When Sony launches its PlayStation3 in November 2006, it will be the first game player to include a disc tray that can play high-definition DVD movies. (Microsoft’s Xbox can display high-def graphics for games, but has yet to add a HDTV DVD feature, although it’s expected to in the next year.)

The added feature could help attract new gamers in the HDTV audience, which totals more than 20 million homes as of spring 2006. Sony says it will price its PlayStation3 at $499 and $599 (price difference based on the box’s capacity) which is considerably less than Sony’s high-def (Blu-ray) DVD player cost ($999) at launch. If Sony keeps the PlayStation 3 cost at less than a Blu-ray player, or roughly the same, many HDTV movie fans may give the gaming console a try, thinking they will get a game system in addition to the movie player.

In-Game Advertising Expected to Boom
The in-game advertising market is forecast to reach  $732 million by the year 2010 according to the Yankee Group.