Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Video: PSP app uses GPS to remix tunes as you walkhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/video-psp-app-uses-gps-to-remix-tunes-as-you-walk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/video-psp-app-uses-gps-to-remix-tunes-as-you-walk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/video-psp-app-uses-gps-to-remix-tunes-as-you-walk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

[Via MAKE]

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]]>gpshackhomebrewsonyRandy Nelson2008-07-04T18:00:00+00:00GPS for Sony PSP coming to UShttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/gps-for-sony-psp-coming-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/gps-for-sony-psp-coming-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/gps-for-sony-psp-coming-to-us/#commentsFiled under:

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.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

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]]>cesces-08ces-2008consumer-eletronics-showgpssonyRoss Miller2008-01-06T23:55:00+00:00LGC07: Go!Explore with PSP GPS technologyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/lgc07-go-explore-with-psp-gps-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/lgc07-go-explore-with-psp-gps-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/lgc07-go-explore-with-psp-gps-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

gpspSCEE 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).

Go!Explore features:
  • 11 languages (English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian & Finnish)
  • Find & Go Easy Search & Smart Keyboard
  • Smart Zoom; automatic zooming & tilting
  • Explore Map Search
  • Points Of Interest; 100 categories, with thousands of locations
  • My Data Favorites, Home & History
  • Route settings; fastest/shortest, day/night mode
  • Improved graphics; 3D city maps & 3D landmarks
  • Customizable settings (route settings & visuals)
  • Itinerary Mode; turn-by-turn overview
  • 7 geographic versions confirmed (with country maps, hundreds of 3D landmarks and thousands of POIs available): UK/Ireland, Iberia, France, Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Italy, Benelux & Scandinavia

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]]>breakingnewsGoExploregpslgc07James Ransom-Wiley2007-08-22T14:10:00+00:00Plundr, first location-based DS game, debuts at Where 2.0http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/plundr-first-location-based-ds-game-debuts-at-where-2-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/plundr-first-location-based-ds-game-debuts-at-where-2-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/plundr-first-location-based-ds-game-debuts-at-where-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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).

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]]>gpshome brewHomeBrewmodplundrwherewpsRoss Miller2007-06-04T21:56:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: HP's mscapehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/joystiq-hands-on-hps-mscape/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/joystiq-hands-on-hps-mscape/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/joystiq-hands-on-hps-mscape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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.
Before I tried the game demo, HP showed a concept video of what the engineers hope to achieve; an mscape-equipped device with a camera will operate like the glasses in They Live, tweaking the real-world with superimposed effects. Examples from the video include a player dodging an in-game boulder or leaping over a virtually crumbling street.

Philip McKinney, a VP who works in the game group, said that mscape is still about two years away from that level of play -- real-time animation over real-world video -- but currently supports a variety of sensors. 'Ere Be Dragons, a project that was most recently played during GDC, relied on a GPS sensor and heart monitor.

Players ran though the streets of San Francisco, claiming territory on a map displayed on the game screen. They secured the most territory when keeping their heart rate at an optimal level, like 110 beats-per-minute, while other players tried to scoop up previously claimed areas with the same method. Additionally, mscape is currently part of a Tower of London tour-and-game, where players try to free in-game prisoners while avoiding real-world Beefeaters. Players are captured if they get too close to a Beefeater's RFID sensor.

My mscape demo game was on a considerably smaller scale, just to show the basic idea of the device. I walked between several IR emitters (pictured) that had been placed throughout the room, pointing the PocketPC in their direction. When the device sensed a beacon, it advanced the narrative about exploration and trade.

Admittedly, I grew bored of the demo quickly, especially after the splashy video showing the future of the mscape platform. But I left with interest for mscape projects; augmented reality titles could change the idea of videogames, making something completely new from the mixture of analog and digital.

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]]>'ere be dragons'ereBeDragonsaugmented realityAugmentedRealityere be dragonsEreBeDragonsGPShpipaqmediascapemscapephilip McKinneyPhilipMckinneypocket pcPocketPcrahul soodRahulSoodRFIDTower of LondonTowerOfLondonvoodoopcZack Stern2007-04-07T08:00:00+00:00Japan gets PSP GPS, others can importhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/japan-gets-psp-gps-others-can-import/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/japan-gets-psp-gps-others-can-import/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/japan-gets-psp-gps-others-can-import/#commentsFiled under: , ,

never get lost againThe 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).

