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Namco Bandai: PS3 spring launch "impossible"

Publisher's president echoes analyst chorus, telling Bloomberg News that there's no way Sony's next-gen console will make its current release window.

Even though Sony has admitted that a delay is "possible," the PlayStation 3 still has the same "spring" launch window it got at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2005. However, the current consensus among analysts is that the next-generation console will not make its maker's self-imposed, semi-vague deadline. Last month, a Merrill Lynch report predicted a six- to 12-month delay for the PS3. Just yesterday, a note from Friedman Billings Ramsey said that the system may not come out in the US until 2007.

For their part, Japanese game publishers, which are already spending hundreds of millions of yen on PS3 development, have remained universally mum. However, that wall of silence crumbled this week, thanks to comments from Takeo Takasu, president of the game and toy giant Namco Bandai Holdings.

"Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible," Takasu said in an interview with Bloomberg Japan yesterday. "We are developing titles for PlayStation 3, but the release of the games depends on the timing of the hardware."

Takasu's comments echoes the statements made last month by Enterbrain president Hirokazu Hamamura. Talking with Sankei Web, the man behind Japan's top-selling Famitsu magazine said that it would be difficult for Sony to launch the PS3 in May unless it has already started taking orders for the system.

158 Comments

  • JediJon04

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 6:53 am GMT

    I still say it'll hit Japan in summer and fall/winter in the US. It'll be out in 2006, no worries.

  • mysticcarnege

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 3:14 pm GMT

    ahh that sucks.. i want a PS3 now

  • RellikEknas

    Posted Mar 12, 2006 11:26 am GMT

    I say its gonna come out for the holidays ... 2006

  • kent6650

    Posted Mar 12, 2006 10:02 am GMT

    OMG! They'd better make it the best console among the others if they are going to release it that soon or else the x360 will pwnd them.

    I'm still going for PS3. w00t w00t. The games line up on PS3 are pretty good. Hopefully, the console will live up to what I will be expecting.

  • Rev06

    Posted Mar 11, 2006 6:46 am GMT

    I may not be getting a PS3 until their prices have lowered, but I think that most game system developers should do what Nintendo Always does. They check through their systems as thouroughly as they can, fixing every bug they can find and fix. That was a problem with the XBOX and the 360. Microsoft released their systems too early before checking for the big annoying bugs like freezing, shutting off, all that crap. I haven't yet seen a Nintendo System that has bugs like that. (And I'll be watching more)

    As for Sony, in my own opinion, no offense to Sony fans out there, as I play the PS2 quite a lot, if Sony doesn't do anything big with the PS3, I think they're out of the business.

    It was Microsoft's strategy with this Console war to kick sony out. Sony doesn't have as much money as Nintendo or Microsoft do, so Microsoft figured if they could sell a system well enough that they could force the PS3 to cost 775 dollars just to meet the same amount of money lost per unit as did the 360, they wouldn't get enough buyers of the PS3, Sony would have wasted all the money and time to make it, and go out of the Video Game Industry. But, I really can't say what can happen right now. If they have a full one year delay, it can give sony the time to get their heads in the game and make some critical desicions.

  • daveg1

    Posted Mar 11, 2006 6:21 am GMT

    looks even more susdpect the sprimg launch!

  • Ant_17

    Posted Mar 10, 2006 9:49 am GMT

    i have a good mind to fly over 2 japan 7 tell dat sony guy 2 hurry up

  • hteragareth

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 7:43 pm GMT

    Well it's good that the PS2 has a bit more longevity but... Well thats all thats good about it... I think that now the Ps2 Has definately had enough time as the number one console, its time to bring out the next one and remind gamers what it's like to see a games console that completely blows everything previous away and really does just make you go "Wow..."... and thats just the Sony logo before the game loads, lol.

  • elsnake06

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:40 pm GMT

    Who cares when it will come out!!! All I know is that I'll get one for myself.... That is for sure...

  • WolfSkill5544

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:19 pm GMT

    Let's just wait and see what happends next week with the meeting.

