Even though some analysts predict that Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’s PlayStation 2 approaches its dusk, Sony itself claims it is full of optimism in regards the future of its game console. Apparently, the company expects to sell 12 million units of its PS2 by the end of March, which means that this fiscal year sales of the game machine will be lower than previously.

On October 2007, Sony Computer Entertainment America celebrated seven years of PlayStation 2 in the region, where sales of the PS2 started to drop several months ago due to the pressure from newer game consoles from Nintendo, Microsoft and, perhaps, Sony itself. In total, as of September, 2007, there were 120 million Sony PlayStation 2 game consoles shipped, according to Sony.

“While today’s anniversary celebrates PlayStation 2’s past, we’re very excited for its future. We look forward to the platform’s continued growth and expect to sell approximately 12 million units worldwide by the end of March, leading us to anticipate that PlayStation 2’s lifecycle will exceed that of the original PlayStation,” said Jack Tretton, president and chief executive officer for SCEA.

Even though the PlayStation 2 is indisputably the world’s most successful game console to date, its era is ending and Sony indirectly confirmed it by saying that 12 million units will be sold this fiscal year. Considering that 120 million units have been shipped in 7.5 years since the launch, it means that roughly 16 million PS2s were supplied every year. Therefore, 12 million for the current fiscal year means below average for SCEI.

SCEA said it is also bringing a whole new look to PlayStation 2 this holiday with the release of a limited edition Ceramic White PlayStation 2 bundled with SingStar Pop and two high-quality USB microphones. The new PlayStation 2 bundle will be available in North America in early November for a suggested retail price of US $149.99/C$159.99 and features the same, ultra-sleek design and functions of the current PlayStation 2 slim.

Sony PlayStation 2 was the most popular game console in the USA last December, according to data by NPD group. If the recent price-cut on the PlayStation 3 and the introduction of a new PlayStation 2 flavour do not drive sales of the game consoles by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. upwards, Sony will find itself on the third place in the game console world following Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 already in early 2008.

In September gamers bought 1.363 million game consoles in the U.S., according to NPD, of which there were 215 thousand of PlayStation 2 and 119.4 thousand of PlayStation 3. Meanwhile, Nintendo sold through 501 thousand of Wii, whereas Microsoft Xbox 360 was bought by 527.8 thousand of gamers in the USA.