When it comes to the last word on the PS3 Dave Karraker, Sony's newly appointed senior director of communications, is the man.

In an interview with IGN, Karakker says "We will have 1 to 1.2 million units available by December 31 in North America... more than double what Xbox 360 sold through during the same period (TRST data) and should assure there aren't significant stock dips at retail."

Karraker was responding to the news that sent chills down many future PS3 owners' spine - that only 400,000 units of PS3 will be available for North America and 100,000 units in Japan on launch date.

The PS3 production reduction was caused by the unexpected shortage of the blue laser diode which is also slowing down the production of Blu-ray players. But the Big K says supply of the spare part is most likely to ease up boosting the PS3 production output.

Karraker did say the cut back in production will hurt Sony's image but he said the company is "confident that as the units are made available in each given territory, we will have no problem selling through our entire inventory."

And that's the official word!