Pioneer: 4-7 million PS3s to ship in 2006

Senior vice president of Blu-ray drive manufacturer expects huge numbers of PlayStation 3s to drive disc format's success.

Following Sony's unsurprising PlayStation 3 keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show, some pundits prophesized that the console would undergo supply shortages similar to those Xbox 360 suffered last year. Just yesterday, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities gave a sunnier estimate, predicting 1 million PS3s would be available for a November launch. By contrast, Microsoft only moved around 326,000 the week after the Xbox 360 went on sale November 22.

However, Wilson's optimism looks like the Grim Reaper in comparison to Pioneer executive vice president Andy Parson's belief. Speaking with Web site The Digital Bits, Parsons talked about the Blu-ray disc format (Pioneer announced several Blu-ray-compatible players at CES) and how the Blu-ray-compatible PlayStation 3 would shape the success of the format.

"The PS3 is launching right at the forefront of Blu-ray disc," Parsons said. "If Sony ships the kind of numbers we expect them to this year, that will provide a very rapid growth of players out there hungry for titles. We've been hearing between 4 and 7 million [PS3s] could ship."

When its Xbox 360 console launched late last year, Microsoft experienced rampant shortages in the US and Europe. However, it was largely due to supply constraints on some of the system's internal parts. The company originally targeted 3 million units to be out the door in the console's first 90 days on the market, but adjusted its figures to 4.5 million to 5.5 million consoles shipped by June 2006.

Despite Sony's previous announcement of a spring 2006 launch for the PS3, a consensus of industry analysts believes that the PS3 won't ship until later this year in North America, with a possible midyear launch in Japan.

If Sony shipped between 4 million and 7 million units in less than six months (with the likely scenario of several months in Japan only), the company would outpace Microsoft's lofty goals. To do that, Sony would need a near-perfect production process unmarred by supply shortages and hardware issues.

But unless the console has a $699 price tag, there won't be any problem with demand. When Sony launched its PlayStation 2 in 2000 in Japan, it sold 980,000 units in its first weekend. In its first day in US retail, Sony moved 510,000 PS2s. To date, the PS2 has sold more than 100 million units.

Sony had not responded to inquiries from GameSpot as of press time.

220 Comments

  • VaryagPT

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 5:55 am PT

    wow menmau assim é k gosto ah xbox nada de live me portugal nem nada nem agora na xbox360 e ainda apoias a M$ k so faz é merda deves de andar cego e o teu comentario la em cima é mesmo estupido pa ve lá se cresces se tens algo a dizer aos outros diz em ingles e nao me venhas com cobardiçes. portanto ve la se cresces

  • menmau

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 7:14 am PT

    Gosto bue de voces:
    http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/kenkutaragi

  • whitey3221

    Posted Feb 2, 2006 10:57 pm PT

    snowbrdr may be right that some parents will pay whatever. By that I mean rich parents will do that. Also besides that some people that would want them do not live with their parents. A 700 dollar price tag though would discourage other kids that would like to buy it independant of their parents. It will be tough for the PS3 to sell many units with this guys projected price tag. I mean what kid is just sitting around with 700 for just the system, compare that to the 360 where you can get the system, three games and have the maximum number of controllers for under 700. with the 7 players available for PS3 I wouldn't be surprised to see a group of kids join together to pay for the system and then they each buy their own controllers, thus dropping sales.

  • snowbrdr1119

    Posted Feb 2, 2006 8:49 pm PT

    I don't know why everyone keeps tossing out price, people/parents will pay whatever it costs to buy one for their kids, just look at the 360 and eBay, which makes me sick by the way. So hopefully their numbers will be correct, and if they have to delay it a few months to get production going, then that's a good idea

  • rayeth_04

    Posted Feb 2, 2006 8:32 pm PT

    well well well it would really be nice if they could launch 4-7 mil consoles. maybe i dont have to wait long for me to own one. anyway i still think even it may cost $600 many avid ps gamers will buy one. lets face it nobody wants to be left behind the nextgen era.

  • G-Corleone

    Posted Feb 2, 2006 6:01 pm PT

    Sony is not that stupid, the ps3 will not sell for more than US$500, and even if it is slightly more expensive (like say US$600) they'll cut back the prices eventually after the release to sell stuff. Once a guy bought it, he doesn't really have a choice than to buy ps3 games. Remember that all consoles cost their makers a bunch of money to sell (Blu ray players are estimated to cost US$1800(!)) they can take the hit, and so can Microsoft. Hell, Microsoft could take hits for three more console generations.

  • rl_41

    Posted Feb 2, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    really doubt it... unless theyve already got a few million. but i do not expect the same type of disappointment that microsoft gave, sony will be able to satisfy all customers quickly.

