Sony in talks with Rockstar for more GTA on PSP
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Feb 28th 2009 at 10:45AM } 
However, this isn't exactly the case. In a recent interview with MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo, PSP hardware marketing chief John Koller explained that Sony isn't ready to let that particular cash cow go out to pasture. Koller commented that the two PSP-based GTA titles sold like bullet-riddled hotcakes, adding that there's "definitely continued conversations with Rockstar" regarding future Grand titles on Sony's handheld. We can only pray that they'll be as Phil Collins-centric as the last one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Julian @ Feb 28th 2009 10:56AM
Another portible GTA? I might have to buy another PSP if they do make one. I sold mine about two years ago and haven't missed it at all.
And I completely agree about the whole Phil Collins thing. I love Phil Collins, I'm still waiting for him to show up and be a DJ on a radio station in one of the games.
Eggy @ Feb 28th 2009 4:35PM
You did miss out though.
Iwa @ Feb 28th 2009 4:50PM
Just wait a year and it'll be ported to the PS2 with the attractive price of $19.99.
patapon_rocker (The Old slycooper_rocker) @ Feb 28th 2009 7:21PM
...with a bunch of glitches
anyways...you really have missed out on a lot, even if you didn't miss it.
WINterfang @ Feb 28th 2009 10:58AM
Well the psp needs more games.
The Baron @ Feb 28th 2009 11:02AM
And the fact is that if they're good enough and appeal to the mainstream - they sell like nothing else.
required @ Mar 1st 2009 11:24AM
http://www.metacritic.com/games/psp/alpha/
http://www.metacritic.com/games/ds/alpha/
they are ~equal, add the downloadable PS1 titles and things like http://www.psponme.com/list_psp.asp and the PSP is ahead
Maxim @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:05AM
@required
you're kidding right? or am i misunderstanding somethin?
DS - 931 games
PSP - 512 games
419 difference
but if you make ALL PSX games for PSP and ALL GBA games for DS then:
DS + ALL GBA games 931 + 817 = 1748
PSP + ALL PSX games (307) - 512 + 307 = 819 games
Kelly @ Feb 28th 2009 11:05AM
Whoa, first LBP? Then rock band? Now this?
Lee @ Feb 28th 2009 11:15AM
First person to be excited from the concept of playing Rockband using a Dpad?
I'll give you LBP though, but only if it turns out to be like the PS3 version and not LBP Party.
Mr. G @ Feb 28th 2009 11:22AM
No, but I think you're the first person not excited to have Rock Band: Amplitude.
Bowser Rogozhin @ Feb 28th 2009 11:25AM
This isn't great news. Rather than focus on originality Sony wish to court more publishers with established brands, brands which were created on home console platforms. The entire problem, and success, of the PSP is that it is seen as a portable PS2; it has been denied an opportunity to forge an identity for itself outside of these limited guidelines. As such, most consumers cannot help but make a comparison to it's older cousin and see a clunkier, inferior product.
There is no Nintendogs that has truly defined the console in it's own right as something greater than average. All the best games (Hot Shots Golf, God of War, MGS) are all from established franchises. And let's face it, given the choice, we would all prefer to play Hot Shots Golf on our Wii or PS2 rather than a PSP. Charming the likes of Rockstar and Ubishitz to plod out dreary versions of GTA or Assassin's Creed isn't going to aid this perception, it'll actually reinforce it.
SunKing @ Feb 28th 2009 11:45AM
You have a point, but if Rockstar make a new GTA title with the PSP's design in mind, then it could be great. Of course, what the console really needs are strong, unique IPs. Patapon and LocoRoco are somewhat niche from my view point; I don't think they ever really caught the public's eye like Wii Sports or Halo did. The PSP has always lacked something along those lines, something that really defines the system.
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 11:52AM
"There is no Nintendogs"
That's a bad thing? I thank whatever higher being out there that there isn't one. There's already original games out there like locoroco and patapon, but I want to know why you can't have solidified franchises on the psp. The first 2 gta psp games were fantastic and the platform deserves another one whether it's san andreas or a different one.
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 11:59AM
Speak for yourself.
1. PSP has a number of its own great titles, though they may not be to the quantity of DS, they are definatly worth playing. Eg. Patapon, Locoroco, Pursuit Force.
