James Delahunty
9 Dec 2005 7:53
Sony Corp. said on Thursday that despite rumors and speculation, it remained on track to release the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Spring 2006. The launch of the PS3 is being eagerly awaited by many, as Microsoft has already started to eat more into the $25 billion market with the release of the Xbox 360. Also, Hollywood studios backing Blu-ray await the launch of the console to boost the Blu-Ray format.
Larry Probst, chief executive of the No. 1 video game publisher Electronic Arts, said last week that he believed Sony's console would not be available until fall 2006. However a Sony spokesman said it was still targeting a Spring 2006 launch. The PS3 will provide a huge push for the Blu-ray Disc format also, which is battling with Toshiba's HD-DVD format to become the next generation DVD standard.
Hollywood is hoping that releasing movies on BD discs in high definition will send consumers back out to buy new players and their favorite movies on the new format. The PS3's launch will effectively put a Blu-ray player in many homes very fast. Blu-ray is still also set for a Spring 2006 launch (along with HD-DVD).
Of course a delay in the PS3 launch would be a fantastic thing for the HD-DVD group, which actually continues to believe that the Blu-ray technology won't be available on time. "It's not going to be much of a battle until both sides are actually on the field and we have a sneaking suspicion that that won't be for quite a while." said Mark Knox, a spokesman for the HD-DVD camp.
Source:
News.com