Momentum for the PlayStation2 Computer Entertainment System and the
PSP (PlayStationPortable) Handheld Entertainment System Remain Strong
LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2007 — At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2007 in Las Vegas, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that more than one million units of its recently launched PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system have shipped in North America to retailers. The company successfully achieved this milestone by the end of the 2006 calendar year, just six weeks after the product was introduced on November 17, 2006.
PS3 has been selling-out at retail outlets across North America since it was launched. This high consumer demand drove PS3 to reach the one-million mark before its predecessors, the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the original PlayStation game console — both systems combined have shipped more than 200 million units of hardware and more than two billion units of software worldwide.
“SCEA went to great lengths to help meet demand for PS3, including airlifting systems into North America on a weekly basis to ensure a steady stream of units were available to consumers throughout the holiday season,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “The fact that we were able to reach the one-million mark faster than our top-selling platform, PS2, further validates the strength of the PlayStation brand and our belief that consumers are ready to experience true high-definition gaming.”
PS3 wasn’t the only hot gift this holiday season; the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system continues to enjoy record-breaking sales in North America. In the first quarter of 2007, PS2 will continue to fuel industry growth with the highly anticipated release of the MLB 07 The Show and God of War II titles.
Consumer demand for the PSP (PlayStationPortable), the company’s popular handheld entertainment system, also remained strong this past year. New software releases continued PSP’s momentum in offering console-quality gaming on-the-go, from key franchises such as SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 to award-winning original IP such as LocoRoco. SCEA also drove interest in the PSP system via expanded entertainment capabilities, including TiVoToGo, which enables PSP owners to watch television programming transferred from their TiVo wherever, whenever; support for video podcasts broadcasted through Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds; and a Remote Play feature for streaming media content (music, videos and photos) from a PS3 to a PSP.
“Reaching the one million mark for PS3 is the first of many major milestones for us as we head into a new year. Even more impressive, is that we were able to accomplish this feat while successfully managing two other platforms–PS2 and PSP,” said Tretton. “With three PlayStation platforms now available to users, 2007 will be about software and delivering innovative, new experiences and award-winning franchises to consumers, both through retail and through our online PLAYSTATIONNetwork.”
PlayStation-branded entertainment and gaming content that will be shown in the Sony booth at CES 2007, includes:
FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION — PS3
MLB 07 The Show — PS3, PSP
MotorStorm — PS3
Lair — PS3
Heavenly Sword — PS3
Gran Turismo HD Concept — PS3 Downloadable
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters — PSP
Killzone: Liberation — PSP
SOCOM: U.S Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 — PSP
Other features on display will include “Remote Play” for PS3, which allows the consumer to utilize their PSP to access content on their PS3 hard drive, including movies, television shows, videos and music. A full demonstration of the PLAYSTATIONNetwork, and PLAYSTATIONStore for PS3, as well as Location Free TV for PSP, will also be shown.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation and PS one game console, the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
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