PS3 postponed until Nov - Nikkei

By Tom Bramwell Published 14 March, 2006

Confirmed.

The Wednesday morning edition of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that PlayStation 3 has been delayed until "early November" because the copy protection technology for the Blu-ray Disc has not yet been finalised.

The "November" date presumably refers to the console's Japanese release. If confirmed, it would almost certainly mean that the console's European release would not take place until 2007. (Update: In the expected press conference later on Wednesday, Sony boss Ken Kutaragi subsequently announced it would be a worldwide release date.)

The report states that other core elements of the PS3, including the high-performance Cell processor developed with Toshiba and IBM, "are believed to have been developed on schedule". Sony had previously stuck to a "spring 2006" release estimate for the console.

The story - the source for which is currently unclear - appears in the Japanese newspaper at the start of a day that is expected to see Sony deliver more concrete details about its plans for PlayStation 3 at a press conference in Japan.

Sony's conference is planned for 3pm in Tokyo on Wednesday - around 6am GMT - and is also expected to feature a first look at some of the launch line-up for the console.

Sony representatives were not immediately available for comment.

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 (63) Latest comment 6 years ago

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  • DDevil #1 6 years ago

    Delayed because of copy protection?

    *awaits shit-storm*

  • megastar #2 6 years ago

    an exclusive???

    cant find this anywhere else

  • Rambaldi #3 6 years ago

    LOL

  • tengu #4 6 years ago

    Hardly a surprise, as all signs had been pointing to this for a while now. Ah well, I can wait.

  • bunglebonce #5 6 years ago

    That problem and delay was predicted, but I expected summer, not November for Japan.

    As far as I'm concerned though, it's still speculation until we hear from KK. Although we have to take what he says with a pinch of salt too.

  • tonynibbles #6 6 years ago

    Oh dear.

    Oh well, I'm sure it might be worth the wait.
    Erm...

  • polar #7 6 years ago

    It's not that surprising - wasn't Sony bombarding the press with "news" at this stage before the PS2 was due?

  • Fixxxer #8 6 years ago

    That's a bit of an arse.

    Did all the tricky bits and fell down by 6 months because of copy protection.

  • funk #9 6 years ago

    if thats the real reason....'strange'

    copy protection is always cracked anyway

  • Kostabi #10 6 years ago

    In related news: Sony decide to hand European market share to Microsoft in shock announcement.

  • Mr_Brown #11 6 years ago

    The beginning of the end of Sony's dominance in the west? Probably.
    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 19:17

  • JonFE #12 6 years ago

    I understand that this news article could be only a rumour, however it should be displayed as a top story and not as inferior to the Sensible Soccer article, IMHO...

    On the other hand, I'm glad it got posted even at this hour...
    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 19:21

  • MyPointIs #13 6 years ago

    Nice. Maybe that will mean some extra time for actually making a few consoles before release. And games.

    Lets face it. We can write LOLZ $ONY IS DOOOOOOOMED!!!! as many times as we want. It won't change a thing. It'll sell exactly the same as the 360. As many as they can produce.

  • jozz #14 6 years ago

    Importers are go then I take it :p
    Enless the copy protection or Sony themselves (like the PSP) put a stop to it.

  • Daryoon #15 6 years ago

    Well it's no big deal really. There's plenty to come for the PS2, and this gives developers more time, so there might actually be some decent launch games!

  • thegamesthething #16 6 years ago

    europe q3 2007 then? frees up some cash anyway

  • drumbaby #17 6 years ago

    Imagine how sweet a 'summer 2006 release' announcement (or similar) in a few hours from Sony will sound if this news turns out to be based on a cunning 'leak'.

  • Dizzy #18 6 years ago

    2007? The battle is over.

    Cheapo 360s and even cheaper Rev will be in stores. That PS3 tech better get an upgrade to make it worth buying! (or is Bluray the answer to that?)

    "As far as I'm concerned though, it's still speculation until we hear from KK. Although we have to take what he says with a pinch of salt too. "

    Err.. no.. confirmed by Japanese newpapers.

    Funny is that MS stocks have gone up, up and up over this. We should have bought some :(
    Edited by 3 at 14/03/06 @ 19:47

  • drumbaby #19 6 years ago

    Sony stocks have too :)

    The timing of this 'delay' news is extremely suspicious, imho....right on the eve of official Sony info. I wouldn't put it past the Sony hype machine to knock us all back, only to then deliver some incredibly good news.

  • matrim83 #20 6 years ago

    This is good for MS. I'm not sure its bad for Sony TBH. I think th PS3 is going to sell a given amount of consoles no matter when its released.

  • Bates #21 6 years ago

    Wow, guess all those people waiting for the PS3 are now instantly going to turn to Xbox 360. It's going to be just like when everyone went to Xbox over PS2 over the past several years...

    Hey, wait a minute...

  • Furbs #22 6 years ago

    Didnt we all expect this anyway?
    If Sony are smart (which they are), they'll really push "t3h r34l nexgen" thing now - claim its half a generation ahead of the 360 or summat.

