It's not often (in fact it's never) that you see a game tagline line this: "Make music with a disc of 510 067 420 km² = the Earth." But that's what Oterp, a hombrew PSP app by Antonin Fourneau does.
Oterp uses the PSP GPS add-on to track your relative position on the planet and alters music in real time based on your movements. Its developer has also hard-coded numerous "collection" spots around the globe into the software. Travelling to these locations will unlock new music and effects, similar to unlocking characters via GPS in the Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Sounds pretty cool, huh? More videos of it in action can be found at the Oterp site.
The GPS receiver for the Sony PSP is about to find its way out of Japan and into US gamers' hands. According to Sony's CES 2008 page, "Your PSP will provide 2D/3D locations, driving directions, POI's, and even downloadable city guides."
No official release date or price - the peripheral in Japan retailed for approximately US $51. Of course, if you're impatient, you can always hack the PSP now.
SCEE has unveiled plans to release Go!Explore, a satellite navigation package for European PSP users. In collaboration with TeleAtlas and NavNGo, Go!Explore will offer in-car and pedestrian GPS navigation supporting 11 languages and available in 7 different geographic locations. The package combines a GPS receiver and UMD software, and is upgradeable through purchased PSN content. Go!Explore is due out next year for "an affordable price."
In December 2006, Sony released a PSP GPS receiver in Japan (pictured).
Developer area/code have put their location-based PC game Plundr onto the Nintendo DS -- the first of its kind, according to their website -- and showed it off at Where 2.0. The adventure game utilizes a Wi-Fi positioning system to give you different islands based on your physical location.
At each island, your pirate can buy, sell and fight for goods. According to the game's website, "depending on where you are in the physical world, you'll find different islands, different market prices and different ships to fight." You can try the PC version here, but desktop owners won't be able to enjoy it. The DS is one of the most portable options around, and we'd love to try this out. Pictures of the DS game can be found on Flickr (one, two, three).
HP showed off several of its gaming research and development projects at a recent San Francisco media event. The company said that many of these technologies had been in progress before the VoodooPC acquisition, but Rahul Sood and other VoodooPC leaders were able to see the gaming applications of previous research.
I spent some time trying mscape ("mediascape") and discussing the project with some of its engineers. This gaming platform -- which isn't meant to compete with a hardware-and-software solution like the DS or PSP -- has already been used in the real world, unlike most of the in-progress projects demonstrated.
Mscape sits on a PocketPC or other device, presenting an augmented reality game space. Other game designers and companies have tried to bridge the virtual world and the real world, with games that are played on devices by moving around outside. But HP's muscle may eventually help push these new experiences to mainstream gamers.
The plug-in GPS Receiver for PSP was released today in Japan and inevitably, has been made available to potential importers via Play-Asia ($68.70, includes shipping to US). Its usefulness is currently limited, as the navigation software (of Japan's roadways) has yet to be released; though Sega's constellation navigator is available.
In addition, the device is compatible with Metal Gear Solid: Potable Ops, but limited GPS usage in the game doesn't exactly warrant the $70 splurge. The receiver will also be compatible with the next installment of Hot Shots Golf, which is due out early next year in Japan (as Minna no Golf-jou).
A true Metal Gear title on PSP? Not exactly. Yes, gone are all those stinkin' cards, but Portable Ops is no epic. Then again, this could be the game's greatest strength: it's not trying to be a PlayStation 2 title on the go.
With brisk missions, bold Infrastructure modes (see: Cyber-Survival), and gracious load times, Portable Ops is proof that PSP is a capable platform. (Kojima and company even found a use for the GPS attachment.)
1UP (95/100) - "[A] game that essentially pushes the PSP in all of its features: graphics, portability, Internet, extra hardware doohickeys, and multiplayer. Sure, it might have hiccups ... [but] it's also a damn good showcase for the PSP."
Games Radar (90/100) - "Portable Ops feels like what you'd get if you took the Metal Gear Online game from MGS3: Subsistence, simplified it for the PSP and then built a single-player adventure around it ... but rest assured that Portable Ops is anything but shallow ... Portable Ops is one of the only games that's really tailored to all of the PSP's unique strengths. The controls work surprisingly well, the action doesn't feel like a pared-down console game and even the loading goes quickly."
Gamepro (80/100) - "[It] succeeds because it boldly strays away from the familiar path that was forged by its big console brethren ... But for all its willingness to be different, Portable Ops still suffers from some of the familial defects."
Sony has revealed Japanese prices and release dates for the PSP's camera and GPS peripherals. The camera (PSPJ-15003) will retail for ¥5,000 (approx. $43 US) and will be released November 2nd while the GPS receiver (PSP-290) will retail for ¥6,000 (approx. $51 US) and will be released a little over a month later, on December 7th.
Both were originally announced back in March during the Sony press conference that was supposed to finally set the PS3 launch date record straight. While the official website declared "Spring 2007," Sony ultimately conceded the system would not be ready until this November. They did, however, announce the camera and GPS peripherals would see a September release and, it turns out, they were pretty close.
Check out some pics of the peripherals and their carrying cases after the break.