  • Xspearo

    Posted Feb 1, 2006 10:33 am PT

    Only thing i want to know is when and where

  • acesion

    Posted Feb 1, 2006 1:15 am PT

    I read that while sony may have shiped 100 million that 4 million were replacements and 23 were from people who bought a replacement or bought a slim line to replace thier ps 2

  • Mystis_sr

    Posted Jan 31, 2006 7:33 pm PT

    if the price will be 600$ and above(especially 700 as they say) + time delay in launching... ps3 => ps(kiss my a**) surely will not sell even half she says.

  • ops412

    Posted Jan 31, 2006 4:01 pm PT

    Didnt they say there were going to be enough 360's. My opinion is that if sony gets 4-7 million they will definatly be out to an early lead in the console wars, regardless of halo 3

  • soppderock

    Posted Jan 31, 2006 3:47 pm PT

    It's a funny thing to know people are willing to shed out abudance of money for a single gaming system like the Ps3. I'll go for Revo
    Sony is most likely to pin a high price tag to reduce losses. Blue-ray and all techno stuff for the Ps3 are still brand new, and under "developement", I guess, so a shipment of 4-7mill consoles in months (or even a year along!) after realse of the Ps3 is most unlikely.
    Another problem is the game developemt...
    Sony will either make big money with the Ps3, or loose fortunes upon fortunes due to expensiveness on games, console and etc.
    Despite the fact that the Ps3 is the big Console, with the (probably) best technical aspects, it's likely going to be the one console, with most issues,
    at least what I think.
    I fairly doubt in Sony's potential right now, but who knows? Sony wouldn't make the mistake to spend millions in developing a console with budges!

  • stealthfrenchi

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    i just hope the ps 3 is like a $1,000,000 cuz then no one will want to buy it.

  • k90dah

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 4:46 pm PT

    i hope ts cheap lol

  • wc_hunter

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 3:26 pm PT

    Selling 100,000,000 ps2' s doesn't mean that 100,000,000 people own one. Just means that worldwide, stores have ordered 100,000,000 to have for sale. I've never been to a store that was out of stock. A matter of semantics.

  • waraga

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 4:30 am PT

    well ps3 will be a tough guy to the 360 it will be like RAW vs SMACKDOWN

  • Nab33l

    Posted Jan 29, 2006 8:54 am PT

    SONY U ROCK THE WORLD AND MICROSOFT U R DEAD IN THE WORLD

  • NeonLizard

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 10:16 pm PT

    $699?? If they sell this for $699 they will still be losing money!! I think that's awesome!! Why? Because we the consumer is getting the top o the line technology for cheap!!!! Now what of this blu-ray?? Will it catch on? We shall see!!! Here's hoping it's gonna be soon!

  • Cheezuz_Feezuz

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    Man--nothing sucks more than not having sure plans or a release date, so unpredictable...every time I hear it, it pains me------they better be sure---we haven't even seen much on this PS3 thing.
    I don't know---I too kinda have doubts, but u don't know----I still can't believe Xbox beat it by a year---screw 'em---Sonyz gonna kick major a*s, u just watch...

  • rocker99

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 1:22 pm PT

    I seriously doubt it will sell 4-7 million units at $700

  • mistertemper818

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 10:46 am PT

    i wanted smackdown vs raw or any new wwe game to come out on the ps3 when it launces.

  • OO7OO7

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 9:49 pm PT

    I heard that the PS3 is going to coast $300 to $500-$600

  • trickazzmark

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 6:27 pm PT

    damn the ps3 is gonna cost a lot of green man, y'all better start saving

  • macirex

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 7:05 pm PT

    i kinda like to laugh seeing how these so called new generation talk... is idiotic to speak about something that have not been confirmed from sony the company behind the playstation, so why worrying about some speculation when you don´t even know what is sony doing, maybe they are already shipping
    the console (with some pray i guess) and even if they weren´t we coud wait till the so called "4 to 7 millions units" arrive, come on guys the current generation have still not ended and there are still many good games to come.. the hyping is justified but we just need to wait till we can get one, and about that patriotism
    stuff, we know japanese (like sony) )are good on making new kinds of things and that they are invading every market in the world but that´s also truth for americas companies, just see microsoft they are the richest and the most popular world software seller.. and not just them, Ibm, compaq, ford... etc..
    i guess i got stray from the topic.. hehehe...

  • ryokinshin

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 5:24 pm PT

    people, if u want to get it, go to a local ebgames or gamestop and pre order, u can aviod those pricy online bundles and u dont have to line up

  • Blacksheepsquad

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 5:01 pm PT

    PS3 to ship 10 million Units ....

  • superamind

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    I don't care about the units! I'll reserve it and wait for it!

  • menmau

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 8:02 am PT

    Vao sa foder mais o caralho da Problemstation 2 / 3, e vao pó caralho...

  • overkill2001

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 6:42 am PT

    man if its that pricy i beter save up. finally a new playstation.

