Sony Computer Entertainment America announces North American sales of the PlayStation game console have more than tripled since the price drop to $199

Business Wire, June 26, 1996

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 1996--Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Wednesday reported that since the price drop of the PlayStation game console to $199, announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) last month, retailers across North America have recorded that on average, sales have increased more than three-fold.

"We were met with an extremely positive response from retailers at E3 following our price move," said Jim Whims, executive vice president, SCEA. "Typically, the summer months are a quiet season but the reaction from consumers has been dramatic. What we are experiencing is Christmas in June."

Roger Goddu, president, Toys R Us, observed, "We are ecstatic about the acceleration of PlayStation sales since the price decrease. We are selling four times what we were selling previously. $199 finally positions a new platform at a price point which is mass/consumer-related. Our software business, likewise, is also accelerating and we expect it to get better as the installed base grows."

Based upon the sell-through reports from key accounts, the sales of SCEA's internally produced sports products have grown significantly. Sales of "NHL Face Off" increased 65%, "NFL GameDay" rose by 85% and "NBA Shoot Out" (augmented by a wave of recent television advertisements) surged by 250%.

Contributing to its leadership position in the next generation category, the PlayStation game console's sales have now widened the gap between itself and its nearest competitor to a ratio of 4-to-1.

Pete Roithmayr, merchandising director of Electronics Boutique agrees, "In recent weeks, our chain has been selling more hardware. Sales of the PlayStation have basically tripled, with the PlayStation continuing its dominance over Saturn."

Sony Computer Entertainment America, a division of Interactive Entertainment Inc., is based in Foster City, Calif. 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 Corporation of America.

Visit Sony on the Web at http://www.sony.com.

CONTACT: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Andrea Vassallo, 415/655-8000

or

Fleishman-Hillard Inc.

Samantha Sackin, 213/629-4974