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]]>GPSGPS ReceiverGpsReceiverHot Shots GolfHotShotsGolfImportMinna no Golf-jouMinnaNoGolf-jouPlay-AsiaJames Ransom-Wiley2006-12-07T18:25:00+00:00Metareview - Metal Gear Solid: Portable Opshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/metareview-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/metareview-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/metareview-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Portable OpsA 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."

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]]>GPSKonamiMetal GearMetalGearWiFiJames Ransom-Wiley2006-12-06T14:55:00+00:00PSP GPS and camera priced and dated (in Japan)http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/psp-gps-and-camera-priced-and-dated-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/psp-gps-and-camera-priced-and-dated-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/psp-gps-and-camera-priced-and-dated-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

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.

See also:
SCEA: PSP price drop to $199 on March 22nd
Shots of Sony's PSP accessories: EyeToy, GPS, PSone support

[Via Engadget]







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]]>CameraGPSPSPChristopher Grant2006-08-31T17:25:00+00:00Impatient? Add GPS to your PSP the hard wayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/impatient-add-gps-to-your-psp-the-hard-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/impatient-add-gps-to-your-psp-the-hard-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/impatient-add-gps-to-your-psp-the-hard-way/#commentsFiled under: ,


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.

[Thanks, PSP News]

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]]>GPSPSPSonyChristopher Grant2006-07-25T14:25:00+00:00PSP maps unrolled in Japanhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/psp-maps-unrolled-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/psp-maps-unrolled-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/20/psp-maps-unrolled-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Minna No ChizuMinna 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.

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]]>Google MapsGoogleMapsGPSmapMinna no ChizuMinnaNoChizuZenrinJames Ransom-Wiley2006-04-20T11:27:00+00:00Shots of Sony's PSP accessories: EyeToy, GPS, PSone supporthttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/17/shots-of-sonys-psp-accessories-eyetoy-gps-psone-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/17/shots-of-sonys-psp-accessories-eyetoy-gps-psone-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/17/shots-of-sonys-psp-accessories-eyetoy-gps-psone-support/#commentsFiled under: ,


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!

The EyeToy is due in September and the GPS receiver in October, so it would really have a nice ring to it if the PSone emulator and download service dropped in November. An even better release date would be "now" so we can play something besides ScummVM and GTA.

See also:
SCEA: PSP price drop to $199 on March 22nd; EyeToy, GPS, and PSone game-download support coming later
PS3 worldwide in November

[Via Engadget]

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]]>EyeToyGPSPlayStationPSoneChristopher Grant2006-03-17T14:30:00+00:00SCEA: PSP price drop to $199 on March 22nd; EyeToy, GPS, and PSone game-download support coming laterhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/scea-psp-price-drop-to-199-on-march-22nd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/scea-psp-price-drop-to-199-on-march-22nd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/scea-psp-price-drop-to-199-on-march-22nd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PSP viewed from the frontAs 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.

See also:

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]]>$199classic PSone gamesClassicPsoneGamesCNDcompatibilitydownloadEurosEyeToyFlashGPSHot Shots GolfHotShotsGolfMemory StickMemoryStickprice dropPriceDropDan Choi2006-03-15T09:57:00+00:00PS3 worldwide in November [UPDATE 21]http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/ps3-press-conference-it-begins/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PS3 Early November 2006 Worldwide Launch cropped montageIt 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]

Update 1: IGN further reports that Sony will "continue selling [the PS2] at its current price of $149 for some time," killing any chances for a current-gen price drop in the near future. Thanks again, bv!

Update 2: 1UP is reporting on "a major new PSP update this spring," including "the ability to hook up a camera to the PSP" and "use the system for GPS location." Also listed at 10:42 PST: "There will be a web browser upgrade shortly, but it still won't have Flash support."

Update 3: IGN comes back with a few more details concerning the PSP, including its lopsidedly male user base (sitting at 96% male), a silver PSP EyeToy attachment via the USB port in September, video and voice-over-IP in October, RSS functionality in the fall, and Macromedia Flash support in a spring Network update. Thanks, bv and untitled!

Updates 4 & 5: IGN confirms PS3 worldwide launch in November for "the North American, Asian, and European territories." In addition, Sony will release "one million units per month [after launch; sorry for any confusion this may have caused] with a total of six million units in 2006 alone. Production numbers are higher for PS1 and PS2 in their initial years." Update 18: The 6M unit total will "be produced in Fiscal Year 2006 (through March 2007)."

Update 6: IGN fills us in on the PSP's "E-Distribution" features, which mean that portable owners will be able to boot directly from Memory Sticks without the use of hacks and "download classic PlayStation titles and play them on your PSP." Thanks, bv!

