PS3 Launch September 2006
News site ‘Next Generation’ is reporting that Sony will announce an online service called PlayStation HUB in the next few weeks, and that Japan and the US will see a September release for the PlayStation 3.
The site claims that “well-placed industry sources” have said there will be an online service similar to Xbox Live, that offers the ability to play games and chat, and download music, movies and games. Apparently, HUB has been described as a “subscriber service”, suggesting some sort of monthly or yearly subscription much like Xbox Live.
Next Generation also went on to say that developers have seen a schedule citing 16 September as the launch date for Japan, and 21 September as the launch date for the US.
Unfortunately, we are once again in a situation where we have no proof of the validity of the sources of information. Kikizo recently ran an article called Exclusive: Hands-On with PlayStation 3, which used very similar rhetoric as Next Generation. The Kikizo article in particular was so vague about its sources and its actual information that much of what was said could have been contrived from what we already know.
It’s difficult to accept that relatively unknown sites have been given such detailed information. However, PSM, an unofficial PlayStation magazine, did suggest similar features for the PlayStation 3’s online service, and so maybe there is truth in Next Generation’s findings.
As usual, Sony refuses to comment on rumours and speculation. The Taipei Game Show is due to start in a few hours, and many news sites have hyped up the presence of the PlayStation 3 at the event in Taiwan. However, we all know how CES turned out, so let’s not get our hopes up just yet.
via ps3land.com