European gamers 'don't mind' launch delays - Sony VP

By Tom Bramwell Published 6 October, 2006

Popular view, that one.

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.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (214) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • escapedape #1 5 years ago

    This is going to be fun.

  • Altrezia #2 5 years ago

    Silly Sony. Its not that we don't mind, its that we have no choice.

  • strangeed #3 5 years ago

    Starts hosing down the thread to prevent it catching fire later

  • johnboy_johsnon #4 5 years ago

    I don't mind, then again I'm probably not going to get one.

  • The12thMonkey #5 5 years ago

    I see a squadron of pigs soaring past my window.

  • Mr_Whacker #6 5 years ago

    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.

  • Blerk #7 5 years ago

    Tea anyone? Or coffee? I'll get the biscuits.

  • lambtron #8 5 years ago

    Hahahahaha what a tool.

    Yes we also enjoy being murdered and then having our corpses gang-raped.

  • #9 5 years ago

    I don't mind. I'm sure Sony won't mind the consumer reacting to how they treat us by arriving at their offices and systematically killing one employee for each numpty comment they've made since the PS3 was announced.

    That's a lot of employees that are going to have to die.

  • Stormflood #10 5 years ago

    Nintendo and MS don't mind that's for sure.

  • seregrail7 #11 5 years ago

    We don't mind because we buy them anyway? Makes lots of sense.

  • itamae #12 5 years ago

    "Wait, is this microphone still on?"

  • repairmanjack #13 5 years ago

    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.

  • Xephon70 #14 5 years ago

    This time next year, it'll have been forgotten about - everyone will have found some other thing to moan about.

  • kincaide #15 5 years ago

    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

  • Darkedge #16 5 years ago

    thats the last straw. Sony can fuck right off forever as far as I'm concerned

  • Steroyd #17 5 years ago

    Oh no another Sony rep speaks.

    /gets the popcorn to what's going to spawn into a 100 comments.

  • PlugMonkey #18 5 years ago

    Mind? Why would I mind? I actually prefer being dicked around for months on end. It makes me feel special.

  • golden_balls #19 5 years ago

    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

  • BartonFink #20 5 years ago

    Popcorn anybody?
    So guesses 200+ ?

  • DanForinton #21 5 years ago

    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.

  • AcidSnake #22 5 years ago

    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...

  • thinktank #23 5 years ago

    Hotdogs, Popcorn, Peanuts! Get your Hotdogs, Popcorn, Peanuts!

    Any for a £1, Get your Hotdogs, Popc........ yes you sir, catch!

  • ZIP #24 5 years ago

    I certainly do mind Sony's behavior towards Europe. It's actually the reason I still haven't bought a PS2 (I have an Xbox and GameCube) - it seems I won't be buying a PS3, at least not anytime soon.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 09:25

  • Tomnd #25 5 years ago

    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.

  • trevd72 #26 5 years ago

    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.

  • Penguinzoot #27 5 years ago

    Arrogant bastard.

  • Balסּr #28 5 years ago

    You should have asked him if publishers mind!

  • space_ace #29 5 years ago

    i nearly choked.

  • bloodflowers #30 5 years ago

    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 #31 5 years ago

    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"

  • Steroyd #32 5 years ago

    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?

  • cooper #33 5 years ago

    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?

  • earobus #34 5 years ago

    i dont mind i got a 360 at the start of the year. I will get a ps3 when they are a £100 with some games and flick sony the bird when i do, so i supose he is right just i wont be paying full price.

  • Xerx3s #35 5 years ago

    Tea anyone? Or coffee? I'll get the biscuits.

    Tea would be nice. \0/

    That's a lot of employees that are going to have to die.

    It might be in the grand design plan to fire 10 000 ppl. ;p
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 09:43

  • Cuke #36 5 years ago

    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...

  • Tonka #37 5 years ago

    Well we don't though. We have proven that time after time.

    if you're lost you can look--and you will find me
    time after time
    if you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting
    time after time

  • AcidSnake #38 5 years ago

    Look, fanboy or no fanboy, this comment was stupid...
    I'm not debating the delay decision...
    But the comment suggesting that consumers don't care about the delay is downright offensive to them...

  • Les #39 5 years ago

    When does Sony learn that telling the truth isn't always the best option...

  • bauhaus #40 5 years ago

    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..

  • Pac #41 5 years ago

    I think he's probably right...

    I've had the PSP for over a year now and there are still only two good games for it.

    Perhaps after 4 months there might be a couple of half decent games out for the PS3.

    /runs

  • BartonFink #42 5 years ago

    Ye almost have to feel sorry for them it's just one PR screw up after another.

  • andrewwd #43 5 years ago

    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 by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 09:59

  • belziah #44 5 years ago

    /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.

  • tedster11 #45 5 years ago

    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!

  • Xerx3s #46 5 years ago

    Dabo: Don't bother. They will just spin it around and say that we don't really mind.

  • space_ace #47 5 years ago

    morrissey- i don't mind if you forget me

  • thinktank #48 5 years ago

    @Belziar

    Roast chestnuts! not on my patch son.

    Hotdogs, Popcorn, Peanuts. Get you Hotdogs, Popcorn, Peanuts!

  • strangeed #49 5 years ago

    Slow day today. Come on people, where's the rage?

    /sits back and slurps on his morning caipirihna some more

    I really don't think it will impact PS3 here in Europe.

  • optimusprym8 #50 5 years ago

    *throws toys out pram

    Waaaa waaaaa waaaaa waaaaa

  • Kilters #51 5 years ago

    This is a clear case of corpoate brainwashing. They believe utterly that they will sail to victory this gen. They could possibly do it but in my opinion the delay will gift huge market share to MS and Nintendo.

    Their product is too expensive and even less affordable in March when people are still clearing their christmas spend.
    Also I think the release of PES6 on 360 will garner a lot of mainstream sales and public awareness of the 360.
    And I honestly think that nintendo have a huge, broadly appealing, hit with the wii at a decent price.

    Keep this up at your peril, Sony.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 10:04

  • tedster11 #52 5 years ago

    /sits back and slurps on his morning caipirihna some more

    /nods to strangeed nails a couple Slippery Nipples with his Weetabix

    "OTTERS NOSES! BADGERS FEET!! SQUIRREL TONGUE - fresh today..."

  • AcidSnake #53 5 years ago

    "I really don't think it will impact PS3 here in Europe."
    We'll have to wait till 2007 to find that one out won't we?

    /laughs at himself falling for an obvious trap

  • MadMirko #54 5 years ago

    Notice something? EG's readers have grown so accustomed to Sony PR bullshit and disasters that they don't even care anymore!

    Well done Mr. Sony VP. :)

  • Darren #55 5 years ago

    Maybe if Sony had released the PSP in Europe earlier it might have sold 25 million not 20 million? Maybe if they'd released the PS2 in Europe earlier it might have sold 110 million not 100 million? Maybe if Sony had planned on releasing the PS3 in Europe earlier it... well you get the idea.

    I think it's a silly statement to make, implying that European gamers aren't upset at having to wait. Of course they are. I know plenty of people that wanted one for Christmas and are disappointed at having to wait, many of whom have opted for an Xbox 360 instead. I'm sure plenty of other people have decided to do that too. Sony's sheer arrogance will eventually be their undoing.

    As for me, well the delay honestly doesn't bother me in the slightest as I had no intention of buying the PS3 this year anyway especially as of all the consoles I've bought, the PS2 launch was perhaps the most disappointing in terms of launch games and the hardware was a letdown (jaggy flickery graphics, bordered games and green DVD playback through RGB SCART). I always planned on buying a PS3 sometime later so March 2007 is very tempting for me (if I do decide to pre-order one that is). By then we should know how good the machine really is and whether the hardware is reliable or not.

  • strangeed #56 5 years ago

    @Acid snake

    what I meant was that for the average sony playstation consumer most of the debate will have passed overhead without even registering. It's not that consumers are stupid, I just think that a lot of people won't be bothered enough by the delay to change their spending habit.

  • bauhaus #57 5 years ago



    hash. weed. skunk. sensi. e's

    C'mon, get yer E's here


  • brainbird #58 5 years ago

    As a gamer, I think "Yes, fuck you, too, Mister Jamie MacDonald."
    As a consumer, I'm much more friendly and say "Thank you for the PS1 and the PS2 I bought during launch, but no thanks, I don't want your overpriced, too-late-to-the-party, half-assed product."

