Heavy Rain Delivers an Interactive, Film Noir-Style Thriller Exclusively for the PlayStation(R)3 System

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today the release of Heavy Rain® exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Developed by Quantic Dream, developers of the critically acclaimed Indigo Prophecy, Heavy Rain takes players on an emotionally engaging and mysterious journey where the story path is shaped as players play the game. Each decision made will have an impact on how a particular story plays out, and Heavy Rain takes players through more than 60 emotionally powerful scenes that feature contextual actions, realistic visuals, and varying paths that lead to a unique ending.

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Heavy Rain is a gripping psychological thriller filled with countless twists and turns in a gut wrenching search for the Origami Killer. Each player's experiences are based on their own actions as they are faced with various choices and consequences, each of which will lead them on an emotional roller coaster. By diving into the four lead characters' minds, the player will have insight into actions they should take before making their next move, discovering that every action or decision, big or small, will have a tangible impact on the fate of the characters.

"Tapping into the power and technology of PS3, Quantic Dream has pushed gaming boundaries to the limits, placing emotion at the forefront of the Heavy Rain experience," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. "This dark and mysterious story delivers a setting and mood that truly attests to the true film noir feel of the game. We're eager for fans to enter this world and experience their own unique story, one that can only be had on PS3."

Players will dive into the minds of the four main characters - an FBI profiler named Norman Jayden, a retired private detective named Scott Shelby, an architect named Ethan Mars, and journalist named Madison Paige - gaining an emotional attachment to their pain, joy and worries. Ethan Mars has a seemingly perfect life with a wife and two kids until his son is killed in an accident and then loses his wife. Scott Shelby is a private detective hired by the families of the victims of the Origami Killer in hopes of preventing another strike. Norman Jayden is an FBI agent on the hunt for the Origami Killer scouring for clues and working with the local police department. Lastly there is Madison Paige; an impetuous journalist who has somehow gotten mixed up in the investigation of the Origami Killer.

To create the interactive story-telling experience that Heavy Rain delivers, developer David Cage spent more than a year writing a 2,000 page script of linear dialogue and worked with a cast of 70 actors to bring the script alive. Possible only through the power of the PS3 system, Heavy Rain took a development team of 220 highly skilled people over the course of 170 days to create the game's extensive motion capture action and unique interactive narrative.

Heavy Rain has an ESRB rating of "M" for Mature. For more information about the ESRB, visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PS3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

© 2009 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Developed by Quantic Dream. Heavy Rain is a trademark or a registered trademark of Quantic Dream. "PlayStation", "PSP", "PS one" and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.