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Sony: Upstart No More...

DATE: -0/5-/2004
COMPANY: Sony Computer Entertainment
PRODUCT:

Picture it. E3 1995.

The upstart Sony PlayStation debuts to a crowd that has grown up gaming with Nintendo, Sega and Atari as their gaming gurus.

That was then, this is now.

In the words of Kaz Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), ?It?s hard to believe 10 years have gone by since the first E3? Since then, Sony Computer Entertainment of America has led the industry in all aspects of interactive entertainment, as our continued innovation ? evolving our business through new dimensions ? will drive this industry forward for many years to come.?

This message rang true throughout Sony?s media presentation; the need to push the industry forward and take gaming to a new level by pushing the limits of online gaming and by making you, the player, the key focus.

SCEA began by stating a 10-year life plan for the system. According to Hirai, this business plan is key to the success of the industry as it will allow companies to freely explore the limits of the system and push the envelope of the gaming experience.

No media briefing would complete, at least from SCEA, without the hard numbers. Not being a math person, I won?t bother you with sales numbers. The most important number announced was $149, the new price of the PS2. This price covers both the offline and online packages (which includes both the Network Adapter and ATV Off Road Fury 2).

SCEA also stated the intention to extend its online reach. Games without boundaries. Online gaming, Hirai said, is the new reality TV. Here, persistent worlds exist even when the player is away from the screen. Success is based on alliances with other players, and their true personas are front and center. In effect, the experience builds itself around the gamer.

A focus of SCEA?s online plan is based around mini-transactions that give gamers the right to decide what they want to pay for and how much they want to spend. This model, which was compared to those used by successful music download companies, is the centerpiece of SCEA?s online business model. Other enhancements will also include flexible solutions for hosting, billing and shared learning experiences.

For the gamer this boils down to one thing; choice.

Beyond the numbers, SCEA showcased its library of games, chief among them Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal. Look for more coverage on this title, as well as Sony?s library of upcoming titles within the next few days. SCEA also showcased additions to its online library. Other software announcements included Hot Shots Golf Fore!, Killzone, Burnout 3, Gran Turismo 4, Monster Hunter and Star Wars: Battlefront. SCEA also confirmed Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a PS2 exclusive.

The real star of the show was the newest addition to the PlayStation family ? the PlayStation Portable, or PSP.

Targeted for a spring 2005 release, the PSP marks the handheld market?s jump in 3D gaming. Along side some impressive spec numbers, SCEA also announced that 99 companies have expressed interest in developing for the system. An impressive demo reel was shown featuring games like Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, Hot Shots Golf and there may have even been a glimpse of a new Metal Gear (although nothing specific was said).

It was also announced that, in addition to playing games, the PSP will also serve as a portable entertainment center. To showcase this feature, new trailers for Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming, direct-to-DVD feature from Square-Enix, Final Fantasy: Advent Children, were shown running on the system. The video quality was excellent and forecasts an interesting future for the system.

Other companies outside the gaming world have also expressed interest in the platform.

So far, things look bright for SCEA as it pushes on into the next generation.

GameVortex :: PSIllustrated :: TeamPS2