Sony To Launch PS2 Revision In Indian, European Markets

According to a new report, Sony is to introduce a new, slimmer PlayStation 2 hardware model to India and Europe by October 2008 - and is also nearing the launch of a localized version of its PlayStation Network for the Indian region. The Economic Times reports that a fourth model PSTwo will be launched by late October in the region for Rs 6,990 ($163), concurrent with its European launch, with no external AC adapter and slimmer form. Sony's India manager Atindriya Bose also told ET that once the "integration of the payment gateway" was completed, the PlayStation Network would be launched to local PlayStation 3 users. Bose described the local market as "in its nascent stage in India," which were "untapped markets and are new to the gaming world," adding that its last generation console was key to Sony's strategy and that the company had "no plans to phase out [the] PS2 anytime soon." According to a report in April, SCEE is working with thirteen Indian developers to produce Indian games competitively priced below Rs 499 ($12) per title. That report followed a similar announcement that India-based Aurona Technologies was developing a PS2 game featuring Hanuman, a key figure in Indian mythology.