- Further Expansion of the PlayStation 2business
In the 8th year from launch, PlayStation2 still sees steady demands particularly in North America and Europe. Reachingthe remarkable milestone of the 120 millionth shipment in the 7th yearfrom launch, PlayStation 2 will have longer-tail business compared to itspredecessor, the original PlayStation. Targeting at further expandingthe business into the emerging markets, SCEI will continue to vigorouslypromote PlayStation 2, by introducing more and more exciting new games.
- PSP,a Key Driving Force for the Growth Strategy for Overall PlayStation Business
Strong support from users worldwideas well as abundant exciting software line-up including million sellertitles from publishers around the world, have resulted in PSP hardwareshipment exceeding 26 million units worldwide by June, 2007. SCEIwill further enhance its portability and convenience for users along withcontinuous cost reduction measures to boost the expansion of the PSP platform.
* Introducecolor variations and popular software bundled products to meet the needsof variety of users around the world.
* Offerusers new entertainment experiences that are only possible on PSP, by enrichingnetwork content and services in addition to introducing unique peripheralssuch as camera, GPS, and “1Seg” TV tuner.
* Deploymarket oriented strategies in each region.
With PSP, equipped with an overwhelminglypowerful CPU and a high resolution large LCD screen for a handheld device,SCEI will further extend the boundaries of game experiences by fully utilizing“Remote Play”. The combination of PS3 and PSP Remote Play willoffer PSP users more exciting and new ways to enjoy rich interactive entertainmentcontent especially of sports, RPG, and shooting.
- Strengthening Software DevelopmentEnvironment for PLAYSTATION 3 along with the Introduction of MoreSoftware Titles and Unique Peripherals
SCEI will be even more supportiveof third party developers by way of following measures.
*Share assets and know-how built up within Sony Computer Entertainment WorldwideStudios (SCE WWS).
*Hold advisory board in periodical basis to get feedback from publishers.
* Implementvarious strategies and sharing of information to enhance efficiency ingames development.
*Share SN Systems tool chain.
In a strategic move to secure excellencein games development for current and future PlayStation platforms, SCEIhave acquired leading game developer Evolution Studios Ltd. and its subsidiaryBigbig studios Ltd., to further expand its games development capabilityas part of SCE WWS.
Continuous cost reduction effortsincluding shrinking the chip size and reducing the number of components. Cost reduction of hardware is one of the most important challengesfor our business and SCEI will further accelerate this effort.
SCEI will continue R&D effortsto accommodate to users’ demand. As part of such efforts, SCEI todayannounced DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller, a new controller for PS3 incorporatinga rumble feature, to become available in Japan in November as a separatelysold accessory. It inherits the basic design and functionality ofthe popular PlayStation controller, while keeping the motion sensitivesix-axis sensing system. Introduction to North American and Europeanmarkets is expected in spring 2008.
- Creation of New Business OpportunitiesSuitable for the Network Era
More than 2.7 million users worldwidehave gone on-line with PS3. The number of users that are on-lineis steadily increasing, enjoying the latest PS3 network games as well asexchanging messages and video chatting on-line.
*Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available both on Blu-ray Disc and asa downloadable content from PLAYSTATION Network on December 13thin the Japanese market. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue presents a newlife style beyond traditional game experiences such as on-line car dealersand “GT.TV”, an in-game service for the distribution of car programs.
*PLAYSTATION Home
PLAYSTATION Home, a 3D on-lineuser community service, is currently under development to be launched inspring 2008.
*PLAYSTATION Store in Japan offers more than 500 entertainment content includingmore than 30 of downloadable new games and demos, more than 300 of add-ongame content, more than 100 “Game Archives” titles for PSP/PS3 and about90 movie trailers.
*SCEI today opened PLAYSTATION Store on PC in Japan which enables PSP usersto download a wide variety of digital entertainment content available onPLAYSTATION Network via their PC.
- Future Possibility for PS3
With the participation of PS3 incorporatingsuper computer-like powerful Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.)– andwhat will be even more powerful when connected to the network – , StanfordUniversity’s Folding@home program achieved a total computing power of1 petaflop at a single moment, of which 80% calculation was contributedby PS3 users.
With PS3, equipped with this powerfulCell/B.E. as well as other state-of-the-art technology such as full HDcapability and Blu-ray, SCEI will continue to expand a new world of interactiveentertainment.
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