Kutaragi - Sony’s strength in hardware is declining

PS3 News | Also: 80% of PS3 consoles will be high-end model.

It's fair to say that it's not been the most glorious week or two for poor old Sony. Much of that can be put down to the company's own actions of course, but at least SCEI president Ken Kutaragi - a man not usually associated with outward displays of humility - has been good enough to admit that things could have gone more smoothly for the company recently.

“If you asked me if Sony’s strength in hardware was in decline, right now I guess I would have to say that might be true,” said Kutaragi when asked about the recent delay of the PlayStation 3 launch in Europe and Australia. Some commendable honesty there, Ken, and certainly refreshing considering how often Sony has been accused of arrogance and complacency in the past few months.

In other PS3-related news, Sony has informed Next-Gen that "roughly 80%" of the PS3 units it will be shipping to stores for the US and Japan November launches will be the premium 60GB HDD-equipped models - the remaining 20% will be of the core 20GB variety. Whether that sticks for PAL regions we're yet to find out, though we can't imagine such a strategy would be greatly altered for us Aussies and Europeans next March. More as we get it.

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9 Comments

Echo

5 years ago

Hmm. Im thinking thats a bad thing, because even though the bigger one is better, obviosly, i think alot of people will want a smaller maybe cheaper one..

Mr Blimson

5 years ago

I did wonder how they would organise the split of 20 and 60 gig models. Though i believe they made the right decision. I know id be pissed if the 60 gig had sold out and only the 20 was left. Plus for only $150 less the 20 gig version is a highly unattractive option and would be less popular. But its just one of those things, you cant please every one!

p.s. Nice to see some good honesty from Kenny boy (ive always thought he was a top bloke!) Sony have a real battle this generation!

Jim Dash

5 years ago

I never saw any 360 core models for sale anywhere at launch. In fact, I'm yet to see one yet. Not that I've looked hard.

I wonder if many will buy the core PS3?

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Probably a lot more. $1000 for HDMI which will out of date pretty quickly unless they keep releasing firmware updates, a Card-Reader and a bigger hard-drive isn't really needed. There could be other things, but I can't be bothered looking up something I won't be buying

Mr Blimson

5 years ago

Dont foget the nice silver trim! That sold the 60 gig model to me!

Nev

5 years ago

Considering there were cases of people buying Xbox 360's for over TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS on eBay when it was in short supply, I think it's safe to say the PS3 will have few problems selling out at launch.

It's the year or two (or three) after that, which will be deciding.

Anyone who's hoping for a quick catfight in the next-gen console wars is in for a disappointment. This is going to be long, painful and drawn-out.

Kinda like Rove.

Infested Jibbs

5 years ago

Nev wrote

Anyone who's hoping for a quick catfight in the next-gen console wars is in for a disappointment. This is going to be long, painful and drawn-out.

Kinda like Rove.

HAHA

Ah, favourites-->ADD-->potm nominees-->OK

Jim Dash

5 years ago

Nice code, Jibbs.

Are you serious, 360s selling for Ten grand after the launch shortages? You'd be spewing, especially if you got the red rings of death!!

It always goes back to the console wars, but I don't think any of the next-gen consoles will be a failure. I can see them all being successful in their own right.

Even if PS3 didn't sell well outside Japan, the japanese market alone, with them shunning the 360 and all, would support it faithfully.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Jim Dash wrote

It always goes back to the console wars, but I don't think any of the next-gen consoles will be a failure. I can see them all being successful in their own right.

Even if PS3 didn't sell well outside Japan, the japanese market alone, with them shunning the 360 and all, would support it faithfully.

Sony needs the PS3 to be successful to a degree everywhere and/or Blu-Ray to win the format wars if they want to continue with their finger in all the pies they currently are. R&D costs are too high now days for them to be in everything they are now and continue to be a top notch brand.

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