Sony clarifies PS3 launch plans

Sony has issued a statement correcting the information regarding its projected retail allocation for the PlayStation 3, confirming plans to have 2 million units available by launch day.

The previous reports, which had originated from an interview with consumer website GameSpot, suggested that Sony may fall short on launch day allocations for the next-gen console.

A spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment America contacted GamesIndustry.biz, issuing the following statement in relation to the story:

"Unfortunately Kaz Hirai's comments in the recent GameSpot interview regarding PlayStation 3 production were misunderstood. We are still on schedule to ship 2 million units for our mid-November 2006 launch and additional 2 million units by the end of the year for a total of 4 million units."

Whilst the news is certainly encouraging, there has been no correction on Kaz Hirai's admittance that full scale production of the console has not yet begun, leaving Sony with an immense logistical challenge if it is going to avoid the hardware shortages which plagued last year's Xbox 360 launch for Microsoft.