AfterDawn: News

PS3 sees 'overwhelming demand' in Europe

Getting ready for the launch of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Europe, retailers are reporting overwhelming demand and huge numbers of pre-orders in comparison to other consoles. Play.com is taking six times more pre-orders for the PS3 than for the Xbox 360, and 15 times more than Nintendo's Wii console. Play is offering a PS3 bundle including MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man and Genji for £524.99.

Play is also working to avoid disappointing customers on launch day. The company ran pre-orders for the Xbox 360 and Wii, but due to stock shortages, many customers didn't receive a console on launch day as promised. "We underestimated the demand and we were very disappointed that we could not fulfil all pre-orders due to stock shortages," said head of games Gian Luzio.



"We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that customers will only be able to pre-order the system up until Play's allocation has been reached." he continued. "We will always want more consoles to satisfy customer demand, however, we are satisfied that Sony are doing all they can to fulfil demand,"

A spokesperson for Sony also told GamesIndustry.biz that several other retailers including Woolworths and Amazon, have reported similar demand for the console. "With an unprecedented day one shipment of 1 million machines into Europe and a software catalogue of over 30 titles available at launch, retailer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive." the spokesperson said.

Source:
GamesIndustry.biz

Written by: James Delahunty @ 15 Feb 2007 14:24

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• 32 comments

• sukhvail

  lol finally some good news for the ps3. hopefully the europe release will get the ps3 sales numbers going up again

  15.2.2007 14:33 #1

• escalante

  Aha! i see no one has been able to hate on Sony for this news! Finally something positive that no one can complain and whine about. I bet someone is still gonna hate though and bring up BD against HD-DVD. (If no one does that means my comment worked!)

  15.2.2007 15:00 #2

• hughjars

  Well what else are they going to say?
  
  Talk down a launch before it happens?!
  
  Wake up.
  
  Quote:Play is offering a PS3 bundle including MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man and Genji for £524.99. - Well we'll soon see.
  Like I said my money is on yet another short fanboy rush and then stalled sales.
  
  So when does the price cutting start here then, huh?
  
  Is that supposed to be "hate"?

  15.2.2007 15:29 #3

• chubbyInc

  Quote: Getting ready for the launch of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Europe, retailers are reporting overwhelming demand and huge numbers of pre-orders in comparison to other consoles. Play.com is taking six times more pre-orders for the PS3 than for the Xbox 360, and 15 times more than Nintendo's Wii console.
  
  Well I should hope so, the Xbox 360 is widely available why would anyone want to pre-order it. Not sure of the Wii's availability, but I'm sure all or at least most of the people who wanted one got one.
  So I guess if people don't read that correctly it would seem as though the PS3 is Overwhelmingly in Demand.
  MotorStorm is a disappointing game, sure doesn't put the "amazing" graphics to good use. It's like an off road Twisted Metal mixed with Burnout Revenge minus quality. Haven't played Resistance yet, but screen shots look a little foggy.
  
  Enjoy the Bundle!

  15.2.2007 17:48 #4

• nes8bit

  How many did sony order?
  
  Look in the U.S. sony sold well for like a week. After that (right before x mas) If you looked you could have grabed one easy. In fact stores were asked to put up signs letting people know that they were in stock. Just like in the U.S. they will say there bringing 1 million units and sell about 2 hundred thousand to make it look like it's i demand.
  As for the BR player. It might do well at first but it will loose to the fact that porn sales are 1/3 of all dvd vhs sales. Thats a large chunk. That BR will never see, And not every one owns a HD t.v. it will be a slow race. Plus your stupid if you use your game system as your dvd player.

  15.2.2007 22:14 #5

• cascadeuk

  We've always been a gullible bunch of mugs in this country, and come on. there's only 220,000 available its obvious there will be demand. strht off the back of the previous consoles

  16.2.2007 02:23 #6

• sukhvail

  @chubbyInc- motorstorm is an amazing game; sorry you feel that way. i cant wait until it comes out in NA like most other ps3 owners

  16.2.2007 02:23 #7

• Dela

  Play.com is comparing its pre-order figures to those when the Xbox 360 and Wii were approaching launch, not pre-orders "today"

  16.2.2007 03:37 #8

• ZippyDSM

  lets see....sue and bomb any importer that is not bond by a blood pact to SOny,sale it as a high price....and if they are selling units only the rich,home theater nuts and Sony fan boys will be lapping it up I have a feeling after the must get rush sales will stagger.....

  16.2.2007 03:47 #9

• plutorash

  Quote:Well what else are they going to say?
  
