Sony looking for testers for 'new game machine'
A new job listing on the Sony Computer Entertainment Japan website has us intrigued. It asks for someone to "evaluate/assess" a "new games machine," according to Gamespot's translation. The device will be "part of the PlayStation or PSP series and their peripherals." Considering the PS3's 10-year life cycle, we're not expecting its successor any time soon.
As for the PSP, there've been rumors recently regarding a PSP-2 of some description. This could be it, or it could just be yet another iteration of the PSP: an incremental upgrade, the PSP-4000, which could be arriving later this year, if Eurogamer's sources are to be believed. Alternatively, this "new device" could be something completely ... new. The long-rumored PSPhone, perhaps?
Regardless of what it is, it's comforting to know that Sony's got something cooking behind the scenes. We look forward to finding out more, but suspect it may be a while before we do.
[Via Gamespot]
As for the PSP, there've been rumors recently regarding a PSP-2 of some description. This could be it, or it could just be yet another iteration of the PSP: an incremental upgrade, the PSP-4000, which could be arriving later this year, if Eurogamer's sources are to be believed. Alternatively, this "new device" could be something completely ... new. The long-rumored PSPhone, perhaps?
Regardless of what it is, it's comforting to know that Sony's got something cooking behind the scenes. We look forward to finding out more, but suspect it may be a while before we do.
[Via Gamespot]













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris Kon @ Feb 20th 2009 8:48PM
That's a pretty cool machine. Too bad that's not what's really being tested!
Marmot @ Feb 20th 2009 10:27PM
It does look cool but that would be the most uncomfortable thing to hold ever.
Looks very cool though...
BLee @ Feb 20th 2009 10:39PM
every time i see that mock psp2.. I start drooling.. Isnt that form possible?.. Do it Sony!
Lee @ Feb 21st 2009 6:26AM
It looks it until you realise your hands will drop off since the buttons are much too low down without space to rest your hands underneath. Which is always the problem with these mock ups. Made by some 3D artist who never went to industrial design college.
AlterEgo @ Feb 20th 2009 8:47PM
Cool, I wish I could be involved.
Extinction @ Feb 21st 2009 1:42AM
I hope it's not anything like that piece of garbage you have pictured
Foetoid @ Feb 20th 2009 8:48PM
Just because Sony has said the Ps3 will have a 10yr life cycle, doesnt mean the Ps4 isn't coming in 2 years. The Ps2 is having a 10yr life cycle, even tho the Ps3 is out. The same will probably happen with the Ps3/Ps4. I would expect a Ps4 by 2012, with the Ps3 staying in production till 2016.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:26PM
well im glad somebody else understands the idea behind "10 year life cycle". i always see articles and comments on Joystiq mocking the statement like they don't remember that the PSOne had a 10 year life cycle and that the PS2 is fast approaching it. they simply mean that they will support the hardware for 10 years. the next Playstation is more than likely going to drop right along with the other next gen consoles from Nintendo and MS.
Rahul (Rurouni Kenshin Forever!) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:46PM
Yep, I don't understand how people can think the PS3 will be Sony's only machine for 10 years, they'll support it for at least 10 years.
SKI @ Feb 20th 2009 10:05PM
I don't think it will be supported for ten years, the PS1 and PS2 had enough of a straggle-hold on the market to last past their respective successors. Unless the next Xbox and Wii are stuck near the graphic level of PS3, they won't have the power to keep it relevant. The Wii, being this gen's best seller, will be the one most likely to last among the stragglers.
time @ Feb 21st 2009 12:13AM
"The Wii, being this gen's best seller, will be the one most likely to last among the stragglers."
Exactly. I'm fully expecting the Wii to be the PS2 of this generation. Plus, keeping the Wii around for the long haul allows Nintendo to keep satisfying the "casual" (for the lack of a better term) crowd while still pleasing the "core" gamers in their next generation system.
Levi @ Feb 21st 2009 2:07AM
It's a topic that people like to bring up and twist around to make Sony look bad. Not that they don't say some dumb things, but if anyone really believes they won't release a PS4 before 2016 is pretty dense.
ThermoPants @ Feb 21st 2009 9:39AM
Well sure, they could release a PS4 by 2012. Repeating the cycle of playstations as before.
HOWEVER! What about the fact that the PS3 has so much more potential than previous playstations? I mean, with the firmware updates, blu-ray, PSN (that works well) and ofcourse the supreme processing power of it.
Maybe I just have a lack of imagination, but what more could the PS4 have?
(besides 3D tech. (though the PS3 might get that anyway))
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 20th 2009 8:51PM
Wait, didn't Sony just release the PSP3000? Why would they make an entirely new handheld within months of releasing that?
Phantom @ Feb 20th 2009 8:53PM
forcing the people who had just given them 200 dollars another 200+ dollars
Phantom @ Feb 20th 2009 8:54PM
*give them another 200 dollars...
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:31PM
Nintendo does this all the time with their handhelds and it has proven VERY effective for them over the years. remember how close the GameBoy Micro and DS released? and not to mention that the Micro was the 3rd iteration of the GameBoy Advance.
i wouldnt be surprised if Sony announced a new PSP sometime soon or we caught wind of one in development at least through some leaks. here's hoping it's not a PSPhone, that idea just seems so stupid to me.
ittybittygirl @ Feb 20th 2009 10:10PM
Game Boy Micro (and Backlit SP) came out almost a year after the Nintendo DS, jsyk.
