"With Microsoft due to launch its Xbox 360 gaming console in their home market of Japan, Sony has again said that they are on schedule for the launch of their upcoming Playstation 3 in spring next year. This comes after their were speculations in the media about possible delays from the company in launching their next generation video gaming console.

Sony Playstation 3 has become a hot topic for market analysts, as the company has not revealed the exact launch date. A lot of stake is placed on this console, as it would be taking on the Microsoft Xbox 360, which would have a couple of month’s worth of market experience with it. Early players tend to have advantage in this market and Microsoft made sure they would make the most out of it.

A company’s spokesperson said that Sony was still targeting a spring 2006 launch for the PS3. And they are still very confident of retaining their lead in the market, which they had with the current generation Playstation 2. Many players in the market including the chief executive of the No. 1 video game publisher Electronic Arts, Larry Probst have expressed doubts on the possibilities of a spring launch of Sony PS3.

The delay might be due to the promised integration of the Blu-Ray format capable drive in the gaming console. This format is still under development with just a few concept designs and drives displayed to media. Sony would be challenging Microsoft not only on the gaming console front but also over the standardization of the next generation storage format. Microsoft is supporting the Blu-Ray rival format HD DVD being developed by Toshiba." [link]

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Sony says PS3 still on track for spring launch