Sony Computer Entertainment is likely to sell 350,000 units of PlayStation in India by the end of 2010, 45 per cent more than last year. In the previous year, it had sold 240,000 units.

"Since its launch in 2007, the gaming market in India has grown by leaps, and is still one of the largest untapped markets across the world. We anticipate this trend to consolidate, with increased entrenchment of the gaming culture in the Indian middle class," said Atindriya Bose, country manager, Sony PlayStation.

Keeping this growth target in mind, Sony PlayStation today launched a gaming technique new to India - the motion controller. The 'Move' motion controller works on the principle of motion detection, allowing a higher degree of player involvement.

"Beside the motion sensing technology introduction, we would also launch a PlayStation Store in India, where customers will be able to buy games, especially those which are not as elaborate as the usual console games," said Bose.

The console-based gaming market in India is pegged at Rs 450 crore, of which Sony, under its PlayStation segment, commands over 80 per cent.

In keeping with its tradition of having locally-influenced games in the Indian PlayStation3 portfolio, the company would introduce street cricket and cart racing. Historical figures like Chandragupta Maurya will also figure in the games line-up in a strategy-focused game, called Battle Royal.

GST could choke industry

Bose also spoke about the need to revamp tax structure, as the cumulative effect of import duties stood at 25 per cent, in addition to the value added tax of 12.5 per cent.

"The present system of taxation allows little flexibility. One lives in fear of the promulgation of the goods and services tax (GST), because if the gaming industry is placed in the top bracket, it will be choked completely," he said.

If the gaming companies were placed at the higher end of the taxation bracket in GST, then in addition to the cumulative import duty burden, the effect would leave the gaming industry with no scope for price flexibility.

GST intends to create a pan-India market through the creation of a single taxation system, by replacing levies at the national and state levels. The single levy would have two components, one to be levied by the Centre and the other by states.

http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/13/sony-playstation-may-sell-45-pc-more-this-year.htm

Obviously relative to the population 350k is insignificant but still a huge accomplishment. IIRC total sales were around 50k in 2008 so this really is an exponential growth.

Well there is a huge potential market in India with its massive population. If Sony or any other console manufacturer can tap into that potential market then the result could eventually be more consoles being sold in India then in Western Europe combined.

The thread title is completely wrong, the numbers are mostly about the PS2, not the PS3.

By January, Sony India sold 50'000 PS3's. By July, it climbed to 75'000 sold units. Sony India expects to sell through about 140'000 units this fiscal year. All these numbers are not a secret, just google "Atindriya Bose" (head honcho of Sony India). There is a larger number of imported grey market PS3's as they are much cheaper than official units.

Hmm, didn't realize they were talking about the entire PS family. My bad. Although it's still basically exponential growth. Selling 25k in 6 months when it took 2 years to get to 50k.

Damn... And I was just to about shout THE PS3 IS UNDERTRACKED!!