The Tokyo Game Show, however, will not be affected by the disaster.
SCEA boss Jack Tretton has indicated that the recent earthquake in Japan may lead to delays in the release of the NGP, explaining that damage to a number of Sony factories in northern Japan and shortages from other parts suppliers may make it tough for Sony to get the portable to every region before the end of 2011.
“It may be the straw that says ‘maybe we get to just one market by the end of the year,” said Tretton, although he did not elaborate on the release plans for the NGP and Sony has never suggested that the console would receive a simultaneous global launch.
The NGP wouldn’t be the only game product affected by the March 11 quake. A number of games have already been cancelled or delayed, and while the organizers of the 2011 Tokyo Game Show have said that the event will go on as planned, they may have to make adjustments if the aftereffects persist.
“Currently, we are not thinking of cancelling or making the show smaller,” a TGS representative told Kotaku. However, management added that, “Depending on the situation from here on out, it is possible that the show is reduced.”
The Tokyo Game Show isn’t scheduled to open until September 15
, but parts of Japan are still experiencing rolling blackouts and voluntary energy conservation is still a concern for many. Some shops have had also difficulty keeping items in stock, while damage to nuclear power plants has led to worries about elevated radiation levels in the air and water.
The 2010 TGS drew over 200,000 attendees and – like most game conventions – it uses a whole lot of electricity.
