Sony’s new PC gear will help it expand its reach in games beyond PlayStation.
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sony launches its own line of gaming-focused computer monitors and headsets, hoping to tap into the lucrative high-end PC gaming market as it looks beyond its main console brand PlayStation .
Called Inzone, Sony’s PC gaming line includes two monitors. The Inzone M9 monitor is the more expensive of the pair, priced at $900. It has a 27-inch display with 4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, which means a smoother picture. A cheaper model, the $530 Inzone M3, has a higher refresh rate but lower resolution.
The Inzone M9 will be available this summer, while the Inzone M3 won’t be released until winter.
As for headsets, Sony announced that it will release three in total: the Inzone H9 ($300), Inzone H7 ($230), and Inzone H3 ($100). They are currently available for pre-order, although Sony has yet to provide a release date.
The most expensive of the three, the Inzone H9, is wireless and has noise-canceling technology as well as an “ambient sound” mode that picks up sounds from your surroundings. The Inzone H7 is cheaper and doesn’t have noise cancellation, but it has longer battery life – up to 40 hours, compared to 32 hours with the Inzone H9. The Inzone H3, on the other hand, needs to be plugged into your computer with a cable.
The move pits Sony against established players in PC gaming hardware, including Lenovo, Asus and Razer.
It also gives the company a way to expand its video game business beyond its PlayStation console games division. Sony has said it wants to capitalize on the growth of the esports space.
“The market has grown with increased interest in games with the spread of esports tournaments and the advancement of gaming entertainment,” said Yukihiro Kitajima, head of gaming business at Sony.
“With Sony’s strong history of high-end audio and visual technology products, we believe this new range will provide even more options for those looking to upgrade their current gaming systems.”
Sony continues to face fierce competition from its longtime rival Microsoftwhich has adopted an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand its reach in an industry expected to be worth nearly $200 billion in 2022, according to forecasters Newzoo.
The two companies are betting big on a trending technology concept known as the “metaverse,” which involves vast, immersive digital worlds where people can work or play. Earlier this year, Sony unveiled a new virtual reality headset called PlayStation VR2.
