A Sony store in Algeria.

JAN. 25, 2010 • According to Sony Middle East & Africa in the United Arab Emirates, the total PS3 installed base in the region as of December 2009 was 450,000 units. Of that number, 78%, or 350,000 users are registered on, and are using the PlayStation Network.

Impact: The Middle East/North Africa region as DFC defines it consists of about 340 million people (of course this does not include Sub-Sahara Africa).  Some countries like Egypt and Turkey have populations nearly as large as Germany.  Obviously, this remains an untapped market where currently only the wealthy have access to game systems.  However, when looking at usage of free-to-play online products it is clear that interest in this region is starting to grow.