2. Many of the titles on the PSP, though they may be 'based' on existing PS3 or PS2 brands much like Nintendo DS and Wii with Mario, Kirby, etc etc etc, these games offer something completly new, often with a whole new gameplay style or experience overall. Eg. Monster Hunter, Metal Gear Acid, Fireteam Bravo
3. The 'ports' that do jump over from time to time are usually PS2 games that some of us would prefer to play on the go instead of stuck at home playing it on a screen. The spin offs can be just as fun, especially if tehy are a) Good and b) based off of a successful franchise. Eg. GTA games
Though playing on my Wii and PS2 is great, there are certain games I am willing to tolerate on my PSP that I wouldn't on my PS2 or Wii, 1 reason I would rather play my PSP. I can carry my PSP everywhere, and while my Wii and PS2 are great, when I get home, the first thing I think about is not sticking in Vice City on PS2, if I do think about gaming, its my PS3 or 360 I want to switch on, and if I do play my PS2, its games like Shadow of the Collosus I think about playing, I wouldn't play a Metal Gear Acid on my PS2, but I enjoy it on my PSP. I never touch Tekken 5 on my PS2, but prefer it on PSP and PS3 for the network linkup. For Wii I play Wii exclusive titles as they play better. To add to that, quite a few of the games I've played on my PSP have been most favourable in comparison to playing them on PS2 or PS1, heck even NFS Prostreet for example which was multiplat.
As for Hot Shots, no, actually I had more fun playing it on PSP, I wouldn't have bothered picking it up on any other console, why buy Hot Shots when Killzone 2 is sitting next to it :S
Bowser Rogozhin @ Feb 28th 2009 12:11PM
@ the kid from off the block
There's nothing, too, wrong with "solidified franchises" if they're built from the ground up, but for the most part that isn't the case. For every gorgeous version of Hot Shots Golf you get a runt like PES which is spoilt by twitchy controls and unbearable load times. After waiting 30-40 seconds for a match to start you start to wonder whether it's worth the hassle. The home versions do not suffer from these afflictions, so shy should I put up with this privilege just because it's on a handheld?
"The first 2 gta psp games were fantastic"
"Base shit" is not spelt fantastic, kid. Come on, what are they teaching you at school, huh?
Popfrogs @ Feb 28th 2009 12:20PM
I dunno, even though some of the best sellers are hand-me-down franchises, the PSP has still managed to carve out an identity for itself with titles like Lumines, Patapon, Locoroco, etc. All of those games have gotten or are getting sequels.
Also the PSP equivalents are usually reworked to fit the platform, and not just the control scheme. Take KZ:Liberation for example with it's top-down perspective. Metal Gear Acid also changed things up, becoming more of a tactical card game, similar to that SOCOM game. Jeanne D'arc was also a great little title that I wish had a PS3 equivalent (and no, Valkyrie Chronicles isn't the same).
Ultimately the PSP is a solid platform but maybe you're right, there's not a single title that screams out "THIS IS PSP gaming". Rather, there are dozens of titles that make up the experience.
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 12:28PM
You don't have to put up with it, then again, thats the whole point of 'opinion', what suits one person doesn't suit another.
There are some games that suck in terms of load times, mainly the first ones to release on PSP, most of the newer ones are not too bad at all, taking WWE06 the worst of the lot into consideration compared to WWE games now which still have loading, but not as long. My longest loading PSP game is probably Monster Hunter, and usually it doesn't bother me too much, but then I'm patient. Just the fact I can game while bored is enough for me.
Games I wouldn't bother picking up for my PS2, Wii or whatever else, I give a try on my PSP, I had never even known about Monster Hunter until trying it on PSP and becoming a fan.
My PSP library is big, so I always have something to keep me entertained when bored, most of the games I have for it I don't have for other consoles.
Lee @ Feb 28th 2009 12:40PM
Whilst originality would be nice, I'm not going to fault them for bringing their biggest PS3 brands to the PSP. Especially when they're good.
HAAS599 @ Feb 28th 2009 12:48PM
load times are greatly reduced when games are stored on the memory stick.
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 12:57PM
Careful who you call kid when you go around whining that there's nothing like "Nintendogs" on the psp. That's awfully hypocritical.
Cesaria @ Feb 28th 2009 1:29PM
I'm a mature adult who plays a variety of games and I thoroughly enjoyed Nintendogs. You make yourself look like a child when you judge people based on what types of games they play. The ability to move from Bioshock to Nintendogs and appreciate each game's appeal makes me thank god i'm not like you. Enjoy your closed minded, pessimistic world perspective. And yes, I would MUCH rather play a game that does something new than another GTA. Vice City was the only one I could play. The others are all the same game with different characters.
