PSM3: Why are so many PS3 games delayed?

PSM3 writes:

"PS3 is getting games a few weeks later, or worse, than Xbox 360. Why? We've got some pretty solid theories...

The key issue is simple: PS3 is harder to program for than Xbox 360; and Sony are harder (or rather, were harder) to work with than Microsoft. That's why Kaz Hirai banged on about reaching out to developers and making better middleware development tools at the Tokyo Game Show. Sony knows they've got a problem, and have to work double hard to win back the hearts and minds of the developers who control their fate. Only recently, Gabe Newell trashed PS3, while even Grant Collier of Infinity Ward (whose Call of Duty 4 is identical on PS3 to Xbox 360, and a real technical show stopper) admits Sony are harder to work with, citing a clumsy technical problem feedback loop.

...All developers agreed PS3 is powerful indeed more so than Xbox, but it's a swine to program thanks to its complex seven core parallel processor. Upshot? Developers go with what they know, and build games with Xbox in mind - an approach, according to Lair developer Factor 5, that makes it even harder to 'port' the game across to PS3." More within...