| GameBump |

SCEA's John Koller: PSP's Got Games in 2009, Really. Probably?

Ryan Fulton — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:46:09 -0500

On Tuesday Edge Online posted a feature detailing the decline of third party games for the PSP. Backed with data the findings seemed almost damning despite the last years increase in PSP sales. Within two days, John Koller, SCEAs hardware marketing head, responded to this report.

In the short, boring, and abstract, the answer is that somewhere around two years ago businesses decided that the PSP wasnt selling super well and decided to push their resources elsewhere, specifically into the then emerging current-gen consoles.

Where the article gets interesting is when Koller mentions that, [Sony has] a number of very strong franchise games on the docket that will be launching next year. We havent gone public with those, and many third-parties have not yet either because theyre concentrating on holiday, but we have a number of very strong titles coming. As to what those titles may be is anyones guess. Needless to say, this is a welcome sign for PSP owners and an open invitation for those who were on the fence about the system.

Double Fusion Provides PS3 In-Game Advertising

Tim Grube — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:13:40 -0500

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced a partnership with Double Fusion to deliver dynamic in-game advertising on the PlayStation 3 console.

Double Fusion will leverage its expertise, technology and sales force, working with publishers and advertisers to create effective marketing programs for brands targeting PS3's coveted gamer demographic.

The worldwide in-game advertising industry is expected to grow 1,150 percent to $971.3 million between 2006 and 2011 according to the Yankee Group.

"PS3 is open for the ad business," said Phil Rosenberg, Senior Vice President, SCEA. "We are very excited about hosting contextually relevant and well-crafted creative advertising on PS3. PlayStation is taking a major role in enabling this fast-developing sector that is both positive and inevitable for the games medium."

"We have already received tremendous support from publishers who want to incorporate ads into their PS3 games, across all of the regions of the world," Jonathan Epstein, president and CEO, Double Fusion, said. "We are very excited to work with SCE on this and PS3 will add a vast number of players to our already robust network. SCE's participation strengthens the in-game advertising ecosystem."

Advertisers interested in opportunities within the Double Fusion Network; and developers and publishers interested in increasing their per-title revenues through integrated and dynamic ad placement opportunities should visit http://www.AdvertisingInPlay.com

Sony Drops Its Long-Time Ad Agency, Creepy Baby To Blame?

Aaron Dunlap — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:50:56 -0600

If the above image scared the hell out of you like it did me, does that make it an effective selling tool for next-gen gaming systems?

The buying public and Sony doesn't think so. Although they've used the agency TBWAChiatDay, Sony Computer Entertainment America has decided to look to greener pastures for their latest campaign. You know, the good campaign that actually lets viewers know that the PlayStation 3 is a game console and not some kind of fancy thing you aren't supposed to understand.

I can't be sure if TBWAChiatDay is also responsible for the horrible PSP ads, including the racist squirrels and this pathetic "Dude, get your own" campaign. I'm just going to assume they are, and resume hating them.

After some kind of reality-TV-esq contest, it seems that SCEA has picked Deutsch/LA to be their advertisement buddies from now on. Estimates show that the SCEA contract is worth $150 million.