Markez @ Feb 28th 2009 1:41PM
Not having a 'Nintendogs' on the system is a bad thing, yes. in this example it's just used as a console defining game. Say what you will, and I know what tmac will say being he's a Nintendo flaming douche, it was a very interesting and compelling new entry into gaming. I enjoyed it for a lil bit, as did my girlfriend.
As far as I know, EVERYBODY considered the PSP as nothing more than a handheld PS2 for quite awhile after the initial launch. The load times were beyond ridiculous at the time. Don't get me wrong, it's a kickass system, I dig it very much, but it has never had a defining title. Loco Roco and Patapon kick absolute ass, but for me they just didn't *quite* get there. Sorry for the histrionics :P
Markez @ Feb 28th 2009 1:46PM
Well spoken, Cesaria. As far as I'm concerned, it's a little ridiculous to take anybody's opinion seriously when they're an avid WoW player and chide other's gaming maturity and gives everyone the IM HARDCORE AND YOURE NOT attitude.
Mr Khan @ Feb 28th 2009 1:47PM
Step right up, folks! It's the clash of the new millennium! Two of the biggest jaded elitists out there come to tear each other down in the most pointless of arenas! Can the bitter anti-Nintendo elitist successfully fend off reality and the assaults of the equally bitter anti-establishment elitist? One show only! No holds barred (unless someone gets banned)
Place yer bets!
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 2:17PM
And it's hard to take any of your opinions seriously when you're all well known nintendo fanboys and play "games" like nintendogs. I had a ds briefly, and someone in my family (forget who) got me that and animal crossing for christmas a few years ago. Animal crossing was predictably the same thing as the gamecube one, but nintendogs was pure trash. There was no point to the "game" and there's really no difference between that and something like Barbie's horse farm or whatever.
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 2:29PM
When we talk defining title, I'm guessing we only speak for US and UK, considering Monster Hunter is hands down the defining title in Japan, with the likes of FF, Pro Evo and Phantasy Star being one of the few not far behind.
In US and UK it has yet to define itself, but its not just a defining title that sets the console apart, at the end of the day, while a defining title is great and all, its a vast array of exciting reasons and games that make you pick up a console, whats defining to one isn'r defining to another, otherwise Monster Hunter WOULD BE the defining title worldwide.
When we talk definintion, PSP unlike Nintendo connects with PS2 and PS3 as a brand, which means names like Kratos and Rachet are spread across all platforms, this unfortunatly means that PSP doesn't have anything other then the likes of Monster Hunter, Locoroco and Patapon for examples to really set it apart as a whole different and new experience, but then, you also have to ask yourself, who the market is this definition will attract and what hardware capabilities does PSP have that other consoles don't to make games different?
PS3 and 360 are pretty similar, while Wii is completly indifferent, but its only because the tech and games are different, unique and fun that it strays away from PS3 and 360 and ends up being the most successful. Last gen GC had lots of unique and defining titles, but the tech was the same as PS2 and Xbox so the experience was the same.
The experience of PSP to PS2 is only that you play it on the go while PS2 you can't, but really the two share too similar tech to really make gameplay any different compared to Wii vs DS. Though saying that, theres an advantage to that as well, PSP and PS3 have a connection that DS can't have with Wii, and even if it could, the connection PS3 has with PSP as they are similar is almost limitless. So there are positives and negatives to the whole thing.
Personally I'm quite happy with my PSP, though I do hope PSP2 changes tech, not to touch screen as I hate touch screen, but to something that provides a different gameplay style, tilt technology maybe. Who knows.
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 2:39PM
TBH, if it wasn't for the fact PS2 still exists, most of these games on PSP would in fact be exclusive defining titles :O
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 28th 2009 4:18PM
tmac:
Petz coming to PSP
http://www.halolz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/fatality.jpg
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 5:15PM
And? Those games may come to the other systems and handheld, but here's the key difference: Unlike the wii and ds, those games aren't the focal point. You can't show me something like that to try and prove me a hypocrite, when on the very same day they announced little big planet, rock band, assassin's creed, motorstorm, and persona.
That was a rather weak effort moptimus.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 28th 2009 5:49PM
when has the Petz series ever been the focal point of the Wii or DS?
