Ster-Kinekor Games, distributor of Sony Computer Entertainment products, has previewed the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) as well as several game titles.
"It looks like we may launch it in June or July," says Lucielle Vardy, marketing manager at Ster-Kinekor Games. "When it was launched in Japan last December, 200 000 units were sold within three hours."
"By now there are over a million sold," adds David Hadassin, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Games. "Maybe even by late May we'll get our own shipments."
The PSP features graphics comparable to PlayStation 2 (PS2), and adopts Universal Media Disc (UMD), a new high-capacity optical disc, as its storage medium. UMD is 60mm in diameter and stores up to 1.8GB of data. PSP won't support any PS or PS2 games, but features a 4.3-inch-wide screen.
The PSP combines a DVD player, an MP3 player, a photo-editing device and a gaming device.
Initial indications are that gamers can expect to pay around R2 400 for the PSP. It will be supported by over 25 game titles at launch.
In the US, the PSP retails at between $180 and $250.
Expanding into PC games
Hadassin says the division that previously handled PS and PS2 titles has been restructured to deal with PC titles too.
"The gaming business is now bigger than the theatrical business and the industry expects it to grow to $50 billion worldwide by 2008," he adds.
"Around June, we'll have exciting titles for PC such as GTA: San Andreas and Area 51."
Some of the other titles previewed include PS2 games like GT4 and Metal Gear Solid 3. F1 2005 should launch in July or August. Ace Combat - Squadron Leader and MX Vs ATV Unleashed are also expected around that time.
Share
