Market Leader Sony Computer Entertainment America Lowers Price of PlayStation®2 to $149

Market leader Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that effective immediately consumers seeking the world's most popular gaming platform can now purchase the standalone PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system or the PlayStation®2 Combo Pack for $149 suggested retail price (SRP), while supplies last. With 25 million consoles in North America, one out of every four households, and 60 percent of next generation console hardware market share, according to NPD FunWorld, a division of The NPD Group, Sony Computer Entertainment America expects the price drop to fuel consumer uptake of PlayStation 2, further extending its lead.

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"The new $149 price point is part of our long-term vision for the PlayStation 2 platform. The consumer appetite for our system has been staggering -- over 90% of our original PlayStation sales came at $149 or less, and given our current 25 million installed base, the potential growth for PlayStation 2 is promising," said Jack Tretton, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "As market leader, we remain focused on making the PlayStation 2 experience the best entertainment value in the gaming category, and we will continue to break all industry expectations by providing solutions that expand our consumer base and grow the category as a whole."

The PlayStation 2 Combo Pack [includes the PlayStation 2 console, Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation®2), and a copy of the online-enabled game, ATV Offroad Fury™ 2] provides an extended value proposition to consumers, giving them $80 of merchandise and software with each hardware purchase, making it even easier to join the PlayStation 2 online gaming community. The PlayStation 2 Combo Pack gives the value conscious consumer the best value proposition on the market.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, 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 family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one 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.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Monica Wik, +1-650-655-5394, or
monica_wik@playstation.sony.com, or Teresa Weaver, +1-650-655-5324, or
teresa_weaver@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/