Kaz Hirai promises us the PS3 isn't in production yet
by Nick Doerr 
{ Aug 21st 2006 at 9:00AM }
Perhaps promise is the wrong word to use, but Kaz wouldn't know anything about that, would he? Seriously though, Kaz Hirai went on record with gamespot to talk about the previous analyst report of Sony topping the charts in 2011. He said the Yankee Group looked at all the information available to them and said that, naturally, "I obviously think that they did a great job on this report." Of course, of course. But what about the title of this article?Kaz: "we're internally really getting geared up to go to market with this beautiful console in three months' time, and at this point in time all signs are good to go." This is good, this is good. What about shortages? Kaz responds thus: "unfortunately, I think it's going to be very much of a challenge to be able to meet every single unit demand that's out there in the market." Basically, yeah, there probably will be. If not in the US, Japan will have some. If neither, then Europe. Someone will.
But, really, Mr. Hirai, are the PS3's being manufactured? "We haven't started manufacturing yet. Some of our ops guys were actually just in China, and also in Japan just reviewing the [production] lines and everything else. But they are, again, preparing as we speak to get the manufacturing going." Isn't that dangerous, though? It's only three months away... maybe not. Whatever. Also, the online service will be up and running upon PS3 launch.
There's so much information in this article! Read it! Comment here on it, because there's too much to fit under one subject heading. It's very excellent reading and we can probably find a lot more to discuss.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mutsch @ Aug 21st 2006 12:50PM
Even though Kaz was not very specific about this, but there is a slight difference between production and assembly. And I guess he is referring to the assembly. While production lines at IBM and other major suppliers are already on the way to produce parts of the PS3 (Cell, RSX, BD drives, printed curcuit boards, etc.) the actual assembly of those parts hasn't obviously be started.
As the Cell, RSX chip and the BD drive are the most critical parts here, I am not really concerned about the assembly. This is more or less standard and shouldn't be an issue for Sony.
Cage @ Aug 21st 2006 2:14PM
"But", "If", "Could", "Guess". PS3 fanboys...these are not words that should be coming out when the console is 3 and a half months from release.
Roofus @ Aug 21st 2006 3:37PM
How quickly you forget that the 360 price point wasn't even released until August of 2005, much less finer details of the system.
In addition to the fact that there is an HD-DVD drive headed for release in 3 months time that does not have a firm street price on it either.
Non of Sony's actions are any different from Microsofts'. Just chill out. Both are good systems.
sputnik @ Aug 21st 2006 4:31PM
"Both are good systems"...yet to be determined if the PS3 will hold it's own as a good system don't you think?
Ritchie Nolasco @ Aug 21st 2006 8:12PM
With those comments, expect to see a huge shortage come November and December throughout Europe, Japan and America. Chances are, Sony won't be able to manufacture and ship the 2 million units for launch and 2 million units for the end of the year.
History is repeating itself. Back in 2000, Sony promised to deliver 1 million units for the American launch alone and only delivered 510,000.
Considering all the blunders Microsoft went through with their Xbox 360, people thought Sony would learn from their hassles and do a better job. Sony announced last March that a delay was unavoidable, and last May they finally announced the launch and price details.
And today, not a single PS3 unit has been made and there are less than 3 months remaining.
Perhaps Sony should consider doing a March 2007 launch.
Andrea @ Aug 22nd 2006 7:53AM
Sure Microsoft had shortages at launch with the 360. The major difference here is that back then there were no other next-gen consoles available, so it just added to the buzz surrounding the product itself. For Sony it's a totally different situation, having the 360 out and pumping out new games at a steady rate, not to mention the Wii launching at about the same time stealing much of the excitment away from the ps3 among the general public ready to make their purchases during the holiday season. Having supply problems now means loosing customers to other consoles, it's just as simple as that. I think the ps3 will eventually establisch itself as a great console, just like the 360 and probably the Wii, I just think Sony could have avoided a lot of problems by making different choices concerning the technologies included, like the Cell processor and the Blu-Ray drive.
ZENegade @ Aug 22nd 2006 10:21AM
Um... Ok peoples. Don't get your panties/man thongs all up in a bunch. Remember the 200,000 units that were leaked to have been made already? Back in the end of June/early July? I have faith in my company!
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2006/07/21/taiwanese-ps3-producer-shakes-fist-at-media/
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/ps3-begins-production-in-taiwan/
Yea. The whole "Sony won't have enough units" ploy could just be a marketing ploy by the company itself. Sony might be saying these things to get people nervous, and then come through at the end and win over the hearts of consumers everywhere.
They've won over mine.
PSWiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Mutsch @ Aug 22nd 2006 11:41AM
Just as an update, but Sony commented Kaz's statements as being missunderstood by gamespot.com. Sony is still shooting for the initially announced 4 million til the end of 2006.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153007
Ritchie Nolasco @ Aug 22nd 2006 8:26PM
It all makes sense now. Hirai's interview and the corporate response that followed were all part of Sony's marketing ploy just to boost awareness of the PS3.
Come to think of it, there were not too many good news about PS3 for the past few weeks. People were paying attention to speculation surrounding Nintendo Wii's anticipated launch price and date, while Microsoft was making lots of buzz with Gears of War's November launch, Dead Rising making big sales, the Xbox 360 camera, etc.
Even if there would be more than enough PS3s this year, I'm still not buying Sony's console. PS3 games are pretty underwhelming in my view and I am not convinced to buy Blu-ray (or HD DVD) anytime soon.
If PS3 is priced at $199 and has great games with it, only then I'll consider it. But such a scenario may happen 3-4 years from now.