Team Up With Gabe Logan as He Makes His Debut Onto the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) System in Syphon Filter®: Dark Mirror

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the launch of Syphon Filter®: Dark Mirror, created exclusively for the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. From Sony Bend, developers of the critically acclaimed Syphon Filter® franchise, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror brings the series and intense, evolving gameplay to the handheld screen, providing consumers a compelling, action-packed thriller on the PSP system that console owners have enjoyed over the years.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror combines a potent mix of riveting storylines with intricate gameplay that includes fierce melee attacks, brand new target lock and precision aiming systems, target and vision enhancements for day and night tactical operations, and high-tech weaponry. Together, they create a portable interactive entertainment experience that delivers an immersive single-player and online multiplayer experience utilizing both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure connectivity, and featuring four types of wireless multiplayer gameplay modes. Players are given a variety of choices allowing for the creation of unique gameplay, including three difficulty modes that monitor and adjust to skill level. Multiple control layouts also permit gamers to choose precision aiming at all times or enable the player to select a more classic style controller for easy play and target lock shooting.

"We are very excited to expand the Syphon Filter franchise onto the PSP system, said Connie Booth, director of product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We set out to create a story-driven, mission-oriented adventure featuring intense action and a multitude of weapons and gadgets for the player to choose from, and we can't wait for gamers to experience an innovative and portable Gabe Logan adventure."

Besides providing various choices in difficulty modes and control scheme layouts, other new gameplay elements have been introduced to the series in Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror. These include universal ammunition crates to replenish the arsenal for any weapon that is currently equipped, and snap-to- wall mechanics where players can maintain stealth when they choose, all while lining up shots before risking exposure to enemy fire. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror's realistic look is attributed to a multitude of technologies, including "rag doll physics" where Gabe and enemies react realistically to blast damage and other types of attacks, highly detailed texture and dirt maps and improved goggle effects. Character models are built with detail and realism and feature animations for covert moves, knife kills and contextual specific scenarios. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror also features GameShare, allowing users to share a dedicated single-player level of the game with other PSP users who don't already own the game.

In single-player story mode, gamers assume the identity of Gabe Logan, a highly-trained Precision Strike Operative, commanding a black box military agency that legally doesn't exist and answers to no one. As Logan, players must take down the Red Section, a deadly para-military group, attempting to steal Project Dark Mirror, a classified government project. Logan uses all his skill and weapons, including the ability to take down multiple targets simultaneously using any tactic in his arsenal. Vision enhancements allow players to track enemy movements, both visual and invisible, in complete stealth before deciding how to takedown and eliminate enemies with target lock or precision aiming.

In the multiplayer gameplay, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror offers gamers four unique maps featuring objective-based missions where they can compete with up to seven other players wirelessly via Ad Hoc or Infrastructure mode, while choosing from Objective, DeathMatch, Team DeathMatch and Rogue Agent modes. By unlocking special weapons such as Claymore mines, AP mines and the Ripper Pistol Machine gun as well as other key items, gamers can rise up through the Agency rankings. Highest-ranking players also have the option to play as Gabe Logan or an enemy commander to gain access to unique weapons and unlockable secrets. Open-ended gameplay combined with various objectives and unique gadgets allow players to create and choose their own strategies on how to eliminate their opponents.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is receiving full marketing support in the following categories to generate consumer awareness and excitement for this action-packed title.

National Broadcast/Cable Advertising Campaign:

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror will be included in the PSP hardware TV campaign reaching millions of consumers nationwide. The television campaign for Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror will air on Cable, Syndication, and Network programming that includes Comedy Central (Chappelle Show, South Park), FX (That 70's Show, Fear Factor), MTV, Cartoon Network (Adult Swim), Spike TV (The Shield), and FOX (King of the Hill, Mad TV, Prison Break).

National Online Advertising Campaign:

A very robust portion of the campaign, the online and viral advertising for Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror will consist of a viral campaign on Luv2Game.com that will provide clues and hints into a core scavenger hunt that is being conducted at www.syphonfilter.com or through one of the subhead sites, www.kemsynth.com, which details one of the chemical company corporate fronts in the game. Ad banner units will also promote the viral campaign running on a mixture of gaming, lifestyle and consumer sites, including IGN.com, Maxim.com, AtomFilms and Military.com.

National Viral Marketing Campaign:

The core portion of the marketing campaign centers on a viral scavenger hunt that gamers will be sent on through the Internet, including internally created sites, as well as external sites participating in the campaign. Gamers can start from one of two places -- the official game website accessible at www.syphonfilter.com -- or through one of the subhead sites, www.kemsynth.com, which details one of the chemical company corporate fronts in the game. After completing various missions throughout the scavenger hunt, gamers will be provided with a fan pack to create their own Syphon Filter fan webpage, and an invite to phase two of the viral campaign. Phase two details another corporate business front and gamers will have to out the hidden operative/mole to find further character clues. Overall, this is a very intricate effort and will be supported through all of the other marketing avenues available. Offline promotions will point gamers towards the campaign as well, and will likely include a promotional effort on college campuses. The tease website is up now at the official URL -- www.syphonfilter.com.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror "M" for "Mature." For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

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, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld 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. PSP is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high- quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

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, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP 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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"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PSP" and "UMD" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994 or
Jennifer_Clark@playstation.sony.com, or Tina Casalino, +1-650-655-8102 or
Tina_Casalino@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

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