Sony to Start Making PS3s in June

Parts orders suggest that the chances of Sony making the system's spring launch date are unlikely.

The seemingly never-ending drama surrounding the launch of the PlayStation 3 swung back in the direction of a delay this week with the revelation that a manufacturer of one of the components of the console has been ordered by Sony to start work in June, which would push the console's release past Sony's promised spring launch date.

Compeq, a Taiwanese company that worked on the PSP and is reportedly making printed circuit boards for the PlayStation 3, will start production in June, says an article at tech site Inquirer based on an insider report at Chinese site Mydrivers. This would put delivery of PlayStation 3s around Christmas, surmises the Inquirer.

Sony, naturally, is still saying nothing about anything. The closest thing to a full announcement right now will be the keynote by Sony's Phil Harrison at this month's Game Developers Conference.

It seems that part of the reason for the delay in getting specific is because of technical concerns surrounding the PlayStation 3's next-generation DVD Blu-ray drive.

Sony has repeatedly said this year that the PlayStation 3 will still make its expected spring release date, but there are few industry watchers that believe Sony will pull it off now.

Not everyone is upset by this. Retailers in the UK recently came out in support of Sony, saying that the console should launch when it's ready and that people should be reminded that current-generation consoles still have a lot to offer.

Tony Scinta
Staff Writer, Kikizo Games