    Even though he's right: I know I'll end up buying it. When it's much more cheaper and I've had my fair share of fun with the Xbox 360 and Wii.

  • FireMonkey #59 5 years ago

    That comment should read "We don't care if European consumers mind [the delays], because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan."

    Us buying the console has no relation on how pissed of we are that we get them so late, but because we do buy them Sony are never gonna change. Why should they?

    The only way we can stop this from happening is from just not buying Sony products and show them that we DO care.

  • belziah #60 5 years ago

    @thinktank, fair do's guv, dont wanna tread on ya toes.

    /hot falafel, get yer hot falafel and bagels he'are.

  • Zuiyo #61 5 years ago

    The easiest way to come back at this mentality is to import or to buy second hand.

    Will it make a significant impact on their European sales numbers? Unlikely - there would need to be millions acting this way.

    But if you feel indignation when confronted with this arrogance, then you know if you buy new you will feel bad with yourself as you will be proving them right. So if you want to buy and play PS3 very badly but don't want to feel you ended up contributing to justify their own incompetence while giving them arguments to keep acting like arrogant morons, then never buy new PS3 PAL hardware or games.

    And let it be known.

    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 10:18

  • SeesThroughAll #62 5 years ago

    Arrogant twat.

    Burn him!

  • peterfll #63 5 years ago

    We've all been talking this one over in the forum's since the interview was published on GI yesterday, perhaps we're all flamed out and it won't go past 150 posts.

    \thinks about how to get the fire going.

    I don't care anyway - the PS3 games I've seen look inferior to the Wii so what's all the fuss about? He can keep his "super console" until the year dot for all I care.

    \retreats to a safe distance.

  • AcidSnake #64 5 years ago

    @strangeed
    I wouldn't be too sure...
    Would it have been a delay from march to october fine, but christmas is in this delayperiod...
    It's pretty big in europe...
    The avarage consumer who has not heard of this is still going to be disappointed when that PS3 which was supposed to be out in spring 2006 isn't anywhere to be found in stores

  • belziah #65 5 years ago

    bauhaus

    I'll do you a consignment of lovely Smoked Ham and Emmental Panini's for a bag of that skunk.

    Its a deal, its a steal, its the sale of .........

  • MaxiSleep #66 5 years ago

    Normally I try to have a reasoned thought when I contribute.


    But F**K Sony

    Useless T**ts

  • pjmaybe #67 5 years ago

    I don't mind the delays with the PS3 at all. Let the yanks have all the buggy, overheating, hideously expensive ebay battles before we do...

    ...mind, ours will probably arrive next march and output tartan high def pictures unless you buy the official PS3 component leads, and be region locked with Latvia or somesuch.

    Sony. We like your stuff. Why do you insist on kicking us in the testicles repeatedly though?

    Peej

  • MieZ™ #68 5 years ago

    According to MacDonald Europeans end up buying as many, if not more, PlayStation than the US and Japan. This just makes no f***ing sense, normally one would launch their product first in the region where it'll sell best. When PS3 hits European we've been playing our 360's and Wii's and might not even be interested in the overpriced hardware Sony wants us to buy.

    PS3 should be banned by European consumers at least until price drops to €150/£100. We ought to let them feel how badly we don't mind having to wait at least 6 months longer.

    MacDonald's comparision to PS2 stinks too. Was there any competitive hardware available at the time PS2 finally launched in Europe? Except for the underrated Dreamcast I don't remember NGC or Xbox being available yet. Without any
    -real- competition it's easy to sell your hardware, this time around it won't be that easy...

    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 10:26

  • AcidSnake #69 5 years ago

    In response to the Sony boycotting idea...
    Nice idea but could we start doing that after 7 tonight?
    See, if I'm not mistaken Subsistence releases today...
    After that I'll join the boycot
    :)

  • Kafeen #70 5 years ago

    Sony really should stop talking to people. I do like their products but everytime they speak they find another way to piss people off.

  • MieZ™ #71 5 years ago

    @acidsnake:
    you've got a point there!

    Sony boycot will start next monday. (so people have enough time to buy their copy of Subsistence) :D

  • lambtron #72 5 years ago

    I cannot believe there are people trying to put a positive slant on this...

  • AcidSnake #73 5 years ago

    Ooh and not to forget to have a boycot-break when guitar hero II hits in late november...
    But other than that, I'm not buying anything for a sony platform again!
    :)

  • cooper #74 5 years ago

    @MieZ™ "Was there any competitive hardware available at the time PS2 finally launched in Europe? Except for the underrated Dreamcast I don't remember NGC or Xbox being available yet. Without any -real- competition it's easy to sell your hardware, this time around it won't be that easy... "

    1. The Dreamcast was great.
    2. Now the competition is the underrated xbox 360 :-)

    Also, Eurogamer readers don't represent the average gamer/consumer at all. Be realistic people...

  • SwedBear #75 5 years ago

    I don't think it has anything to do with being a Xbox360 fanboy when dissagreeing with his comments. I do have both Xbox and Xbox360 but also PS2, PSP (as well as GBA, NDS and NDS Lite).

    I just think the comment is quite arrogant. I defintiely thihnk we do care but we simply have no choice. When the delay was announced a lot of friends and co-workers who are the typical casual gamer/consumer were quite dissapointed. They definitely did care.

    I have noticed a lot of increased interest for the 360 and the Wii amongst these people after the PS3 delay. Just now a designer at work started to ask me questions about the 360 since he has decided he dont want to wait. And he's not alone. We got a real Sony 'fanboy" here who has started to think more about the 360 and last week's X06 and especially the Assasins Creed demo has almost pushed him over the edge and into buying one.

    I can go on. I can't say if it happnes everywhere but I really do see a change in attitude amonst the casual gamers amonst friends and co-workers.

    Christmas will be interesting. I think the PS2 will sell a lot due to it's cheap price and huge gaming library (it is now at the price-level that it almost can be bought as an impulse buy) but I think we will see a lot of 360's and Wii's being shifted to people who might have bought the PS3 ...

    On the other hand - how many of those casual consumers that bought the PS2 want to spend €500-€600 on a console ...

    /B

  • MieZ™ #76 5 years ago

    @Cooper:
    That's why I did mention the Dreamcast. I really loved it too, but it wasn't very popular amongst the 'average' gamer.

  • strangeed #77 5 years ago

    Someone got some honey-roast peanuts?

    I haven't seen them in bars for ages. I used to get them for my bar. Good ole days

  • Frogger #78 5 years ago

    This guy is right : I don't mind if Sony's PS3 is delayed in Europe. I'm not going to buy one.

  • reality_cheque #79 5 years ago

    You won't need to end the boycott for GHII, as it's out on the 360 too :)

    If gamers DID boycott Sony en masse, it would actually be better than if consumers did. Your average consumer doesn't buy THAT many games, and with the number of games they need to sell over it's lifespan per machine to make a profit, without us buying 10-20 games each they'd be forced to rely on the consumer and his annual copy of Pro Evo for their bucks. If you really want to stitch Sony up, buy a PS3 and use it as a BR player only. Of course this is just for those of us with more money than sense :)

    Christ, if I was MS I'd buy the entire US shipment and no games...

  • SpeedyThing #80 5 years ago

    Extra Extra - Sony VP in foot-in-mouth shocker!

    Honestly, Microsoft must be bribing these guys. How can anyone in their positions be so completely oblivious to PR?? Did they rise to their positions by saying at job interviews - "I'll be crap at the job but you won't mind!"

  • rhinoxious #81 5 years ago

    Think about movies, after a great original film comes out and blows you away (playstation, Halo), you really hanker for the sequel (PS2, Halo2) thinking it will be the best thing in the world ever!

    Then it arrives and it's not quite the bestest thing you hoped it would be. So then you get round to releasing a third iteration (PS3, Halo3) and this time people are a little more cautious , they're a little jaded by the first sequel, the companies ttrack record is still good, but it's no longer perfect.

    It's at this point that their execs should tread carefully, not insult our intelligence.

  • Mordum #82 5 years ago

    This is getting beyond a joke, is there noone at Sony who can keep a lid on all these comments? they're not doing Sony any favours.

    "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."

