Sony Announces New PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 remains a vital part of Sony's strategy for world console dominance as the company prepares to roll out a new version of the console in India and Russia.

The new version of the classic console will be "slimmer, sleeker and more suave in its looks," according to an article in the Economic Times. Sony has also done away with the external AC adapter, opting instead for a built-in unit. Sony Computer Entertainment Country Manager Atindriya Bose said Sony wants to make major inroads into the largely untapped BRIC (Brazil-Russia-India-China) markets and feels the PlayStation 2 will be more effective in that capacity that the newer, more expensive PlayStation 3.

"PS2 is an entry-level console, which helps first timers to enter the gaming zone," Bose said. "We feel the PS2 has the potential to penetrate further into the Indian and Russian markets. Console gaming is in its nascent stage in India. These are untapped markets and are new to the gaming world, hence we have no plans to phase out PS2 anytime soon."

The PlayStation 2 has shipped over 120 million units worldwide since its launch in 2000, but only 3.4 million have been sold in India despite its population of over 1.1 billion people. The latest generation of the console is expected to come to market by Diwali on October 28, and will retail for the same price as the previous hardware, about $160.

"We do not market it as a PS2 or PS3," Bose added, explaining the company's PlayStation 3 strategy in emerging markets. "It is the experience of the PS that we market. PS3 is for the next generation. People who are first-timers in the gaming market want to pick up PS2 and experience that, before upgrading to PS3."

For gamers in India who have already made that upgrade, Sony Computer Entertainment India said it will also be launching the PlayStation Network in the country by the end of this fiscal year. "The PlayStation Network is ready for India," Bose said. "It is only the integration of the payment gateway that needs to be done."

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More newer? Malygris... shame on you :p

I had no idea companies grouped those countries together, though now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense from an economic point of view.

This is retarded indeed. Releasing a yet another Playstation 2 model.

Hey Sony...drop the cruddy systems re-releases as it is old now. Start fixing your PS3 trouble or better yet...RELEASE HOME!

Have we not had this new slimmer and sleeker look before? Why they need to make yet another new one is beyond me, why cant they just re-release the old one?

conqueror Kenny:
Have we not had this new slimmer and sleeker look before? Why they need to make yet another new one is beyond me, why cant they just re-release the old one?

Why don't they just release the PS3 and put this old beauty to rest.

No, I think Sony is viewing this a little differently.

They sell these units at about $160 each in a high population market. Localize some titles to a region with billions who have never experienced them (keep in mind these titles have already been developed, so the cost is minor) and THEN kick off the PS3 in a year or two. Following the money, this move makes sense. They can basically exploit the previous generation's life cycle all over again at very little cost to themselves IF they are successful.

TomNook:

Why don't they just release the PS3 and put this old beauty to rest.

Because the population in these developing markets can't afford to pay over $500 for a PS3

This is retarded indeed. Releasing a yet another Playstation 2 model.

Hey Sony...drop the cruddy systems re-releases as it is old now. Start fixing your PS3 trouble or better yet...RELEASE HOME!

they're not re releasing it, not into our markets at least, they're putting it into developing markets so that they can gain market share, which is a pretty good market strategy. I doubt these new slimmer PS2's will even get close to Europe and other countries with people that can afford a next gen console because that would eat into PS3 sales.

For something to eat into PS3 sales, that would require there to be sales in the first place.

Back on-topic. It looks like it might be a good money-spinner, albeit a slightly redundant one.

Oh great, in about a year i'm going to have to listen to raving indians on CoD4 in my mic [/joking]

But it's good to have even more people convert to the dark si- I mean, the great divine that is Video Games.

I think this is a brilliant move. What's the best way to ensure that an emerging game market embraces the PS3? Hook them up with PS2s first.

