Advertisement
European gamers 'don't mind' launch delays - Sony VP News
PlayStation 3 News by Tom Bramwell
SCE Worldwide Europe VP Jamie MacDonald reckons that Europe will quickly get over the delay between the US and Japanese launches of PlayStation 3 next month and its European debut next March.
When asked by our sister site GamesIndustry.biz what he'd say to European consumers who feel they're always last in line for new consoles, MacDonald said, "European consumers have shown that historically they don't mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan."
"In Europe, it doesn't seem that the release of our platforms after the US and Japan - in the long run - affects how consumers feel."
"If we were sitting here in five years' time, I don't think we'd really think about or notice that PlayStation 3 was four or five months later in Europe. I think in the long run, PlayStation 3 will succeed because of the great product it is and the great software we make for it," he added, when asked how he felt the delay would affect Sony's chances in the next-gen battle.
MacDonald's frank assessment of the situation is likely to raise hackles with, well, you (you're already sharpening your keyboard, aren't you?), but generally speaking he certainly shared Sony UK boss Ray Maguire's perspective on the announcement, around a month ago, that the console's European release would be delayed until March.
At the time, Maguire admitted that Sony UK was "extremely disappointed" by the delay. "We can truly empathise with everyone who was looking forward to PS3's imminent release. We will however be working tirelessly to ensure that the March 2007 launch is the biggest and best in the company's history," he added.
Advertisement
Want to comment on this article? Log in, or register!
Poster
|
Mr_Whacker
06/10/06 @ 08:07
0
I don't mind at all. Not planning to get one for a good while because I do remember the PS2 delays and it made me cross.
|
|
repairmanjack
06/10/06 @ 08:14
0
Don't mind... because we weren't going to buy it at that price?
I'm also starting to feel less than optimisitic about the March '07 date. I guess the delay lets the other regions factory test the first batch of machines, though. |
|
0
MacDonald said, "European consumers have shown that historically they don't mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan."
How does the fact that we buy a load of Playstations equate to us "not minding" getting the console last? There's certainly another whiff of arrogance here |
|
PlugMonkey
06/10/06 @ 08:19
0
Mind? Why would I mind? I actually prefer being dicked around for months on end. It makes me feel special.
|
|
golden_balls
06/10/06 @ 08:21
0
I personally think it does have an affect
I doubt i would have purchased a ps3 at launch but i wasnt sure about the 360 till the hype started in november and i bought one launch day. This time ive actually pre ordered a wii so perhaps they have lost a customer for the next few years. I doubt i'll buy one in the near future now i have two good quality consoles |
|
DanForinton
06/10/06 @ 08:22
0
To a degree, he has a point - in the long run, it hasn't made much of a difference previously. However, this time around Sony have much stronger competition. By the time the PS3 hits the shelves, the 360 will be sat next to it at, what, half the price? The Wii may be making inroads into getting people's attention having had almost 6 months of headstart. In short, Sony cannot afford to be flip about their situation and idiotic statements by executives like the ones above do nothing to help their situation.
|
|
0
Fire everywhere!
This is another in the long line of comments that just make me wish that sony go bankrupt... And that's so worryingly wrong... They should do their best and release a classy machine with good games, instead they continue f*cking everyone that has been loyal to them and now this comment... Luckily justice doesn't exist... |
|
0
well i do mind that I have to wait, to the point where they will never see my money.
IF i do get one it will be much later down the line when i can get a used one cheap and hopefully chipped and the games will be second hand or copies so fuck you. M$ and nintendo will get my dosh. M$ have already got a small fortune out of me for letting me get one soon after the yanks. The Wii is pre-ordered with zelda. SONY KISS MY ASS. They have just shown that they dont give a shit about the european consumer. He must take it up the ass from the jap and yank sony divisions daily, and thank them for it as he fastens his belt and tucks in his shirt. |
|
insane_cobra
06/10/06 @ 08:34
0
What a bastard. So what do we have to do to show him we do care? Boycott Sony's products?
|
|
bloodflowers
06/10/06 @ 08:36
0
MacDonald said, "European consumers have shown that historically they're mindless sheep that don't mind being treated as second class, or paying more. After facing more demanding consumers in the US and Japan, it's nice to then be able to sit back and slap the Europeans around like little bitches."
