Sony Confirms Hong Kong, Taiwan PS3 Launch

Despite announcing a reduction in its available launch units for the debut of the PlayStation 3 in Japan, Sony officials have confirmed that the console will launch in Hong Kong and Taiwan on November 17. This is the same day as the North American launch and just six days after the Japanese launch. Sony revealed earlier in the week that only 80,000 units would be available for the Japanese launch, down by 20 percent from earlier estimates. There was no indication of how much stock would be available for the other Asian launches, but a joint target of one million console sales has been set for Hong Kong and Taiwan. Asia managing director Tetsuhiko Yasuda, as quoted by website DigiTimes, indicated at a press conference that only the larger 60GB version of the console will be launched initially, with the 20GB version due in December. The 60GB version will be priced at TW$17,980 ($545) and the 20GB version at TW$14,980 ($454). Yasuda suggested that the 60GB version would be targeted at the mainstream, not the cheaper version. However, there are currently no plans for a Chinese edition of the online PlayStation Network, and no indication of if and when it might be launched.