14 DAY TRIAL // SCE Australia boss Michael Ephraim didn't mind at all to say a few words about what he thinks of the PS3's current status on the market and how he feels about the launch in Australia. Speaking to IGN, he made some surprising statements (in a pleasant way that is), one of which concerned the total number of machines hitting Australian shops.
"I really think that if people go into a store and get a complete demonstration of the capabilities of PlayStation 3 and the games that are on offer, I don't think price is an issue. [...] ...we're confident based on very strong pre-sales at the moment that we will deliver a launch in Australia that will not disappoint consumers about stock availability [...] The announcement was for a million units for the PAL territories, and if you look at the prior platforms that we've launched, Australia can generate anywhere from four and a half to six percent of the European market."
Wow! That would add up to some 60.000 units for the Australian launch if what Michael Ephraim is saying, is true. Well, actually somewhere between 45.000 and 60.000, to be more exact. The man did say: "anywhere from four and a half to six percent of the European market." But how did they come to the conclusion that they'll sell those 45.000 to 60.000 units, when just less than a month ago, Sony wanted to ship no more, no less than 11.000 PS3 units to Australia? Swapping between 11.000 and 60.000 units in a matter of weeks? What are they doing over there, throwing dice?
The man sounds pretty optimistic about the PS3 launch in Australia but really now, why would it go any better here? Other than the Sony's new PlayStation Home service, that looks a lot like Linden's sim Second Life, and their handshake with Immersion on the rumble issue, nothing else sounds exciting. Now, don't tell me that Sony's planning to make a price cut on their PS3 any time soon...