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Heres a Press Release for it… -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- On Wednesday, Sony Corp. of America announced the establishment of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, which will market hardware and software for Sony's new CD-based home video game system, the PlayStation, in the United States. Sony Computer Entertainment of America will also be responsible for third-party video game software licensing in the United States. The PlayStation employs advanced parallel processing by a dedicated 32-bit CPU together with multiple processors for different functions, such as graphics and sound. Sony's architecture allows for a dramatic increase in processing speed, enabling the PlayStation to offer a real-time combination of lifelike 3D images using "texture mapping," multiple two-dimensional "sprites" and full-motion video. "With recent advances in technology, Sony now has a unique opportunity to capitalize on both its electronics heritage as well as its entertainment assets in entering the interactive video game platform business," said Michael P. Schulhof, president and chief executive officer, Sony Corp. of America. "Sony Computer Entertainment of America will be a key strategic operation for Sony, drawing from all of our creative, technical, marketing and sales resources," Schulhof added. "This new company is truly a collaboration of the best of Sony — Sony's experience in digital processing and computer technologies; Sony's experience in software development and licensing; and Sony's experience in bringing the latest technologies to market at the right time, through the right sales channels and with the right support." The PlayStation system now under development incorporates the following architecture specially designed for video game applications: dedicated 32-bit RISC CPU; multiple processors for graphics and sound; capability equivalent to 500 MIPS (million instructions per second); and full-frame video at 30 frames per second. These specifications will generate real-time images equivalent to conventional television transmissions and will allow for immediate response time to the game play controls. Combined with the application of 3D computer graphics, PlayStation-generated characters and objects can move not only vertically and horizontally, but also forward and backward freely in 3D space. Similarly, the background will change according to the player's viewing angle. The PlayStation is scheduled to be released in Japan by the end of 1994 and in the United States in 1995. More than 160 video game software publishers and developers in Japan, including prominent companies such as Bandai, Capcom, Konami, and Namco, have announced public support for the PlayStation system. Sony Computer Entertainment of America will soon announce information about U.S. licensees. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-