  • murderusone

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 11:23 am GMT

    Are any of you "Phony Gaystation" fanboys actually going to keep waiting that long? Blocky Gaystation2 graphics were old news back when the XBOX came out. Now you're actually going to wait another year!? Quit selling your souls to Sony and make a reasonable decision for once- go ahead and go next-gen, with the XBOX 360. There are like 11 games coming out this month alone. Oblivion, GRAW, Rumble Roses, etc. I have read posts that say next-gen isn't here. I say to you, put down that PS2 controller and test drive Fight Night and GRAW for the 360. Then look me in the eye and tell me next-gen still isn't here. I'll look YOU in the eye and TRUTHFULLY call you a LIAR. Sorry Sony, but you're letting this happen. Maybe your hay-day really is over...

  • automaticsnake

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 10:20 am GMT

    bah what would they know

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 9:33 am GMT

    not to mention most of you will be dead. except for those who wisely chose to cryogenically freeze themselves to be revived in time for the release of the PS3. but many more of you will never be able to afford the procedure. FYI-i slipped the stockboy a $20 and froze myself at the local Walbaum's.

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 9:24 am GMT

    just kidding. I'm from the year 3000. the PS3 is coming out this week but i already have the controllers AND the Blu-Ray remote and you don't-AHAA, ya old millenium losers!

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 9:19 am GMT

    i think i'll jus squirrel away the price of a 360 Premium in the bank & let it accumulate interest until the PS3 comes out-by that time i'll have more than $11k and i can get all the add-ons & accessories, a new TV, a new apartment and a used car.

  • ROCKINGFOOL

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:59 am GMT

    delaying and no change on the price and they want me to wait f!@$ you sony iam buying revulotion and m$ .

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:10 am GMT

    Not too surprised by this.

  • Ladsaber

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 7:51 am GMT

    well at least i got time to gather the money,mean while psp and ps2 for all

  • chainsawzorro

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 7:41 am GMT

    I wonder what else they lied about.

  • SilV3RSix

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 7:03 am GMT


    SolidFear
    "I don't think anyone can read here... It says, "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible," which must mean that when Sony does announce stuff, and allows the developers to reveal their stuff, it will be ready for the Spring launch. Spring hasn't even begun yet, so everyone needs to calm down...This is pathetic."

    Your first mistake was thinking, cause apparently YOU can't read. "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible." No announcements so far.... not next week. Not next month. Hes saying the window of oppurtunity has already passed.

  • ReyWing

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 6:52 am GMT

    Namco's Ridge Racer 6 for 360 kicks ass btw! Must get 100%!

  • SilV3RSix

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 6:49 am GMT

    I love how the Gamespot moderators chastise trolls and flamers while the editors post this crap about the PS3 on the XBox page.

  • Phoenixxx1974

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 5:32 am GMT

    there is NO way they will purposely miss the Holiday launch in the US that would be suicide seeing how NIntendo already stated they have no plans to miss it. It's the one time of year where they are garenteed sell out sales. If they miss the holiday season MS and NIntendo will have garenteed their dominance over the PS3. By then the X360 shortage will be long gone. I read the shortage should be ending next month and they expect to have 10M units before the end of the year.

    all i can say is good luck but i am NOT paying over $400 for it. Especially with no hard drive as stated in playsyation's official website "memory cards and hard drive sold separately."

  • Chebwa

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:59 am GMT

    Hey guess what - the Revolution isn't being released next Friday. It probably won't be out for some time after that, actually.

    If this article is "news," then so is that.

    Hot off the press!

  • him_8913

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:45 am GMT

    Sure, everyone could see this comming, but accepting the fact is a different matter.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:43 am GMT

    haha now that's funny. even the developers are starting to bash sony. even if the ps3 is ready for late 2006, there probably won't be any games for it anyways!!!!!!

  • Mumoto

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:22 am GMT

    Sony isn't admitting because they don't even know when they can release it, if they just said it will be delayed and eventually it wouldn't then that would be stupid.

