February 12th, 2004 (12:00am) - Sony Computer Entertainment America sealed 2003 with a successful holiday season, fueled by a strong roster of first-party PlayStation2 titles that earned more than two dozen top honors from leading enthusiast and consumer outlets such as Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), PlayStation Magazine (PSM), PLAY Magazine, Gamespy, Gamespot, TechTV, Spike TV, Rolling Stone, and the Dallas Morning News. Expanding on successful franchises such as SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, Jak II, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, and introducing original, innovative titles such as EyeToy, Amplitude, and Downhill Domination, Sony Computer Entertainment America has further cemented its position as one of the industry’s premier publishers.
Six different PlayStation 2 titles, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America, are award winners with some garnering multiple honors. The many accolades stem from the company’s commitment to expand the capabilities of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system through compelling content that delivers on consumer expectations. In 2003, Sony Computer Entertainment America delivered some of the most innovative content to date, engaging consumers in new and exciting ways. SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs set a new standard for online console gaming in its first two days of release and continues to be the number one online console game. Amplitude and P.O.D. joined in a groundbreaking collaboration to create the entertainment industry’s first-ever combined music CD/PlayStation 2 videogame release, and EyeToy provided consumers with a glimpse into the future possibilities of gaming through its ability to put the player in the game.
"We are honored that our first-party titles, produced by what we believe to be the industry’s best developers, continue to be recognized by experts, enthusiasts and most importantly, the consumer," said Shuhei Yoshida, vice president, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We believe our commitment to innovation and our passion to deliver the most creative content is what brings the PlayStation experience to life, and why our lineup received such distinct praise."
The following is a complete list of award-winning Sony Computer Entertainment America first party software titles:
SOCOM II: US NAVY SEALs
SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, the sequel to the number one online console game and "Greatest Hit" title, continues to lead the online race selling more than 850,000 copies since its November release. SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs was honored by PLAY Magazine and GameSpy as Best Online Game of 2003, was ranked by PlayStation Magazine (PSM) as a Top Five Game of 2003, and was named one of the best games of 2003 on CNN.com.
SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs also received a nomination for Best Action Game at the Spike Video Game Awards, and was nominated by 1up.com in both the Best
Shooter and Game of the Year categories. The game has been recognized as
being among the year’s best by newspapers such as the Detroit Free Press, the San Jose Mercury News, Austin American-Statesman and the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. Created in association with Naval Special Warfare Command, SOCOM
II: U.S. Navy SEALs places gamers in the role of an elite SEAL commander trained to protect America from hostile forces throughout the world, collaborating with international allied forces in unified missions.
EyeToy
EyeToy, recognized as one of the most innovative devices introduced by the gaming industry in 2003, was also one of the most honored. EyeToy was lauded Most Innovative Game of 2003 by PLAY Magazine, GameSpy, GameSpot, 1up.com and the Dallas Morning News. In addition, EyeToy was rated among the 10 best games of 2003 by the San Jose Mercury News and Amazon.com, and won fourth place in NBC Today’s "Toy Test 2003," America’s biggest toy test. Developed exclusively for PlayStation 2, EyeToy is an entirely unique gaming experience for people of all ages. Incorporating a unique USB camera that utilizes motion-tracking technology, gamers instantly become the main character in their own game as interactive entertainment is taken to a new level.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
One of the most anticipated games of the year, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando was honored by IGN, Cinescape and Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) as the Best Game of 2003. The game was included in PSM’s Top 10 Games of 2003, was chosen by TechTV’s "X-Play", GameSpot and the Dallas Morning News as Best Platformer of the year, and was nominated by 1up.com for Game of the Year. GamingWorldX.com also acknowledged Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando as both Best Platformer and Best PlayStation 2 Game of the Year. PLAY Magazine labeled the title as both PlayStation 2 Game of the Year and Action-Shooting Game of the Year, and the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News included Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando among its Top 10 Best Games of 2003.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is a weapons-based, action-adventure game designed exclusively for PlayStation 2. The game’s multi-faceted nature satisfies the conventional platform fan but brings them to a whole new level of gameplay with innovative elements never seen before in this genre.
Jak II
Jak II is a gripping, imaginative action adventure game that is plot- driven, with every mission having a direct effect on the storyline. Chosen as PSM’s Game of the Year, Best Character Design and Best Story, PLAY Magazine’s Hybrid Game of the Year, Best Graphics and Editors Choice and awarded Action Game of the Year as well as tied for Game of the Year by PSE2, Jak II delivers a deep, compelling storyline full of twists and turns, with more than 90 minutes of cinematic movies, perilous exploration and challenging gameplay. Jak II was also honored with an IGN Editors Choice Award, as well as IGN’s pick for Best Graphics. In addition, Jak II was chosen as GameSpot’s Best Platform Game and Game of the Year for PS2, Gamezone.com’s Best Adventure Game and UGO’s Best Platform Game. Jak II was also ranked among the year’s best games in the San Jose Mercury News and Austin American-Statesman, and also received an honorable mention for the best games of 2003 by CNN.com.
Downhill Domination
Downhill Domination, the first downhill mountain bike racing game published for a next generation platform, received PLAY Magazine’s Xtreme Sports Game of the Year and placed seventh in NBC Today’s "Toy Test 2003." Downhill Domination features professional riders, licensed manufacturers, a broad, appealing music roster and courses from around the globe.
Amplitude
Amplitude is the first online music franchise for PlayStation 2. Voted by Rolling Stone as one of the four Best Console Games of 2003, Amplitude allows players to take part in the music and gaming revolution by keeping beat with top named recording artists and gamers around the world in an all-new auditory and visual gaming experience.