    Wonder how this will affect the HD-DVD/BluRay thing?

    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 19:46

  • Dirtbox #23 6 years ago

    Who's pre-ordering a jap one then?

  • ProfessorLesser #24 6 years ago

    /agrees with Drumbaby

    Won't be as soon as tomorrow, though. Surprise launch in July after announcing in June, or something like that. Christmas '06 for Europe, alongside the revolution. Yup.

  • the_dudefather #25 6 years ago

    (hopes revolution doesnt get delayed too)

  • Freek #26 6 years ago

    You'd think after the DRM dissaster Sony went through recently they'd get the hint, geuse not.

  • bauhaus #27 6 years ago

    Bugger

    At least I picked up a 360 this week, that will (I hope) see me thru

  • petebritish #28 6 years ago

    If this is true Nintendo must be laughing.If they get the Rev out in Summer worldwide the big N could be back at the top by the time PS3 is out.

  • JonFE #29 6 years ago

    The story is now featured elsewhere as well (
    IGN, Gamespot)

    If this is just Sony leaking fake news to create a (negative) stir before an opposite (positive) announcement, it certainly works...

    If, on the other hand, it is true, I really doubt Sony will bring the copy protection or any DRM issue as an excuse for the delay...
    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 20:20

  • Raziel #30 6 years ago

    Leak some bad news, and suddenly, the whole world is interested in Sony's next press event, wich happens to be the day after.

  • djchump #31 6 years ago

    "Spring 2006"
    ha haha ha ha ha ha!

  • Daryoon #32 6 years ago

    Why is everyone so impatent for a new system anyway?

  • Psi #33 6 years ago

    it's a sony shit sandwitch.

  • tonynibbles #34 6 years ago

    True.

    At least it should come out having had thought and planning. Plus a decent next gen media drive. SPRING 06 for blu ray? A bit too early me thinks

  • MrAtheist #35 6 years ago

    BREAKING NEWS: Duke Nukem Forever announced as PS3 launch title!

  • WhyMeeeeee #36 6 years ago

    just go out and buy a shiny 360 now and enjoy.

    ps3 will be too expensive, and is too far behind 360 now.
    as for revolution until nintendo break the habit of remaking kirby and the like and come up with originality they will still be no3.

  • Dirtie #37 6 years ago

    But it's already wednesday :(

    EDIT: And Kirby rocks.
    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 21:32

  • Bates #38 6 years ago

    So... don't buy Nintendo because they're unoriginal, buy Xbox instead? Ah Xbox, that shining light of originality in gaming! ffs.

  • IMCO #39 6 years ago


    lol @ Mr.Atheist

  • Artemus #40 6 years ago

    So realistically (given Sony's track record) Q3 2007 for Europe then. And two years lead time for MS. I bet Bill is beating his bishop right now.

    Ah well, PS2 and PC to tide me over. Seeing as PC has (or is getting) most of the better 360 titles anyway. Show me a must have exclusive and I might consider one.

  • Xephon70 #41 6 years ago

    Funny how a (currently unconfirmed) report in a Japanese newspaper can get everyone chattering about a console that's still far from release. Not a big surprise if it's true though, let's face it. It'll make the press conference a bit more interesting, will they or won't they.

    If MS are to capitalize, they have to sort out stock issues. I still haven't seen one here (south coast).

    Anywya, a spring release for Europe isn't a bad thing at all. I can wait, I've waited this long, another year won't kill me. I might have saved up for all of them by then...

  • djcool3005 #42 6 years ago

    For god sake! No suprise there like. Sony have screwed up really badly if this is true since 360 managed a 2005 release. Like a year and a half between the 2 consoles. Sony r gonna lose a lot of money

  • Dizzy #43 6 years ago

    >EDIT: And Kirby rocks.

    Kirby rocks indeed.

    I am very impressed that some people are putting a positive spin on this news. :)
    Edited by 1 at 14/03/06 @ 22:23

  • BartonFink #44 6 years ago

    ROFL - poor Sony :)

  • IJ #45 6 years ago

    The likelyhood is that the PS3 will only be out 18-24 months in Europe before MS start releasing a few details of their next console!

    Maybe as others have said we won't get classic generations anymore, but a Sony generation and a MS generation. Not a bad idea if you ask me, means consoles are updated every 30 months not every 5 years!

    /PC owner

    JR

  • SeesThroughAll #46 6 years ago

    Not a bad idea if you ask me, means consoles are updated every 30 months not every 5 years!

    Depends on whether you're willing to spend that much money on gradually more expensive consoles every year. Not to mention the effort required from both MS and Sony to always make them backwards compatible.

  • earl_roberts #47 6 years ago

    Console every five years is fine by me!!
    If this is true [and it most probably is] then the fuckers who repeatedly crack the PSP are too blame.

  • tenma #48 6 years ago

    man, sony's reliance on BluRay is really pissing me off.

  • Markusdragon #49 6 years ago

    Huzzah for vapourware!

