PlayStation® innovation evolves to entertain Australian families this Christmas
- Gran Turismo® 5 Australian launch confirmed for November
- Yahoo!7 catch-up TV service PLUS7 arrives on PS3 this September
- MUBI movie streaming of classic and independent cinema confirmed
- New model PlayStation®3 consoles to launch with extra storage
- PlayStation®Move arrives September 16
- Classic games at pocket money prices with the new PSP® Essentials range
SYDNEY, 1 September 2010: PlayStation® is set to be a dominant force in the interactive entertainment retail category during the lead up to Christmas confirming a strong line up of games, new hardware and entertainment services to roll out from this month in Australia. New content partnerships for PlayStation®3 (PS3™) will offer more movies and catch up TV on demand, with MUBI and Yahoo!7’s PLUS7, blockbuster game title Gran Turismo® 5 is set to accelerate software sales, and a new range of pocket money priced classic handheld games will launch with PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Essentials. Two new PS3 consoles with extra storage will launch, the anticipated introduction of PlayStation®Move motion controller arrives this month, and new free-to-air HD channels being made available in Australia will further propel PlayTV sales with the consumer benefit to affordably and conveniently watch, pause and record television.
Gran Turismo 5 Australian launch date confirmed
One of the most anticipated games in recent history, Gran Turismo 5, will hit Australian stores on November 4. Complete with the latest cars, the world’s most iconic tracks and a global community of racers, one of the world’s best selling driving game franchises is back – and it’s bigger than ever.
GT5 will take racing to the next level, with high definition graphics that place you firmly in the driving seat. The unrivalled realism created when driving one of over 1000 stunning cars in 70 locations will provide hours of adrenaline-pumping racing – against your friends at home or playing online. The title will also be made available for the first time in 3D. Pre-sell orders are now being taken at leading retailers across the country.
More Catch up TV content added with Yahoo!’s PLUS7
Following on from the popular ABC iView for the PS3, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia is pleased to offer even more catch-up television with the Yahoo!7’s PLUS7, optimised for viewing with PS3. Live this September, PS3 users will be able to access the catch-up TV service to view their favourite programs.
More Movies with MUBI
Due to the successful Australian uptake of PlayStation®Network Video Delivery Service this year, with consumers enjoying hundreds and hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at the click of a button, a new streaming service called MUBI will launch prior to Christmas. MUBI will complement and enhance the existing PS3 offer with a library of acclaimed independent and classic films curated by movie experts, and the application is anticipated to attract not only a local, but global cinema community.
New PS3 consoles respond to growth in content and services
With the PS3 increasingly becoming the hub of entertainment in the home, and the increase in the amount and consumption of entertainment content available on the PlayStation Network, two new PS3 models with extra storage are set to hit stores in Australia. The new larger hard disc drive 320GB console will be made available from September 16, while a 160GB model will be made available from September 23.
PlayStation®Move launches September 16
Eagerly awaited by casual and hard-core gamers alike, PlayStation Move will launch in Australia on September 16. Set to offer a motion-based, high definition gaming experience like no other. Precise and intuitive, the controller has unmatched accuracy, voice control functionality and offers entirely new gaming experiences.
PlayStation Move will offer a broad range of game titles at launch to cater to all types of gamers. Launch titles include Sports Champions™, Start the Party™, Kung Fu Rider™ and EyePet™ Move Edition.
Following launch, the innovation will reach new heights when the PlayStation Move motion controller combines with stereoscopic 3D capability with new games titles that will demonstrate the ultimate immersive gaming experience available.
PSP Essentials Range Announced
A new range called PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Essentials will launch September 2 in Australia. The new range provides classic games at pocket money prices, so that gamers can build their collections quickly, while seasoned PSP fans can further expand their library of titles from acclaimed and best selling franchises such as Ratchet & Clank, Daxter, Burnout Legends, The Sims 2 and WipEout Pulse. At launch in Australia, 22 of the top PSP games will be re-released at just RRP$14.95 each. Available in-store and even more on offer on PlayStation Network, the price may be small but the games themselves are first-rate. Combined with the other features of the PSP such as music, movies and Skype functionality, the new range make PSP a more attractive choice for handheld entertainment than ever before.
“PlayStation 3 has continued to enjoy unprecedented uplift in sales over the past year and is set to really take off this Christmas. With more and more innovations being added to the PlayStation 3, one thing consumers can count on is that with firmware upgrades, PlayStation 3 is truly future proof and consumers will enjoy their investment for a long time to come. With new on demand services across movies, music and TV; and with even more to come before Christmas, home entertainment fans are continually being delivered more content and unique innovations that the whole family can enjoy,” said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.
He continued “We are anticipating particularly strong sales for PlayStation 3 consoles, PlayStation Move motion controller, the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 and the number one selling personal video recorder, PlayTV. With all these entertainment features you can see why we say that gaming is just the start of your PlayStation 3 experience.”
To find out more, visit www.au.playstation.com