  Talk down a launch before it happens?!
  
  Wake up.
  
  [quote]Play is offering a PS3 bundle including MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man and Genji for £524.99. - Well we'll soon see.
  Like I said my money is on yet another short fanboy rush and then stalled sales.
  
  So when does the price cutting start here then, huh?
  
  Is that supposed to be "hate"?[/quote]
  Here we go again. Same old same old.

  16.2.2007 04:24 #10

• BobbyBlu

  Quote:Aha! i see no one has been able to hate on Sony for this news! Finally something positive that no one can complain and whine about. I bet someone is still gonna hate though and bring up BD against HD-DVD. (If no one does that means my comment worked!)I agree people act like Microsoft & Sony got a gun to your head & making you buy there system if you don't like either or keep your money in your pockets because your not hurting either of the two.Its good to see that EU & UK are looking forward to the PS3 launch.

  16.2.2007 04:27 #11

• iking

  LOL.... Good one plutorash.

  16.2.2007 04:48 #12

• ZippyDSM

  BobbyBlu
  Quote:
  I agree people act like Microsoft & Sony got a gun to your head & making you buy there system they are half of all of gaming they kinda are holding a gun to your head you either cut back or give up on gaming,I see them for what they highly flawed gaming systems and sadly PC and Nintendo are as flawed yes IMO some are better than others but its just the sign of the times,they all sux but in different ways ....perhaps I need to get a life 0-o
  *L*
  
  Anyway the PS3 in the UK will sale well but not greatly they have simply handicapped it to much in price,the 360 has crippled hardware the WII is the most game focused of the 4(MS,Sony,PC,WII) but even it fails on some levels ,in the end pick what you like and enjoy it the way things are going enjoyment will be the last thing games are made for.

  16.2.2007 04:52 #13

• BludRayne

  Interest in this system will drop in a few weeks just like here in the U.S. Europeans will realize that the PS3 isn't worth what they paid.

  16.2.2007 07:03 #14

• hughjars

  Quote:Here we go again. - Sadly it does appear so.
  
  Quote: Same old same old. - Wow, this "unconsciously ignoring" what I write (as you go out of your way to log in and comment) is rather funny.
  
  As is the trademark attempt to bash the person and ignore the comments.

  16.2.2007 08:30 #15

• solarf

  this is what we call the initial fan boy rush. give it a week or two and sales will slow down to a trickle.

  16.2.2007 11:56 #16

• nes8bit

  Did you know that the SNES system (not including games) is higher on amazon's most wanted list than the PS3 system In the U.S. And you wounder why they don't release u.s. sales figures. I'm starting to think there worse than japans sales. But don't think to count the ps3 out yet. They will do fine when they trade the cell prosser for another to cut cost and drop there price in 2008.

  17.2.2007 12:46 #17

• Nephilim

  Bye LazyWorkr.
  

  
  
  The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  My movies! http://www.intervocative.com/dvdcollection.aspx/Rephaim
  "And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33

  17.2.2007 18:34 #18

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by nes8bit:Did you know that the SNES system (not including games) is higher on amazon's most wanted list than the PS3 system In the U.S. And you wounder why they don't release u.s. sales figures. I'm starting to think there worse than japans sales. But don't think to count the ps3 out yet. They will do fine when they trade the cell prosser for another to cut cost and drop there price in 2008.they can't drop the cell CPU its to integrated into the games and system,what they can do is a take a loss on the system to make a profit on the games and on online content,the cat is already out of the bag either they slop along unwilling to to change or go under from not selling enough games and systems.

  18.2.2007 11:33 #19

• hughjars

  I think this idea of them dropping the Cell is coming from another story.
  Sony are, apparantly, considering dropping out of Cell production.
  
  They are, it is claimed, going to outsource cells.
  Leaving them, presumably, to IBM and Toshiba to produce.
  
  See here -
  
  Quote:Shares of Sony Corp., the world's largest maker of video-game consoles, rose to their highest in more than four years after the company said it will cut spending on chips to help the business turn profitable next fiscal year.
  
  The stock climbed 3.8 percent to 6,230 yen as of the close on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the highest since July 9, 2002. Yutaka Nakagawa, Sony's chip business chief, said yesterday the company will ``significantly'' reduce investments on semiconductors such as those that run PlayStation 3 consoles.
  
  The plan to cut spending eased concern that costs for the main Cell processors for the PlayStation 3 are eroding earnings. Sony said it may also contract with outside companies to make the chips. Lower costs would help Sony compete against cheaper video game players from Nintendo Co. and Microsoft Corp.
  
