Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) held its annual press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit, making a series of announcements.

Starting in September 2008, the newly announced PLAYSTATION 3 80GB model will become the mainstay of the company’s hardware line-up. The 80GB model will offer all of the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content – all for the same price. As with its predecessor, the new 80GB model will be a complete entertainment system comprising of a Blu-ray player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in 80GB hard-disk drive.

Following the success of five PSP Entertainment Packs, SCEA announced the Ratchet and Clank Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack, a new bundle showcasing PSP’s multi-functional feature set, targeted for holiday gift-giving. Launching in October 2008, the bundle will include a limited-edition “Silver” PSP system with the Ratchet and Clank Size Matters; a blockbuster movie on UMD (Universal Media Disc); a PLAYSTATION Network voucher to download the innovative puzzle game, echochrome from PLAYSTATION Store: and a 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo for storing music, videos, photos and more.

In addition, SCEA introduced a new family entertainment bundle for the PlayStation 2. The limited-edition LEGO Batman: The Videogame PlayStation 2 Pack will feature the TT Games/Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment title LEGO Batman: The Videogame, Warner Home Video’s Justice League: The New Frontier on DVD, and a PlayStation 2 system. SCEA will also launch more than 130 new titles for PlayStation 2 system this year, totaling 10,000 PlayStation 2 titles by end of the year.

Additionally, the company previewed more than 140 first and third-party games at E3 2008. Throughout the holiday season and this fiscal year, SCEA and its third-party partners plan to release more than 140 software titles for the PS3 available on Blu-ray Disc.

SCEA is also developing more than 50 games, game packs, and add-ons downloadable via PLAYSTATION Network in North America this year, offering something for every taste, lifestyle and budget. Also, to continue offering greater value to PlayStation fans, SCEA will launch PS3 Greatest Hits program on July 28 with 10 first and third party titles at a reduced price of $29.99 (USD). The PS3 Greatest Hits titles include Warhawk, Motorstorm and Resistance: Fall of Man from SCEA; Call of Duty 3, Activision; Need for Speed: Carbon, Electronic Arts; The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Bethesda Softworks; Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Tecmo ; Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas and Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft.

SCEA also reiterated its commitment to make PLAYSTATION Network the best entertainment experience in the industry, by announcing a new video delivery service on PLAYSTATION Store for PS3 and PSP systems in the United States. The new video service, available now, allows U.S. consumers to download full-length TV shows and movies to both their PS3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store for rental or purchase.

In addition, SCEA further outlined progress against its revolutionary online experience, PlayStation Home. Highlighting new first party high definition virtual environments for hit PlayStation titles including, Unchartered: Drake’s Fortune and Warhawk. With significant third party support already on board, Sony Computer Entertainment will be expanding the beta in Summer 2008 and commence the open beta service by Fall 2008.

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