SCEE to increase outlets to 2,000 by FY09

{image-Sony Computer Entertainment_23112008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Nov 23: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which has a share of about 80 per cent of the country's gaming industry, plans to increase its number of retail outlets up to 2,000 in India by the end of this financial year.

''We plan to expand our retail points from existing 1,500 to about 2,000 by March next year,'' company Country Manager Atindriya Bose told reporters here. He said the company is eyeing the huge potential of the tier-II cities across the country. Citing the example of Punjab, where there is a huge demand of gaming, he said the company is getting a very good response from other cities as well. ''Many cities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have responded well and we are very focused to tap the potential markets,'' Mr Bose said. Commenting on the impact of the global meltdown on the gaming industry, he said, ''there is no such impact seen on the industry.'' ''We have registered seven times growth last year as compared to the previous year, and this year too, we are hoping to have three to four time growth against the previous year,'' he said.

He, however, did not disclose further details about its growth and revenue.

The company also unveiled the spanking new PSP 3000 series priced at Rs 9,490, featuring an advanced LCD viewing that further improves the very popular, high resolution PSP display along with a built-in microphone.

Mr Bose announced that the 80GB PS3 will be launched next month for the domestic market along with games, reflecting the growing entertainment market.

SCEE, based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PlayStation3, PlayStation2, PSP (PlaysStation Portable) and PlayStation Network software and hardware in 102 territories across Europe, the West Asia, Africa, India and Oceania.

It also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licencing programme for the formats in these territories.

UNI