Keynote Address at Annual Game Developers Conference Designed to Spur
Creativity of Development Community Toward Future Innovation
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. today released details from the keynote address given this
morning by Andrew House, executive vice president, at the 2004
Game Developers Conference in San Jose, Calif. The General Interest keynote,
entitled "Encouraging Innovation in Game Development," explored innovation --
past, present, and future -- and how developers can take advantage of
innovation in their own titles to create experiences that are unique,
enjoyable and profitable.
House discussed a range of topics including hardware and software
innovation that continue to reinvent consumer experiences, and first party
software innovations that attract new game players and forge new gameplay
styles. Highlights of the keynote address included details about: the
10-year lifecycle for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and
its benefits to the industry; online gaming as key to the future; and a
progress report on PSP(TM), the company's yet-to-be-released portable
entertainment platform.
"Innovation is absolutely the key to driving this industry forward,"
said Andrew House, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment
America during today's keynote address. "We are committed to developing the
creative pallet with an open philosophy that enables developers to freely
innovate. Together, this approach builds an audience, drives the market, and
expands and reinvents consumer perception."
10-Year Plan Enhances Market Potential
House highlighted the importance of sustaining platforms lifecycles,
showing how the 10-year plan for PlayStation(R) has forever altered
expectations for platform longevity, and outlining the company's plans to
mirror this strategy with PlayStation 2. Now in just its third year, sales of
PlayStation 2 are already 38 percent ahead of the original PlayStation for the
same time period. Such an unprecedented hardware adoption rate provides
positive implications for PlayStation 2 sales: the company anticipates more
than 60 percent of PlayStation 2 sales are still to come. House also
emphasized the company's commitment to investing in future technologies that
expand the capabilities of PlayStation 2, pointing to the EyeToy(TM) USB
camera and its revolutionary motion-tracking technology. "American Idol"
favorite William Hung joined Sony Computer Entertainment America on-stage to
provide the audience with a demonstration of the first dancing game to utilize
the technology, EyeToy(TM): Groove, scheduled for release in April.
Online Gaming Builds Bridge to Next Round
With more than 10 percent of the North American PlayStation 2 installed
base now network ready, House articulated the company's plans to expand the
audience for online console gaming even further. Defining online console
gaming as the new frontier for future generations of gamers, House outlined
the company's online plans including creating additional revenue opportunities
for developers and publishers. House stated that compelling software content
continues to drive adoption, and with more than 52 new online-enabled titles
scheduled for release in 2004, the company is focused on migrating the massive
PlayStation 2 audience online.
PSP(TM) Provides Ultimate Portable Entertainment Platform
House also provided a progress report for the highly anticipated 21st
century portable entertainment system, PSP(TM). Scheduled for release within
the company's fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, PSP will target early
adopters and teens, with a focus on gaming as the killer application.
Emphasizing widespread content development for the platform, House provided
details regarding PSP support plans.
Chris Charla, senior producer and Mike Mika, creative director, Backbone
Entertainment, joined House and provided a first-hand account of the
PSP software development process. Charla emphasized the unique opportunities
PSP provides developers including the ability to bring the home console
experience to hand-held systems for the first time, and the ease of
development for the platform. Mika then demonstrated the power of PSP with a
premiere unveiling of Death, Jr.(TM) and announced that the title will be a
PSP exclusive.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console,
and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2
computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment
market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to
be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.
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 and
the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment 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.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
CONTACT:
Teresa Weaver, +1-650-655-5324, or
teresa_weaver@playstation.sony.com, or Janette Barrios,
+1-650-655-5583, or janette_barrios@playstation.sony.com, both of
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
|
