TOKYO (02/03/2000) - Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), a unit of Sony Corp., today announced that a group of real-world retailers and video game software producers are investing in its soon-to-be-launched online retail service company PlayStation.com (Japan) Inc.
Scheduled to launch on Feb. 18, PlayStation.com's Web site will offer games and accessories for the company's new PlayStation 2 console, which will go on sale in Japan on March 4.
SCEI said in a statement that convenience store operator Seven Eleven Japan, video rental chain store operator Culture Convenience Club (CCC), computer game wholesaler Digicube Co. and video game and toy wholesaler Happinet Corp. will be investing in the company.
Through the retailer alliances, customers will be able to order products on the Web and opt to pick-up and pay for the goods at any of the retail outlets operated by the companies. By allowing customers to pay for goods at retail stores, the new site will be able to reach out to all consumers -- not just those with a credit card. This is especially important in the video game sector where a large number of users are under 18 and thus don't have cards.
Additionally, seven producers of video game software will also take stakes in the company. They include Namco Ltd., Square Co. Ltd., Enix Corp., Capcom Co.
Ltd., Bandai Co. Ltd., Konami Co. Ltd., and Koei Co. Ltd. With the participation of the game producers, software from the companies will be offered through the service.
Precise financial details were not disclosed by SCEI although the total shareholding of the eleven companies will account for 20 percent of PlayStation.com (Japan) Inc., the statement said.
Plans for the portal were announced in January at which time Sony said it is also eyeing the possibility of offering a digital delivery service in the future. Such a service would allow users to immediately download software purchased online from the store [See "Sony's SCEI to Sell Games Online," Jan.
18].
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., in Tokyo, can be found online at http://www.scei.co.jp/.