playstation meeting 2011
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Kaz Hirai sees PlayStation Suite as potential 'killer app' on Google TV; 'won't ignore' WP7, iOS
While Jack Tretton wasn't ready to discuss the potential of PlayStation Suite on other platforms, a recently translated post-PlayStation Meeting roundtable with Kaz Hirai showed it's definitely on Sony's mind. According to Tech-On, Hirai said "(Sony) might provide the PSS as a killer application to spread the use of the Google TV," while also mentioning Windows and iOS as other mobile operating systems it could target. Still, don't think Sony is gearing up to take on living room gaming (and potentially Apple TV) from a new angle just yet as Hirai made clear smartphones were priority number one, followed by the quickly expanding tablet market. One way or another, even if you're not yet interested in a new PSP or Android phone, expect to see the PlayStation Certified sticker creeping into even more devices eventually.
Sony's official NGP announcement video hits the web
Sure, you followed along with our Tokyo liveblog and breathless posts announcing Sony's Next Generation Portable (codename: NGP, get it?) successor to the PSP. But nothing's quite like viewing a video posted 48-hours after the event to get a true feel for the historic occasion... historic to nerds like us anyway. The power is now in your hands -- use it wisely to watch a thrilling three-part trilogy after the break. More videos at the source link below.
Watch two sizzling minutes of NGP games in action
Wasn't it so boss when Sony showed off a full two-minute clip of gameplay footage on its just revealed "next generation portable" last night? You know, the clip that showcased Uncharted, Killzone, Gravity Daze, LittleBigPlanet, Reality Fighters, and all those other games? According to excited attendees of Sony's press conference, the clip was rather thrilling -- unfortunately, Sony has yet to release it. Thankfully, a rogue cameraperson captured the whole thing and, at least for the time being, has made it available on YouTube (with remarkably steady hands, we might add). Call us weird, but Reality Fighters has us more excited than anything else. Maybe you didn't notice there's a banana suit? See for yourself after the break.
Sony wants NGP hardware to be profitable and affordable
The more responsible gaming hardware enthusiasts among you have probably reserved your excitement over the recently announced NGP until you learn the device's ever-important launch price. Given the impressive specs of the handheld -- as well as Sony's infamous tendency to overcharge for its new gaming hardware at launch -- we wouldn't blame you for worrying. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss Andrew House recently provided Eurogamer with the first potential hints about the console's MSRP, saying, "I can't put a ballpark on it in terms of figures, but what I would say is that we will shoot for an affordable price that's appropriate for the handheld gaming space." However, Sony's not going to be giving the things away; House also shot down a Eurogamer source who claimed Sony would be selling the device at a loss. House explained, "we would want to have our hardware be profitable, in addition to our software," later adding, "We've experienced both sides and we know which one we like to be on!" That seems like a tricky balancing act: How exactly is Sony planning on introducing new (assumedly high-investment) technology at an affordable consumer price point and still hope for the NGP to remain profitable? Wizardry? Alchemy? Both? As far as a firm number, Game Informer was the only outlet able to get anything out of Sony's biggest wigs -- when GI brought up the enormous launch price of the PS3, Sony Computer Entertainment president of worldwide studios Shu Yoshida laughed, and replied, "It's not going to be $599." We're glad events unfolded in that order -- had he said "It's not going to be $599," then laughed maniacally, we would have started to get really nervous.
Here's a big list of developers and publishers working on NGP projects
Beyond the handful of games revealed onstage during last night's big Sony event, an enormous list of developers and publishers currently working on games for this holiday's "next generation portable" device has surfaced. Game Informer posted up the entire list broken down by region, which features big names like Activision, Ubisoft, 2K Games, Square Enix, and Capcom. Perhaps more notable than the big name publishers is the group of listed developers, including Rockstar Games, Capybara Games, From Software, and Grasshopper Manufacture. As GI points out, both Electronic Arts and THQ (and their respective development studios) aren't currently listed as working on games for NGP, though we imagine that will change as the year goes on (we already know that EA has had exposure to the in-development system).