    Roughly translated: "European mugs have shown that they will suck it up, accept our second rate treatment of them, and buy just as many consoles as the US and Japan anyway. We'll treat them however we feel, and they'll still stay loyal to us, they have no braincells between them, and will follow our Playstation brand like the sheep they are, no matter what price we decide to charge and when we decide to let them have our console".

    And still people will rush out and buy it in March... well Sony, you can sod right off, you're not getting my hard earned money when you treat Europeans like this (just like Atari never got my money over the Test Drive debacle). He says that the Europeans may even buy more PS3's than the US and Japan... so why is the delay here and not in the US instead then?
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 11:05

  • kangarootoo #83 5 years ago

    @reality_cheque

    Gamers ARE consumers. What definition of consumer do you have?


    It was kind of a daft thing to say, but I feel I can still wheel out my usual "if you don't like it, don't buy it" mantra. There is really no reason to get so wound up.


    @lambtron

    I don't see anyone putting a positive slant on this. I just see some people, quite rightly, saying "chill out, its not like the moon fell on your grandma".

  • AcidSnake #84 5 years ago

    "Christ, if I was MS I'd buy the entire US shipment and no games..."
    Excellent idea actually!
    That would screw Sony...
    Seeing as they lose money on the hardware...

    As for Guitar Hero II on X360, I haven't got one!
    I'm sorry,
    I DON'T OWN AN X360!!!
    Better...
    Besides, I'll buy the second one with the guitar, so I can finally multiplay against or with friends...

  • Tyronne #85 5 years ago

    We dont mind?...i must of forgotten being asked that question...anyways its not like it bothers me any as I will not be buying one.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 11:08

  • golden_balls #86 5 years ago

    Im not a fanboy of any console i bought my first last year after many years in the wilderness the only advantage in having a late launch of ps3 is a revised price *not much chance of that happening* and better games to choose from launch lineup.

    sony needs to show us europeans some good lovin come next march then again i doubt anybody really believes that the ps3 or any other next gen console will sell over 100m its a three way in this war and ms and wii have taken the intiative

    ps the european union is over 450 million strong *figures may be wrong* lol
    this does include former eastern block countries but its the biggest potential market even compared to the usa

  • Kami #87 5 years ago

    ... how the (bleep!) did these ignorant little (bleep!)wits crawl their way up the Corporate ladder? They have about as much sense and intelligence as a dead snail...

  • golden_balls #88 5 years ago

    ps

    excluding the obvious ones

    china india pakistan

  • BM #89 5 years ago

    I think Eurogamer have got the quote wrong.

    It was Ronald MacDonald they've quoted, not Jamie.

  • mungolikebeans #90 5 years ago

    I personally think he has a point. I'm not a Sony fanboy, i've always thought each console has it's own point of difference, but if Sony do fail then it'll be bad for the games industry as a whole. The more options us gamers have, the better. I have a 360 at the moment and i'm enjoying the games, however the actual machine itself is the ugliest, noisiest, plasticky piece of kit i've ever seen. The PS3 however does look like a sexy piece of kit and from what i've read, is as quiet as a mouse. Do i mind waiting until march...? Not really. It's only 5 months for f*** sake! I really don't get this 'Us Europeans are always getting shafted' idea. We're one big happy European family now are we...?

    Until then, at least we we can all have a Wii together.

  • Les #91 5 years ago

    "Sony exec's keep saying negative crap about Europeans ... it seems obvious they don't want to sell us their console, they keep it from us an extra 4 months and then insult our intelligence."

    Well, I guess he's quite right to insult your intelligence...

  • AcidSnake #92 5 years ago

    "sexy piece of kit"
    I've read something similar yesterday...
    I know it comes down to individual taste but IMO the PS3 is downright ugly...

    I think the nicest is the wii, followed by the 360, followed by...hell, followed by the PS2 slimline...

    It's really an ugly, heavy thing...
    I know it's what's under the bonnet that counts...

  • belziah #93 5 years ago

    I wonder if Sony are going to attempt to "criminalise" importers, just like they did with the PSP.

    Of course they will. :D

    /kebabs, get yer shish and kofte's he'are.....chilli sauce mate

  • bdaggers #94 5 years ago

    /Hugs 360

    /spits on Sony

    Sony VP says "Happy Christmas Mr Gates - have Europe"

  • Rambaldi #95 5 years ago

    SONY EXEC IN "ILL-ADVISED CHOICE OF WORDS" SHOCKER!
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 11:46

  • superted #96 5 years ago

    well wii'll have to wait for a few more months...

    personally i'm surprised more people haven't jumped onto the 360... it really took me by surprise how good it is!

  • Mr_Whacker #97 5 years ago

    Too many gawpers in this thread. Not nearly enough hate.

    C'mon - give in to the dark side. Feel the anger within you.

  • bauhaus #98 5 years ago

    Kebab please B, extra chilli

    Ta

  • Hypnopedia #99 5 years ago

    Not at all bothered - my 360 will do me just fine for the (long) foreseeable future, I have NO interest or need of a Blu-Ray player....

    ;D

  • 786Beast #100 5 years ago

    crazy idiot, did they ever think, that maybe more units would sell if they sold withjout a delay

  • Rush2112 #101 5 years ago

    Arrogant bastards. I bought a PS1 when it launched and a PS2 a few months after launch, but my Sony owning days end here. The price point really pissed me off and this arrogant attitude is the final nail in the coffin. I'll be sticking to the 360 and Wii. PS3 my arse!

  • moggsy #102 5 years ago

    It's this sort of attitude that could well see the PS3 launched in Europe in November 2007. It happened with the PSP so it could easily happen with the PS3 - especially with the manufacturing difficulties they are experiencing.

    Will they really slow down shipments to the USA and Japan in order to have a proper launch here? I'll believe it when I see it.

  • jellyhead #103 5 years ago

    Well, i for one am going for a Wii over Sony. ;)

  • JonFE #104 5 years ago

    So, it's basically OUR fault, for rewarding them by purchasing their products!!!

    Suits us just fine then...

  • lennon #105 5 years ago

    Next time you speak to them please ask them why they wouldnt help Wrighty and his unfit kids out.

    Apparently its a strategic thing.

  • septimus #106 5 years ago

    "Hey, Euro's don't mind, they like bending over for rubbish that is late and over priced".

    Translation of "they buy it anyway (morons lol)".

  • t8yman #107 5 years ago

    I for one will be a little bit sad when the dust settles and all the next gen are out and established, because sony's incredibly inept PR department are a cause of almost weekly amusement to us all. Yeah, I own a 360, but have also got a ps2, gc, psp and got ps1 on launch day, so I'm hardly biased, but I sure as hell wasnt going to buy the ps3/br trojan machine anyways, not at that ridiculous price point. The sooner the pr machine at sony actually makes the statement "lets face it guys, we dropped the ball" the better.

  • JediMasterMalik #108 5 years ago

    I sense a bit of misinterpretation, but then again the Sony execs really are putting their foots in their mouths. Oh well, still getting one at launch, no matter what Sony says, I'll get a PS3, after all, I'm not buying one for what Sony say about it am I, which seems to be where you guys are going with your ott comments.

  • RoyalBiscuit #109 5 years ago

    1st Console = PS1
    2nd Console = PS2
    Handheld: PSP

    I havn't yet brought a next gen console, but when i do it will be a 360. Sony just seem to have gotten everything SO wrong.

  • Les #110 5 years ago

    "I'm not buying one for what Sony say about it"

    You're NOT?! Wow, I usually make my buy decision based on which company rubs me the best. Don't care about the actual product... ;)

  • holloguts #111 5 years ago

    Just like we don't mind getting charged a lot more either.
    Of course he neglects the point that in the past there wasn't any real competition when the PS1 and PS2 launched. Things are differnt now.

    Is arrogance towards the public the only way to get promotion in Sony's world? Do they think insulting potential customers and speaking about them in a detached attitude will win them more customers. Sony's arrogance and lies with the PS2 was enough for me to avoid all Sony products. Over the last 12 months Sony have probably alienated many people with their incessant arrogance. Keep going Sony, it's more customers for your rivals.

  • spliffhead #112 5 years ago

    I hope Mr Moore is reading this and laughing his money socks off.

    Yes casual gamers in gaming suburbia will not mind the PS3 delay as I doubt they realise the machine is even coming out anytime soon. They will line up to buy it and a copy of the half hearted Gran Turismo 33 and a 3rd but where's the big bucks this next gen Sony?