Shoyz @ Feb 21st 2009 1:53AM
The GBA SP came out in 03, DS in 04, and Micro in 05.
Popfrogs @ Feb 21st 2009 2:39AM
They're taking a page from Nintendo's DS-DS Lite-DSi playbook evidently. Minor upgrades, new model numbers, buy it all over again to play the same software.
Charlie_Six @ Feb 20th 2009 8:53PM
I want a PSP that can play PS2 games. Pop in a PS2 disc and play.
Such a device would be unwieldy but it would also be awesome.
Xta Large, Unfanboy Extraordinaire @ Feb 20th 2009 8:55PM
A handheld PS2?
That would be the best console ever made.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 20th 2009 8:59PM
that's sorta like what SEGA tried with Game Gear. Long story short: 6 alkaline batteries for 5 hours of gaming
Saikisen @ Feb 20th 2009 9:14PM
you do know that fitting a disc that huge will make the handheld huge making it displeasing :/ How will i fit it in my pocket...
tcc3 @ Feb 20th 2009 9:25PM
Surely you mean the Nomad, which actually took Genesis cartridges.
And I know, I know, quit calling you Shirley.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:33PM
lol i had a Sega Nomad back in the day and i would say that the 5 hours of battery life your talking about was still a stretch. that thing inhaled some battery juice. it was fun though, full Sonic on the go.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:34PM
my mom was all about the Nomad cause she didn't have to buy more new games lol. i could just play my Genesis games.
sitruc @ Feb 20th 2009 9:38PM
Do you mean the Sega Nomad?
slycooper_rocker @ Feb 20th 2009 9:45PM
@ sitruc
we got past that.
ittybittygirl @ Feb 20th 2009 10:16PM
tcc3 / sitruc - The Game Gear was, for all intents and purposes, a repurposed SEGA Master System powered by 6 AAs that could play Master System cartridges. Maybe he meant the Nomad (as most would agree the Megadrvie > Master System), but Game Gear still works.
Dyson @ Feb 20th 2009 10:32PM
Or maybe a PSP capable of playing PS2 games with the PS3 as the storage hub for downloaded PS2 games. With PS3 connectivity... instant backwards compatibility FTW?
Hedgeson @ Feb 21st 2009 10:39AM
The Game Gear was awesome.
It had a COLOR SCREEN!
I repeat, A COLOR SCREEN!
But it did eat batteries. That's why I used the wall adapter and the big external battery you could attach to your belt. I also had the adapter to read master system cartridges.
Now I feel like finding an emulator...
ice~ @ Feb 20th 2009 8:56PM
That is one sexy lookin concept device u got thar
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:35PM
yea i know. i remember when that mock up came out, definitely the most slick PSP 2 mock up i've ever seen, and still in the tops as far as mock ups go in general too.
slycooper_rocker @ Feb 20th 2009 8:57PM
if the PSP2 is coming soon and turns out like that sexy beast above, i won't mind paying for it. it better have internal memory though.
Saikisen @ Feb 20th 2009 9:11PM
hdd, hdd, hdd, HDD!
and a god damn trophy list, friends list useful to.
In game xmb and your own music during gameplay.
slycooper_rocker @ Feb 20th 2009 9:46PM
you might as well throw in a cell processor and a high-res screen while you're at it. call it the PS3P or something...
Saikisen @ Feb 20th 2009 9:53PM
right, then all we would need is home :/
slycooper_rocker @ Feb 21st 2009 1:58AM
not really.
Saikisen @ Feb 21st 2009 8:27AM
yes really.
MBO @ Feb 20th 2009 9:12PM
yes yes yes yes yes!!! WOOHOO!!!
Finally! I've been looking for a new PSP now ever since my mom smashed my old one after I was playing under the covers and got discovered *whoops* (doesn't everybody?!?!) and am reluctant to get a 3000, because of the screen lines and the PSP2.
Evan @ Feb 20th 2009 9:20PM
lol at this kid.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:39PM
wow, your mom actually broke the thing? my mom would take my GameBoy Color away if i was trying to play it in church or something, but never cause i was playing under the covers (equipped with Worm Light of course) lol.
slycooper_rocker @ Feb 20th 2009 9:47PM
wow that's harsh.
Levi @ Feb 20th 2009 9:30PM
I'm putting my money on a rehash PSP model. Perhaps they learned from the backlash they received after the new screen turned out to hve issues.But really, Joystiq, ya gotta stop posting that mocup... it's so awesome looking and I know it will never see the light of day : (
Extinction @ Feb 21st 2009 1:22AM
It's not awesome at all. It's ugly and un-ergonomic
Levi @ Feb 21st 2009 2:15AM
Sir yes sir.
Although the image of the thing is completely up to opinion, it is really no less ergonomic than the original PSP...
And I disagree, a slider PSP like that with a big AMOLED would be nothinng less than beautiful, as well as fragile. But hey, apples and oranges.
...what?
Rahul (Rurouni Kenshin Forever!) @ Feb 20th 2009 9:48PM
Make the PSP2 accept SD cards please! You've made your Vaio laptops and PS3 now accept SD cards in addition to memory sticks so extend that to the PSP2 as well, SD cards are much more abundant and cheaper, don't be stupid Sony!
MajorHoorah @ Feb 20th 2009 10:12PM
ILL DO IT!!!
Jasmino924 @ Feb 20th 2009 10:24PM
It looks a little large to be a phone! ANy details on how we can apply or whatever to test out the gizmo?