Sunday, August 20, 2006

PS3's? Nope.. not yet.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America president Kaz Hirai reveals that Sony has yet to begin manufacturing the PS3. The two million unit launch target is still expected [Me: Hmm. HOW?!], but shortages anticipated. [Me: Duh. Worked with the Xbox now didn't it.]

In an extensive interview with consumer site GameSpot, Hirai stated, "We haven't started manufacturing [the PS3] yet. Some of our ops guys were actually just in China, and also in Japan just reviewing the [production] lines and everything else. But they are, again, preparing as we speak to get the manufacturing going.

We've not announced and we haven't set really a specific date to say, 'As of this day we're going to start manufacturing.'"Some analysts predicted that Sony would begin producing its next generation console in late July or early August. [Me: They needed to start it back in January.. Two million units my ass.]

The company is aiming to have two million consoles ready for its worldwide launch in November. Hirai also said that he expects hardware shortages, due to the anticipated high demand for the console. "Since we're going with three territories, we haven't really come up with an allocation just yet," he said."But even if you do the simple math you're talking about less than 700,000 units per territory, per major territory between launch and the end of the year.
So even if there was some fluctuation--you give Japan more, you give the US more, what have you--you're going to end up with some shortages. [Me: and screw Europe]

"Many industry watchers, including executives from US retailer GameStop, have assumed the US would receive around 1 million PS3 units at launch." So I think that if we've done our jobs right and if we've been able to really have the consumers become interested in this product, [Me: Well there's the Fanboys, and then there are normal people. Right now sounds like you starting the hype of 'Oh Shit!! I better run out and get one opening day or I might need to wait.] then, unfortunately, I think it's going to be very much of a challenge to be able to meet every single unit demand that's out there in the market.
[Me: Just like it was planned. Come on, we've been though this shit before.. HOW stupid to you think we are? Ok.. some of us are?]
That's just a logistical impossibility. Unless we suddenly say, 'Well we want to wait until June of next year to launch because we want to stockpile product,' I don't think that's the approach we want to take." [Me: No because you've already delayed the PS3, AND watered it down in the process.. not even to state that the CELL chips don't work correctly]

In response to Yankee Group's prediction that the PS3 will come out as the top console by 2011, [Me: HA!] Hirai was pleased with the report, but did comment on the forecasted drop in PlayStation market share. The research firm said that the PS3 would capture 44 percent of the market, down from the PS2's estimated 60 percent, as the Xbox 360 is predicted to eat up a larger piece of the pie in the next generation. [Me: Again, they forgot about Nintendo. *sigh* THEY are the ones to watch this holiday]

"I'd like to think that our market share will be as good--if not better--than what we've accomplished with the PS2 in the same kind of time frame since launch, [Me: We all like to think our children will grow up to be Doctors.. Yet, quit a few, grow to be whores, crack heads, serial murders, and politicians. You just keep on thinking.]

"Hirai replied. He also confirmed that Sony is planning to have its online platform [Me: Platform? I think this was a miss print. Don't you mean RIPOFF?!] ready to go at launch. "The plan is to take the console online on November 17th as we launch and I also assume as we launch in Japan on November 11th.

"Commenting on the recent flurry of PSP holiday price drop rumors, he said, "...We have no plans to revisit the price at this point in time." [Me: Meaning, most likely. The PSP is ripe for a price drop.. as is the Xbox 360]