Well then, I guess it's possible and thus probable. Sony's making alot of the parts pretty much in-house (BR drive, Cell, etc.) so they could probably keep it on the downlow on how production is coming. So 6 years after PS2 (March 2000) they release PS3 (March 2006) in Japan, but I forget, when did PS2 launch in NA...October? Is it likely they may aim for a more "worldwide launch" window like Nintendo did with NDS & MS is planning to do with 360 in order to cut short any lead time MS may have?
I had always thought that Sony (while still wanting the overdemand for PS3, like PS2, by having not enough units at launch to create hype) would be more prepared and have more PS3's at launch for each region than they did with PS2...especially with MS & Nintendo being closer not giving them the headstart advantage. High pricepoint, not enough launch units and being sandwiched between 360 & Revolution launches WON'T be the cake-walk that PS2 had.
I'm just hoping Nintendo won't try to release too soon before PS3 comes out. If they do THEY'LL be the one's sandwiched on top of being pitted dirrectly against MS again (which is ONLY a good thing for Sony, who would use that to their advantage). Theoretically, if Nintendo comes out before Sony, that doesn't leave MS on the market alone with the only next-generation system...thus...this splits the #'s 360 could've gained all the while Sony builds up time, hype and units before PS3 launch. I'm hoping Nintendo comes out after Sony, this leaves MS on the market alone, which thus puts pressure on Sony, sandwiches PS3 between 360 & Revolution launches, gives Nintendo a bit of time to have a good launch and also allows them to take advantage of the unavoidable PS3 shortages.
As far as Nintendo's production is heading, no one really knows, they probably will come out after Sony by default. I know they're not making new fabrication plants (good word that they're using the old GCN plants) like Sony had to (and Nintendo had to with GCN, which cut into their launch timeframe this generation) so that gives them time, but we haven't even gotten specs yet so??? Also, Nintendo kept the interface secret, maybe they kept production secret too? Who knows. All I know is, if Sony can launch earlier, they should to kill the 360 "head start".
