Initial Sales Data Demonstrates PSP is the Must Have Product of 2005
April 8, 2005
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Sony | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 7, 2005 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that the first week sales of the PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system generated more than $150 million at North American retailers, outpacing the launch week sales for any other product in the space. Additionally, demand drove the sell through of over 500,000 PSP Value Packs in the first two days alone an unprecedented number further validating PSP as the most anticipated product of 2005 and an industry altering force and remained strong throughout the first week. Making the $150 million mark all the more spectacular, PSP sales were achieved during a traditionally slower non-holiday season launch, and during a period when many retailers were closed for Easter.
"The launch of PSP was everything we hoped for, with extraordinary consumer demand driving sales of hardware units alone upwards of $150 million in first week sales, far and away above those generated by any other product in the space," said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "In only two weeks, PSP is having an immediate impact across the entire industry as consumers are clearly voting it the product of the year in 2005."
"GameStop, Inc. has seen an extraordinary cross section of consumers come through our doors including hard core gamers, business men and women of all ages looking to get a PSP," said Dan DeMatteo, vice-chairman and chief operational officer, GameStop Inc. "The overall entertainment value of PSP is giving it a mass appeal beyond any other product we have ever carried."
Setting a new standard as the first-ever integrated portable entertainment system designed to provide consumers with a comprehensive entertainment experience including games, music, movies, communication, and wireless networking, PSP launched in North America on March 24 to extraordinary consumer demand. Already a sensation in Japan with upwards of 1 million units sold to date, the North American launch of PSP saw lines snaking for blocks at retailers across the nation with many locations extending business hours for midnight sales or early openings to accommodate anxious consumers. Thousands of PSP fans at special Sony Computer Entertainment America hosted events in San Francisco and New York even braved rain and sleet to be among the first to experience PSP.
About PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable)
PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. With graphics rendering capability comparable to that of PlayStation®2, PSP features a 4.3 inch wide screen, high-resolution TFT display. PSP also adopts a newly developed compact but high-capacity (1.8GB) optical disc, Universal Media Disc (UMDTM), as its storage medium. With a wide range of accessories and connectivity options, including Memory Stick Duo, USB 2.0, IR port and Wi-Fi wireless LAN, PSP is the new entertainment platform from PlayStation.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS oneTM game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) portable entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era. PSP is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.
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 the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP portable entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at www.us.playstation.com/psp
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PSP" and "UMD" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, ATRAC3plus and MagicGate are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
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