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Sony Computer Entertainment Announces Expansion of Closed Beta Testing for PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008

   Sony Computer Entertainment corporate logo. (PRNewsFoto)

FOSTER CITY, CA USA
                 Open Beta Service Scheduled For Fall 2008

    TOKYO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for
PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants
from the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) users. Following completion of the
Expanded Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will
commence in Fall 2008.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO)

    "We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait
a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to
refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience
than what it is today," said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. "Our overarching objective is to provide users
with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home.
Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing
reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the
PlayStation(R) tradition."

    The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in
Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming
experiences. Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for
the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become
available.

    About PLAYSTATION(R)Home

    PLAYSTATION(R)Home is the visual representation of the PlayStation(R)
community. It is an evolving online social gaming service built for PS3(R)
users to meet and share gaming experiences.

    About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

    Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the
progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the
PlayStation(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment
system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system
and the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) system. PlayStation has revolutionized
home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and
PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home
networked entertainment. PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that
allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and
high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system,
incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like
power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and
Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and
distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for
these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in
Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business
unit of the Sony Group.

    PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, and PS3 are registered trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.

    All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.



SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.




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Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Corporate
Communications, 03-6438-8686