By DateLine Philippines

The Philippines is now considered a “PlayStation nation” as one of the world’s most popular computer entertainment systems and its accompanying services are now officially available in the country.

Sony Philippines rocked the local gaming scene at the launch of its products in the Philippines at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City over the weekend and it focused the spotlight on the PlayStation3 (PS3) computer entertainment system and the PlayStation Portable handheld entertainment system.

This means that these PlayStation products purchased through Sony’s stores in the Philippines from last weekend onward will be covered by a one-year warranty for parts and services and repair services will also be available after the warranty is over.

Sony executives also hinted that the entry of PlayStation into the Philippine market heralds Sony’s exploration of local game design talents, a pool of skilled workers that has been growing steadily over the past few years as colleges and universities include video game design and animation courses among their offerings.

However, while this launch of PlayStation products takes the Philippines out of the “gray market” zone where parts and services for the PlayStation line of consoles was once inaccessible, the officialness of the presence of the PSP and PS3 in the Philippine market covers only the units sold during the launch and after it. PlayStation products bought through the gray market are still not covered by warranties, parts replacement or repair services.

Sony Philippines marketing manager for PlayStation products Kathy Amora explained at the launch that “we can only be responsible for the products we ourselves handled, because we can assure the quality of these products. We cannot offer repair or warranty services to the units we did not bring in ourselves.”

The PS3 retails P18,999 for the 120GB model and P20,999 for the 250GB model, while the PSP-3006 will sell for P9,999. The PS3 system offers cutting-edge features and functions, including enabling users to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and PS3 games, as well as Internet connectivity. Games for the PS3 will retail at between P1,500 and P3,000, Amora said.

The latest models of the PS3 system with 120GB or 250GB hard drives will also allow users to store other content, such as games, music, photos and movies. This new PS3 system also features a meticulous design with textured surface finish.

According to Sony Philippinesm “the PSP system has been gaining enthusiastic support from users worldwide.” Sony also said in a press statement issued at the launch that the new PSP offers “the highest-level contrast ratio, response time and wider color gamut possible on a portable LCD screen,” and that the PSP system “is capable of displaying movies and photos in more natural and vibrant colors on its high resolution 4.3 inch wide-screen.” It also comes with anti-reflection technology, which enables users to see the screen more clearly in well-lit places, even when used outdoors.” The latest PSP model comes in black, white, silver, red and blue.

“Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with PS3 and PSP, Sony Philippines will continue to further expand the PlayStation platforms and create a new world of computer entertainment,” Amora added, saying the entry of the PlayStation into the Philippines “continues the evolution of the much anticipated 3D World created by Sony. Because only Sony can lay claim to strength in both technology and content, Sony is able to bring the most complete experience of 3D in the Philippines.”

Sony also gave consumers a preview of its consoles’ 3D capability through a set-up of its BRAVIA LX900 televisions rigged with PS3 units. Because Sony is the only consumer electronics brand with an arsenal of 3D content, the company ensures its that consumers can be fully equipped to enjoy everything from hardware to content.

The Philippines is now considered a “PlayStation nation” as one of the world’s most popular computer entertainment systems and its accompanying services are now officially available in the country.

Sony Philippines rocked the local gaming scene at the launch of its products in the Philippines at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City over the weekend and it focused the spotlight on the PlayStation3 (PS3) computer entertainment system and the PlayStation Portable handheld entertainment system.

This means that these PlayStation products purchased through Sony’s stores in the Philippines from last weekend onward will be covered by a one-year warranty for parts and services and repair services will also be available after the warranty is over.

Sony executives also hinted that the entry of PlayStation into the Philippine market heralds Sony’s exploration of local game design talents, a pool of skilled workers that has been growing steadily over the past few years as colleges and universities include video game design and animation courses among their offerings.

However, while this launch of PlayStation products takes the Philippines out of the “gray market” zone where parts and services for the PlayStation line of consoles was once inaccessible, the officialness of the presence of the PSP and PS3 in the Philippine market covers only the units sold during the launch and after it. PlayStation products bought through the gray market are still not covered by warranties, parts replacement or repair services.

Sony Philippines marketing manager for PlayStation products Kathy Amora explained at the launch that “we can only be responsible for the products we ourselves handled, because we can assure the quality of these products. We cannot offer repair or warranty services to the units we did not bring in ourselves.”

The PS3 retails P18,999 for the 120GB model and P20,999 for the 250GB model, while the PSP-3006 will sell for P9,999. The PS3 system offers cutting-edge features and functions, including enabling users to enjoy high-definition Blu-ray disc (BD) movies and PS3 games, as well as Internet connectivity. Games for the PS3 will retail at between P1,500 and P3,000, Amora said.

The latest models of the PS3 system with 120GB or 250GB hard drives will also allow users to store other content, such as games, music, photos and movies. This new PS3 system also features a meticulous design with textured surface finish.

According to Sony Philippinesm “the PSP system has been gaining enthusiastic support from users worldwide.” Sony also said in a press statement issued at the launch that the new PSP offers “the highest-level contrast ratio, response time and wider color gamut possible on a portable LCD screen,” and that the PSP system “is capable of displaying movies and photos in more natural and vibrant colors on its high resolution 4.3 inch wide-screen.” It also comes with anti-reflection technology, which enables users to see the screen more clearly in well-lit places, even when used outdoors.” The latest PSP model comes in black, white, silver, red and blue.

“Along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with PS3 and PSP, Sony Philippines will continue to further expand the PlayStation platforms and create a new world of computer entertainment,” Amora added, saying the entry of the PlayStation into the Philippines “continues the evolution of the much anticipated 3D World created by Sony. Because only Sony can lay claim to strength in both technology and content, Sony is able to bring the most complete experience of 3D in the Philippines.”

Sony also gave consumers a preview of its consoles’ 3D capability through a set-up of its BRAVIA LX900 televisions rigged with PS3 units. Because Sony is the only consumer electronics brand with an arsenal of 3D content, the company ensures its that consumers can be fully equipped to enjoy everything from hardware to content.