Hirai Expects One Million PS3s By End of Year

Despite lower-than-expected launch numbers for Sony's next console, in an interview with Next Generation Kaz Hirai says he still expects a million units to be available by the end of the year. He goes on to discuss other elements of the launch, and Sony's expectations for this momentous event. From the article: "For launch day there is going to be a bit less than 20. For the launch window there is going to be a bit more. We are looking at the portfolio of the third party publishers for the launch day, and we are asking them which titles are going to be available for the second week, which ones are going to be available for the third week, and which titles are going to be for the end of the year. Basically we are managing the portfolio of the software titles everybody has, once this process is done we are deciding which titles are going where, and then we are going to have the final list of the launch titles for the US launch."

Comments

Summary?

[Ignignot]

The summary says there will be a bit less than 20, in the context of the number of playstation 3's sold. What it really means is that there will be about 20 games available. Thanks for not making that clear at all.

Re:Summary?

[UbuntuDupe]

I think the "posted by Zonk" bit sufficed as a warning to be careful when reading the summary.

Re:Summary?

[Quila]

What it really means is that there will be about 20 games available.

That's even worse. I can just see the 200,000 initial PS3 owners fighting over the 20 games available, with 199,980 owners looking at the pretty brick in their livingrooms until more are produced. :)

A bit less than 20

[torqer]

So what, 18 consoles will be ready? I guess they will satisfy the demand... or at least that of the people that can afford one.

heh

Big deal

[voice_of_all_reason]

You know half of them will be Madden games or Lee Caravillo's Putting Challenge.

Why save them until week 2?

[MintMMs]

I don't understand what benefit is gained by releasing a game the week after launch day. At that point, is that one week really going to make a difference in game quality? And if it would, why not then wait a month and get the game perfect?

Re:Why save them until week 2?

[WillAffleckUW]

Two reasons:

1. It makes the game release more of a media event since it's not one of the herd on release day. This also makes sure it's not drowned by release day coverage which usually won't bother to list launch titles in most media.

2. When you go back to the store to get your extra controller and other parts you suddenly needed - or show up hoping they have a new console that wasn't artificially held back to create demand - you'll see a New Game on the shelves and pay more attention to it.

End of the Year?

[Telvin_3d]

One million units by the end of the year? I can't help but compare that to the reports that Nintendo expects over a million Wiis to be available on launch day alone and at least four million by the end of the year. Sony's numbers are underwhelming me.

Notably absent from his claims:

[Ant P.]

The word "sold".

Pre Launch Bluff or Steady Reserves

[TheMadTech]

Hopefully Sony will have the goods come the 3rd and 4th week of november. While a launch day sellout would impact price and scarcity greatly, it is up to Sony to deliver on their promise. Neither the PS2 or the Xbox 360 came through on their "promise" for prompt replenishments of supply. If Sony could pull it off it would make many a merry christmas. While I still have hope, I'm not that confident, those unforseen externalities always bite you in the ass at the last minute.

Re:And HOW many Wiis?

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/05/wii-production-e xceeding-expectations/
Roughly 6million by year end, 2 million above original expected output.
I refer you to: http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=212 for the logic of the it all

Nis

How to sell out of consoles.

[Dorceon]

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=212