Sony bigwig hints at GPS-enabled PSP games

Only John Koller knows how serious John Koller, Sony's senior marketing manager for PSP, was when mentioning that GPS-enabled games could eventually hit the PSP, but he definitely threw it out there. Speaking about the forthcoming GPS add-on for the PlayStation Portable, Koller stated that said module "changes the dynamics of GPS but also changes the way developers think about games on PSP, because you can start integrating GPS into it." He continued on by mentioning that Sony's own first-party studios were "already looking at a number of things [involving GPS in games]," and concluded by asserting that a GPS game could land on the system as early as next year. Considering just how long we've been waiting for the add-on, we're not holding our breath on the titles.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

[Eric B. @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:02AM]

Sony needs to update the PSP to add better internet because right now the internet isn't quite as good as I and I hope, many people believe it to be

[andres @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:14AM]

internet or browser...

[JohnTitor @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:32AM]

Sony needs to save the internets

[aaronlinda @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:46AM]

very important~

[ishism @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:50AM]

The PSP is the Sh!t. But yeah the browser sucks sweaty @$$.

[neofolklore @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:46AM]

This is going to be the next form of Region Locking! don't condone this!

[tyler @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:22AM]

GPS-based games? I can't WAIT for Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego!

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:22AM]

"Sony needs to update the PSP to add better internet because right now the internet isn't quite as good as I and I hope, many people believe it to be"

Are you using the Jamaican phrase "I and I" or are you really comparing the PSP's "internet" to yourself? That isn't a fair fight.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:26AM]

Mmm, GPS-enabled PSP games....

Like... "Arrive at your Destination"

Hard Mode: Arrive at your Destination Drunk
Extreme Mode: Arrive at your Destination Drunk (with your eyes closed)

That horse won't drink, monsignor.

[Khattab @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:02AM]

And who's gonna buy that crap? 5 people? Seriously, who's gonna buy that GPS add-on for a PSP?

[Ace b @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:15AM]

the reason why it wont be a success is because the psp doesnt have a touch screen.Im not trying to make an "insert i product here" mention but seriously,how many gps's have you seen that don't have a touch screen that actually work well.It's kinda of a necessity.

Now if Sony wanted to,they could just keep the standard psp the way it is and make an "enhanced version,with a touch screen,internal memory for maps,etc,gps,and better speakers with built-in mic.An all-in-wonder of sorts.

At least that's the way it's gonna have to be in order for me use it as a truly functional gps.
I would like to hear what everyone else has to say about it.

[tekdroid @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:39AM]

hattab @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:02AM
Seriously, who's gonna buy that GPS add-on for a PSP?
---------
I did.
So did at least a few others who hacked their PSPs, running the homebrew app "MapThis!" on it. Now that Go!Explore is released for Europe, there's little reason for many Europeans to run MapThis!, besides cost.


Ace b @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:15AM
the reason why it wont be a success is because the psp doesnt have a touch screen.Im not trying to make an "insert i product here" mention but seriously,how many gps's have you seen that don't have a touch screen that actually work well.It's kinda of a necessity.
--------
A few months ago I cheekily tried the UK Go!Explore maps off the torrents out of pure curiosity. The interface and typing is done surprisingly well (on the 'smart' keyboard that blanks out letters for non-existent street names, etc).

It's quite fast, especially compared to the usual PSP numpad/keyboard interface (which infuriates me). I had my doubts about how well it would do as well, but I'm happy to say it's a joy to use. To top it off, the other buttons on the PSP are put to really really good, logical use moving around in the software. Overall, a good GPS hardware device (not exactly SIRF sensitivity, though) with good software (if using Go!Explore), and enough languages to satisfy most Europeans (of which I am not, so I continue to use MapThis! for basic location info when carrying my PSP).

They really did a fine job. Nav N Go and TeleAtlas maps.

[Cassini @ Jul 23rd 2008 6:10AM]

I have to agree with Khattab. But I have a lot more to add...


The only way that GPS-enabled games (which is intriguing) would ever start catching on, besides coming up with some really clever ways of integrating that feature into the games, is if devices like the PSP have GPS integrated.

No developer is going to waste his time, money, and energy designing games to take advantage of GPS where he has to pin his hopes of game sales on a mere handful of people going out and buying some stupid, bulky GPS add-on. Few consumers are going to do that. GPS needs to be integrated.

People want convergence - everything integrated into a sleek, sexy device - not a bunch of stupid add-ons they have to carry and mess around with. People hate add-ons.

