NGP global launch unlikely, says Sony boss

My first thought when I saw the Sony NGP was mild disappointment. Wasn't it just PSP on steroids? Then I saw the Uncharted videos and read some more about the controls – now I can't wait.

Gamers generally are likely to fall in love once they see the screen and the graphics. But will it help Sony compete against iPhone and Android apps that have made £5.99 feel expensive for a game? The launch of the PlayStation Suite then is a clever move, as for me the pricing of the software is more important long-term than whatever price Sony launches the hardware at.

Talking of the launch, Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Jack Tretton thinks a global launch will be unlikely and would not confirm an annoucement at E3.

I think our goal is always to launch holidays when the majority of sales are done. You want to have a worldwide simultaneous launch. Having said that, this'll be our sixth platform launch, and it's very difficult to have the quantities to be able to launch on a worldwide basis on the same date. So while that's the goal, the reality might be something different. I think our goal is, we would get at least one territory out by the end of holiday 2011.

Sadly, but not unsurprisingly, Tretton wouldn't talk specifics over the pricing.

Suffice to say, we've been doing this a while, we've got a lot of experience – not only in individual markets but on a worldwide basis. I think we'll hopefully strike the balance that will allow us to be successful financially and commercially – and one without the other isn't good.

He did talk about competitor pricing though:

You know, I'm not an expert on the 3DS. I've seen the screen. I haven't played it. I think that if you could create content that consumers sees compelling, they'll find money that they didn't think they had. I think the more recent example of that was Kinect. I didn't think people would go out and spend $150 for that device and they did – and that's a peripheral at the end of the day. So I think if the quality's there, then the people will find a way to buy it, within reason.

Given the tech packed into the NGP battery life will be a concern, which Tretton acknowledges:

We listen to all the feedback on our devices, positive and negative. We know that battery life was a concern on PSP, and we certainly look to improve upon that, but no details yet.

Overall then it looks unlikely that Europe will see NGP this year. E3 will hopefully have more details, but if I was a betting on this I'd say March 2012 for Europe.

What do you think? And would you import first?