SCEA Celebrates Three Years Of The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Network

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) celebrates the third anniversary of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system and PlayStation Network this week. Three years into its ten-year lifecycle, the PS3 system continues to exhibit tremendous momentum. This year, SCEA unveiled its best software lineup to date, with AAA titles such as UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, InFAMOUS and Killzone 2 garnering critical acclaim. In fact, today SCEA led the 2009 Spike Videogame nominations with 17 nominations, more than any other first or third party publisher. Strong consumer demand for rich, digital and connected entertainment experiences continue to drive the popularity of PlayStation Network. What began as an online commerce option for games and content has evolved into an innovative entertainment network in just three short years.

"We are extremely proud that in just three years into its lifecycle, PlayStation 3 and the unmatched digital offerings of PlayStation Network have helped to redefine the connected home entertainment experience," said Patrick Seybold, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Social Media, SCEA. "From a tremendous lineup of blockbuster titles, to Blu-ray movies and games, to access to a library of thousands of movies, TV shows and games on the PlayStation Store, no other system on the market today delivers a more complete entertainment experience or a better value than PS3. With the continuing addition of new features such as Netflix and Facebook integration, highly anticipated break-out games like MAG and God of War III on the horizon, and the on-going evolution of connected experiences through PlayStation Network, we've only just begun scratch the surface."

In October 2009, U.S. sales for the PS3 system grew nearly 70 percent when compared to October 2008, making it the only console to experience significant growth year over year. October also marked the highest month of revenue on record for the PlayStation?Store, with downloads increasing 60 percent over October 2008. To date, more than 650 million pieces of content have been downloaded worldwide from PlayStation Store. Currently, there are more than 31 million registered PlayStation Network accounts worldwide.

"Many believe a console race is a 100-meter dash, but it's really a marathon. The PS3's ten-year lifecycle is clear testament of Sony's commitment to providing entertainment value to consumers," said Jesse Divnich, Director of Analyst Services, EEDAR. "PS3's growth in recent months is a perfect example of how a new low price along with upcoming innovative, exclusive titles such as MAG, Gran Turismo 5 and God of War III, will act as large catalysts for driving the PS3's install base even higher. Add in the robust offerings on the PlayStation Network and there's no doubt that PS3's success will continue well throughout 2010, and beyond."

As the PS3 system enters its fourth year, it is well on its way to delivering ten years of value to consumers and serves as a testament to the leading innovation and unbeatable entertainment the PlayStation brand provides its consumers. Launches from much anticipated first-party titles including, MAG, Heavy Rain, Gran Turismo 5, EyePet, Modnation Racers and God of War III, as well as third-party releases such as Bioshock 2 from 2K Games, Battlefied: Bad Company 2 and Dante's Inferno both from EA, FINAL FANTASY XIII from Square Enix, and Capcom's Super Street Fighter IV, will enable SCEA to continue to redefine gameplay in 2010.

PlayStation today offers an unmatched breadth of entertainment and content choices, including streaming movies and TV shows from Netflix, in addition to PlayStation Network's expansive library of 17,400 TV episodes and movies for rent and purchase; a rich selection of more than 450 games for PS3 and PSP, 4,000 pieces of add-on game content and exciting new offerings such as "minis" and the "digital comics," which will be available later this year. PlayStation has been redefining consumer entertainment for the past 15 years and consumers can remain confident that the PS3 system and PlayStation Network offerings will only continue to grow and expand as consumer entertainment needs evolve.