A Sony Corp. executive told the Wall Street Journal this month that the company expects the new online universe 'Home' to boost sales of the Playstation 3 this holiday.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Chairman and Group CEO Kaz Hirai told the publication that Home, which will allow PS3 owners to mingle in a virtual world, will be available by the end of the year.
Hirai added that he expects the company's game unit to be less affected by current economic conditions.
Sony in Sept. 2007 delayed the Home online service to spring 2008. It subsequently delayed the project to the end of the year.
Sony will sell a new 160GB PS3 bundle in Nov. next to the current 80GB SKU.
Announced in Aug., the limited edition bundle will include the title Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a Playstation Network voucher for Pain, and a Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller for $499.99.
Sony this month said that sales for the Playstation 3 and the PSP are better than expected and may see a shortage at retail.
The company expects to sell 10 million PS3 units and 15 million units by the end of fiscal Mar. 2009.
The PS3 sold 185,400 units to rank at No. 5 in U.S. Aug. hardware sales, according to NPD Group Inc.
