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Nov. 17, 2006
PLAYSTATION®3 LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION OF ENTERTAINMENT IN NORTH AMERICA
High-Definition Gaming and Entertainment System Now Available; Fans Line Up for Blocks
to Be Among First Owners
FOSTER CITY, Calif., November 17, 2006 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced
the launch of the much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, the company’s groundbreaking
next generation computer entertainment system, for sale immediately in North America. In addition to the PS3 hardware,
a software line up of more than 20 first- and third-party titles will be available at retailers nationwide.
PS3 is available today at retailers nationwide in two configurations for consumers. One features a 20-GB hard disk
drive (HDD) and carries a suggested retail price of $499, while the second features a 60-GB HDD and built in Wi-Fi adapter
and multiple memory card slots for $599. At the heart of PS3 is the Cell Broadband Engine™, one of the most-advanced
computer processors in the world, that enables massive floating point calculation, and Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) drive, providing
a true High Definition (1080p)* next-generation gaming and movie experience in the home, as well as up to 50 GB of data capacity
for video game developers to store content – five times the capacity of DVD.
“With today’s launch of PS3, we are officially ushering in a new era in true next-generation entertainment
for homes all across North America,” said Kaz Hirai, President and CEO of SCEA. “The innovative PS3 system
features powerful technologies and capabilities that have never been brought together in one system, including the Cell Broadband
Engine, BD drive, HDD and online connectivity as standard features of every system. The results are breathtaking new
interactive worlds to explore, eye-popping multimedia functionality, and a fully integrated online experience – all
in high-definition clarity. The value we are providing consumers with PS3 is beyond compare.”
But the technological advances don’t just stop in the system itself, they are also found in the controller.
The PS3 system’s innovative, new SIXAXIS™ wireless controller allows gamers to physically turn, twist, and bank
their controllers to command the on-screen action. Every PS3 also comes equipped with an HDMI output for the best connection
possible to high-definition displays, supporting Full-HD resolution up to 1080p for both games and movies*. Built-in
network capability means that all PS3 owners can enjoy online game play and services, such as Web browsing through the PlayStation®
Network and downloadable content through the PlayStation® Store, immediately. Additionally, the first half million PS3
systems shipped in North America will include one of this summer’s biggest blockbuster hits from Sony Pictures Home
Entertainment, “Talladega Nights™: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” starring Will Ferrell, on high-definition
BD format.
“We’re thrilled that PlayStation fans are anxious to get their hands on PS3 and are working around the clock
to meet that demand with additional shipments during the busy holiday season and beyond,” said Jack Tretton, executive
vice president and co-chief operating officer of SCEA. “With the incredible technology and value packed into PS3,
we expect rapid adoption of the system around the world, and we are ready to support that market growth."
Sales of PS3 began early this morning across the country, with consumers waiting in line to be the first to purchase the
system. At the Sony Style retail outlet in New York City and the PlayStation store in San Francisco, Calif., thousands
of fans lined the streets on November 16 waiting to be among the first owners of PS3 as it went on sale at midnight. Celebrity
appearances by Grammy Award-winner Ludacris and Chapelle Show’s Charlie Murphy entertained the New York crowds,
while musical act Angels and Airwaves rocked throughout the night in San Francisco. Members of the press seeking photographs
or video of PS3 launch events should contact SCEA public relations at: mediahotline@playstation.sony.com or 1-650-655-8025
At launch and throughout the holidays more than 20 first- and third-party PS3 software titles across today’s most
popular genres will also be released alongside the hardware. This is one of the most robust libraries of launch titles
yet seen for a computer entertainment system, with titles including Resistance: Fall of Man™, Genji: Days
of the Blade™ and NBA ‘07, published by SCEA, available immediately for less than $60.
Developed by Insomniac Games, creators of the critically acclaimed Ratchet & Clank franchise, Resistance:
Fall of Man is a gripping first-person action game developed exclusively for the PS3 system. Set in a frightening, alternate
20th-century reality, Resistance: Fall of Man capitalizes on PS3’s superior processing power to deliver a graphically-arresting,
unique blend of harrowing military action and unnerving horror.
Another exclusive title for PS3, Genji: Days of the Blade unveils beautiful next-generation visuals and sword-wielding
game play to expand on the historical accounts of feudal Japan. Players unfold an epic tale of a warrior’s honor
that promises to deliver a breath-taking experience on the PS3 system.
Also found only on PS3 is NBA ’07,
developed by SCEA’s San Diego Studio, which showcases detailed and lifelike graphics supported in Full-HD at 1080p resolution
at a blazing fast 60 frames per second. NBA ’07 delivers a life-like hard court experience with advanced
artificial intelligence (AI), realistic character movements, online functionality, and interaction with the new motion-sensitive
SIXAXIS wireless controller.
Other titles that will be available by the end of the year for purchase and download through SCEA’s online PlayStation
Store include Blast Factor, Lemmings™, Go! Sudoku, and Go! Swizzleblock. Other
downloadable content available on November 17th include free movie trailers and game demos.
The List of Launch-Window Titles Includes:
SCEA Launch Titles
Resistance: Fall of
Man™
NBA 07
Genji: Days of the Blade™
Third Party Publisher Titles
Blazing Angels™ Squadrons of WWII
Ubisoft
Call of Duty®3 Activision
EA
Sports™ Fight Night Round 3 Electronic
Arts
Full Auto™2: Battlelines
Sega
Madden NFL 07
Electronic Arts
MARVEL™:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE
Activision
Mobile Suit Gundam®: CROSSFIRE NAMCO BANDAI Games
NBA
2K7
2K Sports
Need For Speed™ Carbon
Electronic Arts
NHL® 2K7
2K Sports
RIDGE RACER® 7 NAMCO
BANDAI Games
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 07 Electronic
Arts
Tony Hawk’s Project 8™ Activision
Untold
Legends™ Dark Kingdom™ Sony Online Entertainment
Beyond the standard PS3 system package, PS3 peripherals in North America will include additional SIXAXIS wireless controllers
sold separately for $49.99, a Memory Card Adaptor for transferring game save information from PlayStation® and PlayStation®2
Memory Cards onto the HDD of PS3 for $14.99, and, coming soon, a BD remote control for $24.99.
PlayStation Legacy
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. introduced the first PlayStation system in 1994, shipped more than 100 million units worldwide.
That was followed by the PlayStation 2 system in 2000, which has shipped more than 110 million units globally and continues
to outsell newer offerings from competitors. In fact, PlayStation 2 is set to be the top-selling system of 2006 in North
America, more than six years after its debut. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. entered the handheld space in 2005 with
the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, a revolutionary handheld entertainment system that shipped more than 20 million units
around the world.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PS one™ game
console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the upcoming,
much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
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 PS one game console, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment
system and PSP handheld entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. serves as regional headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
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