Sony game unit says should hit PS3 target

By Kiyoshi Takenaka and Kentaro Hamada

CHIBA, Japan (Reuters) - Sony Corp's (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) game unit said it was fairly confident of doubling shipments of PlayStation 3 game consoles to 11 million in the year to March, and may buy more software firms to boost demand for its console.

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) said earlier it had acquired British software developer Evolution Studios and its subsidiary, Bigbig Studios, for an undisclosed sum to strengthen its software lineup. Evolution created "MotorStorm," a million-seller title for the PS3.

SCE Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai also told Reuters in an interview that his firm may buy more software companies to create titles and stir up demand for the PS3, which has struggled since its launch late last year as rival Nintendo Co Ltd's (7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Wii has roared ahead.

Sony ruled the $30 billion global game industry for about a decade from the mid-1990s with its PlayStation and PlayStation 2, selling more than 100 million units of each, but it was a year behind Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in releasing its latest console.

A high price for the PS3 and scarcity of hit games have also hurt the Sony machine in its battle with the Nintendo console.

"We are planning various steps to support our software and hardware businesses ... I think we can do pretty good in terms of the target," Hirai said, when asked about an aim to double the 5.5 million units PS3s shipped the previous year.

Hirai said he had no immediate plan to cut the price of the PS3.

"I think about PS3 pricing every single day. It is that important a factor ... But I am not planning any immediate pricing action now," Hirai said.