Microsoft have repsonded to the news that the PS3 will be delayed in Europe by empathising with Sony's efforts on trying to pull off such an ambitious global launch. Speaking to Games Industry.biz, UK Xbox chief Neil Thompson said, " We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, particularly with unproven technology, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plans."

Thompson also re-iterates Microsoft's own commitment to the European market, "Europe remains a priority for us and that is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day 1 and why we're confident we're going to have a great holiday, regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market. Xbox 360 will have over 160 high-definition games including Viva Piñata from Rare, Gears of War from Epic, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 from Konami and FIFA 2007 from EA, a robust and continuously growing online gaming community in Xbox Live, fantastic entertainment capabilities, optional HD-DVD movie playback capability and a great-value price," he enthused.

Whilst Microsoft will be rubbing their hands at the thought of a bumper Christmas for Xbox 360 sales, analysts have stated that the PS3 delay will do little to affect the overall sales of Sony's console. "The people who were going to buy PS3 and Wii will buy them both still, albeit in a different order," commented Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities in an interview with Next-Gen. "Few people were going to buy Xbox 360 and PS3 both so there may be a small number of people-- 200,000?-- who buy a 360 instead of a PS3. That number represents lost sales forever. The balance will be ultimately captured by Sony, and the launch delay will be a rounding error in the long run."

Despite the optimism, many analysts are brushing off Sony's claims that they will reach their target of 6 million shipped PS3s by March 2007.

Source : Next-gen and Games Industry.biz