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Sony will close PlayStation Mobile for good this summer
One of President Kaz Hirai's big "Sony One" projects was PlayStation Mobile, which offered games that worked on both PS Vita and Android devices. That dream of cross-platform synergy is now dead, as Sony has announced it will stop publishing all PS Mobile content July 15th. On September 10th the entire site will cease to exist, and previously purchased games will no longer be available for download. The shutdown only applies to PS Vita content, as Sony had already stopped publishing Android games for PlayStation Mobile last year. Regular, non-Android PlayStation Vita games are still available at the PlayStation Store.
Sony killing PlayStation Mobile on Android
We know this is going to hurt for a few folks out there, so we'll make it quick like ripping off a band-aid: PlayStation Mobile is over. It's dark times, for sure, but Sony will end PlayStation Mobile support after Android 4.4.2. Access and re-downloads on 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 will be up to publishers. Support groups will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at your local Sony store. Ask the manager for specific times. Sony is shifting PlayStation Mobile support resources to PS Vita and Vita TV. Given that PlayStation Mobile was an antiquated model, we'd toss in the very real possibility of PlayStation Now support being in that mix as well.
Eufloria Adventures hits PS Mobile this week
Omni Systems brings its latest project to the PlayStation Vita and supported Android platforms this week with the release of Eufloria Adventures, a PlayStation Mobile-exclusive follow-up to its ambient real-time strategy game Eufloria. Eufloria Adventures puts players in control of a single floating Seedling Ship for a series of exploration-based challenges, contrasting the strategic, troop-swarming gameplay of the original Eufloria. Levels are procedurally generated, and players can choose to specialize in Speed, Strength, or Energy attributes as the difficulty ramps up at lower depths. Eufloria Adventures includes both a casual mode focusing on low-key exploration and a roguelike mode for hardcore players. The game is available from the PlayStation Store for $7.99. [Image: Omni Systems]
Velocity Ultra dev's electric match-3 puzzler charges onto Vita next week
Surge Deluxe is the next PS Mobile-to-Vita game from Futurlab, the UK studio that turned Velocity into Velocity Ultra. Sure, the world has plenty of match-3 puzzlers, but this one has rainbow neon lights, lightning-like currents, and super high scores that make "CYBORG" appear on the screen - as every self-respecting match-3 puzzler should. According to Futurlab, the Vita-enhanced version features a redesigned scoring system to better reward top players and negate grinding, a couple of new blocks to ramp up those multipliers and chains, and some clever colorblind-friendliness: Affected players will be able to distinguish the colored blocks thanks to their different shapes. No word on prices yet beyond a tweet saying "under a fiver" for euro-types, but the release dates are locked in: February 4 for North America, and the day after for Europe.
Super Crate Box, Fuel Tiracas free on PS Mobile
Sony continues its PS Mobile promotion with another pair of free downloads today. If you have a PlayStation Certified device or PS Vita, you can grab Super Crate Box and Fuel Tiracas for free right now. Super Crate Box, from Vlambeer, is an arcade action game where players must battle waves of encroaching enemies while collecting crates – which have weapons inside of them – on a multi-tiered 2D level. We found the PS Vita installment to be the definitive version. Fuel Tiracas, a PS Mobile launch game from FutureLab, is a resource-management puzzle variation on the classic Whac-a-Mole carnival game. Players must boot up generators in the correct order so the titular planet of Tiracas can have breathable air. To grab either (or both) of these games, simply head into the PlayStatin Mobile section of the PlayStation Store on PS Vita or, if you're on a PlayStation Certified device, simply head into the PlayStation Mobile store.
Gun Commando, Mononoke Slashdown free on PS Mobile
Sony has committed to giving away two free PlayStation Mobile games each week throughout the rest of 2013. This week's freebies are Gun Commando and Mononoke Slashdown. Gun Commando is a stylish first-person shooter from Ripstone Ltd. inspired by retro shoot-em-ups. As a veteran commando, you must single-handedly quell an alien invasion. Mononoke Slashdown, from F K Digital, is a side-scrolling action game starring Kagemaru – a ninja on a quest to save innocent townspeople from monsters and demons. If you're on PS Vita, you can grab these games from the PlayStation Mobile section of the PlayStation Store. Those on PlayStation Certified mobile devices can find these games in the PlayStation Mobile Store.
Sony giving away two PS Mobile games weekly through next month
Sony is promoting its Android and PlayStation Vita mobile storefront by giving away two PlayStation Mobile games weekly through the end of the year. This week, players can pick up a free copy of Passing Time, a soccer-themed action game from Frobisher Says! developer Honeyslug. Also up for grabs is Martin Jonasson's Rymdkapsel, a meditative strategy game and recent Humble Mobile Bundle initiate. Both games are free to download for the PlayStation Vita and for PlayStation Certified devices like the Sony Xperia Z smartphone, Wikipad and Sony Xperia Z.