MacDonald then took a break from the interview to hand out toy PSPs to nearby children. "The trick is to get them hooked young, maintains the revenue stream. They'll take any amount of abuse to get their next fix. Heh." --- Fuck you, Sony. How about actually asking the potential customers how they feel, before speaking for them? |
|
psychokitten
06/10/06 @ 08:36
0
I'm starting to think more of us should just refuse to buy it, teach Sony a lesson. They're so far up their own hole they don't know where the real world is anymore.
Let's run their statement through the de-Sony-fier. Oh look, what came out? "Lol those European tards will buy anything we release anyway, let them wait, we don't care about Europe in the slightest. Then let's release a dead puppy with a ribbon tied around it and call it a Playstation 4 and see how many buy it" |
|
0
so if Sony KNOWS that europeans buy more PS's than other regions, why are we not treated as the top market and have it released here first.
Sales wise we're the second biggest market behind America, they're just trying to flatter us Europeans. I don't think a 4 month delay is going to matter that much if they're aiming to sell PS3's for 10 years. And how many people get a new console in the first 6 months anyway? |
|
0
European gamers may not mind, but apparently 360 fanboys do.
The point here is that, given Sony had to choose their launch regions or make their launch even thinner, they chose to release in the US first because that's where the 360 is more popular. The US is where the toughest competition is - It's not like the 360 is doing great in Europe, you know? |
|
0
I imagine a massive nmber of people will be buying 360's and/or waiting for the first price drop (or two) before getting a PS3 anyway, so while in 5 years time the figures may read that we all still bought one anyway the delay, along with the price point compared to the 360, may mean that it takes much longer for Sony to sell as many units as they expect to even if they reach their expected sales targets in the end.
Surely there will be far more people buying a 360 in the meantime, waiting for the PS3 to prove itself and come down in price before getting it to sit along side their 360 in 18 months or so rather than, as Sony seem to be expecting, waiting and waiting and then rushing out to buy one upon release... |
|
0
jesus christ people, its a games console, its gonna be late, there are plenty of other consoles/games to tide you over.
have you shag-sacks got nothing better to do than moan and wail about waiting for a few extra months?!? Why all the hate?!?! likkle johnnny cant have his toys now so he don`t want them, ever, ever, ever.. |
|
BartonFink
06/10/06 @ 08:48
0
Ye almost have to feel sorry for them it's just one PR screw up after another.
|
|
0
I think there is an important difference between the actual quote, and the headline. What he actually said was 'consumers', and he's right. Mainstream consumers will lap up Playstations in the UK and Europe. HOWEVER, To say that 'gamers' (assuming a 'gamer' reads the gaming press) don't mind, would be wrong.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 06/10/06 @ 09:59
|
|
0
/roast chestnuts, get yer roast chestnuts he-are!
Its about time someone opened a window at Sony HQ and introduced these fuckwits to the "outside" world. Oh, and by the way I OWN A XBOX 360. Man, I want go to a Sony launch event just to introduce myself to this brain trust candidate and express my unadultarated joy upside his fat head. |
|
0
pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffft, well, for me i couldn't care either I've never bought a PlayStation. After seeing the size of the thing, and the videos of in game footage, the price, the gamble on expensive tech, them speculating on removing rumble, and their clear indecision as to what controler to use, their utter dependance on EA regurgitated tripe - "All new create your own player!", woopdido I've created a guy who looks absolutely nothing like me, apart from the hair colour (had i dyed my hair maroon) - PLUS this.... adds up to alotahotairhypetossshineybreezeblockmegawankfest.
But really, I'm sure the console will be wicked to play, but for the love of GOD don't tell any gamer they don't mind waiting - you're screwing with our minds damn you!!!! And our budgets by constantly changing the dates! |
Want to comment on this article? Log in, or register!
