PSP 'set to take SA by storm`

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 31 Aug 2005

The new Sony PlayStation Portable entertainment system (PSP) is set to take SA by storm, with as many as 70 000 units likely to be sold by Christmas, says distributor Ster-Kinekor games marketing manager Lucielle Vardy.

She says the handheld version of the PlayStation games console has been a success even before its much-anticipated South African launch on 3September, with the first two shipments already fully sold to retailers.

According to Vardy, the launch is expected to be one of the biggest gaming product launches in history. As a result, retailers such as Incredible Connection and Hifi Corporation have been running pre-order campaigns, saying demand for the device is exceptionally high.

This trend is in line with the rest of the world. When the gaming device was launched in the US in late March, queues formed in the late hours outside electronics stores in anticipation of the midnight launch.

Demand in Europe, where the PSP is scheduled for release on 1 September, has also been huge, outstripping supply to such an extent that many retailers stopped taking pre-orders, as they do not expect to be able fulfil them on the first day.

The device is expected to be a major Christmas season seller too. "We have no doubt in our minds that this is going to be one of the biggest gift purchases over the festive season," Vardy says.

Retailing at R2 599, the PSP comes in a value pack that includes the PSP, a branded strap, a neoprene softcase, 32MB memory card and a headphone set. Features include a 4.3-inch widescreen and high-resolution TFT display. The PSP also has built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector and a range of input/output connectors including a wireless LAN, which enables users to connect to the Internet and play online.

Up to 16 PSP systems in the vicinity can be directly connected to each other in ad hoc mode, allowing for wireless head-to-head competition. The wireless capabilities also allow for software and data to be downloaded to PSP and saved onto a memory stick duo. The PSP is also compatible with digital cameras, and photographs can be saved on the memory stick duo.

Eight to 10 games will be available at launch, with an additional 30 available during the festive season, Vardy says. Universal Media Disc (UMD) movie titles available at launch include XXX, Van Helsing and Hitch.

The PSP is expected to compete with Nintendo`s Gameboy, which is still regarded as market leader among portables. The first million purchasers in Europe and SA will receive a free Spiderman UMD movie, Vardy says.