Untitled Document

GRAN TURISMOTM SERIES SHIPMENT EXCEEDS
50 MILLION UNITS WORDLWIDE
Remarkable Sales Achieved In Only 10 Years And 4 Months 
Since The Original Gran Turismo Launched In 1997

Tokyo, May 9, 2008  – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that the cumulative worldwide shipment of the Gran TurismoTM franchise, a genre-defining racing and car-life simulator available on PlayStation®, PlayStation®2, and PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®)
computer entertainment systems, has exceeded 50 million units as of April 30, 2008.  This remarkable sales figure was achieved in just 10 years and 4 months since the launch of the first title in the franchise - Gran Turismo, in December 1997. The Gran Turismo franchise, from the original Gran Turismo to the latest Gran TurismoTM 5 Prologue, has continued to evolve alongside the PlayStation platforms.  With its outstanding game play, beautiful graphics and the true to life driving feel, the franchise is recognized as the world’s number one automotive game title on the PlayStation format, receiving high regard not just from game fans, but also from professional racing drivers and people in the automobile industry.  The seventh installment of the world’s best-selling racing franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces entirely new entertainment modes by taking advantage of the broadband network, such as online head-to head racing for up to 16 players, “GRAN TURISMO-TV”; a new in-game online channel that delivers automotive video contents from around the globe, and downloadable additional contents including new cars and courses, only possible on PS3. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has recorded strong sales since the first launch in Japan in December, 2007, followed by North America and Europe in Spring of 2008, with more than 2 million units of cumulative shipment worldwide and contributing to the further expansion of the PS3 platform.

For all Gran Turismo fans around the world, SCEI and the developer of the Gran Turismo series - Polyphony Digital Inc., will continue hereon to vigorously promote development of the Gran Turismo series, which can be expected to evolve even further
through the PS3 platform and broadband network environment. “Initially, “Gran Turismo” was an “alternative” racing game, kind of an outsider in the genre.” said Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of Gran Turismo. “And we made it thinking hat it would be okay as long as it reached out to “the select few who would agree with us”. So this figure, 50 million units - is simply astounding. If you go to a game store and look for a particular package, and pay for it at the cash register, though the time may be very brief, it still
takes at least 3 minutes or so. It’s simply mind boggling and hard to believe that this has been repeated 50 million times all around the world in the last 10 years. I would really like to thank all the fans who have supported the Gran Turismo series over the years, for all their passion and love of the game. We’d like to continue making every effort to create cutting edge, high quality games, so that we don’t disappoint anyone’s expectations.

Cumulative Worldwide Shipments of Gran Turismo Series (million units)

Title
Japan
North
America
  Europe
  Asia
WW

Gran Turismo
2.55
3.99
4.3
0.01
10.85

Gran Turismo 2
1.71
3.96
3.68
0.02
9.37

Gran Turismo 3 A-spec
1.89
7.14
5.85
0.01
14.89

Gran Turismo Concept 2001 TOKYO*1
0.43
---
1
0.13
1.56

Gran Turismo 4 Prologue
0.79
---
0.41
0.16
1.36

Gran Turismo 4
1.24
2.9
5.77
0.15
10.06

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue*2
0.27
0.55
1.38
0.03
2.23

Total

50.32

*1: Including series tiles

*2: Including Download Version

Title Release Dates in Japan

Gran Turismo    December 23, 1997 ß
Gran Turismo2    December 11, 1999
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec   April 28, 2001
Gran Turismo Concept 2001 TOKYO January 1, 2002
Gran Turismo 4 Prologue  December 4, 2003
Gran Turismo 4    December 28, 2004
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue  December 13, 2007

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and the company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) system.  PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment.  PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.  PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer level processing power.  SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages
third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.  Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, PS3 and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Gran Turismo is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners.  All rights reserved.

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“PlayStation” and “PSP” are the registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Ltd is a subsidiary of SCEI responsible for the sales and market promotion of "PlayStation®" products in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.

EXPANSION OF CLOSED BETA TESTING FOR PLAYSTATION®HOME IN SUMMER 2008Opening Of The Service Scheduled For Fall 2008

Tokyo, April 22, 2008  – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for PLAYSTATION®Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants from the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) users.  Following completion of the Expanded Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will commence in Fall 2008.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home.  Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation® tradition.”

The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences, such as connecting PlayStation games with Home and providing places and items from the games.

Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.