Tech Hold-Ups Delay Sony's PS3 Plans

The answer to the biggest question in the industry will have to wait until Sony and others can iron out last technical details.

Despite rapid-fire statements to the contrary, there is persistent talk that Sony will miss its self-imposed spring release date for the PlayStation 3. The latest crop of speculation suggests that technicalities surrounding the Blu-ray drive could be a culprit in any delay.

As Sony has been keen to point out, of the three upcoming next-generation consoles only the PlayStation 3 will have a next-gen DVD drive, but manufacturing delays could push the release date of the console back as far as October, says a GameSpot report based on news from Japanese site Sankei Web.

An unnamed Japanese spokesperson is reported to have said that a delay of parts for the Blu-ray drive could delay the launch.

More precise details about the launch of the PlayStation 3 will be released once the final Blu-ray and HDMI - a high-definition video connection for TVs - consortia have nailed down the specifications for their respective technologies, says Jonathan Fargher of Sony's European branch.

"Sony Computer Entertainment has made no new announcements concerning the launch date for PlayStation 3, since the initial guidance that was provided at [the Electronic Entertainment Expo] in 2005," Fargher told Kikizo.

"We have however made it clear recently that there are still several technology specification issues to be resolved with Blu-ray and HDMI technology, that are currently being addressed by wider industry working groups. Once these specifications have been agreed, we will be in a position to provide more specific guidance on launch timing."

Quite when this will be is up in the air, but Japanese publisher Enterbrain boss Hirokazu Hamamura is reported by game site Next Generation to have told Sankei Web that already things look to be falling behind:

"Sony has not begun taking orders early this month, that means that it would be difficult for the company to begin sales in May."

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games