Portable Uncharted developed by Sony Bend, has 'camera mode'
You know how it is when new tech is announced. You let the magic of the moment get to you, the whimsy, and suddenly you're thinking all kinds of crazy things like, "Maybe Naughty Dog is developing the Uncharted NGP game they just showed off!" Sure, we realize in the light of day -- as we sweep up the glitter and take down the disco ball -- that we were just a little too hopeful last night. But luckily, the reality isn't too bad at all: Game Informer reports PortaDrake (working title [ours]) is being developed by Sony Bend (Logan's Shadow, Resistance: Retribution) with oversight from Naughty Dog. Across the web, hands-on impressions of the game seem to be positive, with the "gimmicky" features (swipe the device's back to climb a rope?) either working better than expected or being ignored without incident. Also interesting: PortaDrake features a "camera mode" that lets you use NGP's motion-sensing tech to look around your environment and take photos. No word on connectivity with Uncharted 3 yet, but no one's ruling it out.
Watch the NGP 'concept video'
Weren't able to attend the PlayStation Meeting in Japan? Don't worry. You can watch the concept video that introduced the world to the PSP2 NGP right after the break.
Your first look at Sony's 'NGP' handheld
Sony sent out lovely product shots of its new handheld, the NGP. If you're dying to see what the crazy rear touchpad thing looks like, or what it looks like from the side (a lot like an iPhone 4, strangely) then you're going to be in looking-at-hardware heaven. The power button is on the top this time! That's different. And it's a button instead of a toggle!%Gallery-115191%
Sony's next-gen PSP (NGP) has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, quad-core GPU as well
You know that crazy next-gen PSP (NGP) with multiple touchpads, dual analog sticks, and quadrupled resolution that Sony just trotted out? Yeah, it's got a quad-core Cortex-A9 and a quad-core Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX543MP4+ GPU doing the grunt work within. We've never seen a handheld this powerful. Then again, considering the darn thing won't be launching until this holiday season, maybe quad-core parts will be the least Sony will need in order to match up to the "super phones" coming up this year. We're just wondering how long any of these souped-up portables will last on a charge. Full spec sheet after the break.
Metal Gear Solid 4 demonstrated on NGP
As if we didn't understand the implication the first time, Sony paraded Hideo Kojima out on stage -- this better be a Zone of the Enders game! -- to demonstrate ... right, of course: Metal Gear Solid 4 on the NGP. "There's no announcement of a new title today," Kojima confessed, "but I'd like to talk about the future perspective." We get it -- PS3 games can be exported to NGP -- and Kojima is envisioning a future in which games will be seamlessly transferred back-and-forth between the home console and portable unit. "This dream is going to come true in the near future," he pledged, "and right now I'm working on this project." "I can't disclose further information," Kojima added -- but that's what E3's for, right?
Unreal Engine 3 shown on NGP
Tim Sweeney from Epic Games showed up at tonight's PlayStation Meeting to reveal that Unreal Engine 3 works on the NGP -- which shouldn't be much of a surprise, given that the device was shown running PS3 games, and UE3 runs on phones. Speaking of phones, the game demonstrated was Dungeon Defenders, which is currently available for Android and iPhone. Sweeney also showed an updated version of the "Epic Citadel" tech demo.
Lost Planet 2, Yakuza demonstrated on NGP
Capcom's Jun Takeuchi took to the stage at today's PlayStation Meeting to show off Lost Planet 2 running on the NGP handheld -- as a demonstration only, as he said Capcom was not announcing new titles at tonight's event -- "but before long we will be able to announce new titles for NGP." According to Takeuchi, LP2 was running on MT Framework Mobile (which also powers Capcom's 3DS games) and this demo was put together in just two weeks. "I'm sure you've seen the PS3 version," he told the audience, "and the quality is just as good" on NGP. Takeuchi said the NGP could handle the "full specification." Next up, Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi demonstrated assets from Yakuza: Of The End, to show that "everything can be transcribed [from PS3] onto NGP."
