Record-breaking Sales of PlayStation Game Console
FOSTER CITY, CALIF. (Jan. 28) BUSINESS WIRE - Jan. 28, 1998 - After
completion of a comprehensive analysis of its year end sales data, the
PlayStation(TM) game console validated its position as the dominant
leader in the videogame industry.  The following is a breakdown of
fourth quarter North American PlayStation brand sales:
Fourth Quarter 1997
      --   Hardware:                     3.8 million units
      --   Software:                    18.4 million units
      --   Peripherals:                  8.4 million units
During the fourth quarter, PlayStation extended its commanding lead
among next generation videogame systems, outselling its nearest
competitor by a ratio of 1.4 to one. Early reports on January sales
indicate this gap continues to widen with PlayStation outselling its
nearest competitor by approximately 2:1. As of December 31, 1997,
cumulative sales since launch for PlayStation hardware, software and
peripherals are as follows:
Life-to-Date (Sept. 9, 1995 - Dec. 31, 1997)
      --   Hardware:                    8.7 million units
      --   Software:                   47.3 million units
      --   Peripherals:                19.8 million units
During the month of December alone, sales of PlayStation hardware
topped an unprecedented 2.4 million units, with more than 700,000
units sold during the single week including Christmas. Total
PlayStation brand revenue for the fourth quarter surpassed $1.5
billion dollars.
"PlayStation is not only the dominant leader in North America, but is
the undisputed system of choice worldwide," said Kaz Hirai, chief
operating officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Our
phenomenal fourth-quarter sales prove two key points. They demonstrate
our growing leadership in the burgeoning $5 billion plus videogame
industry and they're testament to the fact that we're continuing to
increase the gap between ourselves and our nearest competition as the
most popular next generation videogame system."
"With close to nine million North American households enjoying the
PlayStation game console, we've clearly established ourselves as a
true entertainment option for the mass market," said Andrew House,
vice president, marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "By
delivering the depth and breadth of software titles that consumers
want, we've expanded our user base by attracting both hard-core gamers
as well as first-time users across a wide demographic."
"One of the key contributing factors to PlayStation's success has been
our ability to deliver the hits, as promised and on time," said Jack
Tretton, vice president, sales, Sony Computer Entertainment America.
"With the abundant library of high quality PlayStation games
throughout 1997, we were able to deliver the widest range of choices
to consumers at the best prices all year long."
The PlayStation game console has an MSRP of $149 with new game titles
typically available at retail between $35 and $49. Recent software
releases from Sony Computer Entertainment America include best-selling
titles in a wide variety of game genres, such as Final Fantasy
VII(TM), NFL GameDay(TM) '98, Crash Bandicoot(TM),  Cortex Strikes
Back(TM), Bushido Blade(TM) and Parappa the Rapper(TM).
"Our broad library of games and competitive pricing makes PlayStation
one of the best entertainment values anywhere," said House. "Based on
our unparalleled success in fourth quarter 1997, we expect to see
PlayStation maintain its dominant position throughout 1998 and
beyond."
From:  Silicon Times Report / January 30, 1998 / No.1404
... There is an absolute truth, but language fails miserably.
--- JetMail 0.99beta22
---------------