releasing Halo3 the day the PS3 comes out to compete, the longer it takes for the PS3 to be released, the more dev time Halo3 will have, and the better it will enevitably be.

One of the reasons the original Xbox didn't do as well as the PS2 was the fact that the Xbox was released so late into the console war, by the time it was out the PS2 had already sold milllions of units and had a large collection of games. It also didn't help that at launch, all the Xbox titles were lets just say.... less then stellar. This bodes well for the future of the 360, which I had always assumed would play second fiddle to the PS3.

[Weber @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

hmmm... had you guys accually read the article, it more of a theory/possible plan B by some guy than anything based on facts.

[dmek @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Mindless Fanboy Comment!

[Arch-360 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

lol guys i dont think you have realized this but the reason they say that they will come out eralier if the 360 does well, is to just keep their fanbase from buying one. and if it does do good they will hold opff and when the time comes they will delay til 2007.

[Ian Jardine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

SOunds like Sony is playing a "game" with MS trying to lull them into thinking PS3 will be "delayed" and then surprising everyone with an "early" launch. This way it also helps keep people buying the existing PS2.

[haloman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

If you actually read the article, then you would realize that the delay will only occur if the 360 is a flop. So if your a Sony fanboy, do you hope for the 360 to be a huge success, so Sony releases the PS3 next year? Also, I wouldn't discount the article because it comes from an analyst, as they're generally more in tune with what's going on than anybody around here. The article does conclude with saying that the 360 is looking more and more like it'll be a rousing success, thus rendering the whole point moot.

The most interesting point from the article:
Currently, the console is slated to appear in Japan before the end of that company's fiscal year--March 31, 2006--and in North America before the end of 2006.

I'm thinking North America is definitely post E3, so probably June 1, 2006 given that the 360 will almost assuredly not be a flop. Finally, if it is June 1, then I wouldn't expect to see Halo 3 out. Probably Septemeber at the earliest (post Halo movie) and maybe another November release. Definitely November if the PS3 doesn't come out until the holiday season 2006.

[Adam GQ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I'm surprised that you all don't pay attention to history. Remember Pearl Harbor? Big stupid American ships relaxing by Waikiki harbor, Japan sitting quietly to the west. The Japanese are in the White House being all diplomatic then "BLOWWWWWIE". They're pulling a fast one on Microsoft to catch them off guard and try to make them feel comfortable. It's going to be all out war, and I just hope that Bill Gates doesn't resort to nuking the Sony headquarters like Truman did.

[rotten_fruit_fan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Well I think we're going to see the PS2 going out with a bang as developers are finally using the multiple processors. That's why we're seeing games like "God of War" and MGS 3 looking so good.

Sony would love to squeeze every last dollar they can out of the PS2, if Microsoft's pressure isn't too great. Their basically trying to recreate the Dreamcast vs PS2 battle, and I can't really blame them for trying, except Microsoft is a much stronger company than Sega ever was.

[Roland @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I think they will delay the launch of the PS3 until the holiday season 2006, but not until 2007.

[haloman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Adam GQ - Microsoft already is planning and developing a nuclear bomb to drop on Sony .... it's called Halo 3.

[Roland @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

hey rotten fruit fan the PS2 does not have multiple processors. what are you talking about? It has never had multiple processors and it never will.

[Vincent @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

What I don't understand is why people even still fall for Sony nonsense. I mean , it seems to me that they try the same old crap over and over. I expect the release of the PS3 for the Holiday season of '06 in the US.

[The 13th Duke of Wybourne @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Vincent:

What Sony crap? Sony themselves haven't uttered a word.

I think what you meant to say was "What I don't understand is why people even still fall for some bored analysts nonsense."

[rotten_fruit_fan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Actually, it does. There's only one main processor but there are a couple more which may or may mot be part of the emotion engine thing. The thing was too confusing for me, but is beside this topic anyway. You can google for some more info, I think I read that it was the reason why some of these late games are PS2 exclusive for now, because they're running heavily optimized code.

[domer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

rotten_fruit_fan - The PS2 has 1 processor which is a 300 mhz, 128 bit, RISC based proc named the "Emotion Engine". Within that processor there are different functional components (which some people call processors to be confusing) like 2 vector units. And yes, there is heavily optimized code with this processor that developers are finally learning after 4 years of working with it. Expect the same with the new gen consoles.

[Vincent @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Duke to answer your question : I feel Sonys marketing is superb in it's extremeness. What I do not appreciate is they have a tendency to outright lie. I must admit if this all comes from an analyst then I misread the article.

[Wonderflex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

#9: "The Atari 2600 was great, the 5200 maybe okay... the 7800 didn't sell much at all. Then we have Nintendo, Super Nintendo and FLOP! Or SMS, Genesis... FLOP! Well, lemme be the first to predict it--Playstation, Playstation 2, Playstation 'Mega Expensive' 3=FLOP"

What are you talking about? Super Nintendo and flop? I seem to remember there being a plethora of great games on both the 64 and the Cube. Sure, the Cube isn't Big Daddy Poppa, but that doesn't mean that it still doesn't have some higly fun games (which is what gaming is about - no?).

SMS, Genesis, Flop? Come on, it's more like, Flop, Genesis, Flop, Saturn, Dreamcast. Well, unless you count the 32x as a system, which I don't. The Saturn and Dreamcast were great. Sure, they didn't have the best marketing campaign, but man where they great. Great games, clean graphics for time, and some all in all fun factor.

