Sony Plans 10-Year Lifecycle For PS2; Shows PSP Software

Speaking at the GDC Sony Computer Entertainment America’s executive vice president, Andrew House, has given a keynote speech in which he claims the company is planning a 10-year lifecycle for the PlayStation 2 – echoing recent comments from EA Canada’s John Shcappert, that companies should not rush unduly to support new formats while forgetting those already established. House claims that more than 60% of PlayStation 2 sales are yet to come and emphasized the company's commitment to investing in future technologies that expand the capabilities of PlayStation 2, using the EyeToy peripheral as an example. According to House, online gaming will also becoming an increasingly important market, calling it the “new frontier” for future generations of gamers. House outlined the company's online plans including creating additional revenue opportunities for developers and publishers. Finally, House confirmed that the PlayStaton Portable (PSP) would be ready for release within the company’s fiscal year ending 31st March 2005. The format will target early adopters and teens, with a focus on gaming as the killer application. The first ever public viewing of PSP software was also given, with a short demonstration of the Digital Eclipse title Death, Jr. The developer claimed that not only was the PSP more powerful than the PlayStation 2, with a larger number of built-in effects, but that it was also easier to develop for. It was also revealed that a total of eighty-one developers are currently working on PSP titles, with twenty-three in North America, twenty-four in Japan and thirty-four in Europe. 802.11b wireless LAN capabilities was also confirmed for the console, as was the ability to connect to both the PlayStation 3 and home PCs. Source: SCEA