We here at Joystiq understand that waiting for stuff is hard; heck, we're still waiting on those Toy Story graphics (badum-ching). But you don't have to wait for Sony's official GPS module (PSP-290) if you want GPS support on your PSP, just hack it in there.
Using a PSP remote, a GPS receiver, a USB cable, and some other bric-a-brac, you'll be able to hack GPS support into your unwilling PSP. Couple that hardware with some willing software (you'll need kernel access to use theirs, so try this) and you've got yourself a fancy little package. And it only cost you $120+. Really folks, sometimes waiting is just easier.
Minna No Chizu, or 'Everyone’s Map,' was released today, providing PSP owners a comprehensive
map of Japan (including Okinawa). Though the software currently lacks GPS support,
Zenrin compiled the maps — the same company that provides data for Japan's Google Maps. Priced at 3,990 yen
(roughly $34), Minna No Chizu is affordable, while providing a respectable level of scalable detail, at least
for major metropolitan areas.
Japan Chronicles found the controls user-friendly, despite a tedious address
location system. The software supports bookmarking and purchasable upgrades, which will add points of interest to the
maps. Thankfully, Mickey D's made the initial cut.
Gamespot has
some slides from Wednesday's PlayStation Business Briefing
showing off the announced PSP peripherals, like the USB EyeToy, the PSP-290 GPS receiver, and the Memory Stick you're
gonna load up classic PSone games on to. Alright, that last one doesn't really look that cool in the picture but trust
us, it's pretty cool!
As noted in our earlier story on the PS3's
worldwide launch in November, the PSP will drop in price to $199 in the U.S. on March 22nd.
According to an
official PR announcement from SCEA, this basic package with PSP, AC adaptor, and battery will also retail for $229.99
CND (for our friends up north).
Highlights include classic PSone games for download onto Memory Sticks, web
browser compatibility with Flash, a silver USB EyeToy camera for video and voice-over-IP chat in September, and GPS
support for games like Hot Shots Golf as well. Europe will get their basic PSPs for 199 Euros on the same
date, while Japan will get a new white SKU on April 15th.
It looks like the PS3 press conference is just getting started.
IGN
reports Ken Kutaragi's opening statement as follows: "It is my aim to clear things up about the PlayStation 3
today. The PS2, the PS3, the network, and Future Cell Network, this will all be addressed."
More as we
get it... Update 16--the wrap-up: The PS3 will launch "in early November 2006 in Japan, North America and
Europe simultaneously." Incorporating the final specifications of the Blu-ray format will enable "playback of
BD software at a high bit rate," with "a maximum storage capacity of 50 GB (dual layer) and robust
security." The PS3 will be compatible with all kinds of TVs and a high-speed broadband connection. Update
19 (via 1UP's updated page): DRM was what delayed the
launch, but the system will come with a 60GB HDD preinstalled before 11/11/06.
[Thanks, bv; pics
used to create new montage from Watch Impress]
Sony is releasing a UMD-based map
program for the Japanese market in April, allowing you to store notes on a Memory Stick and share them via WiFi.
Problem is, the unit doesn't have GPS, so it's literally a fancy map without any positioning capabilities. That's too
bad; GPS-enabled PSP and Talkman software would
be a pretty killer package for any intrepid travelers. It's unknown if the program will make it outside Japan.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Hands-on Impressions Unleashed
Come to our E3 afterparty, we've got over 200lbs. of swag to give you (and only you)
Podcast Rodeo is back, and now with thrice the fidelity!
Hands-on with Spore. All of it. With Will Wright feeding us commentary.
Highlights from Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational 2008!
Listen to the Joystiq Podcast (because your ears can't read)
Posts with tag GPS
SCEE has unveiled plans to release Go!Explore, a satellite navigation package for European PSP users. In collaboration with TeleAtlas and NavNGo, Go!Explore will offer in-car and pedestrian GPS navigation supporting 11 languages and available in 7 different geographic locations. The package combines a GPS receiver and UMD software, and is upgradeable through purchased PSN content. Go!Explore is due out next year for "an affordable price."
HP showed off several of its gaming research and development projects at a recent San Francisco media event. The company said that many of these technologies had been in progress before the VoodooPC acquisition, but Rahul Sood and other VoodooPC leaders were able to see the gaming applications of previous research.
A true Metal Gear title on PSP? Not exactly. Yes, gone are all those stinkin' cards, but Portable Ops is no epic. Then again, this could be the game's greatest strength: it's not trying to be a PlayStation 2 title on the go.
Minna No Chizu, or 'Everyone’s Map,' was released today, providing PSP owners a comprehensive
map of Japan (including Okinawa). Though the software currently lacks GPS support,
Zenrin compiled the maps — the same company that provides data for Japan's Google Maps. Priced at 3,990 yen
(roughly $34), Minna No Chizu is affordable, while providing a respectable level of scalable detail, at least
for major metropolitan areas.
As noted in our earlier story on the PS3's
worldwide launch in November, the PSP will drop in price to $199 in the U.S. on March 22nd.
It looks like the PS3 press conference is just getting started.
