Sony has announced that it may miss its 17 November launch date in the US for its next generation console, the PlayStation 3, following delays and a parts shortage in the Blu-ray disc drive element.

According to Bloomberg.com, Jack Tretton, co-chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said yesterday in an interview:

"The honest answer is it's more of a target … Clearly we've had production issues."

However no new date has been given, suggesting that stock might filter into shops in the US rather than be available from day one.

Sony had planned to ship 4 million PlayStation 3 players this year to the US and Japan, but revised that total in September following the move of the European launch back to March 2007.

However, the company said at the time it still expected to reach its original target of 6 million units by March.

The PlayStation 3 will retail for at least £500 in the UK when it goes on sale next spring in the UK.

According to Bloomberg, the company said at the time it couldn't make enough blue diode lasers, the key components of the Blu-ray player.

When Sony launched the PlayStation 2, it too suffered major stock shortages after its initial launch dates around the globe.

Via Bloomberg, via Kotaku.com

>> kotaku.com - Sony May Not Hit Playstation 3 Shipment Target
>> Bloomberg.com - Sony May Not Meet PlayStation 3 Shipment Targets