    Two or three £60 PS3 games a year per casual gamer will not save the company from dire financials for years. Every developer is admitting that MS got it right with the Live and Microtransaction business plan and are embracing it, I doubt the kind of "European gamer" that the prat in the article is refering to would know what to do with an ethernet cable unless it meant they could get the crazy frog ringtone for their console.

    Maybe that's Sony's masterplan?

    Bingberdabingberderbingbingder /cancels PS3 preorder

  • Les #113 5 years ago

    The complete interview is quite good actually. The only thing he forgets is that in the past, the competition also put Europe last. Now they're the only ones doing it and that's bound to hurt their image over here.

    But,

    "My view is that our approach should be, if we create great platforms and great games, then the rest will follow."

    To me, that's the only thing that counts.

  • Corben_Dallas #114 5 years ago

    What a tosser! Sony should fire his ass. EUROPE IS NOT NOT NOT NOT HAPPY ABOUT A 6MONTH DELAY YOU KNOBJOCKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    X-(

  • Lawlost #115 5 years ago

    Don't Mind ......... what the way Sony didn't mind when they delayed the PSP so we started to import. Oh yeh they did mind ....lots, enough to get their lawyers involved.

  • Czernobog #116 5 years ago

    Still was kind of on the fence on whether to get one or not, especially after the delay, but this really sealed the deal. Never going to buy one. Ever.

  • JonFE #117 5 years ago

    Seriously, his point is that launching their consoles last in Europe, in the past didn't hurt their sales in the long run, so why would it hurt it now, which is a valid point to make...

    ...BUT...

    ...he neglects to take into account that, in the past, it was common practice of all manufacturers to bring their goods in Europe last, but this is no longer the case, since both Microsoft and Nintendo treated us with more respect.

    Edit: Nevermind, Les beated me to it...
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 13:19

  • tomkuryakin #118 5 years ago

    Well, that was a stupid thing for Sony to say and has unsurprisingly generated a lot of anger. Presumably he thinks we don't mind waiting for translated PAL versions of games either.

    Personally, I wasn't planning to buy a PS3 at launch anyway. I swore I'd never buy another console at launch after the PS2 but the Wii has me wavering, purely because Zelda is a launch title. Pity Metroid Prime 3 has been postponed though. Because it's all about the games, not the consoles. I may buy a 360, because it has some potentially great games on the way. I will probably buy a PS3, when it has games worth buying. I will buy a Wii, probably in the new year.

  • Dexter #119 5 years ago

    Sony VP makes comments designed to reassure and placate nervous shareholders.
    Fanboys and geeks on the internet unleash their apopleptic rage.
    'Average consumers' neither know nor care because they had no idea the PS3 was originally due out before Christmas anyway.

    It was an incredibly arrogant thing to say but I don't think this kind of behaviour is going to affect sales much :/

  • Steroyd #120 5 years ago

    Hell like it's going to affect sales, anyone remember Sony's PSP delay they announced it's delay something like a month before it was expected to ship, 6 agonising months of wait, and then when it finally did launch over here it broke all sales records and stuff.

    There will be a flurry of European Consumers come March next year.

  • Pooley #121 5 years ago

    Give him a P45 (or whatever the equivalent is...)

    More negative PR, will this affect the share price?

  • mkreku #122 5 years ago

    I guess I'll buy a 360.. next year or so. Slightly interested in Mass Effect and Bioshock. Unfortunately, there's nothing else out there that's even remotely interesting (to me) on the 360 gaming horizon.

    Also, it'll be a waste not to be able to play all those Playstation 2 games of mine on my new console. I can, of course, have my Playstation 2 out and about too, but I assume it's going to be like my old Commodore 64: I still play the games occasionally on emulators on the PC, while the real computer lies in a box in the basement.

    Please, fellow Europeans: boycott Sony. I wish EU would ban Sony from selling any of their stuff here, until they started treating us equally with the rest of the world. That's the only way to stop Sony from kicking our collective balls, but unfortunately that's never going to happen in the real world.

  • dsmx #123 5 years ago

    So let me get this straight if europe buys more PS2's than anyone else then why don't you launch in europe as it obviously has the largest number of fans?

  • kangarootoo #124 5 years ago

    Out of interest, how many posters on here read the full interview? Its actually quite interesting reading, and I'm sure the "European gamers don't mind comment" has been misunderstood by pretty much every angry poster on here.

    He was asked a direct and specific question, and he gave an accurate and factual answer. All this "they don't give a shit" nonsense (whilst I understand its basis, though I don't agree) did NOT appear in this interview.

  • trevd72 #125 5 years ago

    the reason that I and many others are angry about this is that they take it for granted that yes it will sell by the shit load in europe so it does not matter if it came out nov 2006 or even nov 2007.

    i am making my little protest by not buying anymore sony products directly. they will not see a penny from me. thats ps3, ps2 and psp. they are so arrogant its untrue. go wii60

  • cooper #126 5 years ago

    The delay sucks, but I doubt it affected any rational gamer's purchase decision. Judging from this thread, the angry mob consists of 360 fanboys and people who were never interested in the PS3 (or both).

    "I wish EU would ban Sony from selling any of their stuff here".

    It's just a games console. Companies can sell their products when and where they choose, and as a consumer you have the right to buy them or not.

    Looks like EG will break the record of "highest number of idiotic comments in a single thread"...

    EDIT: rubbish grammar!
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 14:14

  • BartonFink #127 5 years ago

    @kangarootoo - It's very easy to see how it can be percieved as such kanga. Basically what he is saying is it wouldn't matter when they released it over here people would still buy it. Arrogant yes does it mean they don't give a shit? probably not.

    Some of the rest of the interview was quite interesting specially the Wii60 bit he must be living under a rock or something. I would probably agree on the value thing. The rest though was real fingers in ears stuff, 'we can't hear you' on the PSP and UMD.

    I am really starting to think that the Sony PR team should just shut up shot from now until launch before they make any more annoying arrogant statements like this. Give us something positive ffs like Europe will get the 20G model at the same price as Japan that will probably stop some if it.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 14:18

  • trevd72 #128 5 years ago

    actually my ps3 was pre-order in the first 10 mins of play.com taking pre-orders. quickly cancelled when the release date was moved and realised that in todays market i (we) should not come second (third) best and that this was going to be the way for all things PS3.

    I have had mgs3 sub for ages from US, only just released here same with kingdom hearts 2. OK nintendo is not exactly good at this (wario twist). i am a gamer not a fanboy. the type of gamer that has more money than sense up until now. i am a gamer fanboy not a manufacturer fanboy. love games have done for close to 30 years.

  • JonFE #129 5 years ago

    @trevd72: OT, but WarioWare:Twisted hasn't come to these shores because it uses mercury for its tilt-sensor, which is kind of forbidden by EU laws (or so I've read/heard).
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 14:35

  • Theorem #130 5 years ago

    This is the most outrageous I heard this year and that includes Mr. Kutaragi's earlier statement about both PSP in the days and PS3 nowdays. If the rest of the industry finally has come to the conclusion that Europe in fact is one of the most potential markets (look at World of Warcraft for example), this is pure marketing "talk" to distract consumers from all their internal issues. Another good example of the PS3 eventual failure is the announcement of Universal Studios not supporting Blue-Ray from now on. Sony will with this format go to the same sad path as they have with BetaMax, Minidisc or UMD.

  • BartonFink #131 5 years ago

    There is of course a lot of logic behind their decision to delay the launch in Europe and only give a very small number to Japan initially and this is to stop MS running away with it in the US. They know they are safe in Europe (yea arrogant but probably true) and that they are kinda safe in Japan the US is a bit dodgy for them. Makes sound business sense for them unless of course it backfires (doubtful).

    It's just a pity these execs wouldn't just come out and state the facts rather than trying to spin it, rather badly in this case.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 14:44

  • kangarootoo #132 5 years ago

    @BartonFink

    Sure thing, I too can see how people read into these statements. I guess sometimes I just expect people to apply a degree of maturity and common sense in how they interpret this sort of thing (I'm not aiming that at you, just at the more firebrand postings on here).

    Seems to me that perhaps Sony should stop revealing business mechanics in these sort of statements. To people with a degree of knowhow regarding these things its all just by-the-by, but it seems that a lot of gamers (going by postings on here at any rate) just can't handle the fact that their personal happiness is their own responsibility and that businesses have more of a duty to make money than friends.

