The long-awaited introduction of the next generation computer game console, the Sony Play Station 2, has been delayed because of supply problems.
Anticipated demand for the new model is such that its US and European launch will be delayed by a month until November 24th.
The wait for PlayStation 2 has had a depressing effect on the gaming industry. The world's biggest independent games company, Electronic Arts, announced recently that its sales dropped by more than $30 million in the second quarter of this year compared with 1999. The company blamed its problems on gamers saving up for PlayStation 2. The delay in the European launch is likely to prolong the slump in demand for games.
The current PlayStation has been so successful here that Ireland is second only to Japan in market penetration. More than 74 million PlayStations have been sold worldwide since its launch six years ago.
Announcing the delay, which will sorely disappoint many gaming fanatics, a spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland said yesterday that demand for the console in Japan was eating up the capacity of the production plants and that the delay was intended to ensure there were sufficient units for the European launch, originally scheduled for October 26th.
The new machine will have a recommended retail price of £379.99, around £80 more than for its predecessor.
Since its Japanese debut on March 4th, 2000, more than two million Playstation 2s have been sold, making it one of the most successful electronic entertainment product launches ever there.
Current games will be compatible with the second-generation console, which will include a DVD player.
Sony said it expected to ship 10 million units of the new model worldwide in this financial year, with three million of these going to Europe.
PlayStation's Japanese launch was marred by problems with the console's memory cards. Sony has promised the problem will not recur in the US and Europe, and has changed its system slightly.
The company expects up to 40 games for the new console to be available by Christmas. Sales in Japan are running at four times the level of the original Playstation.