Cumulative worldwide shipments of the Sony PlayStation2 computer entertainment system reached 60 million units at the beginning of this month, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI).

Since its launch in Japan on March 4, 2000, sales of PlayStation2 have grown rapidly around the world and it continues to gain worldwide popularity while reaffirming its position as the standard entertainment platform in homes.

With the Christmas season approaching, SCEI will further increase hardware production to meet demand.

Shipment of 60 million units within three and a half years of its launch is 1.6 times more in volume compared to the same period after launch of the original PlayStation, and a year and a month faster in penetration speed.

To prepare for the peak selling season, SCEI raised its monthly production/shipments to more than three million units since August, and will continue to control appropriate allocation according to actual market demand.

As for software, over 2,000 game titles are available for PlayStation2 worldwide, with cumulative shipments marking more than 400 million units. A new, attractive line-up of software titles is expected to be released continuously towards the peak selling season.

With PlayStation and PlayStation2, Sony Computer Entertainment aims to create and develop a new world of computer entertainment for the broadband era through the fusion of game, music, films and broadcasting.

The Sony PlayStation and PlayStation2 are distributed by FGL Information Technology Limited, a subsidiary of the Forestals Group. For more information contact Forestals showrooms in Sliema (tel: 2343-6000), Birkirkara (2149-7201) and Arkadia, Gozo (2155-9909) or send an e-mail to ps2@forestals.com.