Japan only gets 80,000 PS3s at launch, USA shipping targets to be lowered next?

8 Responses to “Japan only gets 80,000 PS3s at launch, USA shipping targets to be lowered next?”

1. 1
   Michael Lim Says:
   October 30th, 2006 at 7:03 pm

   Sony has hyped the PS3 so badly that they are going to take a big fall for this launch.

   They originally said 2 million units for launch, which was later revised down to 1 million with Europe taking backseat to the US and Japan markets.

   Then the numbers were reduced yet again to 500K with the split going 400K for the US and 100K for Japan.

   Does anyone here remember what happened during the XBOX 360 launch in November of last year? Shortages everywhere except Japan, and lots and lots of people got extremely upset; and keep in mind that Microsoft had made 1.5m XBOX 360s available - 3 times what Sony can manage for their launch.

   The financial side of the picture doesn’t look good for Sony either; sales of PS2 and PSP are falling - the PS2 because of the imminent introduction fo the PS3 and the PSP because so far there has not been a single “killer app” for the platform.

   On top of all this, you have the backlash from the battery recall incident. Sony is going to be swimming in so much red ink that their current $3.8bn in cash is going to dry up quick.

   Microsoft has a $32bn warchest. Sony has 1/10th that amount. Microsoft can outspend Sony and can even afford to push ahead more aggressively on pricing. Sony will be bled dry trying to play catch up.

   While I won’t count Sony out, I’d say that this is the beginning of a turning point in the console market. Based on the confluence of all these events, I think Sony will lose the leadership position they’ve held during this next console cycle.

2. 2
   blackdemon Says:
   October 31st, 2006 at 4:44 am

   I agree, Sony have really messed up with many aspects of this release. Nintendo seem to be pushing their way back in towards reclaiming their old console leader title, and Microsoft already have a strong foothold in the industry.

   R.I.P. Sony gaming department?

3. 3
   Gizmo Says:
   October 31st, 2006 at 7:11 am

   Michael Lim, I think you are confusing launch numbers with total holiday numbers.

   That includes November and December. Go back and check your numbers again.

   And please spare me with the “war-chest” talk. Note: The PS3 isn’t even out yet. The 360 has had a year head start and the PS2 is out selling the 360. And the xbot 1 was a failure even with that “warchest.” It’s pretty sad that even with that “warchest” Bill Gates ends up losing again (2nd place).

4. 4
   Console News - The Latest PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, DS and PSP News » Blog Archive » Japan only gets 80,000 PS3s at launch, USA shipping targets to be lowered next? Says:
   October 31st, 2006 at 10:06 am

   […] From videogamesblogger.com:[QUOTE]The Nikkei Keizai Shimbun morning edition reports today that due to component shortages, Sony will have only 80,000 units ready for the PS3’s November 11th Japanese launch. This cuts back by a fifth the initial launch target of 100,000. […]

5. 5
   Michael Lim Says:
   November 2nd, 2006 at 9:07 am

   I’m not a XBOX fanboy and neither am I a Sony fanboy. Take note, Gizmo, I don’t shoot down a console because of who it’s made by.

   However, I will call a black kettle black. Sony has been over-the-top arrogant and they have plainly lied to consumers about the status of the PS3 - preferring to use FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) against Microsoft and Nintendo. FUD didn’t work for Intel when they made mistakes in their product roadmap, and it won’t help Sony here either.

   I have quite a few quibbles with Microsoft and their handling of some XBOX 360 issues - especially with heat induced failures leading to the red ring of death.

   I don’t play favorites. I think every platform has something good going for it in terms of the various games and franchises that they offer. But I won’t accept companies that blatantly lie to the buying public or companies that don’t take a responsible attitude in fixing problems that exist in their products.

6. 6
   Frank Lee Kurazy Says:
   November 15th, 2006 at 9:55 pm

   Xbox 360 to take the lead? you must be joking?!! Most videogamers know of the many, many great games for the ps2 that the ps3 will eventually have. I can wait till next year, I won’t be holding any grudges against Sony, but an xbox?!!? HELL NO!

7. 7
   Chris Madden Says:
   November 15th, 2006 at 11:38 pm

   I worked in video games reail for two years and have seen all this before, expecially near Christmas, last year it was the PSP and the year before it was the Slimline PS2. Sony hype the hell out of their new product and then make it unavailable. We’ve all heard of artifical demand but Sony seem to get it wrong every time and make it literally impossible to get hold of their product. Unfortunately at this time of year the largest percentage of money spent on games is by non-gamers who are purchasing for others (namely their kids), who will go to any lengths to get their kid what they want, rather than kicking up a fuss with Sony about why it’s dashing all these kids dreams by making promises it never could fulfill.

   Last year this resulted in hits because people were opting for the more readily available DS than holding out for a PSP just in case they weren’t able to get little Johnny one for Christmas. I kind of wonder if the same thing is going to happen this year with the Wii, i mean I’m sure it’s going to do well anyway (god knows i’ll be getting one) but I just wonder whether the sheer availability of the Wii (if Nintendo stick to their release amounts) will swing some people who were otherwise on the fence.

   I really thought Sony would have learned their lesson last year, but obviously not.

   Besides I feel this whole point is kind of moot anyway. Most people who are prospectively going to buy a PS3 will do whenever they can, I will be when they launch in the UK (not out of any brand loyalty, just because of the games…), meaning that Sony aren’t going to ‘lose’ money per se, they’re just gonna get it later.

   I guess the only ones really losing out here are the consumers and, to be honest, you’d think that Sony might want to abate them after letting them down for the previous two years.
   Obviously not.

8. 8
   mrfartsniffer Says:
   November 19th, 2006 at 3:57 pm

   I hear a lot of people saying things. My point is, Japanese people have pride over there Japanese Ps3 ….That is why the xbox 360 did not do well there …. I think Americans should have the same Respect for there American xbox
   360 I love the Xbox I’m proud of my Xbox 360 and I’ll stick by my American xbox, just like the Japanese stick by there ps3. The Online game experience is the best
   And coming soon making it even better Xbox live anywhere
   PC Vs Xbox 360 what more could you ask for …

   Xbox 360 is better, DONE !!

   There i said IT

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