PSTwo this October
 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr..._id=1000629780

Sony celebrates anniversary with downsized PStwo

By John Gaudiosi
Although Sony is keeping quiet, video game analysts and retailers expect the market-leading console manufacturer to ship a new unit to mark the fourth anniversary of Sony's best-selling video game system Oct. 26. The PStwo, as the console will be called, is physically 30% smaller than its popular PlayStation 2 sibling and is expected to cost $149.

The move is significant enough that industry insiders believe Take-Two Interactive pushed back the release of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from Oct. 19 until the same day PStwo goes on sale.

"Sony has not commented publicly about the device but has already applied for the copyright of PStwo," American Technology Research video game analyst P.J. McNealy said. McNealy added that the new device will include built-in online capabilities, just like the current PS2.

There have been PS2 hardware shortages throughout the summer, and analysts suspect Sony deliberately has been bleeding retail shelves dry to make the switch.

Despite the competitive price point, retailers and video game publishers have been asking overtly for another price cut on both the existing PS2 and Microsoft's Xbox to help game sales during the crucial fourth-quarter period, which represents more than 50% of annual game sales.

McNealy said that even without a price point drop to $129, the new form factor alone for PStwo would increase sales for Sony at a crucial time. "A new box and console design will make the system fresh," he said.

He also noted that Oct. 26 is just weeks before Microsoft's "Halo 2" ships to retail. By combining "San Andreas" with a new console form factor, he said, Sony has a one-two punch.

According to early estimations for August data from the NPD Group, Sony sold about 212,000 PS2s last month. That's 27% below PS2 sales a year ago at a higher price point ($179 vs. $149). Microsoft sold about 217,000 Xboxes last month, which is up 50% from sales a year ago and gave the hardware maker the No. 1 position. The PS2 shortages have helped Microsoft distance itself as the clear second-place runner in the current video game wars, ahead of Nintendo's GameCube, which retails for just $99.

The summer is traditionally a slow period for the game industry, but the hardware price cuts before the E3 video game industry convention and an assortment of big game releases throughout the year have helped keep momentum going. The upcoming fall release schedule boasts a large number of big game franchises, which should help the game industry finish the year strong.

The new PStwo, whenever it launches, will eventually be part of a price-reduction program. Sony has stated its long-term strategy to turn PS2 into a 10-year console, which it will support long after the third PlayStation console ships. (Nothing has been announced, but PlayStation 3 is expected to bow in fall 2006.) And PStwo looks like the second phase of that strategy.

Sony has had great success with PSone, the similarly smaller version of the first PlayStation console, which continues to move hardware at its $49 price point. Several publishers, including Electronic Arts, Atari, Take-Two and Sony, continue to release new games for the 9-year-old console.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Cool. I wish I could trade in.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

if I could find a friend to buy my current PS2 off of me, I would consider it.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Whats the point?....Im content........although i might buy it....just to say i have it...


*Evil laugh*

Re: PSTwo this October
 

This is enticing seeing as how my current PS2 is crapping out.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

I can't wait for a picture. I bet the Gamecube will be downsized also. Small enough to carry in a purse.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Ok, just one question... do you own a purse? Just curious? :D

Re: PSTwo this October
 

That's a new site for "gaming" news..

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Cool.

Though I won't buy it till it hits 99.99, maybe not even then.

Me Wanty Rtype Final, The Gradius games, and the Ace Combat games.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

I love the Ace Combat series. Those are the only games that my dad and I play together besides when we go head to head in NHL games.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

I only ever owned AC2. I've probably beaten that game 5 or 6 times.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Ive only played the newest one once at Dylans house, it was alright if your into plane sims liek that.

Which I am.

I ownd one fo the bestest oldest plane sims for the PC....Wait for it......Sabre Ace. Until it got scrathed and planes no longer took off. :(

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Well this is obviously for NEW PS2 buyers.

Also from what I understand it will feature a built broadband adapter as standard.

Probably to compliment the realease of such online title as Killzone, Gran Turismo 4, Ratchet & Clank : Up Ur Arsenal etc.

I'll pick oneup, and use my old PS2 simply for imported games... while this might be my online machine.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

Hopefully this variation of the PS2 won't be as prone to breaking down in 6 months-1 year as the original is :p

But it sounds cool. Doubt I'll get it but it''ll probably look nice.

Re: PSTwo this October
 

So i was looking on the EBgames website today... They say if i trade in my PS2 i get $100 credit? and $10 for each game?

new ps2 is only $150
im thinkin i might go into my local EB and ask about doing this. Because id love to get the new ps2, and i know i have 5 games that i will never touch. especially the older versions of sports games when i have the latest versions of them.