Mixing sports, music and action, Konami have a big gameplan for PlayStation2 next year

Konami Co. Ltd said in a statement today that they have laid plans to produce more than 10 games for PlayStation2 starting in April of this year in Japan, according to Reuters news wire.

Konami have vaulted to the top of the software-making sales charts with a fistful of music games and sequels, such as Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Freaks and Beat Mania. The company hope to replicate that success with Drum Mania, their first PlayStation2 game, due on March 4 in Japan.

"We expect total worldwide PlayStation2 sales will at least grow to the same level as the existing PlayStation console within five years," Konami's Director Kazumi Kitaue, managing director, told Reuters.

Of the 10-plus games, seven are already officially announced: Drum Mania, Jikkyou World Soccer, Jikkyou Pro Baseball 7, Gradius III and IV, Mahjong Yaroze, Reiselied, The Next Metal Gear Solid. Under its brand new publishing deal with ESPN, Komami are also bringing us ESPN Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball. In addition, Konami are still considering whether to bring its music titles to a market that's peripheral shy and price sensitive, which could hamper Konami's efforts.

Said a spokesman: "Given the promising outlook, we will develop more than half of our game software for PlayStation consoles. Five titles for the new machine will be added in the spring. We aim to release a total of more than 10 games in the next business year starting April."


Courtesy of IGN.com