PAL PlayStation 3 launch delayed until March 07

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that the launch of the PlayStation 3 in PAL territories has been delayed until March 07.

When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 in the back end of 2005, they were praised for achieving what was close to a simultaneous launch in the three main gaming territories. A matter of weeks separated the console's debut in North America, Europe and Japan, and until this morning it appeared Sony was going to better the Xbox 360 launch with the PS3 launching in Japan, North America and Europe all in the space of a week.

PAL territories of Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia will no longer be seeing the PlayStation 3 on November 17, instead, the next generation PlayStation is to arrive in March 2007. Sony's reason for the delay is as follows:

"The revision of the launch date in the SCEE territories is caused by the delay in the mass production schedule of the blue laser diode within the Sony Group, thus affecting the timely procurement of key components to be utilised in PlayStation 3."

The previously announced November 11 release date in Japan, and November 17 release date in North America are said to be unaffected, and Sony still expects to ship 6 million units globally within fiscal year 2007.

This gives the Xbox 360 and the Wii (assuming it arrives in Europe this year) a free run over the lucrative Christmas period.