Update 7: IGN says a $199 PSP "base unit" to mirror the original Japanese release will hit U.S. shelves by the end of March. Europe will be similarly fitted with a 199 Euro package on March 22nd, while Japan will get "a new white PSP SKU... starting April 15th... for 19800 Yen (~$168 US)." Thanks, bv and Jake!

Update 8: IGN reports that the PS3 will be "100% backwards compatible," and that "all legacy titles played on the system will be displayed at high-definition resolutions," similar to the Xbox 360's BC upscaling (but hopefully without the profile downloading). "[F]ull Blu-ray support" and "the latest HDMI connection" were also touted. Thanks, bv!

Update 9: Kutaragi proclaims that the PS3 will require a hard drive, but not whether all systems will come bundled with one or not. What he does say is that the HDD "will be 60GB big, be completely upgradeable, and support Linux OS. Additionally, the peripheral will act as a home server and allow users to store various forms of media to be pulled up elsewhere." Thanks, RobR and sullyj! [Update 17: The same link now says that "the unit will ship with the system right out of the box."]

Update 10: Ken says that "all PlayStation 3 games will ship on Blu-ray [only!] to help prevent piracy," and that "initial BD-ROM production [is expected] to reach 2.5 million in Japan and Europe and 5 million in the US." Thanks, RobR and bv!

Update 11: Beginning this November at launch, the PS3 "will feature community tools including lobby matching and voice chat," as well as "commerce features that includes bootable software via the hard drive." This is basically the PS3's online service, which was created with Sony Online Entertainment's assistance and will be provided free of charge--well, the "basic" service will be at any rate. "Premium" Live features, anyone? Thanks, bv, RobR, and untitled!

Update 12: The wild statements continue with a new set from Ken regarding the PS3. He says that the "games are 'live' and that the PS3 concept is '4D,'" with titles going "from 8-bit to 16-bit planes, to the 'space' that you saw on the PS1/PS2, and now PS3 will be 'live.'" That's quite a look at console history there, Ken.... Thanks, bv, CB4D, and everyone else who chimed in on this!

Update 13: Final PS3 dev kits "will be shipping out to production houses in June." 15 different companies will be making SDK tools and middleware for the PS3, including the company we've sourced with this news, IGN/GameSpy. Thanks, RobR!

Update 14: Post title updated to reflect most important info given today.

Update 15: The PlayStation Business Briefing 2006 is now over, but there were no revelations made about new software or the PS3's actual price. Bummer. We'll all have to wait for E3 for more details, as we imagine Phil Harrison will simply elaborate on one of the announcements made today for his GDC keynote. Thanks anyway, TMJ, bv, mirobin, and Jason M!

Update 20: While an exact price was not released, GamersReports claims that a minimum price range was announced, which was nothing "less than 50,000.00 JP YEN" (or "$425.607 USD"). Perform your own up-to-the-minute currency conversion here. Unless the PS3's cheaper in the U.S., that means that the HDD-bundled Xbox 360 will remain cheaper than the PS3 in the States even without a price drop. Link found via digg.

Update 21: New pictorial montage created for the post from images found on Watch Impress.

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]]>$199 PSP base unit$199PspBaseUnit4D50000 Yen50000Yen60GBbackwards compatibleBackwardsCompatibleBlu-raydev kitDevKitDRME-Distributionearly NovemberEarlyNovemberEuropeEyeToyFiscal Year 2006FiscalYear2006Flashfree basic serviceFreeBasicServiceFuture Cell NetworkFutureCellNetworkGPShard driveHardDriveHDMIJapanKen KutaragiKenKutaragilobby matchingLobbyMatchingMemory StickMemoryStickNorth AmericaNorthAmericaPlayStation Business Briefing 2006PlaystationBusinessBriefing2006press conferencePressConferenceprice dropPriceDropPSOnesimultaneous launchSimultaneousLaunchsix millionSixMillionUSBvoice chatvoice-over-IPVoiceChatworldwideDan Choi2006-03-15T01:43:00+00:00PSP getting map functionality in Japan; not GPShttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/03/psp-getting-map-functionality-in-japan-not-gps/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/03/psp-getting-map-functionality-in-japan-not-gps/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/03/psp-getting-map-functionality-in-japan-not-gps/#commentsFiled under:


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.

I guess this technically means the Gizmondo does something better than the PSP.

[Via Engadget]

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]]>GPSJapanMapsChristopher Grant2006-02-03T17:30:00+00:00