Michael Bluth
03-02-2003, 05:30 PM
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said Thursday that it hopes to hook users of its PlayStation 2 game console into online gaming by retailing the necessary peripherals in stores, rather than just on the Internet.
The additional sales strategy reflects an attempt to expand market share as the Internet capability of competitors' consoles threatens to outshine that of the PlayStation 2.
Rivals for the PlayStation 2 include Nintendo Co.'s (J.NTD or 7974) GameCube and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox.
By better promoting its console as an Internet terminal, SCE also hopes a resulting increase in the number of online gamers may prompt software makers to develop more online game titles.
Currently, PlayStation 2 users in Japan can only access online games such as " Final Fantasy XI" if they purchase optional extras such as the "PlayStation BB Unit" via the Internet.
The "PlayStation BB Unit" includes both the hardware and a network adapter for the console. In the U.S., players can buy these extras at retail stores.
The "PlayStation BB Unit" package currently costs Y17,000-Y18,000. SCE also plans to offer the network adapter alone in Japan for Y3,980 at retail stores.
The move is aimed at offering users a range of purchase methods for the extras in the hope software makers will be motivated to release more titles, an SCE spokesman said.
As a further incentive, SCE said it will exempt software makers from paying sales royalties for online games for an unspecified period. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported SCE plans to ask software developers for a 15% sales royalty eventually.
The move may lead to the release of online game titles in Japan currently available in the U.S., SCE said.
SCE also plans to tie up with same-group Sony Finance International to develop a system to charge individuals participating in the online games.
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030219/2341001142_1.html
The additional sales strategy reflects an attempt to expand market share as the Internet capability of competitors' consoles threatens to outshine that of the PlayStation 2.
Rivals for the PlayStation 2 include Nintendo Co.'s (J.NTD or 7974) GameCube and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox.
By better promoting its console as an Internet terminal, SCE also hopes a resulting increase in the number of online gamers may prompt software makers to develop more online game titles.
Currently, PlayStation 2 users in Japan can only access online games such as " Final Fantasy XI" if they purchase optional extras such as the "PlayStation BB Unit" via the Internet.
The "PlayStation BB Unit" includes both the hardware and a network adapter for the console. In the U.S., players can buy these extras at retail stores.
The "PlayStation BB Unit" package currently costs Y17,000-Y18,000. SCE also plans to offer the network adapter alone in Japan for Y3,980 at retail stores.
The move is aimed at offering users a range of purchase methods for the extras in the hope software makers will be motivated to release more titles, an SCE spokesman said.
As a further incentive, SCE said it will exempt software makers from paying sales royalties for online games for an unspecified period. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported SCE plans to ask software developers for a 15% sales royalty eventually.
The move may lead to the release of online game titles in Japan currently available in the U.S., SCE said.
SCE also plans to tie up with same-group Sony Finance International to develop a system to charge individuals participating in the online games.
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030219/2341001142_1.html