Newly-Formed Organization Playstation.com (America) Inc. Transforms Web Site Into Complete Online Entertainment Destination

Demonstrating continued innovation in the computer entertainment category, PlayStation.com (America) Inc. announced today that its newly-launched PlayStation® Web store, PlayStation.com, has experienced a surge in traffic since its debut in November. Offering consumers a vast online experience through content and e-commerce, visitors and shoppers are looking to PlayStation.com for the most coveted products and gifts. With an existing fan base exceeding 28 million people in North America, PlayStation.com (America) Inc.'s goal is to transform this site into a complete online entertainment destination for the world of PlayStation, which includes games, music and movies. Consumers who register through PlayStation.com will receive news on the latest entertainment offerings, promotions and general information.

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Consumers can now purchase a variety of PlayStation products including the newly-released PS one™ console, more than 350 PlayStation software titles, PlayStation-branded peripherals, and PlayStation-related merchandise from a line of themed clothing and goods, as well as numerous audio CD titles and DVD movies. The company will add an additional 150 PlayStation titles to the current product offerings and will continuously update the existing music and DVD sections with several new titles per month.

Beginning January 30, 2001, the company's e-commerce initiatives surrounding the PlayStation®2 business including sales of hardware, software and peripherals will commence through PlayStation.com. PlayStation 2 hardware units will be available to customers on a first-come, first-serve basis, with additional hardware supply allocated to PlayStation.com to meet ongoing consumer demand.

PlayStation 2 is on its way to becoming the most widely adopted entertainment device after a phenomenally successful launch in 2000. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. exceeded its shipment projections of 1.3 million PlayStation 2 units into the North American market in just two months following its October 26 launch, a historic milestone for the industry. In addition, the company expects to ship a total of approximately three million PlayStation 2 units by the end of its fiscal year 2001 on March 31, 2001 in North America.

  PlayStation.com Product Offerings
  Key elements of the PlayStation.com Web store now include:

  -- Easier navigation -- With clear concise persistent tool bars, a site
     map and assistance for first-time visitors, users can intuitively
     navigate through the offerings of PlayStation.com.
  -- E-commerce capability -- Gamers can now purchase PlayStation 2 and PS
     one hardware and software, music, DVD movies and products from the
     PlayStation Threadz and Accessories online store of PlayStation-branded
     and title-specific clothing and merchandise.
  -- Music offerings -- With the capability of playing music CDs on any
     PlayStation entertainment system, consumers can purchase music through
     PlayStation.com in music genres including  electronic/dance, hip hop,
     pop/R&B, soundtracks, alternative, folk/blues, country, rock and world.
  -- Home Theater in Your PlayStation 2 -- For consumers that own the
     PlayStation 2, the site offers more than 100 of the top DVD movies for
     users to purchase and play on their systems in genres including comedy,
     drama, family, science fiction/fantasy, action/adventure,
     horror/suspense, and TV/documentary.
  -- "Cool Stuff" -- A world of unique offerings awaits the PlayStation
     enthusiast with a code hall of fame featuring game codes previously
     tested that will enhance consumers gaming experience, comprehensive
     game news combed from online sites like Gamers.com and message boards
     divided by genre and topic.  Through "Cool Stuff" gamers can also
     purchase a number of PlayStation game strategy guides and the most
     recent edition of the popular PlayStation Underground™ CD Magazine.

In addition to its robust product offerings, PlayStation.com also features the same type of exemplary customer service and support that Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. has continued to provide through the years. Once consumers have completed their online purchase or transaction, an order confirmation is immediately sent to the customer via e-mail. Merchandise will be shipped through an independent distribution center and customers have the flexibility to choose from a range of shipping options that best meet the individual's needs. Also, PlayStation.com offers extensive customer service support Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, and on Sunday from 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Consumers can contact the PlayStation.com customer support center either through the site itself, via e-mail or phone at 800-697-7266 (MYPSCOM).

"Consumers continue to expect the best entertainment experience from PlayStation products, and with the evolution of PlayStation.com we have created a comprehensive online destination that will complement these offerings by providing additional value to our consumers," said Kazuo Hirai, president and chief operating officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc, and president, PlayStation.com (America) Inc. "E-commerce sales of PlayStation 2, and the introduction of a variety of entertainment content, demonstrates to consumers our vision of creating a true gateway into broadband distribution through PlayStation.com."

Headquartered in Foster City, Calif., PlayStation.com (America) Inc. is a Delaware corporation and a sister company of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game consoles and the PlayStation®2 computer 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.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the PlayStation 2 computer 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.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Contact: Molly Smith, 650-655-6044, or molly_smith@playstation.sony.com,
or Stephanie Iwamasa, 650-655-6083, or stephanie_iwamasa@playstation.sony.com,
both of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc.

Website: http://www.playstation.com/