Although it would appear that Sony is making a poor move if they delay the system, or if they make you pool together with your ten best friends so you can afford a memory card, doesn't mean that it will flop. You have to remember that Sony does already have an installed, hard core, fan base. There is many a kids and adults alike who will fight to the death to proclaim that the PS3 will be greatest system to date. And then on the flip side there is those for the 360 too - I'm not sure why, but hey, why not?

I still say it comes down to what they games have to offer on each system exclusively, and then secondly how well they run the multi-platform games. For me it's more about bringing down the Capitalist Macho-Man Donkey Tamers that is Microsoft. Who cares if they have a good system or not - it's MS for crying out loud.

I'm personally a Nintendo man - reguardless of what they put out...well, except for the Virtual Boy; although Mario Tennis was fun on the VB; but if buying a PS3 can help bring Microsoft one step closer to closing their video game doors forever then I'll start selling kidnies today.

[Huey2k2 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

With regards to Wonderflex's post. I do not understand why you (and many other people) are intent on running MS out of the console business. They did a perfectly good job on the Xbox and now have even more developers including some big name Japanese ones for the 360. MS is providing what has been needed for a while in the console market, competition. Without the Xbox around all we would have is the PS2 and GC, and although I have alot of respect for Nintendo and what they do, they don't have enough 3rd party games for their consoles anymore to make them a serious competitor. Without MS in the console world there would be no reason for Sony to go all out with the PS3 like they have been. Think about it.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I certainly HOPE they don't delay until '07. I'll probably be back from Japan by then, and my window of opurtunity for gray-market-electronics-import-gouging-goodness with have evaporated before my very eyes.

Just imagine the 30% - 50% price hike you usually expect from this kinda of thing on top of the agregiously expensive PS3...gone.

KOMATANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

(Semi)Joking aside, it's not a good idea to delay that long. Certainly not a competative idea. And by that I mean if they do it, it can't in any way be designed to 'fight' the 360. The 360 is pretty well a done deal. Specs, dates, everything (of course they coulld have last minute delays). I can't really see any way the Sony waiting another year could possibly derail or upset MS's plans. So Sony would need a really compeling INTERNAL reason to delay the PS3.

Personally I think they should just spin doctor the timing of the 360's release into a reason to cut down the ridiculous specs of the PS3...

'Forgiveness please! To stay competative with the machinations of the evil Mr. Gates and launch in '06, we have had to remove features X,X,X from the glorious PS3. Fortunately this means you will not have to wait another torturous year, deprived of the only system that can surpass the power and beauty of the Emotion Engine. You will have no need to EVER touch a filthy American 'gaming device' such as the Xbox 360. And you will not have to mortgage your home to afford it, you need only sell you car.

PLAY_STATION!"

You know, something like that.

[Wanax @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Wonderflex said:

"For me it's more about bringing down the Capitalist Macho-Man Donkey Tamers that is Microsoft. Who cares if they have a good system or not - it's MS for crying out loud."

And Sony is a benevolent and kind megacorporation? Sheesh, get over the MS hate or move to NK/Cuba. Both companies are out to make money, it is capitalism after all.

[not willin to sell a liver @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Sony's move is bad. As it is Kaz has said the price is gonna be outrageous and yet people are willin to give their souls for it. It's bad enough that the entire industry is hiking up game prices but for a system to retail for around 400 is amazin.

Cliffy B. is the man we should follow his $20 game idea

[Klaus @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Bluray is important for Sony and it needs the PS3 as a HD DVD player to establish that format.

[Grindstone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I dunno... $99 for a +5 year old system is still a rip-off to me. Definitely no bragging rights if you do buy one.

There's just no way $ony can really conceptualize Xbox 360 NOT making a big hit from November until Q2 `06. With so many games lined up and disgruntled fans leaving the Sony fan base, Xbox 360 success is inevitable unless M$ ships the consoles with some major defect. I see a $ony launch in early summer of `06. Any later will seriously hurt them, unless they are already going to bump to launch date back to late 2006 or early 2007 and using these analysts is a kind way of massaging that idea into the consumers minds.

If $ony did launch the PS3 in 2007, then 3 years later M$ would be back on the scene with the Xbox "Pi" [a combination of M$ & Nintendo... j/k?] and Sony would be stuck with an older system for 2 more years. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me to launch that late, regardless of Xbox 360's success. But, I am no analyst, just a casual gamer with some wits about him. Though I sincerely hope that $ony does not wait that long, despite which ever console I get.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

"Who cares if they have a good system or not - it's MS for crying out loud"


How the hell can you say that? Are you against companies making good products? Inane brand loyalty is just mind-boggling. If MS makes a crap console, so be it, I won't buy it. But if they make the best console of a generation, you would still not buy it because it's a Microsoft product?

That's simply pathetic.

[tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

ah ps3s
power will not be matched

[RM @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

by tom
ah ps3s
power will not be matched



you bet.
Im still waiting for the ps2 super computer.
god what a laugh.

[Ark Akkin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

If this is the case... Sony is totally out of competetion... I mean, an year delay... They are obviously going to use a LOT of customers... Sony needs to improve their product stuff... I heard a lot of neg. stuff about them lately >_<