    It really just staggers me how personally some people take this sort of thing. Low self esteem doesn't even begin to explain it and I wonder how some of them survive in a world where disappointment is just a normal part of life. "Deal with it, preferably quietly (which is not the same as doing nothing)" would be my advice.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 14:55

  • bauhaus #133 5 years ago

    Good post Kanger

    I suspect the more rabid flamers here are the ones crying into their cornflakes about the delay

    Personally, If i had no intention of buying the thing then I probably would not even read it let alone post a huge and ranting missive asking for Sony's demise

    Sour grapes I suspect

    They`ll all scuttle down to Game in March, trading in their noisy, melting 360's*


    *For the record, I own a 360 and love it, but with only one componant slot on me telly and the PS3 in march, its due for doorstop duty sooner than Mr Gates would appreciate

  • golden_balls #134 5 years ago

    i wouldnt call myself a fanboy of any console
    but i do believe that sony has made bad business decisons over the past year or so

    allowing the 360 to get a years lead
    countless delays from spring 2006 to nov 2006 and now march 2007 for europe
    and all this for an amazing 600 dollars * 425 pounds* hmmm pass * for the time being *

  • Les #135 5 years ago

    kangarootoo +1

  • cooper #136 5 years ago

    kangarootoo = EG's voice of reason

  • JediMasterMalik #137 5 years ago

    Gamers are starting to get stupid over this whole Sony debacle.

    Since when has the purchase of a peice of electronics, or anything for that matter, been decided by the demeanour of people working for the company which makes said comments. Would you refuse to buy car because the manufacturer said something like "we are the best car manufacturer in the world" "no one makes cars aswell as we do"? Of course not, you don't buy things because of the people who make them, you buy them for what they are, a product. The more people who see this the better.

  • BartonFink #138 5 years ago

    Yea + 1 Kanga
    One thing though maybe they should talk about the mechanics and leave the spin out of it. Most rational people would have far more respect for them if they did that.

  • tomkuryakin #139 5 years ago

    Ok, I've read the whole interview now. Here's an extract:

    "PlayStation remains a strong brand, but do you think that Sony has a bit of an image problem at the moment? Specifically, with regard to the hardcore gaming community - there have been complaints about the high price point, comments from executives which some perceive as arrogant, the delayed launch... How do you deal with that?

    We'd be foolish to ignore a consumer perception of that. But from our point of view, really, when we started with PlayStation 1, we didn't have any brand equity at all other than it was Sony.

    So we built up the PlayStation brand from scratch, and we did that by creating a great platform and a great product. My view is that our approach should be, if we create great platforms and great games, then the rest will follow."

    He says Sony would be foolish to ignore such a perception and then goes on to do just that. He ignores the price, the charge of arrogance, the delayed launch.

    Here's a later extract:

    "What about the PSP's software range? With titles like Nintendogs, Brain Training and Animal Crossing selling in huge numbers, the Nintendo DS seems to be outdoing the PSP in terms of games...

    Again, I think it's unfair to compare PSP and DS. They're aimed at different consumers, they have different price points, and as I say PSP is selling exactly to our plan.

    DS is selling really well, I think it's a great product with some great software. From our point of view, it's growing the market for handheld devices, which is a good thing."

    He again ignores the question. The PSP has sold despite not having any great games and few good ones, as far as I can see.

  • thinktank #140 5 years ago

    Ok kanga makes a good point but i'm sure he is aware that he is in the minority. all those that do take these business statements seriously no matter how misguided their rantings may be, are the majority of Sony's fanebase. Consisting of the loyalists and fanboys

    With this in mind they should be well aware of how damaging these statements are, it is still a failing on Sony's part for letting these statements fall on the ears of those who will be most annoyed be them.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 15:41

  • trevd72 #141 5 years ago

    the problem with the PSP is that it is a PS2 in your hand and that includes the ports, long loading time and too many screens to press x at. the ds works cos its games are instant. generally a handheld is a secondary console for on the bus, on the bog or when the TVs are all took up so you need to get to the game fast, again, generally. And no the sleep mode is not an option cos i own more than one game and my mood dictates the game i will play.

  • BartonFink #142 5 years ago

    @tomkuryakin - yup I mentioned that in an earlier post there was a bit of 'la la la la we can't hear you' and fingers in ears in that interview.

  • lefizz #143 5 years ago

    Sony show thenselves as the utter twats they are once again.

    Genius marketing strategy going on there.

  • lefizz #144 5 years ago

    And we dont mind pay $800 dollars for the highend PS3 aswell

  • merseymal #145 5 years ago

    bauhaus: why not just get a component video switch box?

  • bauhaus #146 5 years ago

    @merseymal

    You really need to see the back of my telly to understand why a splitter is probably not an option

    Enought cable to girth the earth, and its all angry. I have not been back there since I squeezed a Gamecube into the rack, and that made my knuckles bleed *and* knocked the DVD player out for a couple of days

  • merseymal #147 5 years ago

    i know that feeling, on a/v table in addition to the tv, 360 and ps2 there's also a sky hd box, freeview hdd/dvd recorder, dvd player, a/v amp, wireless bridge and tv sender box and it has to be rolled out when someone comes round to read the gas meter and there's always something that works its way loose :)

  • Spiral #148 5 years ago

    Seems to me that perhaps Sony should stop revealing business mechanics in these sort of statements. To people with a degree of knowhow regarding these things its all just by-the-by, but it seems that a lot of gamers (going by postings on here at any rate) just can't handle the fact that their personal happiness is their own responsibility and that businesses have more of a duty to make money than friends.

    That's not business mechanics, it's stupidity. Calculating who you can most afford to drop as a customer is good business. To follow that up by telling them that they don't really mind is just patronising. Of course a business will care more about money than friends, but it's easier to get money from people who don't consider your brand synonymous with 'arrogant bastards'.

  • kangarootoo #149 5 years ago

    @thinktank

    "all those that do take these business statements seriously no matter how misguided their rantings may be, are the majority of Sony's fanebase. Consisting of the loyalists and fanboys"

    So I suppose one way of viewing this (if I was feeling very generous) would be that Sony are issuing statements and trusting their audience to understand those statements in a rational fashion. But "we" in return are failing in our part and getting all angry at things we don't understand.

    I'm not suggesting things are that monochromatic, but there are several ways to view a story. The reason I react so strongly when people get things so out of context is that I LIKE to think that we gamers as a whole have a certain amount of common sense and maturity, that we aren't actually the bunch of stroppy ranting kids that the rest of society has occasion to believe we are.

    The sorts of reactions I see on these pages from time to time make me think that I'm wrong about that, which is very disappointing given this whole games malarky is my livelihood as well as my hobby.

  • Garulon #150 5 years ago

    The question:

    "Reviewer: What would you say to consumers who like Sony and want to buy your products, but perhaps feel that because they're in Europe they're always last in line?"

    The CORRECT answer is

    "We tried really hard to acheive a global launch so Europe didn't feel left out, but supply problems meant we just couldn't do it. We're so sorry, but rather than launch with too few consoles like the 360, we moved the launch back to the new year so there'll be plenty of stock available for everyone"

    Not "Oh, they don't mind getting shafted. They buy our shit anyway. Hahahha!"

    Stupid Sony fuckmuffin. Maybe he knows that if supply problems continue, the March launch will be yanked to July or even November. The only game Sony Fanbois are playing right now is "follow the carrot"

  • gaselite #151 5 years ago

    "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."

    So uh, what exactly is wrong with this statement? I mean, he's right on just about every single count. European consumers will snap up launch PS3s like *THAT*, and in the future, nobody is really going to care. I mean it's a poor choice of words but there's nothing particularly wrong about this statement. Also let's face it, the people here who have been saying 'fuck you Sony never buying your shit again' never really planned to buy a PS3 did they?

    Also, yeah, I've been criticising Sony for the past year with some of the PS3 decisions they've taken, but this doesn't really compare to some of the other fuck ups they've made in that time, and there's nothing inherently WRONG with the statement. Try to understand it from a financial point of view, not a 'omg sony don't speak for my feelings ;_;' point of view.

  • djcool3005 #152 5 years ago

    If I could I would go nut him in the face Zidane style because I DO mind that we're always last and it P****s me of so much when they leave us til last. And their reason is that it's a vital component that's missing is a load of bull***t because how can they release it in Japan and USA if they don't have the so called 'Vital Component'. My only consalation is my computer is able to render next gen graphics but that doesn't soothe my anger towards Sony.