Markez @ Feb 28th 2009 6:27PM
They haven't, but keep in mind your trying to reason with a nintendo troll. Pretty pointless.
Mr Khan @ Feb 28th 2009 7:04PM
Ahh tmac. Have you learned nothing? All genres and gametypes are the focal point of Wii & DS. Except WRPGs, but its not Nintendo's fault that WRPG developers are too high and mighty to treat with them
lasersanchez @ Feb 28th 2009 7:25PM
More solid titles were released on the PSP than the Wii last year. Suck on that.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 28th 2009 7:36PM
Allow me to quote tmac:
"Most likely the same as every meaningful developer out there, "not worth my time".
why am I bringing this up? Look at those games he threw out: Motorstorm (not developed by Evolution) Rock Band: Unplugged (not developed by Harmonix), LittleBigPlanet (not developed by Media Molecule) Assassins Creed (most likely not being developed by Ubisoft Montreal)
Sony themselves don't find the PSP "worth their time". If they did, they'd have their top teams working on LBP and the new Motorstorm, not SCE Cambridge and BigBig Studios.
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 7:39PM
"when has the Petz series ever been the focal point of the Wii or DS?"
Not petz per se, but casual shovelware as a whole. Cmon, don't BS me you know what I'm talking about.
"All genres and gametypes are the focal point of Wii & DS"
Are you high mr khan? Hardly anything but shovelware came out on the wii all of last year, and not much else before that. Unless you weren't talking about quality when referring to covering all genres, and just putting garbage out to cover it...in which case yeah I'd have to say you'd probably be right.
Mr Khan @ Feb 28th 2009 8:45PM
remember, tmac, your opinion is not reality. Just because you have such a narrow definition of quality does not mean that many other consumers are swayed by your views, despite the fact that many gaming media outlets hold the same narrow views as yourself
tmacairjordan87 @ Feb 28th 2009 8:49PM
I have a pretty good idea at what quality is, unlike most wii and ds owners. I wish these people could be educated about what they're buying but I've accepted the reality that most people are stupid and you're better off just letting them waste their money on garbage while the smart ones enjoy quality.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 28th 2009 9:07PM
alright tmac, define a quality game. And while you're at it, define a Hardcore gamer and a Casual Gamer.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Feb 28th 2009 9:11PM
also, Im sure "most people" who bought a PS3 are going to buy Killzone 2. Does that make Killzone 2 garbage since "most people" will be buying it?
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 9:15PM
I think the whole idea of having seperate smaller companies working on PSP adds the element of originality to begin with, Jak, Agent Clank, Pursuit Force, these were all made by smaller companies and not the big uns, they all offer unique experiences and push the PSP to the max, it anything, its the larger companies that puke out utter shit into the PSP library just to make more money from multiplats. They would rather be working on PS3 and 360 as top priority, Wii and DS second and anything else third.
Take EA for example, nothing but multiplats, Ubisoft, nothing but multiplats, Square, Konami, Capcom and Namco are four examples of major companies that take time to consider the elements of each console and push it in those areas.
Sony London made Wipeout Pulse and Pure, so really are the smaller companies making the best PSP games really that bad for the console?
Bowser Rogozhin @ Mar 1st 2009 5:08AM
I wouldn't call Sony London a 'smaller' studio.
JuanDHexen @ Feb 28th 2009 11:34AM
Get started on San Andreas stories
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 12:03PM
Doubt that will happen, lol, San Andreas pushed PS2 to the max and....
Wait a sec, with the store now in place, there should be no space issue :O
I guess its worth a try. If possible that is.
Though I'd prefer a GTA London :D
BxGT @ Feb 28th 2009 12:52PM
Thats the only reason why i would hype this, to see rockstar push psp to the limit.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Feb 28th 2009 12:56PM
GTA: London = Bully
I'd rather see a GTA based on the East Coast, like Liberty City but with a tad more Boston thrown into the mix. Then again, I'd be happy even if they made it in Louisiana at this point. As long as it's fun, who cares?
Maverick Saturn @ Feb 28th 2009 1:28PM
That was the getaway, and PSP version was meh
GTA London FTW, its about time I hi-jack a double decker >.
Owyn @ Feb 28th 2009 11:35AM
Slow news day, isn't it?
The Baron @ Feb 28th 2009 12:09PM
We call them 'weekends'
Owyn @ Feb 28th 2009 12:20PM
Ahah.