Company Reveals Product Launch Details at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)
LOS ANGELES, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Gearing up for the biggest consumer
product launch of the decade, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
announced today its plans for the North American release of the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer
entertainment system is designed to bring together games, music and movies,
and will redefine the entertainment lifestyle, eventually serving as a network
platform in the broadband era.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104 )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-b )
The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is scheduled to launch in
North America on October 26, 2000 with an unprecedented initial launch
shipment of one million units, followed by an additional two million units
through March 31, 2001. Supporting both the audio CD and DVD-Video formats,
the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system leads the fusion of
interactive entertainment with music and video. The new system supports the
existing PlayStation software catalog of more than 800 titles now on the
market, bridging the generation of the two systems while protecting consumers'
investment in their PlayStation software libraries.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced the following details
and information pertaining to the North American release of the PlayStation 2
computer entertainment system:
Suggested Retail Price (SRP): $299(U.S.)
Available: October 26, 2000
Accessories included: DUALSHOCK(TM) 2 Controller
AV Multi Cable
AC Power Cord
Dimensions: 301mm (W) x 182mm (H) x 78mm (D)
(12" x 7" x 3")
Weight: 2.4 kg (5 lbs. 5 oz.)
Use: Vertical or horizontal position
Media: PlayStation 2 CD-ROM / DVD-ROM
PlayStation CD-ROM
Formats supported: Audio CD, DVD-Video, Dolby
Digital(R) (AC-3), DTS(R)
Interfaces: Controller port(2)
Memory Card slot(2)
AV Multi Out connector(1)
Optical Digital Out connector(1)
USB connector(2)
i.LINK(TM) (IEEE1394) connector(1)
*New features
Drive bay (for 3.5" hard disc drive)
Expansion unit (for network
interface)
Peripherals (sold separately): DUALSHOCK(TM)2 Controller - $34 SRP
Memory Card (8MB) - $34 SRP
Multi Tap - $34 SRP
Software Support: More than 270 titles in development
worldwide
Software Pricing: PlayStation 2 software - $49 SRP
(SCEA Only)
In order to lead the broadband era, without changing the aesthetic design
or basic dimensions of the console itself, the PlayStation 2 incorporates a
bay for 3.5" hard disc drive and an expansion unit for interfacing with the
network for future functionality upgrades. Together with the USB and i.LINK
(IEEE1394) interfaces, the PlayStation 2 is ready to expand into the home
network.
In addition, the PlayStation 2 features DVD-Video playback built into the
hardware as standard, without the use of a Memory Card. The features and
functionality of the DVD player can also be enhanced in the future via
firmware upgrade, simply by loading a new program from upgrade discs. This
firmware upgrade feature also enables the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment
system to evolve into future digital consumer applications -- another powerful
feature of PlayStation 2.
"To date 1.8 million units have been sold in Japan. The overwhelming
success of the product launch proves that the market is ready for
PlayStation 2, as we chart a path toward the future of networked digital
entertainment," said Ken Kutaragi, president and chief executive officer, Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. "Now the time has come to introduce the new
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system to the North American market.
Just as PlayStation brought interactive gaming to unprecedented mass market
levels, PlayStation 2 will open the doors to a new world of computer
entertainment experience in the home, bringing together games, music and
movies."
No other system has created as much excitement and support among the
software development community as the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment
system. Currently 208 publishers/developers have signed license agreements
and more than 270 software titles are in development worldwide. The
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will launch in North America with
an unprecedented amount of software support from both first and third party
companies, resulting in a software library of more than 50 titles scheduled
for release by the end of 2000.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) game console and the upcoming
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 game console and develops, publishes,
markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the
upcoming 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 the Company on the Web at http://www.playstation.com
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104 NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
CONTACT:
Molly Smith of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc., 650-655-6044, or molly_smith@playstation.sony.com;
or Samantha Sackin of Fleishman-Hillard, 213-489-8246, or
sackins@fleishman.com, for Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc.
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