Sony expects Christmas Move drought

By Fred Dutton Published 24 November, 2010

Misjudged demand, apparently.

Planning on shoving a Move controller in a loved one's stocking this Christmas? Bad news: Sony is expecting shortages after misjudging demand of its new peripheral.

Sony's marketing VP Peter Dille told Venturebeat that PlayStation Move would be in short supply through January in the US, UK and Japan.

"We have a catch-up problem in all three territories that will last until January or February," he claimed.

Dille's comments come hot on the heels of similar warnings from Microsoft earlier this month, regarding availability of its Kinect peripheral.

Cynical scare-mongering to inspire shoppers to rush down to the shops? Or genuine public service announcements? You decide.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • gabrielbird #1 2 years ago

    Not enough plastic balls in the world :(

  • Dizzy #2 2 years ago

    Preemtive comment on sales numbers?

  • Doctor_What #3 2 years ago

    "US, UK and Japan." The rest of Europe will be fine, and Africa is sorted. I've got a couple - they're decent fun and immensely accurate, but they're really looking for a killer app at the moment.

    I can't help but read all this stuff and interpret it as Sony/MS willy waving. Come on guys, if you really must compete (and must you really?) let's have some real, comparable numbers please. I bet after Christmas that both will claim that they won, judging it on different measures.

  • Hartzu #4 2 years ago

    Move-controllers have been pretty sold-out in Scandinavia since launch and there are no news from the local distributor when new stock will be available. It certainly has sold well or Sony misjudged the interest on the new controller really bad.

    In a recent Nielsen study on kids wish list for Christmas PS3 and Move topped Xbox and Kinect on all age groups. [link url=http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/kids-in-the-u-s-eyeing-big-ticket-tech-this-holiday-season/
    ]http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/cons...[/link]
    Edited by Hartzu at 24/11/10 @ 20:55

  • sfp_noodle #5 2 years ago

    @Scott269

    Well I'm not surprised you haven't touched the PS Move since you bought it. After all, you do need a PS3 to use it ;)

  • ShiftyGeezer #6 2 years ago

    You don't need Sony to point this out when you're Christmas shopping! Moves and Kinects are typically sold out in stores and online, and they are seeing markups from those who have them available. I've seen almost £50 asked for a standalone Move controller! Both Sony and MS seem to have found themselves winning peripherals. I'm not really sure why they have to announce they failed to estimate demand successfully though. Rather than showing unexpected demand, it shows a lack of faith in their own products; "Let's only make a few - it's not like anyone will buy them."

  • night735 #7 2 years ago

    I smell a sales plot. Anything in short demand over Xmas always attracts attention and huge sales in the next year!

  • darkos87 #8 2 years ago

    Scare mongering tactic or not, I'm going to get at least the eye + 1 move controller and see whether my living room is suitable for the move... can anyone tell me if when playing 2player we need more distance than in 1 player. I have about 1.5m between my tv and the sofa, if I push the sofa might make it 1.8m

  • IamTheElderScrolls #9 2 years ago

    Who are the people who actually analyse these things? Because i swear they always get it wrong, they're almost as bad as the weatherman.

  • Spence1115 #10 2 years ago

    Well the GAMEs in Cardiff ran out of all Move peripherals a while ago and we don't know when more are coming. So it's entirely possible. And annoying, as we're doing console + starter pack + £40 new game bundle, but can't sell it due to no starter pack!

  • waggy79 #11 2 years ago

    I can't speak for the whole country but there are shelves full in the game shops where I live. Kinect you only seem to be able to get in over priced bundle packs.

  • sfp_noodle #12 2 years ago

    ^^^

    Well with you being completely incapable of saying a single positive thing about the PS3 whilst you wank frantically over every 360 story, I think the writings on the wall. Couple that with the fact that if you do own the PS3, then you come across as an idiot who likes keeping things he despises. Plus you claim to have bought the PS Move for it - If you think its so shit why the fuck did you buy the console and its accessories in the first place?

    And you wonder why even 360 owners (myself included) think your an utter prick?
    Edited by sfp_noodle at 25/11/10 @ 00:38

  • dloob #13 2 years ago

    Well I'll agree with Scotty269, I've had a similar experience with kinect and move.
    Kinect has got more use, especially dance central, move is just lacking that killer app for now.
    Tumble is good fun although it hasn't really grabbed me but I'm looking forward to Echochrome 2 and further out that sorcery game from E3.

    Some one asked if 1.5 meters is enough room.
    Now I've only played single player and it is OK most of the time but does act a bit weird on occasion.
    It's definitely better a little further back.
    Some games tell you to be at least six feet back, so two player could be an issue for you.

  • bladdard #14 2 years ago

    Sainsburys near me have tons of kinect stand alone, move starter packs, £199 PS3 160gbs so I don't believe any of this buy it now while you can or kill yourself bullshit.

    PS. I will be getting move for Christmas and I'd also get kinect if it was a bit cheaper.

  • Widge #15 2 years ago

    Hi Scotty! I really liked your comment in the Bioshock Infinite article: "It doesnt matter that i dont really like the ps3 the people that have spent lots of money buying one really do deserve the same treatment as us xbox gamers."

  • Widge #16 2 years ago

    b-b-b-b-b-but I was given one as a gift and it is a dust magnet!

  • dingo75 #17 2 years ago


    I havent touched my move since i tried it when i bought it. Kinect on the other hand has been on non stop. Family and freinds comming round for a look. Make of it what you will.

    Yeah they all come round to see on what crap you wasted money on this time.
    People like to watch traffic accidents as well...