Japan quake could delay NGP until 2012
Tretton suggests one-region 2011 launch.
The devastating earthquake that hit Japan last month may push back the NGP's launch, Sony exec Jack Tretton has announced.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, the Sony Computer Entertainment America president explained that a number of its factories in the north of the country have had to close for repairs, and there is also a shortage of component parts from suppliers in the quake zone.
He also argued that delaying the NGP's release would give developers affected by the quake and subsequent tsunami more time to finish their software.
"It may be the straw that says 'maybe we get to just one market by the end of the year,'" he said.
He didn't given any indication which market that might be but Japan is obviously a favourite.
Speculation early last month had pointed towards a November launch in Europe for the new handheld but a global 2011 release has never been promised by Sony.
"It's very difficult to have the quantities to be able to launch on a worldwide basis on the same date," said Tretton after the device was unveiled in January.
"Our goal is get at least one territory out by the end of holiday 2011."