Ken Kutaragi, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony's video games division, speaks during the "PlayStation Business Briefing 2006" in Tokyo Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Sony will put off the release of its much awaited PlayStation 3 console until November from its planned spring debut because of delays in finalizing its next-generation optical disc technology.
I think this delay will hurt Sony's profits on the new console.
In my opinion, they'll lose profit because of a decreased interest with the average consumer as compared to the "hardcore" gamer. The "hardcore" gamer would have more patience and willpower to wait the additional six months. Gaming is their hobby and they're willing to put the extra resources, time and money, into it. Not only is the PS3 being released a year after the Xbox 360's debut, but it will also cost more.
On the contrary, the average consumer probably wants the item now and wants it cheap. I would assume that Sony's main customer base would be the average consumer, who has less patience. Therefore, it's my belief this delay will hurt their profits. The average consumer will probably buy the 360 because of this delay, if they haven't already. Plus, Xbox has a large fan base from their online play with Xbox Live. Most hardcore gamers I've talked to dislike the Xbox Live play because it's too full of average consumers, which include rude, loudmouth pubescent children.
Read more about the anticipated release of the PlayStation 3 here.
