Kaz Hirai misspoke -- Sony clarifies launch plans
Recently, Kaz Hirai spoke about the Playstation 3 launch in an interview over at gamespot. It was a really fun read and all, but there were a few foreboding moments. These moments, like shortages of the console upon launch, aren't uncommon, but still need to be addressed. A Sony spokesman had the nerve (and the common sense) to correct Kaz Hirai in regards to his statements in the interview. The spokesman said: "We are still on schedule to ship 2 million units for our mid-November 2006 launch and additional 2 million units by the end of the year for a total of 4 million units." Isn't that worse?
With the production (or just assembly) not yet underway, doubling the number as quoted by Kaz is scary! Maybe 4 million units won't sell by years end, but producing that many is a daunting task. Would Sony (not to mention Nintendo and Microsoft as well) do this on purpose? Have shortages? It may lower risk and they won't have a million sitting in a warehouse somewhere, but is it a part of their plan to say "no, we'll definitely have them ready for you" and then... not? Does a shortage really increase demand and boost sales? It's all speculation, but the facts remain the same: Sony is planning on 4 million units by the end of the year. Good luck, Sony.