The PS2 is still a well-supported machine, it's got a ridiculously huge back catalog of games, many of which can be had super-cheap, and in poorer markets, it's a lot more palatable than "next-gen" consoles. I think this is absolute genius on Sony's part; they generate revenues by breaking into huge and largely untapped markets with their older stuff, and at the same time set the table for widespread adoption of the newer stuff down the road. Mark my words, Sony's taking the long view in the console wars and they're going to come out on top because of it.

Malygris:
I think this is a brilliant move. What's the best way to ensure that an emerging game market embraces the PS3? Hook them up with PS2s first.

The PS2 is still a well-supported machine, it's got a ridiculously huge back catalog of games, many of which can be had super-cheap, and in poorer markets, it's a lot more palatable than "next-gen" consoles. I think this is absolute genius on Sony's part; they generate revenues by breaking into huge and largely untapped markets with their older stuff, and at the same time set the table for widespread adoption of the newer stuff down the road. Mark my words, Sony's taking the long view in the console wars and they're going to come out on top because of it.

I was thinking that, but i wasn't really sure how to say it and if i'd say it right. Hell, the PS2 is the only "last-gen" console that is even talked about anymore and still a successful one. Nobody cares about Xbox or Gamecube, but the PS2 is by far the longest running "last-gen" console (as far as i know, not sure about other gens)

Has anyone noticed that many people refer to current gen as next gen even though all consoles have been on the market for a couple of years now?

fat american:
Has anyone noticed that many people refer to current gen as next gen even though all consoles have been on the market for a couple of years now?

Yea I hate that I called the PS2 last-gen in 2005 (360 out) and people looked at me funny.

Slimmer and Sleeker? Sounds like they are describing a whore or something.

I don't see the problem some have with sony doing this...I think it would even make sense to do this in other markets if only to deal with the Wii since the PS2 can be sold at a lower price point than the Wii right now.

Next step Sony give me a second nub.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

They're only doing this because a PS3 is, at minimum, $400... They aren't fooling anybody.

Wasn't the PS2 slim and sleek enough already? What about that massive black thing they released not so long ago? Have Sony simply given up on it? Do they actually still make a decent quantity of PS2 games to justify the want to buy one? If you did want a PS2 then why wouldn't you just buy the current one seeing as it will be cheaper and more than adequately sleek and slim? Why is Sony so incompetent? What is happening to the global economy? When will the next season of House start?

lol.
They're just trying to sell to countries who aren't into gaming, conquering new lands, I secretly think it's quite genius.

Edit: Ah! Tis you, my previously fierce rival in the gamerscore leaderboard. Damn my PS3 from tempting me away, I've lost my place in the top 5!

conqueror Kenny:
Have we not had this new slimmer and sleeker look before? Why they need to make yet another new one is beyond me, why cant they just re-release the old one?

MacBook Air envy. If Apple can make a skinnier version of an old product and make it not only sell but become trendy, why, Sony can't allow them to get away with that can they? Thin is In.

-- Steve

Anton P. Nym:

conqueror Kenny:
Have we not had this new slimmer and sleeker look before? Why they need to make yet another new one is beyond me, why cant they just re-release the old one?

MacBook Air envy. If Apple can make a skinnier version of an old product and make it not only sell but become trendy, why, Sony can't allow them to get away with that can they? Thin is In.

-- Steve

So PS2 will lose an optical drive? Well that just killed all its games.

It's also fantastic news for devs. There could no better opportunity to continue making games on a lower tech machine with such a huge user base and such a respect among gamers.
I'm all fucking happy! ^-^

Lvl 64 Klutz:
More newer? Malygris... shame on you :p

I had no idea companies grouped those countries together, though now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense from an economic point of view.

You're probably part of the JAKE, so you have nothing to fear.

Iunno... when I was in India, there were PS2's and stuff on sale, it was just people didn't bother buying them. There really isn't a drive over there to buy game consoles. Those who can afford them will buy them, and those that can't have more important things to worry about (like their next meal).

The satisfaction of eating everyday cannot compete with the fun delivered by Guitar Hero.