And while I'm at it, in addition to integrated GPS, the PSP also needs a bunch of other updates.

And here's where I switch gears...

The truth is, that although the PSP is a cool little device in some ways (I own one myself), it's on its way out. Soon, dedicated gaming machines like the PSP (and even the DS Lite) will just die off. Mobile phones will serve as the centerpiece of all our mobile gaming - that's where things are just beginning to find themselves, continue to head, and will root themselves, as our phones continue to evolve. We're not firmly planted there yet, but the writing is clearly on the wall for anyone with even the slightest shred of vision.

But for the time being, if the PSP has even the slightest chance of slowing its inevitable demise, it's in DESPERATE need of a complete overhaul. Sony will need to:

- '86 the UMD drive (which is a totally useless, battery-draining, and stupid way of delivering games)
- Add in GPS (with a good chipset, not just A-GPS) and with good voice-supported, TBT-driven software
- Add a touchscreen
- Add an on-screen keyboard (or at least a screen-sliding mechanism to reveal a tactile keyboard) for easier text entry (especially for when online)
- Add more OS memory (especially for rendering webpages)
- Keep ad-hoc WiFi, but add A2DP BT
- Integrate 16-32 GB of flash memory while keeping the memory card slot (and make it SDHC - get rid of Memory Stick)
- Reduce the size of the whole device considerably
- Do all this while maintaining or improving battery life

Sony is going to have to do this or the iPhone with its GPS and new found gaming capability (both of which need to improve, but undoubtedly will) will replace the PSP, and for some, already has... but apart from games, who even seriously uses the bulky PSP for movies, music, and photos? Eventually, Apple will undoubtedly release an updated iPod Touch with GPS (and its update already allows for the same gaming and most software capabilities as the iPhone 2.0).

If you could do everything on an iPhone or similar phone or iPod Touch (GPS, games, movies, music, photos, and even cellular and other wireless communications, PIM, productivity, etc.), for a similar price (or even a bit more), why would you ever need or even want a bulkier, lackluster PSP?

The truth is, Sony will have to make a mobile phone that can handle gaming like a PSP. That's how the landscape is being shaped. Soon, you won't even be able to enter the mobile gaming market place without your device doubling as a mobile phone. And that's where Sony's attentions really need to be, if they aren't already.

Don't believe me? Look around. This is where devices are headed, and although this is not about Apple, Apple happens to be the one who is not only raising the standards of convergence and how portable devices need to be, but they're the one who is seriously raising consumer awareness and expectations in regards to these things. And other manufacturers are catching wind of this and responding like crazy. And a silly little GPS add-on with a few games for an outdated PSP ain't gonna cut it in this landscape! Not to mention, most of the games for the PSP are lame. I don't even remember the last time I played the stupid thing!

Wake up, Sony!

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:03AM]

The first one to make a reference to the iPhone shall be flogged. Oh crap.

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:11AM]

sorry but I had to make a point

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:24AM]

Gentlemen, prepare your slingshots!

*SuperSexyErik (^_^) is pelted with zunes*

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:28AM]

finally, they are put to some good use !! :)

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:35AM]

Hey, you just keep on trashing the Zune, you damned Apple fanboy, but Zunes are actually quite a good product. They can also be used as hockey pucks and paperweights.

[JohnTitor @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:36AM]

"who?", you were the one to make the first iPhone reference (unless the crappy comment engine fails me) and damn your username for being hard to comment with

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:40AM]

Oops, refreshing + comment section = accidental post

Sorry!

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:44AM]

I hate the comment system here!! ;-( OK, that last one was an accidental reply.

@ JohnTitor

That was why I put "Oh, crap" at the end of my post (ironic joke)...;-)

[Paul @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:03AM]

i don't see how GPS in a game would be useful, i see it being more gimmicky than useful

[JohnTitor @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:34AM]

Gizmondo was prepped to have the first GPS enabled game called Colours (might have just been Colors). Even though the device was plagued with bad luck the game actually looked interesting

[tekdroid @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:55AM]

more specifically, the GPS add-on requires good signal (ie. can't really be used indoors unless you're very close to a window), yet the PSP's screen lacks decent viewability outdoors... sooo....it would be interesting to see what they think they can do with it, to put it mildly.

[fraz @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:18AM]

There is also a major issue here. Games already use grids/maps etc, but using live maps? we already have a trait of idiots following their gps' into places they should know better than to go to, are we going to start seeing kids walk into dark alleys and get jacked because their psp game led them there? or people following a bad guy along a gps street to turn left into the back of a car because the bad guy drove that way? or as someone else said, racing, which I don't need to explain as being dangerous.

