When it was revealed that the PlayStation 4 wouldn't launch in Japan until February 22, 2014, many asked the inevitable question: Why?

After all, it's traditionally accepted that a new Japanese console launches first in Japan, and Western gamers usually have to wait. So why the reversal for the upcoming generation?

There are a number of reasons, as cited by Bloomberg . Primarily, the release gap allows Sony to appropriately handle demand in the US, and they can also focus on the biggest sales markets for the peak holiday season. Sony boss Andrew House reminded everyone of the "tough experience" Sony went through when the PS3 first launched in the US in November of 2006:

"We had a tough experience of supply not meeting demand at an early stage of introduction for PS2 and PS3. This time, we want to avoid that happening again. We want to launch it when we can meet the volume."

Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson has predicted that the PS4 and Xbox One will combine to sell around 3 million units worldwide this year, and it's clear that Sony will have to meet that demand, or risk more bad press. We all remember the PS3 launch and the ensuing headlines, right? It was doom and gloom from the start, and while price and lack of software was a concern, lack of availability really kicked the hate machine into high gear.

Sony just doesn't want that to happen again, which makes sense. And it also makes sense that they want to hit the holiday season in the West.