Sony shrinks PlayStation console - GoFuckYourself.com

DVTimes · 09-21-2004, 10:48 AM

The best-selling PlayStation 2 games console has been given a makeover, with a new slimmed-down, lightweight model due to go on sale in November.
The new PS2 is about half the size of the existing model and will sell for the same price of 149 euros (£99).

Sony has launched it in an attempt to widen the console's appeal and prolong its shelf-life.

Sales of the original PlayStation were boosted when Sony introduced a smaller version, dubbed the PSOne.

Going after sales

The redesign is part of Sony's strategy to maintain the PS2's lead over rival consoles.

Some 24 million machines have been sold in the PAL territories - Europe, the Middle East and Africa - since its launch November 2000.

The PS2 accounts for two-thirds of the consoles in these regions, according to Sony.

But traditionally console sales start to slip after they have been around for a few years and the PS2 is no exception.

Sony Computer aims to sell 14m PS2s in the year to March 2005, down from the peak sales of 22.52m units sold in 2003.

But Sony is determined to keep the PS2 alive. In August it dropped the price to £99, resulting in a jump in sales.

It is now hoping the thinner, sleeker design will tempt more people to buy a console, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, told BBC News Online that Sony was hoping that the price cut and redesign would increase PS2 sales worldwide by 15% by March 2005.

He said Sony was flying in more than four million new PS2s into the PAL territories straight from the manufacturing plant in Shanghai to meet expected demand.

Thinner, lighter

The new PS2 is mostly identical to current models. But the internal volume has been reduced by 75%, meaning it is half the weight and less than half the thickness of the existing console.

This has been partly by using an external power supply.

It also now comes with a built-in Ethernet port to allow gamers to play online.

The redesigned console is due to come on sale on 1 November, at the same price as the current model.

Sony is expected to unveil its next generation PlayStation at the annual E3 video games trade show in Los Angeles in May 2005.

It has not said when the new games machine will go on sale, but the PS2 went on sale in Japan almost a year after it was first unveiled.

Rivals Microsoft and Nintendo are also working on new consoles, which could also be unveiled at E3 show.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3675700.stm

block · 09-21-2004, 10:49 AM

Nice, it's tiny now...

lb_vee · 09-21-2004, 10:51 AM

Thats as thin as a laptop...wow

Vitasoy · 09-21-2004, 10:56 AM

I'm sure it'll sell like hot cakes. They did that the the psx aka psone.

Manowar · 09-21-2004, 10:57 AM

awesome

Sosa · 09-21-2004, 11:01 AM

I'll be in line waiting for the PS3 when it is released.

mardigras · 09-21-2004, 11:22 AM

They should have made it a portable with a popup screen like the PSOne

wdsguy · 09-21-2004, 11:22 AM

I'm fine with my original ps2 :-)

nosey · 09-21-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sosa
I'll be in line waiting for the PS3 when it is released.

09-21-2004, 10:48 AM	#1
DVTimes xxx Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 31,547	Sony shrinks PlayStation console The best-selling PlayStation 2 games console has been given a makeover, with a new slimmed-down, lightweight model due to go on sale in November. The new PS2 is about half the size of the existing model and will sell for the same price of 149 euros (£99). Sony has launched it in an attempt to widen the console's appeal and prolong its shelf-life. Sales of the original PlayStation were boosted when Sony introduced a smaller version, dubbed the PSOne. Going after sales The redesign is part of Sony's strategy to maintain the PS2's lead over rival consoles. Some 24 million machines have been sold in the PAL territories - Europe, the Middle East and Africa - since its launch November 2000. The PS2 accounts for two-thirds of the consoles in these regions, according to Sony. But traditionally console sales start to slip after they have been around for a few years and the PS2 is no exception. Sony Computer aims to sell 14m PS2s in the year to March 2005, down from the peak sales of 22.52m units sold in 2003. But Sony is determined to keep the PS2 alive. In August it dropped the price to £99, resulting in a jump in sales. It is now hoping the thinner, sleeker design will tempt more people to buy a console, especially in the run-up to Christmas. David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, told BBC News Online that Sony was hoping that the price cut and redesign would increase PS2 sales worldwide by 15% by March 2005. He said Sony was flying in more than four million new PS2s into the PAL territories straight from the manufacturing plant in Shanghai to meet expected demand. Thinner, lighter The new PS2 is mostly identical to current models. But the internal volume has been reduced by 75%, meaning it is half the weight and less than half the thickness of the existing console. This has been partly by using an external power supply. It also now comes with a built-in Ethernet port to allow gamers to play online. The redesigned console is due to come on sale on 1 November, at the same price as the current model. Sony is expected to unveil its next generation PlayStation at the annual E3 video games trade show in Los Angeles in May 2005. It has not said when the new games machine will go on sale, but the PS2 went on sale in Japan almost a year after it was first unveiled. Rivals Microsoft and Nintendo are also working on new consoles, which could also be unveiled at E3 show. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3675700.stm __________________ The Affiliate Program

09-21-2004, 10:49 AM	#2
block Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Canada - cough check sig cough Posts: 1,258	Nice, it's tiny now... __________________ ICQ - 19961769

09-21-2004, 10:56 AM	#4
Vitasoy GFY HALL OF FAME DAMMIT!!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 58,202	I'm sure it'll sell like hot cakes. They did that the the psx aka psone. __________________ [email protected]

09-21-2004, 11:22 AM	#7
mardigras Bon temps! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: down yonder Posts: 14,194	They should have made it a portable with a popup screen like the PSOne __________________ .

09-21-2004, 10:51 AM	#3
lb_vee Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 886	Thats as thin as a laptop...wow

09-21-2004, 10:57 AM	#5
Manowar jellyfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 71,528	awesome

09-21-2004, 11:01 AM	#6
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	I'll be in line waiting for the PS3 when it is released.

09-21-2004, 11:22 AM	#8
wdsguy Ryde or Die Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California-Shanghai Posts: 19,568	I'm fine with my original ps2 :-)