You may recall that we have recently reported in our news area that Sony has reserved the URLs of http://www.playstation2.com and http://www.playstation2000.com. In a marketing move of potentially pure genius, it would seem that Sony are set to release the Playstation 2 console as the product to herald in the new millennium. Imagine the picture - Playstation 2000 is given a world wide release at the beginning of December of 1999 and marketed as being the ultimate gaming experience for the next millennium. The combination of the Playstation brand and the monumentus beginning of a new millennium are devastating to say the least.

There may only be 12 months left for Sony to deliver a product to sell in time for Christmas 1999, but it wouldn't surprise anyone to see the console giant to pull off such a feat. Next-generation development kits have apparently already shipped in Japan for Sony's next console, although it is thought that the current hardware is not a completely finalised version of the system. Playstation has proved to make big money for Sony and the electronics giant have done everything right as far as the console's marketing has been concerned. The 'cool' image of the Playstation brand is perfectly suited to being marketed as the product for the next millennium. It would seem that Playstation 2000 will be upon us in a year's time. Whether Sony can deliver a simultaneous world-wide release is currently unclear, but if such a feat could be achieved they could more or less clean up on the home video gaming market.

Aside from the revelation of the millennium release date, a number of other details have come to light regarding Playstation 2. News on the 128-bit graphics chips to be included in the console has leaked over the last week or so, and the currently mooted stats sound very impressive. The system will definitely include a modem. Rumours are currently circulating as to which on-line game's services are bidding for the potentially massive market for on-line Playstation games. The most intriguing rumour to come to light is that Heat Net (owned by Sega!) may be in contention to run the Playstation 2's Western on-line services.

As far as games go, we've heard a number of rumours, many of which would seem too obvious to be false. Tomb Raider IV has just gone into development and the team at Core are looking into developing for the next wave of consoles as well as the PC. Considering the Tomb Raider series' close relationship with the Playstation, it would be marketing suicide for Sony to pass up on the opportunity to have Tomb Raider IV as a launch title for their next console. Tomb Raider IV on Playstation 2000? You could well be playing it in just over a year's time.

Squaresoft's Chrono Trigger 2 has just gone into development and is almost certainly to be a Playstation 2 title. Whilst Final Fantasy VIII is nearing completion for the current Playstation console, it would be a safe bet to say that the next game in the series will be an exclusive Playstation 2 title. Namco still remain close allies of Sony and the possibility of both a new Ridge Racer game and Tekken 4 are mouth-watering to say the least. A Playstation 2 Gran Turismo game is a virtual certainty, whilst less convincing rumours suggest that Konami are working on a sequel to the excellent Metal Gear Solid for Sony's next console.

The current speculation is exciting to say the least. Aside from the impressive specifications of the new 128-bit console and the potentially devastating line-up of games, Sony could make some serious marketing mileage out of a launch timed for the year 2000. Playsation 2000 may sound a tacky name to some, but as a mass market proposition its potential is immense. The Playstation brand is currently one of the strongest in the world and the coming of the year 2000 will be one of the most significant happenings in our lifetime. If Sony can combine these two powerful forces, there may be nobody who can stop their continued dominance of the video gaming market.