September PS3 launch for US and Japan?

Next Generation is reporting that sources who have seen the software launch dates on paper point to a date in mid-September.

FULL STORY:

In what may be the first real break in PlayStation 3 launch news since last year's E3, when Sony scheduled the system for the now-unlikely Spring 2006, the web site Next Generation has an industry source who says the PS3 will be released in September.

This isn't official yet, but here's the basis for the speculation:

A launch games release schedule seen by our sources states a September launch. Although the schedule does not explicitly state a hardware launch date, nor a launch territory, we understand Japan and U.S will both see the machine in September.

They go on to suggest that this could mean Sept. 16 in Japan (the Saturday before a holiday), and Sept. 21 in the U.S. (a Thursday).

So, what does this all mean? nVidia, which created the PS3's graphics chip, has already said that they won't be collecting any royalties from Sony before the end of April, so that pretty much rules out a launch before then. And we've been speculating a late summer to early fall release since the PS3's no-show at CES in January, so this rumor is certainly credible. Maybe not the exact dates, but the month for sure.

We've got a few more stories on the way about the PS3's online service and other Taipei Game Show revelations, so stay tuned this afternoon.

Source: PS3 Week

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