Obviously the above are all irresponsible ways of implementing such features, but give me an example of a game using real world gps that won't cause issues? I'm having trouble thinking of any though that might just be my lack of imagination...

[geognerd @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:39AM]

Groundspeak already has a GPS-based game called Wherigo, which will run on Windows Mobile/Pocket PC devices and certain Garmin GPS receivers. It hasn't reached the levels of popularity of geocaching yet. It also has some practical applications in the form of guided tours of a certain area where a particular event in the game or tour would be triggered when the user reaches a location. One thing that needs to be considered is how a GPS game would be localized. The Wherigo game has an advantage in that anybody can create a game "cartridge" and tailor it to their geographic location. Garmin had generic games on their handheld GPS receivers that you could play in an open field; basically running around to random locations. They had to be generic so they could be played in any locale. If Sony put such games on the PSP, they would immediately be dismissed as lame. There has to be a local element or multi-player aspect for the GPS game to be worthwhile. Sony will have to put some thought into developing GPS games.

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:08AM]

haha...it's funny cuz every time I mention gps enabled games on iPhone , all these anti-apple fanboys jump on me for it...but once again apple hit the spot. All you x-box fanboys, I'll await your apology :)

[andres @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:15AM]

because game systems are in such high competition with phones.
the iphone at its core is just a phone, dont forget that.

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:24AM]

are you willing to bed that iPod touch+iPhone will outsell psp?
iPhone is a phone...but that's a small feauture, at it's core it's a mobile computer platform.

[andres @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:25AM]

/sarcasm (just in case)

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:31AM]

@andres

Idiot, making things have more features is progress! If the person who invented to wheel said "this is still just a rock, I better not forget that" we wouldn't exactly be doing to hot, would we?

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:04AM]

@who
Where u been bro??
I've been fighting these apple haters by myself ;(
:D

[andres @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:12AM]

@super
the point im making is that people dont buy psp's for phone calls. not that they cant skype, but its not the main purpose.
@ who
seems we like to argue, i didnt criticize the iphones capabilities, but im just stating that the iphone isnt as capable as running games as a system designed specifically for that purpose. and as for your analogy, the concept of the wheel has remained much unchanged to this day disregarding materials and manufacturing techniques.

[Jason @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:13AM]

psp makes a good war driving device

[DefPo3t @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:23AM]

Dear Sony,
Japan has had the GPS and Camera add-on's for over two years.
We in the United States and Europe( if they haven't gotten both yet) are sick of waiting!

Signed,
Western PSP owners

[tekdroid @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:58AM]

Dear DefPo3t,
Disover e-commerce and homebrew.

Signed,
Howard Stringer
Mapthis! forum mod and homebrew connoisseur

[DefPo3t @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:15AM]

I have. I was speaking for the average mom, dad, or person with disposable cash that hasn't. There is no reason that these two products are not on retail (brick and motor) shelves at the moment.

[tekdroid @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:16AM]

yeah they sure are taking their time! But at least the USA will be getting theirs. We Australians get the finger :)

[Carl Vitullo @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:36AM]

I see an ultra realistic street racing game on the horizon...

[El Taco @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:08AM]

I can see it now, little kids in the back of the car going, "Mom, drive faster I'm in 6th place!"

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:38AM]

@ JohnTitor

I know, that's what the 'Oh crap' was for... (it was supposed to be a joke) ;-)

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:40AM]

Oops, refreshing + comment section = accidental post

Sorry!

[Carl Vitullo @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:52AM]

i was wondering, i didn't see him post "oh crap" anywhere...

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:56AM]

Fourth comment (-replies), and I said this was an accidental post already!

[deathwombat @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:44AM]

I'm not stalking her, the video game told me to go here.

[who? @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:53AM]

: -)
The cops didn't believe me...

[Hunter Onhika @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:23AM]

So GPS enabled PSP games are old news
Metal Gear Portable Ops supports the GPS addon

[SuperSexyErik (^_^) @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:29AM]

like jokes aside...with everything having gps now, are ppl gonna be able to hide anymore? Not that I would wanna but what about criminals lol

[skulldriveshaft @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:31AM]

why?

[garci @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:35AM]

The GPS is already available in europe since some time. In fact, VW is selling the Polo with a PSP with GPS. See the ad here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov0I5kUrTcU&feature=related

The add-on costs 150€ with the software, which is pretty steep anyhow. The PSP + GPS bundle goes for 250€ which is much more acceptable though...