Sony announced its advertising strategies for the upcoming launch of its PlayStation 2 video game console today at its Gamer's Day event. After months of being unusually quiet about the upcoming launch of the PlayStation 2 in the press, Sony is just about to get its advertising campaign underway. PlayStation 2 advertisements will appear in print magazines, on billboards, in movie theatres, and on television.

　　Sony stated that its campaign will kick off outdoors with billboards that display the "P" from the PS2 logo with a dot underneath to represent a question mark on a black background. These "teaser" ads will run from October 15 to October 23. Beginning October 24, the billboard ads will feature the full PS2 logo in what Sony is calling the "reveal" stage. Sony is targeting the usual video game magazines for its print ads, along with pop culture magazines such as Rolling Stone and Maxim. Movie theatre trailers for the PlayStation 2 will be shown on 16,000 screens nationwide. The trailer begins with a man in an elevator who pushes the button marked "P." The audience is then treated to a collage of PlayStation 2 software clips that features Madden 2001, Smuggler's Run, Tekken Tag Tournament, and many more. PlayStation 2 television advertisements will run on all major networks during prime time, late night, and syndication.

　　Sony is partnered with THQ, Electronic Arts, Rockstar Games, Namco, and Eidos for the PlayStation 2's launch advertising campaign.