Worldwide sales for Sony's PlayStation game console grow to more than 3 million following successful launch; holiday season lifts sales to record heights

Business Wire, Jan 8, 1996

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 1996--Buoyed by impressive holiday sales, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) Monday announced that more than 800,000 PlayStation game consoles have been sold since the system's North American launch just three and a half months ago on Sept. 9.

Retailers in several locations across the country reported that the PlayStation was a prominent selection over the holiday selling season, with consumers snatching them up as fast as retailers could get them onto the store shelves.

Moreover, with year-end sales in Japan exceeding 2 million units and unit sales in Europe of approximately 600,000, worldwide sales for the system have now reached 3.3 million -- making the PlayStation rollout the most successful platform launch in the history of the video-game industry.

Adding to the success of the hardware are impressive game software sales of more than 4 million game titles in North America alone, creating a tie ratio of more than 5-to-1 (five titles per game console) that is virtually unprecedented in this industry.

"We couldn't be in a better position as we move into the new year," said Martin Homlish, president, SCEA. "PlayStation sales have been absolutely phenomenal, and consumer response has been everything we hoped for when we launched this product in early September.

"In fact, we are outselling competitive next-generation hardware systems at retail by a minimum of five to one, making the PlayStation game console the undisputed leader among next-generation systems."

According to industry analysts, the PlayStation game console is making a significant impact on the overall video-game industry. Its CD-based, 3-D technology has redefined consumers' expectations and has made Sony the predominant leader in sophisticated gaming technology. Today, the PlayStation accounts for more than 80 percent of all next-generation hardware sales.

The more than 4 million units of software sold to date in North America include titles developed and published by Sony, as well as titles from licensed developers such as Acclaim, Crystal Dynamics, Electronic Arts, Namco, Konami and Interplay.

Three of the titles published under the Sony Computer Entertainment name -- "Battle Arena Toshinden," "Namco's Ridge Racer" and "Mortal Kombat 3" -- have reached sales of more than 250,000 units since their fall release. Seven additional titles published under the Sony name have sold between 100,000 and 200,000 units -- the majority having been on the market less than two months.

The selling frenzy of the holiday shopping season further propelled PlayStation software sales. Three new Sony-developed titles -- the sports enthusiasts' picks "NFL GameDay" and "NHL Face Off," and the extreme sports title, "ESPN Extreme Games" -- dominated the holiday charts.

Not only has the PlayStation been a crowd-pleaser among consumers, but retailers and developers continue to laud its praises. Third-party support has been excellent -- developers continue to back the PlayStation more than any other hardware format, and retailers have embraced the system hands-down because of its performance and broad software library.

According to Anne Skorski, associate buyer, Sears Merchandising Group: "Sony's PlayStation is a great seller at Sears. The product far outperformed our expectations for the fall season and the year."

Hardware and software sales results and consumer response to the system in Japan and Europe continue to keep pace with the North American success.

"I'm delighted that the product, which began a gaming revolution in Japan a year ago, is now taking the world by storm," said Terry Tokanaka, president, Sony Computer Entertainment. "PlayStation's worldwide sales have delivered beyond even our most optimistic expectations, and with worldwide sales of 3.3 million, we believe the system is set to dominate the market for 1996 and beyond."

Retail response in Europe has been equally strong. According to Chris Deering, president, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe: "The power of PlayStation has established a new direction and market leadership in Europe that redefines interactive gaming for the rest of the century. The outstanding sales results achieved in every market across Europe means PlayStation holds a huge advantage over other next-generation systems."

Sony Computer Entertainment America, a division of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., is based in Foster City. The company markets the PlayStation game console for distribution in North America, publishes software for the PlayStation game console for the North American market, and manages the U.S. third-party licensing program. Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Sony Corp. of America.

CONTACT: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Andrea Vassallo, 415/655-8000

or

Fleishman-Hillard

Samantha Sackin, 213/629-4974