Open Beta Version of SDK to be released in April, Official Version to be released later this year

Tokyo, March 7, 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that it will release the open beta version of PlayStation_®Suite SDK^*1  to content developers in April 2012 and the official version later this year.  Through the introduction of these SDKs, SCE will offer a more streamlined content development environment for content developers, and further expand the world of PlayStation_® to open operating system based portable devices.

In November 2011, SCE released the closed beta version of PlayStation_®Suite SDK to limited content developers in Japan, United States and the United Kingdom.  The upcoming open beta version incorporates their feedback and will dramatically enhance convenience and efficiency of the content development environment.  The phased rollout of the open beta version will start in April 2012 free of charge, by expanding target countries in addition to Japan, United States and the United Kingdom. Developers will also be able to conduct performance verification of their content developed with the open beta version on PlayStation_®Vita.

SCE will also release the official version of PlayStation_®Suite SDK at $99 US annually later this year,  allowing content developers to have their content distributed through the PlayStation_®Store^*2 on a commercial basis.  Through the official version, content developers will also be able to seamlessly continue to develop content which was created with the open beta or the closed beta versions.

For further details of the open beta version and the official version, we will guide to the special site later when ready.

Furthermore, SCE will be adding content for PlayStation_®Suite in Japan, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Australia. The phased rollout of the update will start later this year, by improving  PlayStation_®Suite presence on PlayStation_®Store for users who want to enjoy a variety of content with ease and convenience on their PlayStation™Certified devices. SCE will also deliver content created through the official version of PlayStation_®Suite SDK after the necessary procedure is completed.

As of March 7, 2012, the line-up of PlayStation™Certified devices include Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ acro, Xperia™ PLAY, Xperia™ acro HD, Xperia™ S, Xperia™ ion^*3 from Sony Mobile Communications AB, and “Sony Tablet” S and “Sony Tablet” P from Sony Corporation.  SCE will continue to further accelerate the expansion of PlayStation™Certified devices.

Through PlayStation_®Suite, SCE will deploy various measures to support content developers in their business, and expand the PlayStation® entertainment experience on an open operating system.