It's a dog-eat-dog world in Tokyo Jungle Mobile
This is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go. In Tokyo Jungle's bleak future, gangs of wild animals hunt to survive in an abandoned, post-apocalyptic Japan, marking territory in a bid to find an ideal mate and to pass on their genes to hardier generations. The PlayStation 3 version released last year was a tense, creative take on the roguelike genre, and Tokyo Jungle Mobile veers its gameplay in an interesting new direction. Unlike its predecessor, Tokyo Jungle Mobile is presented from a grid-based, overhead perspective. Don't mistake it for a turn-based game, however, as gameplay is both real-time and very brisk. If anything, Tokyo Jungle became more action-oriented and arcade-like during its transition to the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation certified devices.
YU-NAMA: The Puzzle - Minion mayhem on PlayStation Mobile
This is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go. "Yu-WHAT NOW?" If you own a PSP, you may already be familiar with Acquire's RTS-like YU-NAMA series. NIS America released the first two entries stateside as Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! After Bruce Wayne's lawyers stepped in, the games were retitled What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? Sony further complicated matters when it later localized the third entry in the series as No Heroes Allowed! At this point, it might just be easier to refer to the series by its Japanese title, Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida. Sony apparently agrees, as a PlayStation Mobile-exclusive spinoff game was recently released in North America as YU-NAMA: The Puzzle. It's a shame that the series can't seem to hold on to a single consistent title, as it means that PS Vita owners might miss out on one of PlayStation Mobile's best releases to date.
Sony waives its publishing fee; Would Apple ever do the same?
Video-game maker Sony has been making a big push for independent developers lately, both on its handheld PS Vita system and on its upcoming PlayStation 4 console, and yesterday, the company took another big step. Sony has decided to waive its usual US$99 fee for PlayStation Mobile developers, meaning that anyone can join the developer network and publish games on its platforms for free. That's a big move, and while it might not mean a boost in PlayStation Mobile publishing (there are other hiccups, such as the difficulty of game creation and the limited size of the market), it does show just how open Sony is to independent software developers. So here's a question: Would Apple ever do the same thing? Ever since the App Store opened, Apple has charged $99 a year for a developer account to publish apps on its platforms. Anyone can download and use Xcode to make apps, but to publish them, you've had to pay that fee, and the price has never changed. If Apple did lower the price or remove it, there would be some benefits: There'd be more apps on the App Store, and thus more potential profit for Apple and its developers. The developer community would be more open, which would lead to better documentation and communication in general. And while, yes, there would probably be even more low-quality apps, there would also be more potential for great or terrific apps that focus on a relatively niche market. However, Apple would lose all the money it makes from the developer fee, money that probably goes into maintaining the developer network and its services. And Apple likely doesn't want the dev network to be a complete free for all. It still uses that network to beta test new software and operating systems, and there is still (technically) a non-disclosure agreement that binds anyone who signs up for the program. Plus, it's not like Apple needs more developers. Those numbers are growing every day, even with the fee in place. So it seems unlikely that Apple will drop or even change that fee anytime soon: It's a very low barrier to development, but for Apple, it's better than no barrier at all.
Sony waives license fee for PlayStation Mobile developers
In its ever-vigilant push to become a heavy hitter in the independent development scene, Sony has made it free to publish games on PlayStation Mobile. Previously, developers had to pay a $99 publisher license fee, but Sony has waived that to encourage more developers to sign up. That means the barrier of entry to bring games to PlayStation certified devices and the PlayStation Vita is now effectively zero. You know, except for programming knowledge, talent and a head for game design. You still need that stuff.
A Virus Named Tom coming to Vita, PlayStation Mobile this summer
Adorably insidious indie puzzler A Virus Named Tom will leave the confines of the home and infect various pocket devices sometime this summer, as Misfits Attic has announced both PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Mobile-enabled thingamabob ports of its previously PC-only pet project. As of yet, further information regarding pricing and other details is unavailable.To celebrate the announcement, Misfits Attic has placed the Steam version of A Virus Named Tom on sale until Friday, February 22, meaning that you can discover why our own Jess Conditt loved this game so much for a smooth Lincoln.
PSA: Lemmings out now for PlayStation mobile
Lemmings is now available on PlayStation Mobile for Vita as well as compatible HTC and Sony Xperia phones and tablets. The first 30 levels of the game are free, with extra levels available as paid DLC.A list of supported PlayStation Mobile devices can be found on the service's official site. %Gallery-172954%
Sixty Second Shooter Deluxe fired off on PS Mobile today
PlayStation Mobile gets an infusion of procedurally generated explosions today, with Sixty Second Shooter Deluxe by Happion Laboratories. It's an upgraded version of Sixty Second Shooter, a game that's terribly easy to explain because we can just tell you to go play it for free in Chrome.Essentially, it's a faster-paced Asteroids style game with a strict time limit. You blow up large cubes into tiny cubes, attempting to keep a combo going, pick up power-ups, and build your score as much as possible in one minute. The $2.79 PlayStation Mobile version adds additional enemies and items, and removes one permissive aspect of the original: death now means game over, not a respawn.
