Sony Tardy in Hitting PS3 Goal
It took a bit longer than expected for Sony to hit 2 million. But what does that mean for the European launch?
The plan for Sony was to get out 2 million PlayStation 3s by the end of 2006. When the company revealed that it was scaling back on the launch, and delayed the arrival of the console in Europe at the same time, many people assumed that Sony would change its end-of-year forecast too. It didn't. And now the company has missed that target, as hardware begins to pile up.
Sony said this week that it had shipped a million PS3s in Japan by 16 January, according to Kyodo News. This follows the news that Americans had taken delivery of a million units by the end of 2006 and brings total shipments to 2 million, putting it a couple weeks off its self-imposed target.
Now people are starting to wonder about actual sales of the system. One analyst found in a small survey of US stores that more than half of stores questioned had PS3s in stock, reported Next Generation. Meanwhile, the Wii, which costs half as much as the PS3, continues to be shy of shelves.
Sony says it is still on track to ship 6 million PS3s by the end of March, which is good news for would-be buyers in Europe. The PS3 is due here in late March. Sony will announce its launch plans next week.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare