The PlayStation is, at the moment, the most popular piece of gaming hardware in the world. After selling more than 136 million pieces of hardware around the world, the PS2 recently saw its price drop to $99.99 in North America, that magical sub-$100 price point that makes the system so palatable for gamers on a budget. In fact, Sony is the only major console maker that is still interested in (and profiting from) its last-generation hardware.
Ars caught up with John Koller, Director of Hardware Marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America, to talk about the system that refuses to die.
A changing audience
While some core gamers may still have PS2s in their entertainment centers, the demographic for the system has changed. "At this stage of its lifecycle, the primary audience centers on casual and social gamers, skewing more towards families who want to play as a family, and individuals who enjoy PlayStation 2 for its wide variety of games and its capabilities as a DVD and CD player," Koller told Ars.
"From a pure gaming perspective, the PlayStation 2 provides a ton of value to those who want a gaming system that feeds into family night or other social activities, considering the low cost of entry for the hardware as well as for the games themselves."
PS2 sales are also important because they get gamers comfortable and happy with the Sony name and then when they're ready—it's time for a PS3. That's the theory, at least.
Read more: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/04/ps2.ars
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