Gangs of London, God Of War II, Killzone: Liberation
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced a stellar line up of new software titles due out this year for the market-leading PSP system and PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, including nine new titles for the revolutionary PSP system and five new titles for the most popular gaming platform in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Japan/Asia.
The PSP system and PlayStation 2 bring unparalleled gaming experiences to consumers, and with the addition of these action-packed first-party titles that span across multiple genres, consumers can look forward to a wide variety of exciting entertainment experiences for the coming year.
"Our goal for 2006 is to continue to lead and define the market for interactive entertainment and our exciting software line-up for the PSP and PlayStation 2 does just that," said Jack Tretton, Executive Vice President, co-COO, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “In addition to providing gamers and retailers with exciting sequels to best-selling franchises, we're continuing to broaden the portfolio with terrific new content from some of our best development teams, further demonstrating our dedication to our long-term vision for the PlayStation 2 as well as evolving the multimedia capabilities of the PSP system.”
Following a record-setting launch last year, the PSP system has quickly become a cultural icon and a market-altering force with more than 17 million units shipped worldwide. As of this month in North America, there are more than 100 games available for the PSP system and more than 350 feature films, TV programs and videos from major studios combining with downloadable content from the Internet to create an unmatched library of entertainment content. The PSP system has also served as an important driver in retail sales, bringing in more than $1.6 billion as of calendar year 2005.
As the only gaming platform to enjoy such widespread global success, to date, more than 103 million PlayStation 2 units and approximately one billion pieces of software for the PlayStation 2 have shipped worldwide, making it the fastest-selling gaming platform in the world. According to The NPD Group, PlayStation 2 continues to lead console unit market share with 55.6 percent in the U.S., more than double of any other console on the market to date. PlayStation 2 also leads on the software front with nearly a 70 percent lead over any other competitor when it comes to software titles available at market in March. (Source: The NPD Group as of March 2006)
Below is a list of the highly-anticipated first-party PSP system and PlayStation 2 titles due out this year:
ATV Offroad Fury Pro (Available October, 2006 / Not Yet Rated)
The most intense handheld off-road racing package is back with ATV Offroad Fury Pro for the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. In addition to racing on ATVs, players can now choose from more than 30 total vehicles, including MX bikes, buggies, and Trophy Trucks to compete on 64 all-new tracks, including tracks from the original ATV Offroad Fury titles. Supporting up to four players via wireless multiplayer connectivity, gamers will speed through more than 30 visually stunning environments with six distinct terrain types and can choose from more than 60 unique tracks. Featuring five new events, new vehicles and mini-games, and cross compatibility with ATV Offroad Fury® 4 for the PlayStation 2, ATV Offroad Fury Pro w ill provide players the opportunity to tackle the trickiest off-road courses anytime, anywhere.
ATV Offroad Fury 4 (Available September, 2006 / Not Yet Rated)
The multi-million selling ATV franchise is back this Fall for an all-new installment of intense racing action with ATV Offroad Fury 4 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Select your favorite ATV, or for the first time in franchise history, MX Bikes, Buggies, and Trophy Trucks to race through 72 tenacious tracks on six different continents. Featuring an all-new story mode, players will be able to live the life of a rookie rider and earn a path to the ranks of professional racer. Additionally, ATV Offroad Fury 4 adds cross communication capabilities with ATV Offroad Fury® Pro for the PSP system, including vehicle exchanges and upgrades, shared online communities, and the ability to share user created circuits. The game will support up to eight players online, with other key features including a track editor as well as extensive vehicle tuning and customization options.
Gangs of London (Available Fall, 2006 / Not Yet Rated)
Created by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s London Studio, developers of The Getaway™ franchise, Gangs of London ™ was designed specifically for the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system and will be presented in stunning graphic-novel style narratives. Dynamic storylines enable each player to experience their own unique progression in nearly 60 different missions that immerse gamers in an elite criminal underworld in modern day London. Offering a variety of gameplay modes including Story Mode, Gang Battle, Free Roaming, London Pub Games and a unique Game Sharing mode, Gangs of London provides intense free-roaming gameplay perfectly tailored for a handheld system.
God of War II (Available Q1, 2007 / Not Yet Rated)
Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Santa Monica Studios, God of War® introduced a groundbreaking, combat action-adventure videogame based on Greek mythology that went on to capture more than a dozen “Game of the Year” Awards. In God of War, players were introduced to Kratos, a mortal warrior, who set upon an epic quest to dethrone a God. But his journey did not end there. In God of War II for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system , players will retake the role of Kratos. Armed with the deadly blades and aided by new breath-taking magic and new brutal combat moves, the journey will take players through vividly striking environments where they will be faced with a labyrinth of challenging puzzles and mini-games intricately woven into the story. The violent world of Greek mythology will come to life in gory detail as Kratos encounters new mythical characters, and competes in epic boss battles in his quest to the far reaches of the earth in order to alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed, his fate.
Killzone : Liberation (Available October 31, 2006 / Not Yet Rated)
Developed by Guerilla, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Killzone: Liberation for the PSP system is a third-person action game that puts the players into various missions to rescue hostages from the evil Helghast. Inspired by the events in Killzone for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system (released in November, 2004), the story continues in Killzone: Liberation with the battle against the Helghast still raging on. Featuring an intelligent third person camera system, Killzone: Liberation allows players a more tactical surveillance viewpoint to view their action and read the enemy’s behavior during gameplay. Set in an intense postmodern war reminiscent of the previous PlayStation 2 title, Killzone: Liberation features the unique graphical style to showcase pure grit and realism. During gameplay, players will have access to online and offline missions, supported with a variety of weapons that are unique and innovative, inspired by modern military equipment.
