Popular AOL Features Such as Instant Messaging, Chat and E-Mail to Be
Available on PlayStation 2
FOSTER CITY, Calif., and DULLES, Va., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and America Online, Inc. today announced a strategic
alliance that will enable the companies to accelerate the development of
next-generation entertainment through PlayStation(R)2, the world's favorite
computer entertainment platform, and America Online (AOL), the world's leading
interactive service.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a )
Under the agreement, SCEI and America Online will work together to deliver
the AOL experience to consumers on the PlayStation 2 platform and fuel the
development of a new class of Internet-enabled entertainment by incorporating
popular AOL features, enabling consumers to use instant messaging, chat and
e-mail while enjoying some of their favorite content on the PlayStation 2
computer entertainment system. SCEI will offer consumers a network adapter
for PlayStation 2, allowing them to enjoy an AOL experience and play
Internet-enabled games and entertainment.
Also under the new agreement, SCEI and AOL will explore other interactive
entertainment opportunities, including broadband technologies and the
development of a Netscape browser to optimize the Internet experience on
PlayStation 2. Additional hardware including a hard disk drive, LCD display
(NTSC/PAL and XGA compatible), keyboard and mouse will be available to allow
consumers to enjoy these more advanced interactive features. These new
products are expected to be available by the end of the year. In addition,
the AOL features will be incorporated into the PlayStation 2 Software
Development Kits (SDKs) available to content developers.
"Given our shared corporate vision and power for the evolution of online
computer entertainment, AOL and SCEI make ideal partners," said Ken Kutaragi,
president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "With AOL by our side,
Sony Computer Entertainment will begin to provide the world's content creators
access to a new community for digital entertainment and distribution. Just as
PlayStation 2 ushered in a new era of computer entertainment, we are now
escalating the evolution of great gaming experiences into what will become a
highly interactive, real-time broadband network environment."
"Sony Computer Entertainment and AOL are both committed to delivering the
most compelling interactive content and applications possible for consumers,"
said Barry Schuler, Chairman and CEO of America Online, Inc. "By combining
AOL's industry-leading infrastructure and trademark convenience with the
media-rich power of PlayStation 2 to turbo-charge the gaming experience, we'll
be able to provide our members with another exciting way to connect by
extending our AOL Anywhere strategy to a powerful new interactive platform."
Schuler also noted that AOL members have long enjoyed online gaming
through the AOL games channel, which is done in partnership with Electronic
Arts. Electronic Arts will continue to be the games channel partner across
AOL brands.
The agreement represents an important first step in offering AOL's more
than 29 million members worldwide and the more than 30 million PlayStation
loyalists in North America a new way to experience connected entertainment
like gaming.
Sony Computer Entertainment and AOL will host joint technology concept
demonstrations relating to this new alliance at the Electronic Entertainment
Expo (May 17-19) at the Los Angeles Convention Center in SCEA's booth #2416.
These demonstrations include a version of the AOL experience on PlayStation 2
and a Netscape browser for the platform.
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the undisputed 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 and PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.
SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., develops, publishes, markets
and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for
these two platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in
Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit
of the Sony Group.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, Inc.
(NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader
in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce
services.
NOTE: PlayStation and the PlayStation logo, PS one and PS2 are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.
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-a
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 Lynne Hentemann of Hill and Knowlton, 323-966-5736, or
hentemann@hillandknowlton.com, for Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.; or Marty Gordon of AOL/Netscape Communications,
650-937-2773, or 703-265-1746, or martygord@aol.com
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