NGP's 'Near' app tracks your location, finds other NGP players around you
The NGP has some pretty crazy location-based capabilities, mostly embodied in an app called "Near." Near tracks your location, and makes an ongoing map of where you've been. In case you were wondering .... where you've been. In terms of games, Near connects with PSN, and finds out what's popular among other users where you are right now, as well as what other people nearby are playing. You can even buy games right within that interface! If you stumble into, say, a place where people are playing Hot Shots Golf all the time, you can just buy it right then and be ready for the next impromptu tournament.
PlayStation Store coming to Android
So, how are you going to get those PSOne games onto your PlayStation Suite-equipped Android phone this year? Why, through the good old PlayStation Store, of course! Sony revealed that a version of its download shop will be available for Android alongside PlayStation Suite.
NGP 'LiveArea' UI to support Trophies, PSN friends and messaging
LiveArea is NGP's "game-oriented communication platform," according to Sony. In other words, it's the device's (touch-controlled!) user interface -- apparently replacing the XMB -- featuring access to the PlayStation Store, Trophies, PSN friends, messaging, the browser, and other applications. Each game will have some form of LiveArea presence, too, apparently keeping you up to date on news and even its other players (in case you bore of simply playing the game). Additionally, LiveArea will include the "Near" feature that tracks your location over time and creates a map of where you've been. (That's not creepy at all!) Read more about it here.
Uncharted, Killzone, Resistance, LBP ... and Little Deviants among 'NGP' games in development
Sony's bringing out its biggest guns for its new little game machine, the device currently known as "NGP." A slide revealed franchises currently in development for the newly announced handheld, including familiar names like Hot Shots Golf, LittleBigPlanet, WipEout, Killzone, Resistance, and PS3 showpiece Uncharted. Sony's Shuhei Yoshida showed off the Uncharted game, and revealed some controls new to the series: you can touch the screen (or press X) to jump, swing the NGP back and forth to swing on vines, and climb using the device's rear touch panel "as if you're climbing a vine with both hands."The new IPs sound a bit more, um, eclectic: Gravity Daze, Reality Fighters (an augmented reality title), Smart As, Broken, and the delightful-sounding Little Deviants. Update: PlayStation Blog confirms the complete list of game franchises noted at PlayStation Meeting 2011 with NGP iterations in development: Call of Duty Broken Gravity Daze Hot Shots Golf Hustle Kings Killzone LittleBigPlanet Little Deviants Reality Fighters Resistance Smart As Uncharted WipEout
PSP successor is official, codenamed 'NGP' (Next Generation Portable)
Mock it up, talk it up and leak it out all you want, only Sony has the power to actually bring the so-called "PSP2" into the world -- and that moment has come. The "sequel" to the PlayStation Portable was made official today (like, just now!) during a press event in Japan, looking every bit as -- well, that thing looks like the PSP, doesn't it? Codenamed "NGP" -- that's "Next Generation Portable" Entertainment System -- the device has been designed with five core tenets buzz phrases in mind, according to Sony: Revolutionary User Interface; Social Connectivity; Location-based Entertainment; Converging Real and Virtual; and PlayStation Suite Compatibility. But what does that mean? For starters, the new hardware features dual analog sticks; a 5-inch OLED display (with 960x544 resolution -- four times the PSP's); a front touchscreen and rear touchpad (woah!); 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS; and, for good measure, the same six-axis motion system that propels the Move, plus a three-axis compass -- oh, and we can't forget the front and rear cameras (those come standard these days). Of course, the NGP plays games, too, which will be offered on new flash memory–based cards (so long UMD!) that feature added storage for DLC and game saves. The NGP is coming this holiday season. Update: Complete hardware specs, provided by Sony, are posted after the break.
