PS3 will not reach Europe until March

[Darksaviour69]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that the release date for PlayStation 3 in PAL territories has been pushed back until March 2007.

In an official statement, Sony said the decision to revise the launch date was taken following "the delay in the mass production schedule of the blue laser diode within the Sony Group, thus affecting the timely procurement of key components to be utilised in PlayStation 3."

Consumers in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia will now have to wait until March to get their hands on a PS3. However, the console is still on track to launch in Japan on November 11 and in North America on November 17. Sony still plans to ship 6 million PS3 units globally before the end of the 2007 fiscal year.

Blue laser diodes are a key component of the PS3's Blu-Ray drive. Rumours of a shortage began to emerge just days ago, with reports suggesting that Sony had suspended shipment of the diodes to customers making standalone Blu-Ray players - but it would seem that wasn't enough to ensure there would be enough consoles to go round in November.

Sony's plans for a global launch in November were first announced by Ken Kutaragi back in March. The announcement came as a surprise to many industry observers who had predicted a staggered release schedule and a 2007 launch date for Europe - but at E3, SCEA president Kaz Hirai confirmed November release dates for all three territories.

News of the delay will no doubt please executives at Microsoft, which managed to pull off a global launch of the Xbox 360 last year. There were problems with hardware shortages but last month, Microsoft Europe boss Chris Lewis pledged that there will be no shortfall this Christmas - and with only the Nintendo Wii to compete against, MS could be set to clean up.

really did anyone think it was comming out this year in europe?

[Dementia7]

wow..that REALY has to suck for anyone in europe or australia..REALY ..gotta suck. oh well, they can always buy em over seas..can they?

[Uruz 6]

Whetever.

[PSPages]

really did anyone think it was comming out this year in europe?

I have said all along, they will find some way or another to screw us out of the "global release" they originally claimed.

Gamers in Europe always seem to get the short fall of things and get everything last. It is more than a bit annoying that Sony dont see the UK and Europe as an equal market to Japan and the US.

[TCLCloud]

Im suprised its only March, still, im sure they'll be lots more to complain about when it fianlly comes out....

[Kramer]

lol glad im not getting a ps3 anymore this would be piss me off.

[tsurumaru]

Say hello to £1000 PS3's on Ebay this Christmas

[doof69]

i new this would happen...typical sony. This makes me really mad. I think i wont be able to handle the wait and have to go buy a xbox 360 instead

[Dementia7]

1000?? well i guese if u wanted one THAT bad you should go for it. i would.

[Uruz 6]

Guess I have time for a 360 and Wii now