The U.S. video game arm of Sony Corp. said on Wednesday it would not update some of its sports titles this year, mirroring a similar move by Microsoft Corp. amid intense competition. Sony Computer Entertainment of America said its 989 Sports label would not release the professional or collegiate versions of its football and basketball games for the 2004-2005 season. The company"s baseball, soccer and Olympics titles are unaffected, as is its hockey franchise, all of which have either been released or remain on track for release this year.
A spokesman said the company intends to bring the football and basketball games back in 2005, taking the interim time to work on game development and make the titles more competitive. Sony"s sports brands have largely struggled in recent years, gaining little market share in the face of repeated dominating performances by the sports line-up of industry leader Electronic Arts Inc. The football and basketball games in particular have been forced to compete in crowded markets where EA"s significant share has left little for other publishers to split.