I think it may have been a mistake to reduce to 13 countries on laugh (after originally promising more) as now the buyers in those countries will feel more resentment towards MS than if it just hadn't been announced in the first place.
The strategies seem to me to basically be, Microsoft is shoring up it's markets it already has, at the expense of having a better chance of success in new markets where the PS3 dominated. This could be a very wise move as they want to lose as little market share as possible in the US and UK which would likely happen if they spread their launch too thinly.
Sony on the other hand are trying the different approach of winning as many countries early on as possible. It's certainly a more global strategy, but PlayStation is also a much more global brand. I think Sony are competing with Nintendo and Microsoft in a global market. But Microsoft are only really competing with Sony.
RIP Dad 25/11/51 - 13/12/13. You will be missed but never forgotten.