  • urban #50 6 years ago

    not really bothered...like all others i can wait.

    just got to sit through xbox owners being all smug, bahahahhahaha

    yeah right.

  • dynarama #51 6 years ago

    Surely November is the Spring (for anybody below the equator)

  • Markusdragon #52 6 years ago

    Hmm... neccessary, somewhat.

    If Sony doesn't get at least a 4x Blu-Ray drive in that thing, then it'll be outperformed by 16x DVD drives when it comes to loading speed.

  • el_pollo_diablo #53 6 years ago

    Good news for PS2 owners I suspect. Sony are going to be desperate to keep them warm for the PS3, and the best way to do that is to keep their system alive. Which means new games.

    Unlike Microsoft, who seem to have dropped their XBox userbase like a sack of tepid turds. Which is a bit rich I think.

    /awaits standing ovation

  • Daikon #54 6 years ago

    This news will probably shift a couple of extra X360s in Europe and the States, but last month the aging Gamecube outsold the X360 in Japan. It's dead in the water in Japan, and no PS3 delays will change this.

    Does this mean that the specs for the system itself are also still being worked on? If so it'll be Dreamcast vs PS2 all over again.

    Edit: Added link
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/06 @ 01:15

  • Markusdragon #55 6 years ago

    "it'll be Dreamcast vs PS2 all over again."

    What? Hot air vs. underrated system?

  • Daikon #56 6 years ago

    What? Hot air vs. underrated system?

    As in first one in the water is the first to get blown out of the water ^_^

    As for hot air (or vapour for that matter), only time will tell...

  • FredMT #57 6 years ago

    The smart thing to do would have ship the console with a DL DVD player and have the publishers put their first round of games on DL DVD. The next smartest thing SONY should do is retrofit their console with A REGION FREE Bluray player after the specs are finalized: incentive is a good thing for early buyers but whoever said SONY was smart...

    Sony has already ceeded the console fight!

  • MyPointIs #58 6 years ago

    Smart developers will continue to release on PS2. Whatever you think, it will continue to be a very very big market for at least a couple of years.

    "Sony has already ceeded the console fight! "

    Yeah, right, sure!

    That Microsoft will have a bigger installed base when the PS3 is released? - of course, so?

    Consoles are compared from what they sell from day one, and it wont be too difficult for PS3 to outperform 360, as the last one had such a ridiculous launch (in hardware numbers that is).

    edit: speeling
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/06 @ 04:13

  • Daikon #59 6 years ago

    @FredMT

    The smart thing to do would have ship the console with a DL DVD player and have the publishers put their first round of games on DL DVD.

    OK, no publisher is going to release their games on Blu-Ray as the discs will simply cost too much to produce.
    But then again, no consumer is going to upgrade their game console with a next gen drive when it'll be even cheaper just to buy a stand alone player (are you listening, Microsoft?)!

    Sony wants the PS3 to ship with a Blu-Ray drive from the start so people will have a reason to get their movies on Blu-Ray instead of on DVD.
    It's all about market penetration, buddy boy!

    The next smartest thing SONY should do is retrofit their console with A REGION FREE Bluray player

    Are we talking about the same Sony which owns Columbia Pictures and MGM and is a board of directors company at the Blu-ray Disc Association?

    whoever said SONY was smart...

    Nobody did, but then again nobody said the same thing about you either...

    Sony has already ceeded the console fight!

    What planet are you from? Moronia?

    Edit: Darn typos
    Edited by 1 at 15/03/06 @ 05:12

  • Talha #60 6 years ago

    It is laughingly ridiculous, people concluding that Sony have ceded the console fight. By the same token, Ninty have ceded to BOTH MS and Sony - have they? Yes, MS have got a good headstart and I concede that much. However, if Sony are able to put out a console and a decent library of games right at launch, Sony will make up lost ground within months.

    Only time will tell, sadly....

  • reality_cheque #61 6 years ago

    Cool, this means I can buy my PS3 Christmas 2007 for a decent price rather than the 2008 I was expecting. If I buy one that is, which knowing what I'm like with money I probably will.

    Unless I've spent all my money on a home cinema system by then, in which case I'll be too busy re-watching the Matrix etc.

  • mazzl #62 6 years ago

    @el_pollo_diablo
    sniper elite,black,hl2, nfs, there are still more.. i don't agree xbox is dead.
    **********
    i do believe that ps3 will be to late.
    if ps3 launches in spring 2007, xbox360 will already have mutch better games beceause of developers getting used to the console. this could make 360 games look a lot bether then ps3 ones. now that would kill the ps3, besied in europe who has a hdtv WITH the copy right protection to run full quality hdtv games.
    sony should bundle the ps3 with a new hdtv. giving the ps3 for free.


  • HenryMancini #63 6 years ago

    "sony should bundle the ps3 with a new hdtv. giving the ps3 for free"

    Well that won't do them much good - their HDTV's are crap when compared to either Samsung (mmmmmmmmmm!) or even Panasonic displays.