Network Adaptor for the PS2 Now Available

FOSTER CITY, Calif., August 27, 2002 — Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc. today made online console gaming a reality
in North America with the consumer release of the Network Adaptor
(Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation®2). PlayStation fans in San Francisco and New
York City lined up to be among the first to experience online gameplay via
PlayStation 2 during a live, bi-coastal online tournament to launch the Network
Adaptor, which is now available at retail outlets nationwide for a suggested
retail price of $39.99.

With a North American installed base of more than 11 million
units – nearly six times that of its closest competitor – consumer demand for
online gaming with PlayStation 2 is expected to reach new heights as a result of
the Network Adaptor’s launch. Since Sony Computer Entertainment America’s
initial announcement of its online plans, consumers have been anxiously awaiting
the release of the Network Adaptor, with many retailers organizing pre-orders
prior to the launch date. Sony Computer Entertainment America will initially
ship 400,000 Network Adaptors this calendar year and expects cumulative
shipments to reach 500,000 units by March 31, 2003. PlayStation 2 will be the
first online gaming option for the mass market, and is set to amass the largest
online console gaming community in just four short months.

"Today, online console gaming has officially begun with the
launch of the Network Adaptor," said Kaz Hirai, president and chief operating
officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "This opens up entirely new
worlds of entertainment for PlayStation fans. Sony Computer Entertainment
America is honored to once again raise industry standards by being the first to
deliver this exciting next step in the evolution of computer entertainment."

During the event to launch the Network Adaptor, New Yorkers went
head-to-head with San Francisco gaming enthusiasts in the company’s first-ever
public online tournament via the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.
Fans cheered their city’s gamer-representatives as they trash?talked, smashed,
leg-sweeped and tackled their rivals on opposite ends of the continent.

Players Nationwide Tear It Up For Gridiron Superiority
in NFL GameDay™ 2003
The NFL football season kicked off early this year as the New York Giants took
on the San Francisco 49ers in Sony Computer Entertainment America’s online
tournament to determine gridiron superiority. PlayStation fans in New York and
San Francisco assumed the roles of legendary players, then blocked, passed,
tackled and punted their way towards the virtual end zone in NFL GameDay 2003
from 989 Sports. The online tournament heated up as players from each city took
advantage of NFL GameDay’s in-game chat mode to trash-talk their opponents.

New Yorkers and San Franciscans Enlist in Special Forces
on SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
New York and San Francisco PlayStation fans teamed up to battle virtual
terrorists in today’s online tournament that showcased the highly anticipated
title SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs. Two teams of four players assumed either the roles
of SEAL commanders or terrorists, then worked with fellow team members to defeat
the other side. New Yorkers and San Franciscans teamed up to maneuver their way
through Demolition, Hostage Rescue and Suppression game types. The highlight of
the tournament was when players donned the USB headset to verbally communicate
with fellow team members located thousands of miles away.

PlayStation Delivers on Consumer Demand for Online Games
Sony Computer Entertainment America has been aggressively developing its online
strategy for PlayStation 2 for some time, with initial consumer Beta testing
beginning in March 2002.

Overall results indicate overwhelming consumer desire for online
gaming:

• Consumers are already playing games with friends – Nearly 70
  percent of videogame consumers play games with friends, while another 29
  percent play both by themselves and with friends. (Source: Sony Computer
  Entertainment America)

• Consumers see lots of advantages to online gameplay – Just
  over 70 percent of videogame consumers say that "playing against friends" and
  "playing demos of games prior to release" are the greatest advantages to
  online gameplay. Other advantages consumers cited include being able to play
  against gamers they don’t know, testing skills against other players, winning
  prizes, and playing in tournaments. (Source: Sony Computer Entertainment
  America)

• Consumers are awaiting Internet-enabled games – Nearly all –
  93 percent – of videogame consumers are interested in connecting their
  PlayStation 2 to the Internet. (Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America)

Going Online with PlayStation 2
Going online with PlayStation 2 requires the addition of a Network Adaptor for
PlayStation 2. The Network Adaptor is a first-of-its kind connectivity device
that combines a 10/100 Ethernet connection with a 56K V.90 analog modem that
allows network access to a wide spectrum of consumers regardless of their
in-home broadband or narrowband connectivity choice. Consumers with an in-home
Internet Service Provider (ISP) account and the Network Adaptor will be able to
play friends and rivals across the Internet via PlayStation 2 games specifically
designed to take advantage of this capability. The Network Adaptor comes with a
bundled Start-Up Disc to ensure consumers can quickly and easily equip their
PlayStation 2 with online connectivity. The disc will consist of the following:

• Start-Up Disc connectivity setup

• Help video and documentations

• Interactive game demos

• Sneak peek "coming soon" videos

• Mail-in coupon – Twisted Metal:Black® ONLINE for free

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment
lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, and the PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system
is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most
compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network
terminal in the coming broadband era.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and
develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game
console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North
American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.