Sony's next PSP, codenamed NGP
Betcha didn't think this day would come, but it finally has. Sony has just come clean with its next-generation PlayStation Portable. It's actually codenamed NGP and will revolve around five key concepts: Revolutionary User Interface, Social Connectivity, Location-based Entertainment, Converging Real and Virtual (augmented) Reality. It will be compatible with the PlayStation Suite and is backwards-compatible with downloadable PSP games and content from Sony's PlayStation Store. Specs include a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 5-inch touchscreen OLED display with 960 x 544 resolution, dual analog sticks (not nubs as on the current generation), 3G, WiFi, GPS, a rear-mounted touchpad, the same accelerometer / gyroscope motion sensing as in the PlayStation Move, an electronic compass, and cameras on both the front and back. Available this holiday season. Wait... what?! %Gallery-115252% Games will come on "new media," not UMD anymore, but we're unclear on what sort of flash memory is being used. Sony's rather proud of the fact it's offering the world's first dual analog stick combo on a portable device, though we're more geeked about the quadrupling of pixel count from the original PSP. Sony's live event has been graced by demos of some pretty popular games, including Killzone, Resistance, Little Big Planet, and Uncharted -- with the latter serving as a demo platform to show off how the NGP's rear touchpad can be used to more intuitively climb up some vines. That touch panel on the back is the same size and positioned directly under the front OLED touchscreen, which allows for some pretty sophisticated controls when using the two simultaneously. The new console's UI will be called LiveArea, which has a bunch of vertically navigable home screens and built-in social networking through PlayStation Network. You can jump between games and the LiveArea without losing your progress and comment on your buddies' great feats of mobile gaming. %Gallery-115187% In closing its presentation, Sony trotted out Hideo Kojima to show off a cutscene from MGS 4 rendered in real time on the NGP. It was pulled directly from the PS3 version of the game and ran at 20fps, which looked very smooth indeed to our liveblogging eyes. Videos and Sony's full PR are now available below. %Gallery-115199%
Sony reveals PlayStation Suite framework, store for Android gaming
Sony just dropped a bomb on the Japanese stage -- not a single PlayStation Phone, but a PlayStation Phone experience for everybody. The company unveiled a cross-platform software framework called PlayStation Suite, which sounds rather boring in those words, but what it amounts to is an official PlayStation Store filled with games for your Android tablets and cellphones. Sound familiar? Sony's starting with an emulator for existing PSOne titles and is promising an Android game store later this year, but soon it might be much, much more: the company's calling PlayStation Suite a "hardware-neutral" development framework to make games portable for all sorts of handhelds, and says that "new and exciting content" is also on the way. Sony will sponsor a first-party licensing and quality-assurance scheme called PlayStation Certified, and provide the marketplace as well, likely hoping to attract major game developers to build top-tier titles for mobile and get a piece of the action too. If your device doesn't have a pop-out gamepad handy, it looks like PlayStation Suite will emulate touchscreen controls, and you won't necessarily need a phone to get in on the action, as Sony says the next-generation PlayStation Portable will be compatible with games developed for PlayStation Suite right off the bat. Doesn't look like we're getting any details on game prices or compatible devices, but we imagine one particular phone will change all that at Mobile World Congress next month. Update: Looks like PlayStation Suite requires Android 2.3 at a minimum, and it's PSOne, not PlayStation Portable titles that will be emulated here, despite Kaz Hirai's quote during the festivities. PR after the break! %Gallery-115181%
PlayStation Suite brings 'PlayStation content' to Android, including early PSone titles
It's not the PlayStation Phone, but it is PlayStation on phones. Sony's Kaz Hirai just announced "PlayStation Suite," which "provides PlayStation content to other devices" including Android devices. What kind of PlayStation content? According to Hirai, "We will first emulate the first generation PSP titles to be available on PS Suite devices." All the titles shown so far are actually PSone games, including Cool Boarders 2, Syphon Filter, Rally Cross, WIld Arms, and MediEvil. In addition, Sony intends PlayStation Suite to be used as a framework for the development of all-new games for mobile platforms. PlayStation Suite is due by the end of this calendar year. Update: It looks like there may have been a translation error. The official press release, pasted after the break, is pretty clear that the service will be "starting with original PlayStation games (PSone classics)." We're hopeful that PSP games will make their way to Android as well ... after all, there aren't a whole lot of PSone titles available digitally on this side of the planet.