  • kangarootoo #153 5 years ago

    @Garulon

    Oh come on man, thats just embarrasing.

    "Oh, they don't mind getting shafted. They buy our shit anyway. Hahahha!"

    That is exactly the sort of thing I am on about. Sensationalist exageration and make believe. No-one actually said that and to imply that they MEANT that is just childish rumour mongering.

    What you could have written is "this is how I heard his answer played back inside my head after processing by my bias viewpoint", but that as I've suggested is perhaps your fault rather than his.



    "We tried really hard to acheive a global launch so Europe didn't feel left out, but supply problems meant we just couldn't do it. We're so sorry, but rather than launch with too few consoles like the 360, we moved the launch back to the new year so there'll be plenty of stock available for everyone"

    That is exactly what Sony DID say as much as they said anything. But sometimes, if the ears have their own agenda, the truth just won't get through unaltered whatever shape it starts off in.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 17:14

  • kangarootoo #154 5 years ago

    I'm going to drop out of this thread now I think. I can see circles appearing. I've probably covered all the points I wanted to, and repetition gets kind of boring for everyone.

  • DanMW #155 5 years ago

    I say, let's show them if we care or not, whenever PS3 is released in Europe, just don't buy one, that'll show Sony if we care or not. Otherwise it's like this imbecil SCEE representative is saying that we don't mind being treated like sh!t
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/06 @ 17:28

  • Xephon70 #156 5 years ago

    Good grief, let it go guys. Let's see where we are in 12 months...no doubt you'll still be moaning about some other thing that some huge impersonal corporation has "done to you". "Sony hates us"...there, there, sure they do...now go and dry your eyes.

    To be honest, I've become disillusioned with games and gaming recently, not because of any industry people or companies, but because of the people that play the games, along with the internet and it's inhabitants. Gamers have become an embarrassment to each other.

    It's no wonder we have the rep we have. The same thing happens every time...it's getting tired.

  • bauhaus #157 5 years ago

    Anything on telly tonite?

  • thinktank #158 5 years ago

    @ Kanga

    I understand where you are coming from but i'm afraid that as whole gamers do seem to fall into the "stroppy ranting kids" category you described.

    thus the comments you read on these threads and indeed threads through out the net.

  • captainrentboy #159 5 years ago

    So when the PS3 gets delayed again next year (It's not that unlikely really is it?)for Europe,probably due to them needing to get stock into their more important territories,will you defenders of all things Sony still be sticking up for them and taking all their bullshit?

  • Les #160 5 years ago

    "I understand where you are coming from but i'm afraid that as whole gamers do seem to fall into the "stroppy ranting kids" category you described."

    If you redefine "gamers as a whole" to "EG posters (aka young hardcore gamers) as a whole" then I agree with you...

    "will you defenders of all things Sony still be sticking up for them and taking all their bullshit?"

    I'll try this one more time, but if Kanga can't succeed, I'll probably fail miserably. Sony wants to sell products, as much as possible in fact, just like any other company. They make choices based on business sense, not feelings. They regret the delay a whole lot more than any gamer in Europe, as it costs them money. I personally wouldn't care about another postponement as I'm not convinced next gen gaming is all it's hyped to be. Up till now in general it's the same games with better graphics from a technical point of view. I would have welcomed it if next gen had started in 2007 or 2008 even as I believe there's plenty of life left in xbox and PS2. Next gen is just the periodical hype machine from the console manufacturers and the less they bother me with it, the better. I'm not dying for a new machine every couple of years, if I buy one I want to enjoy it as long as possible to get my money's worth. But if you're dying for next gen gaming now, go buy a 360 and be happy with it.
    Edited by 2 at 06/10/06 @ 18:41

  • BartonFink #161 5 years ago

    Les yer better off just giving up they are not listening.

  • Mr_Brown #162 5 years ago

    Typical arrogant Sony statement basically saying "We can slap any price on it and delay it as much as we want, the mugs will still give us their money"

    I find it hard to understand how they keep such a loyal following of fanboys. Guess there are alot mugs in Europe, in which case this article is right.

  • Malacath #163 5 years ago

    Sony are talking crap. One of my friends who is a total sony fanboy has decided that the PS3 is not worth waiting to March for. He's now said sod them and gone out and bought himself an XBOX 360.

  • Les #164 5 years ago

    @ BartonFink

    Indeed ;)

  • Skeletor #165 5 years ago

    177 comments in such a short time show that they DO mind...
    Sony is so full of shit, instead of being honest and telling its fans that they'll try to make up for it all they say is: "Who cares! Those idiots will buy our shit anyway!"

  • the_dudefather #166 5 years ago

    are the japan and american markets really fickle or something? if they dont get the console quick and cheap(er) they will abandon sony and buy a Wii/360, while europe is happy to wait patiently smiling away until sony release the PS3 here

    what do i know? im buying one anyway (at some point)

  • Les #167 5 years ago

    ""Who cares! Those idiots will buy our shit anyway!""

    Well, at least they're right about the idiot part...

  • old_skool #168 5 years ago

    Have european gamers become the crybabies of the internet ?

    /waaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa , hate you sony , give me my lolly , otherwise...sniff...sniff waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • JediMasterMalik #169 5 years ago

    @old skool - I think that'd be gamers in general, not just the Europeans. The whole gaming web seems to have the strange idea that when a compay says something stupid, or something they disagree with, the product somehow becomes less affordable or viable. Strange phenomenom which seems to only apply to the gaming community.

  • admir #170 5 years ago

    the only people who care about delays are loosers and people with no life. all together European gamers get a life and stop craying for once.

  • Lex_Luthor #171 5 years ago

    I hate the PS3, I have zero intention of buying it, but by God you better believe I'll whine and bitch(and generally act like a twat) if they DARE delay it's release!

  • Skywise #172 5 years ago

    He should have a chat with Mr Moore, who will be able to enlighten him that gamers don't care for backward-compatibility either. And use the phrase "we underpromised and overdelivered" :-)

    It seems whatever console you'll choose the money will go to arrogant pricks

  • JediMasterMalik #173 5 years ago

    Erm... Barton, he was being sarcastic, clearly.

  • BartonFink #174 5 years ago

    what? who? where? when?

  • Bumbuliuz #175 5 years ago

    Sony doesnt seem to get Europe at all. We are their second biggest market after America and they treat us like we were a forth world country. They can take their Ps3 and stick it where the sun does not shine.

    Bring on the 360 and Wii

  • old_skool #176 5 years ago

    lol , this really is ridiculous , but it's good comedy

    Strange phenomenom which seems to only apply to the gaming community.

    Strange indeed .In the business world regional launches for whatever product are commonplace .Product x(insert discription) launch first in japan , then a month later in singapore , then after 6 months in western europe , then after 3 months to eastern europe etc etc etc . Maybe someone needs to explain that , No they don't hate you , no you are not inferior than the Japanese and Americans, wait wait , that was too fast , repeat after me , you...are...not...inferior...you...are...not...inferior...th ey...care about...your...money...you...are...not...a...fourth...world. ..country...oh what the heck this is too hard

    /sits back and watches the rest of Europe cry


  • Seweryn #177 5 years ago

    "It seems whatever console you'll choose the money will go to arrogant pricks "

    Amen to that brother.
    Games are not for free. Consoles are not for free. HDTVs are not for free. It's all business, marketing, money. It just happens that the things they are "selling" is fun and enjoyment, and I think this is what causes people to feel so personal about it. Looking close at those things that happen in MS/Sony/EA etc. HQs just spoils the fun. It's like eating a delicous cake and then realising that the person who prepared it is a fat, sweaty, hairy, ugly guy.
    Still, there are some nice people in the industry:) But comeon, let's face it. You're not going to become an important figure in any huge company just because you are "a nice and honest person". (Nintendo fans would probably disagree;)


    When it comes to our Mr. MacDonald... I am not sure what he meant when he said what he said, but clearly, when you are a VP of SCE Worlwide Europe, you should know how to choose your words so as not to cause a mass histeria like this one. There are surely better ways of stating "we sold 200 million consoles already so we think that playstation brand is strong enough to defend itself no matter what". Even people on this forum came up with some nice examples. I wonder how high his salary is...
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/06 @ 04:02

  • Nikanoru #178 5 years ago

    I'm not gonna bother to read this thread so I'm sure something along the lines of this has been said before:

    They basically said it themselves, obviously the solution to this is not to be their consumer sheep. Fuck Sony, you won't see me buying any of their shit anytime soon.