    They're lying about specs too, I expect PS3 to suck .... same with the other 2 consoles, all bragging that it will be the best and eventually they both sucked.... too bad many people have PS2 since all potentional good RPG games are made on it and PS2 makes it blocky and boring.

    Only the anime cutscenes are good, but if I want anime I download it, I don't buy games for utterly crappy graphics and blocky gameplay.

  • SalenStormwing

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 4:09 am GMT

    Welcome to Freakin' Obvious News, where you too can figure out the bleeding obvious. When the Revolution has more chances now to be the second next-gen console out in the world, that's just really sad.

  • cyprus646

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 3:29 am GMT

    Spring launch HA! dont make me laugh sony.

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 2:34 am GMT

    It's funny how most of you were bashing merrill lynch a month ago for predicting a PS3 delay and they didn't know what they were talking about. Now you want to act like you knew about the delay the whole time..some of you are a joke!

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 12:59 am GMT

    Big breaking story here LOL

  • KiLLer_ba

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 12:43 am GMT

    I hope Sony reveils the year ps3 is coming out at GDC

  • Exige24_basic

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 10:38 pm GMT

    Who cares about when the stupid thing is going to come out? I know I couldn't care less right now. **goes and plays Ghost Recon: AW on his 360**

  • LucaBlight24

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:56 pm GMT

    ps3 in spring of 2007 more likely.

  • OmegaBob

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:30 pm GMT

    Screw the PS3.... I am waiting for the virus that is the PS9! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwt5MKBeKQo&search=playstation%209

  • bigbert

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:27 pm GMT

    WOW!!! Ok everyone go buy a 360!!! Big delay = big problems for Sony..or for you younger gamers time enough to save your lunch money!!

  • DannyBoyVai

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:22 pm GMT

    i think we get the point. fact is. PS3 will be out at some point. i dont see why anything else needs to be said. get it when it comes out or sometime after. until then enjoy what you got. plenty great and stunning games out on current gen platforms.

    and lookin at 360 games... we aint missing much... they dont look much better visually than what we have on current gen.

  • I_Dr_GONZO_I

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:18 pm GMT

    So tell me again why the next generation hasnt begun yet?

  • pearcer

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 9:02 pm GMT

    WTF im so surprised........ not

  • icemancell

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 8:44 pm GMT

    wow something we didnt know *snickers*

  • antwonne

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 7:58 pm GMT

    FO REAL?!
    DUHH

  • Yazu13

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 7:28 pm GMT

    Sony, you have made me a very unhappy gamer.

  • Ohidjwae

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 7:19 pm GMT

    Blu-ray drives are coming out May 23rd, so the PS3 likely won't come out before then. Of course, I doubt ANYONE expects it to be released before November of this year, which seems to be the most likely release time.

  • dukerav

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 6:59 pm GMT

    Let us gaze into the gaming crystal ball. Whats this I see??..... Next week Gamespot will have two to three more similar articles with Sony still not admitting a delay on its part.

  • rwbojorquez

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 6:47 pm GMT

    Maybe Bill is right they will launch Halo3 witht the PS3

  • Lt_Scorpius

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 6:14 pm GMT

    This gives people more time to get whatever they "need" to get one. They are still going to by a PS3, some may now be able to get both. Sony has always been known to be late, but always makes a good impression. I'm not exactly done with my PS2 anyway.

  • jasonharris48

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 5:57 pm GMT

    Okay with me gives more time to save up

  • choas_era

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 5:47 pm GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • kaito2

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 5:21 pm GMT

    I can read just fine, "developing" is in the present progressive tense, meaning that they haven't "developed" games yet. A spring launch looks highly unlikely, given that spring officially starts in two weeks.

  • gamepunk86

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 4:48 pm GMT

    wow it seems everyone is jumping on the bandwagon now "announcing" the ps3 will be delayed. everyone knows it already, theres no need for all these analysts and publishers and whatnot telling us what we already know

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