Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison, in an interview with Threespeech explained why the 20GB PS3 model is also going to have a HDMI video connector, which was previously only intended for the 60GB model. Apparently it wasn’t because of public outcry for the feeling of having to pay $100 more to get all PS3’s feature, but instead because HDMI is coming standard with displays earlier than Sony expected.
Well planned or not, it’s obvious that Sony has had some big problems with manufacturing. Looking past the question of the HDMI port to the bigger picture, it’s clear that with only 480,000 units available for launch and the European date pushed back four months, Sony has over-stretched itself. Isn’t that a bit, well, worrying?
Harrison nods and reacts: “There’s no denying that we’ve had some very public challenges,†he says. “Today, it looks like a very difficult situation – but in the weeks, months and years to come, this will pale into zero.â€
“Yes, we have overreached in production of the Blu-Ray component – I can’t deny that. But that’s the price you pay for adopting brand new, leading-edge technologies that will be future proof. We will resolve those issues – we are already catching up. We will continue to catch up on the production, and as you know, we haven’t changed our full-year forecast of six million units, so we’re only talking about a ramp-up issue. We’re not talking about the fundamental design of the product itself.â€
The interview continues that while few consoles have launched without a fairly hefty dose of problems in the first few months. Many still expected to have a PS3 in their hands this Christmas, and now almost certainly won’t.
Via Eurogamer