  • Venkman90 #179 5 years ago

    I other words "We dont care cos you will buy one anyway you mugs"

    /pre-orders Wii

  • Les #180 5 years ago

    "We are their second biggest market after America"

    Europe is a territory, not a single market, there's no "We". Makes a whole lot of difference. It's funny how people all of a sudden become "Europeans" with regards to everything video game related, while with regards to any other subject matter they're being ignorant nationalists...

  • Dr.Mott #181 5 years ago

    Don't worry Sony, we don't mind.

    /Plays on Dead Rising

  • bauhaus #182 5 years ago

    This is like watching lemmings tumble off a cliff

  • BartonFink #183 5 years ago

    @Les I take it you are British then. Please don't tar the rest of us Europeans with the same brush ;)

    Edited by 1 at 07/10/06 @ 10:45

  • Rambaldi #184 5 years ago

    @Les

    "It's funny how people all of a sudden become "Europeans" with regards to everything video game related, while with regards to any other subject matter they're being ignorant nationalists... "

    So open-minded gamers who spend their evenings playing games with each other over Live should suddenly become Xenophobic because you say so?

  • Rambaldi #185 5 years ago

    @admir

    "the only people who care about delays are loosers and people with no life. all together European gamers get a life and stop craying for once"

    @old skool

    "Have european gamers become the crybabies of the internet ? waaaaaaaa"

    Considering you're both viewing a web-site entitled EUROgamer and considering we're recieving the console 6 moths later and a price-hike later I think people are perfectly entitled to a bit of a moan. Are you suggesting that people on your own territory would behave any differently?

    If you're disgust of our behaviour persists however, you could always stop coming here instead of behaving like a pair of snobs in a local pub, complaining about the decor and the food.

    Edited by 1 at 07/10/06 @ 11:56

  • BartonFink #186 5 years ago

    Well said Rambaldi

  • JediMasterMalik #187 5 years ago

    Rambaldi, the price hike is clearly due to VAT and import duty and such, blame the Eu for that not Sony. And how do you know they are not Europeans themselves?

  • Rambaldi #188 5 years ago

    @Jedi

    Whatever the reasons for the phenomial price difference between the Japanese and European versions of identical hardware, I think people are entitled to a bit of a moan is all and that people who don't have to live with such apparent injustice (or aren't that bothered themselves) chould be a bit more sympathetic. What goes around comes around and all that.

    Sheesh: I'm not even a fan of the PS3!

    /ticks off good deed from 'to do today' list

  • Inflatable #189 5 years ago

    It's because most consumers are weak.. I you want something bad enough, you're willing to take a lot of BS, and you will still buy it..

    Luckily I don't have that real need to buy a PS3.. And as for higher hardware and multimedia prices overhere.. Well, most of these electronic things are more expensive in Europe.. You can only guess why, but we're used to it, and obviously rich enough to still buy the stuff, and aslong as it sells well enough they are obviously not gonna lower the prices..

  • smelly #190 5 years ago

    Sigh.. I wish people would take a lesson in economics before moaning about the price of stuff.

    You CANT just take current exchange rate for price of anything, as exchange rates change! If there's 2 dollars to a pound now.. so you sell a 240 dollar thing at 120 quid, then what happens if the exchange rate changes to 3 dollars to a pound?

    Also you have to take into account how much of a take shops get in this country compare to abroad.. and that uk distributors are going to charge different amounts to japanese ones.

    If a japanese shopkeeper takes 5 quid for every console sold and a uk one takes 50 quid.. And a japanese distributor charges 5 quid per console and a uk one charges 50 quid.. see?

    As for taking this back on topic.. Reason I dont mind about ps3 delay is that i've got no intention of paying stupid amounts of money for a mahcine which is as powerful as the 360 (if not less so) and (due to the 360 being out longer) will have less games, and 99% of the games will come out on both anyhows.

    So why pay the extra price? (Unless yer a retarded fanboy).

    After the wii, if im gonna get anything it'll be the 360...

  • JediMasterMalik #191 5 years ago

    So why pay the extra price? (Unless yer a retarded fanboy).

    For a while there I thought you were being logical and then this came. So you're saying that anyone who pays the extra £100 for a PS3 rather than a 360 is a retarded fanboy? I think exclusive Sony franchises is a good enough reason wouldn't you say so? You may not agree with me on the quality of them, but many people do, so labelling us as retarded is retarded in itself.

    Personally MGS4, Resistance, Motorstorm, DMC4, FFXIII, FFvsXIII, White Knight Story, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Tekken 6, Warhawk and even the rather interesting looking Monster Kingdom easily justify the price of the system. In fact I would justify the price with half of those games quite easily, so retarded fanboy is not an accurate assumption.

    Oh yeh and not to mention the extra hardware and features the PS3 has.

  • old_skool #192 5 years ago

    Sorry Rambaldi , my behaviour was so out of character , so ungamer like . What was I thinking !!! So here's goes :

    Fuck you Sony ! Yeah fuck you , stick that PS3 up your ass . Japanese treat us like fourth world country . I love Microsoft and my 360 . Halo is the best game eva ! Peter Moore please marry me !!! 360 FTW !!!!!!!11!!!!1

  • numptyboymatt #193 5 years ago

    I really dont "get" all this fanboyism at all - its pathetic - its a console - GET OVER IT. Its worse than the bloomin kids at school getting into arguments over whether Take That were better then East 17.... and now I am showing my age :o(

    Anyway, to add my two-pennies worth to the argument: As I say, Im not a "fan" of any console, but when a company treats its customers in the way that Sony treats europe, there really isnt much of an excuse. I DO understand their business decisions for releasing in the US and Japan first, and it makes total sense, but to THEN try and make out that the Europeans dont mind, when this is clearly not the case makes them appear to be both misinformed and incompetent. Perhaps were it not for the numerous previous PR blunders (e.g. stating that blu-ray is necessary as games are going to be too big to fit on a regular dvd disc, using this as their "big thing point" in promoting the PS3, and then in the same breath deciding that discs will soon be obsolete and downloading is the way forward), perhaps us Europeans might be more lenient, but given the situation as it is, can you blame us?
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/06 @ 18:02

  • the_preacher #194 5 years ago

    MacDonald you arrogant git, taking consumers for grated will hopefully cost you your job

    you have just lost one potential buyer of your playstation 3

  • captain-future #195 5 years ago

    Did that fuckhead just say "European customers are SO stupid"?

    And he's right because as long as the have region-locked hardware you can't escape the 2nd class customership of Europe (including higher prices, later release dates - or no releases at all).

    FUCK YOU SONY! (pardon my french! but I'm really really mad about the PS3 delay and price and all!)
    Edited by 2 at 07/10/06 @ 18:19

  • smelly #196 5 years ago

    " MGS4, Resistance, Motorstorm, DMC4, FFXIII, FFvsXIII, White Knight Story, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Tekken 6, Warhawk"


    I think you'll find that quite a few of those arent sony brands and therefor arent gauranteed to be ps3 exclusives. In fact, if the ps3 were to bomb, i'd expect to see most of those on the 360. The only reason they were ps2 specifics last gen was for the simple reason there were more ps2's than xbox's sold.

    Still.. On the bright side.. it's interesting to note how people complain abou nintendo relying on sequels :-)

    Besides i just gave my opinion. It doesnt mean you have to think the same. Personally I cant see any good reason to wait for a console which is pretty much the same power as one which is already out, be expected to pay extra money for it, and for a good long while wont have the same number of games available for it, and when it does most of those games will be available on the other console anyhows.

    That's looking at it as a non blinkered consumer.

    Then again, looking at the millions who bought a ps2 at a higher price than the other 2 despite being less powerful (myself included) there's no accounting for stupidity (myself included).

  • Krun #197 5 years ago

    Gerald Ratner owner of britains largest Jewelry chain once made a statement about how he could sell his jewelry so cheaply he said because its 'Total Crap' and my customer don't care. Turns out they did care and stopped buying it.

  • chronom4n #198 5 years ago



    after what sony have done for the jap market i.e. lowering the ps3 price, i am convinced that sony does not rate us europeans highly enough. what bs is this when they go around saying that 'we do not mind' of course we bloody well mind, it is just that we have got no say in the matter. irrespective of how much we complain.

