New PS3 info revealed? (Online and release date for Japan/US?)

I just woke up and saw this; I haven't been able to confirm it or even really read it, but it looks legit:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2270&Itemid=2

 

Eh, one of the "insiders" at GAF is saying that this is just "rumor mongering." Sounds pretty legit to me, but I guess we'll find out more in the "next few weeks" if this article is 100% true. Apparently, Paramount had recently said a September release for the PS3 as well, although I don't think they mentioned the JP release. Some people are saying that the writer of the article (or even the developers) are getting facts mixed up, at least on the release dates (US date sounds legit, but JP release earlier?)

More waiting I guess.

 

Yeah, and some people are already either pissed at Sony for doing that (or possibly doing that I should say), and pissed that MS "started it." As long as the service is good (ala XBL), and the fees aren't too bad (ala XBL), I don't mind a monthly charge, especially if there's also a "free service" (again, ala XBL). I guess we'll find out more in the "next few weeks."

I just realized that developers would have more than 9 months with final devkits I guess if the JP/NA September release is accurate, compared to say 2-3 months for the 360 IIRC (and the PS3 earlier kits were said to be much further along than the 360 devkits). From that perspective, I guess that one poster at GAF might have a point regarding a September JP/US release being untrue. I would think that, if possible, Sony would try to stick to a June release in Japan just so they don't get any flak for the "Spring 2006" stuff; they could probably have terrible supply, limited (and crappy) software, and a high price tag, but still do fine in Japan (although I'm not saying all that would happen if they launched in June). And then they could work on meeting demand there and follow up with a September launch in the US.

Still, I think I'm going to lean towards that part being true until someone from Sony (Kutaragi, Harrison, Hirai, etc.) either confirm or deny it outright.

 

BTW, Sony had some sort of online meeting in Korea for smaller developers, which I believe was about helping these developers create MMO games for the PS3. Not sure if the following is just specifically about that or if some of the slides have info about the PS3 as well:
http://videogamerx.gamedonga.co.kr/bbs/view.php?id=vx01&no=11377
I wouldn't think it would (probably just info specifically about the support Sony will provide Korean developers), but some of the slides look interesting IMO. However, since I don't know Korean, I have no idea what they say.

Also, not sure if I mentioned it before, but the PS3 will be at TGS this week...that's the Taipei Game Show. Supposedly, Sony has a large section reserved, although I think it was reported that they were just setting up the PS3 theatre at the show, similar to the other TGS and I think CES. So probably nothing new there, although I'll keep my eye on it.

 

Gamespot has an article about this:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=24324060

 

I've been making too many threads lately, so I'll just bump this one for the following info:
http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060216PR206.html

Forget preorders and using eBay, your local EB Games store will have 1000+ PS3s in-stock on day one.

Obviously, the 100M was a misprint, mistranslation, or some other type of error. I'm guessing it should have been either 1M or 10M; since 1M is pretty bad for global shipments and it doesn't quite jive well with "strong shipments," 10M might be more likely. In that case, that doesn't seem too bad, although it depends on when and where the PS3 launches during the year. Of course, it seems like 10M is always an expected figure to meet in about a year (think MS had similar expectations IIRC). I'm also assuming that only the shipment number was incorrectly reported; if they meant maybe only in Asia, then something like 1M (AKA 100 ten thousand) wouldn't be far-fetched at all for that region (maybe even a bit much?). If nothing else, that was a good laugh.

The other part about Sony working with MS sounds interesting, although this article already seems like a joke at that point. Also, while I guess Mr. Yasuda could be trusted, for some reason, I'd put more importance in that statement if someone like Ken Kutaragi, Kaz Hirai, or Phil Harrison mentioned that. Maybe even someone from MS for that matter.

BTW, here's the latest update about RSX:

Also, apparently the April issue of OPM will see a "big leap" in PS3 coverage.