ESRB introduces streamlined, free rating system for downloads
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is attempting to streamline the release of downloadable games, announcing a new rating service specifically targeted at XBLA, PSN, eShop, WiiWare, and Windows 8 downloads. The no-cost (!) service relies on a brief online questionnaire through which developers self-identify the adult content.Most relevant to the digital market, the new questionnaire also rates games in terms of their information sharing and user-generated content, with the ESRB introducing the new content descriptor images above. "Shares info" means that the game sends some user information to a third party; "Shares Location" means that your physical location is visible to others (or can be), and "Users Interact" means that the player may communicate with other people in the game, or interact with user-created content.Sony may be ahead of the curve on this initiative. These self-reported ratings closely resemble the system that Sony is already using for PlayStation Mobile games, as detailed in a Fantastic Arcade presentation. Sony has already worked out similar programs with Japan's CERO and Europe's PEGI in addition to the ESRB.
Unique shooter 'Rebel' comes to PlayStation Mobile
PomPom Games (the folks behind Mutant Storm Reloaded, among a few other shooters) has released a brand new game on PlayStation Mobile-compatible devices called Rebel, and as the developer says, the game came from an interesting plan to try and make a shooter ... without shooting. The result has the player running around an island in between slower enemy bullets, trying to aim those bullets at other bad guys, all the while collecting gems and power-ups.Sounds fun. There are multiple levels and game modes to unlock as you play the game, which you can open up by collecting more and more gems. Rebel is available right now on any PlayStation Mobile device (including the PS Vita) for $1.99.
PlayStation Mobile now live on Vita and 'Certified' Android devices
Sony has launched its PlayStation Mobile store, ending the speculation and secrecy around the service. The PlayStation Mobile store is now selling cross-platform games across PlayStation Certified devices (including the Vita and a few Android phones and tablets) in the "US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Australia," according to developer Vlambeer, with more countries on the way.In short, of course, this means Super Crate Box is now available on your Vita. On the Vita, the store is surprisingly easy to find (see above); if you're on an Android phone, you'll have a few more steps to deal with. In any case, there's now an easier way to develop games for publication on Sony devices.
Sony Playstation Mobile store now live, offers cross-platform games and apps from $0.80
After what feels like a mighty long time since it was first announced, Sony's cross-platform PlayStation Mobile store is now up and running with an initial line-up of games (plus one lonely-looking app) for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Certified Android devices. That hardware category currently includes Sony's latest tablets and Xperias, plus HTC One-branded handsets -- check the source link for a full list and installation instructions. So far, we can access PSM on the Vita via a new tab on the PlayStation Store, and we know that readers are having luck on devices in the US -- including the Xperia Play -- but the One X (both global and AT&T) has only given us error messages. If you succeed or fail, please post your results below and we'll update accordingly. Update: Okay, there are definitely teething problems on HTC devices and we're reaching out for an explanation. Meanwhile, owners of the Nexus 7 and the Xperia Ion on AT&T bring happier tidings. Update: Depending on which Sony page you visit, you may or may not see the statement below, which HTC has confirmed to us is true: ""HTC mobile device owners cannot access PlayStation®Mobile for the moment. However, we are working with HTC to ensure PlayStation®Mobile launches as soon as possible. We will update you soon." [Thanks to Paul and all who've commented]
Sony launches PlayStation Mobile contest for small UK developers
Sony is reaching out to UK indies with a game development contest for PlayStation Mobile, with the winning concept receiving a very handsome £25000 (just over $40000.) The winner also has the opportunity to work with XDEV (Sony Europe's external development studio), while XDEV gets first refusal on publishing the final game.As Sony notes, PlayStation Mobile development tools are now freely available, so anyone can enter this contest - anyone who lives in the UK, that is. Joystiq's new UK studio is already hard at work reviewing the latest games, so we're out of luck too. Our interested UK friends, however, have until the end of this month to submit their concepts, with the winner announced on November 14.PlayStation Mobile gets its first batch of PlayStation Store games on October 3.
PlayStation Mobile's Super Crate Box is the definitive version
It doesn't take much to create the ultimate version of Vlambeer's Super Crate Box. It needs the gameplay – including responsive controls – of the PC/Mac original, and the pick-up-and-play portability of the iOS release.By default, the PlayStation Mobile release running on a PlayStation Vita is the best version, simply because it meets those conditions. The game feels just like it always did on PC, with excellent use of the Vita's d-pad or analog stick to move your little guy, but is portable.I considered writing a longer preview, but there's not much you need to know. It's Super Crate Box, but portable, with buttons. Provided you're playing on a Vita or another PlayStation Certified device with controls – like a Wikipad or an Xperia Play, that is. It'll work on all the other PlayStation Certified devices, but with touch controls.