  • yanks43215

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 9:08 pm PT

    that is good to know

  • vleboy26

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:28 pm PT

    $699 I'll wait about 3 years and keep my 360

  • ogsmog

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 5:30 pm PT

    It better be good real good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • k90dah

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 3:29 pm PT

    i hope is worth the money yo

  • ACNexusDevil

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 3:05 pm PT

    I'm an all around player but I support PS3 the most and yet I don't go around hating on xbox or gamecube.

    Those are good numbers there though I hope it's true. Can't wait to hear the actual price and date though cause some people might want to save up before that so they would kno if they can save enough money up to get a PS3 in time or not. I'm gonna reserve mines so I don't have to wait outside a store all night. It'd be the best thing for me to do or anyone else...their choice.

    HooRay for Sony...Gotta love them and their games.

  • Tfk-Centurion

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 2:45 pm PT

    Sony owns the market omg..

  • rpgfreak15

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    What in the holy jesus. 4-7 Million? Very kewl .

    Oh and. Sony > Microsoft

  • GUNIT87

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    Its alot of sony haters out here man. 4-7 mill thats a good amout so every one can get one thats whats up. Sony need to keep doing what they do and yall need to stop hating

  • xboxruler007

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 11:39 am PT

    "well, just a sidenote before any Sony haters decide to run rampant with this, Sony didn't say any of the above. Pioneer and a 3rd party analyst said it." -Noxian

    Yea, I wonder why....

  • MaSt3RT57

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 10:03 am PT

    Well i for one know that the xbox360 is better than the ps3, in terms of shear power. I still prefer the ps3 over the 360, because of features other than the unique graphics card offered by the 360 and bandwidth, etc. For one the ps3 has titles that the 360 may never have. I'm i saying i would never get a xbox 360, no, i'm just waiting for the price to reduce even more and waiting til there isn't a need to get a freaken bundle just to get the system. I'm actually getting all 3 systems, because they're all unique in there own ways.

  • MaSt3RT57

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 9:57 am PT

    I just hope that the ps3 sells aren't low for a while. If this is the case, you could possibly see a high number of high quality developers switching the the x360.

  • Pwnocchio

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 9:30 am PT

    I agree with Myro and SQF- it's what I said earlier. A lot of people are like "this system has better graphics than this system" or "this system's specs are going to be better"... Hello? Have any of you seen what happened in THIS current console generation. Let me break it down: Hardware wise, the systems rank as follows on paper: 1) Xbox, 2) Gamecube, 3) PS2... Now, the Gamecube is supposed to be much inferior to the Big Box, but Resident Evil 4 is one of the most gorgeous games I've ever seen. Likewise, neither system has come out with a game that looks as good (in a different way) as Shadow of the Colossus, and I still have yet to see a game with the realism of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory from the XBox. Hardware means nothing when you give talented developers the reigns. The 360 has 3 dual-core processors in it- but I've yet to see anything that shows me that, simply because I don't think the right developers have had a chance to show their talent as of yet, save for CoD: 2... Anywho, the point is that ALL systems will have their great games- arguing about it is pointless. I own all 3 systems, and I've never been happier, because each one has its own system seller. Quit griping and arguing and hating- if you're a real gamer, you're smart enough to know that all systems will have their pluses.

  • brotherscampos

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 8:35 am PT

    I need to save a lot of money if I want have my Ps3 on the Preorder

  • bodah

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 7:50 am PT

    LoL.

    boo_dat, you are so full of the runny brown stuff. Everyone knows 360s are sold out in all of North America and Europe.

  • roleplayer2004

    Posted Jan 23, 2006 5:59 am PT

    7 Million..... That's a bit ambitious.

  • AFAgent47

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 7:54 pm PT

    I agree with noxian, sony haters need to find a new board

  • boo_dat

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 6:17 pm PT

    lol...either way, I'm going to wait a LONG time for the PS3 to drop in price before I buy one...Also, I live in Canada and the EB at my nearest shopping mall has 5-6 360's not sold yet...I know a guy who works at that very store and he said I could probably get a $50 discount. However, I would NEVER buy a 360!!!

  • rexoverbey

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 5:09 pm PT

    Won't happen maybe if they had a whole year

  • mistertemper818

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    my A**

  • Amidamaru3

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 2:32 pm PT

    Even if they mannage to produce them by Spring, the sole idea of a price tag that high will scare away most buyers....

  • darksolgasp

    Posted Jan 22, 2006 2:29 pm PT

    i agree with you SQFraizer. they are having a ps3 over 360 battle. who cares which one is better. just buy the one(s) u like and shut your mouth. some gamers relly don't want to listen to you. As for me, I'm still deciding which one to buy: a ps3 or a rev. Still don't know. Hope nintendo gives some specs about their system.

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