  • smelly #199 5 years ago

    Well I dont mind.. maybe he was talking about me?

  • old_skool #200 5 years ago

    In the end we'll buy a PS3 because we're gamers , irrespective of our likes/dislike for Sony , those that can afford it will buy it , those that can't will wait for a price drop .Same thing goes for Nintendo and Microsoft .Gaming is our hobby and we're passionate about it .Yeah , I'll admit waiting sucks , but you know what , I don't mind cause I haven't finished Oblivian , Condemned and Prey are still closed in the boxes , Civilization 4 is keeping me busy too , so is Battlefield 2 .Still playing PES5 , when the friends come over I roll out my dancemats and my GunCons. Yeah I've got plenty of things to keep me busy and that won't change cause there's new games coming out .Sony's loss and all my gain .Come now all , big group hug , kiss and make up .

  • JediMasterMalik #201 5 years ago

    @Smelly - so the reason you buy consoles is because of the power of the systems? That certainly doesn't sound like a gamer to me.

    You are correct in saying they aren't Sony brands, as in owned by Sony, but they are, at least at the moment PS3 exclusives, and therefore count towards my decision, and atm should do for anyone, the prospect of something becoming multiplatform when there is NO evidence to suggest it cannot be used to discount something as it is pure speculation and you know it.

    About the sequels, in my list there were only 3, MGS4, DMC4, and Tekken 6, FF can't be considered sequels despite the numbering, all the games are completely different and don't continue the story, therefore not sequels. (with the rare exception of X-2)

  • kangarootoo #202 5 years ago

    Smelly wrote,

    "Well I dont mind.. maybe he was talking about me? "

    That really made me chuckle, in a good way. Post of the thread methinks, because its a perfectly valid question.

    Truth is that there are plenty out of people out there who aren't really that bothered about the delay. Lets for ease of use call them "the rational majority". They don't shit their pants and cry when something they were looking forward to buying is delayed, they don't take every statement out of context because they are so full of grief, they just change the channel, watch something else for the time being and get on with their lives without throwing their dummies out of the pram. Problem is, they don't make so much noise so it appears that they aren't in fact the majority, when they probably are.

    I AM very disappointed that the PS3 is late, smelly is probably diappointed, many other sane posters on here are disappointed. But we don't regress to our childhood because of it. If only for the sake of your dignity people. Do you realise how you all look to outside world, stamping your feet like a kid who has dropped his jelly on the floor? Seriously.

  • Rambaldi #203 5 years ago

    You have Jelly?

  • Agent_Llama #204 5 years ago

    What a knob.

  • krokomkiller #205 5 years ago

    So much anger.. but here´s the solution:
    Build you own console and let the yaps have it after all the rest.

  • golden_balls #206 5 years ago

    i agree kangarootoo if your willing to wait thats fine continue playing your ps2 360 or gamecube till the ps3 is launched in europe.

    My opinion is that i would rather support a console that isnt just aimed at the us and japanese market and europe is just an afterthought

    If both nintendo and ms can release consoles wordwide within a few weeks why cant sony ? I understand that its a business decison and for them its probably the right one.

    Sony has proudly said that it will have more ps3 available in the us this christmas than the 360 had last year. why not give some of that extra supply to europe again its a business decison. The right one for them *perhaps*but a wrong message is being sent out to the european market. That were second class not worthy of the console during the launch

    If you think of sony as a father and the different markets as sons/daughters ,if your told constantly that you'll be getting new clothes later than your other siblings that just breeds bitterness but if your willing to wait then go ahead.

    rant over :-)

  • DanMW #207 5 years ago

    Saying something like this is like saying, Sony don't mind not releasing the PS3 in time for Xmas in Europe and they think it's good to give an opportunity to Wii and XBox 360 to increase their sales over the holiday period. Also they don't mind that they can't produce enough PS3s for the US and Japan markets, of course it's going to hurt them in the short term. They don't even mind having the more costly console in the market. I might buy a PS3 eventually (I can't see it happening for at least 3-4 years I don't intend to pay more than £150 for it) In all honesty I'm growing tired of gaming and the only cosole I might consider buying in the near future is the Nintendo Wii, but I will wait and see how (and what) it does first, because I feel let down with the support the GC got. A price point of £149.99 including Twilight Princess would have been an irresitible proposition but at £179.99 + £39.99 for Twilight Princess (£219.98) I don't fancy it so much. As for XBox 360 it doesn't interest me a lot (so far) and maybe one day (many years from now) I can get one with integrated HD-DVD and all for a reasonable price (about £150 as well.) Of course Sony won't mind if the European release gets delayed again until June/July.

  • Xephon70 #208 5 years ago

    kangarootoo wrote:

    "Truth is that there are plenty out of people out there who aren't really that bothered about the delay. Lets for ease of use call them "the rational majority". They don't shit their pants and cry when something they were looking forward to buying is delayed, they don't take every statement out of context because they are so full of grief, they just change the channel, watch something else for the time being and get on with their lives without throwing their dummies out of the pram."

    Finally, a voice of reason. Pretty much what I've been feeling to be honest, like March 07 is aeons away, it'll be here soon enough. I said on the very first page they'd be complaining about something else this time next year, microtransactions or some other nonsense.

    All the histrionics (look it up) make me ashamed to be a gamer. They want to be taken seriously, but reactions like this don't help anyone.

  • Mr_Whacker #209 5 years ago

    Here's what makes me laugh - the interview wasn't saying 'Europe are mugs and will buy anything, late and overpriced' it was 'Europe are more mature and won't shit their pants if its late'.

    Thats the mistake he's making.

  • golden_balls #210 5 years ago

    Its not the fact that its late its the fact that europe is always the last region to recieve sony products. be it ps2 psp even final fantasy. If ms and nintendo can do worldwide launches why cant sony.

    can you actually name any major sony product where europe has recived it first or in the same launch window.

    and responding to Xephon70 dont you feel like sony treat you as a second class consumer recieving products months later than most other regions.

    Im a 360 owner and happy with the way ms are treating us can you say the same about sony ?


  • Xephon70 #211 5 years ago

    "and responding to Xephon70 dont you feel like sony treat you as a second class consumer recieving products months later than most other regions.

    Im a 360 owner and happy with the way ms are treating us can you say the same about sony ?"

    Um, no. I'm not that bothered about having to wait. This "second class" nonsense is bullshit anyway. It's petty mindedness. Get over it.

    As I've already said, you'll all be crying abut some other nonsense next year. I'm old enough to have this type of sillyness before. I'm still surprised it still surprises me.

  • golden_balls #212 5 years ago

    "Um, no. I'm not that bothered about having to wait. This "second class" nonsense is bullshit anyway. It's petty mindedness. Get over it.

    As I've already said, you'll all be crying abut some other nonsense next year. I'm old enough to have this type of sillyness before. I'm still surprised it still surprises me"

    well that will warm the cockles of sony execs and gives them excuses to launch products later but fair enough im just not prepared to wait so its a wii for me this christmas

    were each entitled to our own opinion you seem to be happy whatever sony do or say.

    im sure the ps3 will be a success whatever the europeans moan about :-)

  • dk_rare #213 5 years ago

    Sony is arrogant.

    Nintendo apolagises when there are not enough DS units to sell. Microsoft promises to get stock in as fast as possible.

    Sony unzips and dick slaps you accross the face.

  • SomaticSense #214 5 years ago

    I actually don't mind delays. I'm going to 'delay' myself from ever buying a PS3.

    If ever anyone needed any proof that Sony just don't give a flying fuck about European consumers, this is it. It is also shows the 'real' reason and not the bullshit excuse as to why the PS3 was delayed until March - they 'chose' us for the delay because they thought we "wouldn't mind" that the US and Japan could get our share of PS3's.

    Tossers.

  • Xephon70 #215 5 years ago

    "well that will warm the cockles of sony execs and gives them excuses to launch products later but fair enough im just not prepared to wait so its a wii for me this christmas"

    I've never seen any good reason to be an early adopter. Quite frankly, whether it's Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo, I really couldn't care when they launch. I'll get one someday, when I'm good and ready. I've plenty of unfinished buisness on the PS2/Cube/Xbox/DC anyway.

    This "slap in the face" buisiness or "gotta have a console this Xmas no matter what", well, whatever makes you happy.