Sony defends European PSP delays

Alfred Hermida
Technology editor, BBC News website, in Los Angeles

The PSP is set to be launched with a "killer price" for Europe, says Sony

Sony has defended its decision to launch the PSP handheld gaming device in Europe much later than elsewhere.

The PSP goes on sale on 1 September, six months after it hit US stores, and nine months after its Japanese debut.

Speaking in Los Angeles, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Phil Harrison said the decision was made to ensure there would be enough in the shops.

The PSP is a multimedia portable games device, with built-in wi-fi, that can also play movies and music.

Sony unveiled the games line-up for the handheld's European launch at a press event in Los Angeles, on the eve of the official start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, E3.

The show is the world's largest video games event in the world.

Grand Theft Auto game

A total of 19 games will be available for the PSP when it goes on sale in Europe in September.

Dozens more are expected by the end of the year, including a version of the hugely popular Grand Theft Auto series.

If we had launched in Europe before September, then we would not have been able to meet demand Phil Harrison, Sony Computer Entertainment

The game, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, by Rockstar North, will be out shortly after the PSP's launch.

In addition, 19 films will be available in September. And Sony Pictures plans to release new movies for the PSP at the same time as their DVD release.

The console will sell for £179 in the UK and 249 euros on the continent. In the US the console sells for $249 (£129) plus tax.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe executive vice-president Phil Harrison predicted a strong launch, describing the UK cost as a "killer price point".

Meeting demand

Sony postponed the European launch of the PSP earlier this year so that it could ensure enough consoles for the US launch in March.

"If we had launched in Europe before September, then we would not have been able to meet demand," Mr Harrison told the BBC News website.

"That would have caused significant frustration for gamers and retailers."

Nintendo has launched a "jeans pocket" version of its GameBoy

The PSP is Sony's first portable games machine, challenging the dominance of Nintendo's handhelds such as the GameBoy Advance and the DS.

US gamers are snapping up 100,000 PSPs a week, according to Sony.

Analysts expect sales of handheld games to drive growth of the video game industry in 2005.

Rival handheld console, Nintendo's DS, has already launched in Europe, as well as the US and Japan.

The Japanese games company says it has sold more than five million units of its DS worldwide so far.