Sony Computer Entertainment is the mothership of the PlayStation 3 armada, so one might d think the company would be able to stay on message behind its Blu-ray equipped, pricey new next-generation game console. But that’s not always the case: today, the company announced the North American release of Level-5’s Rogue Galaxy, an epic action role-playing space adventure with an engrossing storyline, more than 100 hours of gameplay, and a sleek combat system. Already a hit in Japan, Level-5 has tweaked and expanded the game for its North American release with extras and enhanced functions, and, did we mention Rogue Galaxy is a PS2 title?
Tag Archive: sony computer entertainment america
Kutaragi Leaving Day-to-Day Sony Games Role
Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that Ken Kutaragi, widely known as the “Father of the PlayStation,” is leaving his day-to-day role running the Sony games unit. Kutaragi will remain on as chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment and also become its chairman; however, his role as President of Sony Computer Entertainment will be handed over to Kaz Hirai, currently head of Sony Computer Entertainment America. Hirai’s role in the U.S. will in turn be taken over by Jack Tretton, currently executive VP and co-CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Sony PSP Screen Problem Upsets Customers
“Technical issues during a hardware launch are nothing new, but with a machine as delicate as PSP, reports of problems are more rampant. The most common complaint is a “dead pixel,” which appears ona screen in a variety of forms (red, blue, green, white spots, dark spots). Jump on any message board and you’ll find posts littered with personal accounts of anywhere from one to 25 or more deadpixels appearing on brand-new PSPs.
SCEA doesn’t deny PSP machines may encounter these issues, but doesn’t see it as a problem. “As with any LCD product on the market, a very small number of dark pixels or continuously lit pixels is normal for LCD screens, and is not a sign of a malfunction.” says Patrick Seybold, a Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) representative. A similar description also appears in the PSP’s user manual. What defines a small number, however, isn’t known, and SCEA had not responded to our requests for clarification as of press time. “
Sony PSP To Be Available March 24th
In addition to the PSP hardware, the PSP Value Pack contains an added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including 32 MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with remote control, batterypack, AC adaptor, soft case and cleaning cloth, movie/music/game video sampler UMD disc including multiple non-interactive game demos, and for the first one million PSP Value Packs shipped, a specialUMD video release of the feature film Spider-Man 2 from Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony Computer Entertainment will manufacture one million units for sale in the North American market by the close of its fiscal year ending March 31. This figure is part of the company’s total three-million-unit worldwide PSP system shipment estimate within the same time period. PSP released in Japan on December 12, 2004 and is already a hit, with more than 800,000 units shipped, including a 200,000-unit allocation that sold out on day one.
PSP To Use S3 Graphics Technology
From Via’s press release:
S3 Graphics, Co. Ltd., today announced an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., for its licensing of S3 Graphics’ S3TC texture compression technology. S3TC will be used in Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation Portable.
“We are pleased to adopt S3 Graphics S3TC technology in PlayStation Portable,†says Masayuki Chatani, Corporate Executive and CTO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “S3TC technology allows PlayStation Portable software developers to take advantage of very high quality texture compression technology and benefit from a range of proven tools and libraries.â€
PS2 Sales Double Following US Price Cut
The PlayStation 2 has surged back to the top of the hardware sales rankings in the USA following its price cut to $149, announced last month at E3, with sales in the month after the cut more than doubling.
Data released this week by Sony Computer Entertainment America shows that the console’s sales rose by some 216 per cent in the week immediately following the price cut, with an increase of 141 per cent over the full period since the cut.