  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2...83U&refer=japan

  18.2.2007 14:11 #20

• ZippyDSM

  hughjars
  ah since they are no longer the powerhouse they were they can't multi task cheaply,but then again how many top manufactures make their own stuff in their own factory.... why do I see a few patents held by a few conglomerates and everything begin manufactured in 3rd world countries...I have a headache....
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  Sony has declared war on importers the consumer will be next with CD's,Videos/Games not far behind that....boycott SONY!
  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/8062.cfm

  19.2.2007 13:11 #21

• diableria

  lol fanboys, nobody is forcing anyone to buy anything, just buy whatever console has the games you like the most, if you can get all 3 thats even better. You arent gonna get any profit from sony/ nintendo/ microsoft so stop the pointless hate... stupid fanboys hahahaha

  22.2.2007 18:59 #22

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by diableria:lol fanboys, nobody is forcing anyone to buy anything, just buy whatever console has the games you like the most, if you can get all 3 thats even better. You arent gonna get any profit from sony/ nintendo/ microsoft so stop the pointless hate... stupid fanboys hahahahaFanboy?why yes I am I am a raved fanboy of video games and to see the bloated media centers take over is sadding,its bad enough games are becoming interactive movies but to add full blown media centers to the mix will only water down games even more.
  
  Ok maybe I dont really think its the whole media center thing,however games have been on a decline for years both Sony and MS are lost and nintendo is worrying me 0-o

  22.2.2007 19:09 #23

• Nephilim

  stupid fanboys hahahaha
  
  Enjoy your week vacation. When you come back it better be with some manners.

  23.2.2007 08:29 #24

• ZippyDSM

  Sony hates consumers,they are removing the PS2 hardware from the UK PS3
  
  http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer/news/105931...patibility.html
  
  and not dropping the price.....

  23.2.2007 08:36 #25

• DarkMods

  PS3 sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23.2.2007 10:03 #26

• ZippyDSM

  DarkMods
  I suggest removing that post before a mod sees it!

  23.2.2007 10:13 #27

• Nephilim

  Too late. I have zero tolerance for crap like that so let this serve as a warning to anyone else inclined to do something similar.
  

  
  
  The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  My movies! http://www.intervocative.com/dvdcollection.aspx/Rephaim
  "And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33

  23.2.2007 11:03 #28

• oofRome

  Originally posted by ZIppyDSM:Sony hates consumers,they are removing the PS2 hardware from the UK PS3
  
  http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer/news/105931...patibility.html
  
  and not dropping the price.....I really don't see the problem here, unless ps2 games don't work as well with software emulation. Sony has to cut costs eventually, and this fits right into their plan.
  
  Originally, the ps3 wasn't even supposed to ship with the emotion engine. Sony did that because they didn't have the emulation complete. Rather than anger already bitter sony fans with either another delay or no backwards compatibility, they put the chipset in until they solved the issue.
  Issue solved, nobody loses.

  23.2.2007 11:14 #29

• ZippyDSM

  Quote:Originally posted by ZIppyDSM:Sony hates consumers,they are removing the PS2 hardware from the UK PS3
  
  http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer/news/105931...patibility.html
  
  and not dropping the price.....I really don't see the problem here, unless ps2 games don't work as well with software emulation. Sony has to cut costs eventually, and this fits right into their plan.
  
  Originally, the ps3 wasn't even supposed to ship with the emotion engine. Sony did that because they didn't have the emulation complete. Rather than anger already bitter sony fans with either another delay or no backwards compatibility, they put the chipset in until they solved the issue.
  Issue solved, nobody loses.the trouble is I bet it will be a clone of MS's "Emulation" supporting the main 50 or so titles that are on their list.
  
  however I need more info before I can bitch less :P
  
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  Sony has declared war on importers the consumer will be next with CD's,Videos/Games not far behind that....boycott SONY!
  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/8062.cfm

  23.2.2007 11:39 #30

• oofRome

  No it was my mistake. The software emulation is definately limited.

  23.2.2007 21:41 #31

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by oofRome:No it was my mistake. The software emulation is definately limited.its a shame both are taking that route MS had a reason they switch video chipsets and the old video chipset maker would not let them use any code and such and thus crippling what the 360 can do of coarse MS has not spent any time fixing this just doing some patching and what not for show....sony has done this with the full intention of not wanting to lose profits from new game sales this has become quite like the movie industry where effort and quality is a rarity...
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  Sony has declared war on importers the consumer will be next with CD's,Videos/Games not far behind that....boycott SONY!
  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/8062.cfm

  24.2.2007 08:28 #32