SOCOM PSP to ship November 8

The SOCOM franchise carries the PlayStation 2's online multiplayer on its back. Now it's headed to the PSP, hopefully, to give other developers a wake-up call—that's right, we're talking Wi-Fi Infrastructure mode! "Multi-player has to be perfect," writes lead designer Richard Foge.

The second challenge of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo (FTB) is to create portable single-player action, that is, create a way for SOCOM to be played in short 5-10 minute bursts. The solution is called "Instant Action," which is basically a series of mini-scenarios that have been set up on each of the 14 or so single-player maps. Owners of both FTB and the upcoming SOCOM III (PS2) will also be able to data sync the two games. FTB is set for release on November 8th.