PS3 Launch Numbers Updated

In an analysts meeting late last week, Sony expanded on launch plans for the PS3 this November.

After the initial shipment of 400,000 units to North America, 800,000 more are planned to be shipped by the end of the year, bringing the total to 1.2 million consoles in 2006. Sony also claims another 1.2 million units will be available in Japan soon after the initial 100,000 units launch.

Retail demand for the premium (60 gig) PS3 over the core (20 gig) is said to be roughly 80/20, although that does not reflect actual allocations planned by Sony.

The Xbox 360 sold 900,000 units in the months of November and December in North America last year. Including Japan and Europe, Microsoft sold a total of 1.5 million consoles in 2005. Sony aims to beat that total, with 2.4 million PS3 shipments planned.

Source: Next-Gen