Analysts Lowering Sony PS3 Estimates
On the basis of last week's stunning announcement from Sony that it will delay the launch of its PlayStation 3 game console in Europe from November to May, and trim the expected availability in North America and Japan come November to a mere 500,000 units, two leading market analysts told BetaNews they will soon be issuing revised downward estimates for overall sales of the PS3.
In-Stat senior analyst for converging markets and technologies, Brian O'Rourke, and iSuppli senior analyst for consumer electronics, Chris Crotty, both told BetaNews they are lowering estimates. O'Rourke cited the high price of the Sony console, in addition to the Europe launch delay.
Crotty went further, saying he is cutting his forecast for the entire game console industry clear into 2009, although he remains optimistic for the PS3's long-term outlook.
According to Sony, 400,000 PS3 units will be available in North America on November 17, with only 100,000 units available in Japan on November 11. However, the company still hopes to sell two million units by the end of the year.
Sony Computer Entertainment President Ken Kutaragi last week apologized to investors and consumers, admitting that Sony's strength in hardware was in decline.
Other analysts are currently anticipating competitor Microsoft to unveil its HD DVD player attachment for Xbox 360 in November, which would put that console on a par with the Blu-ray-endowed PS3, while at the same time adding emphasis to the PS3's lack of immediate availability.