Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NGP in development 'since the beginning of 2008,' first-party Suite games in the works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/ngp-in-development-since-the-beginning-of-2008-first-party-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/ngp-in-development-since-the-beginning-of-2008-first-party-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/ngp-in-development-since-the-beginning-of-2008-first-party-su/#comments How long has the successor to PSP been in the works? According to Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida, "since the beginning of 2008." The timing coincides with the first rumors about the device, which (correctly) predicted the system's lack of a UMD drive, touch screen and dual analog support.

Yoshida also explained that Worldwide Studios had been officially involved with NGP game development since then, too, which helps explain the dearth of first-party content for the original PSP beginning in 2008. According to Wikipedia, Sony has released only 16 first-party games for the PSP in the last two years -- about the same number of games it had ready for the system's launch.

While Sony is working on delivering triple-A titles for the NGP launch, Yoshida noted that first-party teams are also working on "short form games" for PlayStation Suite, Sony's upcoming cross-platform service for NGP and Android. Given the last game we recall Sony ever developing for a non-PlayStation device was Wipeout 64, that's certainly an historic move.

JoystiqNGP in development 'since the beginning of 2008,' first-party Suite games in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidmobilengpplaystationplaystation-suiteplaystation-vitapsppsp2shuhei-yoshidasonyvitaFri, 04 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NGP games will come on 2GB and 4GB cards, with room for save data, patches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ngp-games-will-come-on-2gb-and-4gb-cards-with-room-for-save-dat/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ngp-games-will-come-on-2gb-and-4gb-cards-with-room-for-save-dat/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/ngp-games-will-come-on-2gb-and-4gb-cards-with-room-for-save-dat/#comments This slide, shown during Sony's Next Generation Portable GDC panel, shed some light on NGP's still-mysterious storage details. Unlike the experimental PSP Go, the NGP doesn't sport any internal storage. Things like save data and patches will be stored on the actual game cards themselves which, notably, will be offered in both 2GB and 4GB varieties, with 5 to 10 percent of the storage allocated to the aforementioned data. On a 2GB card, that leaves 1.8GB to 1.9GB for game data; on a 4GB card, that leaves 3.6GB to 3.8GB.

That puts the NGP's game media storage size between that of the PSP's, whose UMD discs range from 900MB to 1.8GB, and the PS3's, whose Blu-ray discs hold up to 50GB, though "many PS3 games" (i.e., multiplatform titles) remain around 9GB, thanks to the Xbox 360's DVD-ROM size limitation. Of course, as pointed out in a second slide (afer the break), this leaves the NGP with far more storage per game than a "10MB phone game."

But that's not all! As previously suggested, the NGP has another storage option, simply called "removable memory" in this presentation. "Cards will be large to support a variety of downloaded content," the slide says. This includes games available over PlayStation Network; and, thankfully, Sony says it's implementing a "single submission for both formats" to streamline the process of getting games approved for both card-based and downloadable releases.

We're hopeful this streamlined process obviates current embarassments like the continued absence of high-profile games in the PSN catalog of PSP titles, which has crippled the appeal of Sony's PSP Go handheld.

Continue reading NGP games will come on 2GB and 4GB cards, with room for save data, patches

JoystiqNGP games will come on 2GB and 4GB cards, with room for save data, patches originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC-2011new-game-mediaNGPplaystationplaystation-vitapspPSP2sonyvitaThu, 03 Mar 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Video from Sony's NGP panel: Uncharted Portable, Little Deviants, and augmented dino-reality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/video-from-sonys-ngp-panel-uncharted-portable-little-deviants/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/video-from-sonys-ngp-panel-uncharted-portable-little-deviants/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/video-from-sonys-ngp-panel-uncharted-portable-little-deviants/#comments In order to show developers precisely what NGP is capable of - and to break up the fifty plus slides used in the one hour presentation! - Sony shared three live demos of NGP software and we dutifully recorded them.

Apologies for the poor quality of the NGP screen - the combination of the bright OLED screen being captured on video, piped to a conference center projector, and then in turn captured by our camera has resulted in some ... less than stellar video quality. But you will be able to glean the input mechanics and the style of gameplay (or in the case of the augmented reality demo, dinosaurplay). Check out videos of Little Deviants, Uncharted Portable, and augmented reality after the break.

Gallery: Sony Next Generation Portable (NGP) GDC panel

Continue reading Video from Sony's NGP panel: Uncharted Portable, Little Deviants, and augmented dino-reality

JoystiqVideo from Sony's NGP panel: Uncharted Portable, Little Deviants, and augmented dino-reality originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC-2011little-deviantsmobileNGPoriginalplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspPSP2sonyUncharted-POrtablevitaWed, 02 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft on next-gen portable dev: 3DS / PSP2 first, 'the other machines' next]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ubisoft-on-next-gen-portable-dev-3ds-psp2-first-the-other-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ubisoft-on-next-gen-portable-dev-3ds-psp2-first-the-other-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ubisoft-on-next-gen-portable-dev-3ds-psp2-first-the-other-m/#comments After some success getting in on the ground floor with Kinect - Ubisoft was gunning to be the "top third-party publisher" - it's looking to repeat that formula with the upcoming 3DS, dropping six games for the portable's European launch. But with increasingly competent smartphones eating away at the dedicated handheld gaming market, what's Ubisoft's long-term plan for supporting the new portable landscape?

While the PSP had, at one point, been a solid platform for Ubisoft - Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines has sold roughly 500,000 units, a Ubi exec noted on this afternoon's earnings call - "today it's a bit more difficult as you have the PSP at the end of its cycle," CEO Yves Guillemot said. With a stated goal to invest in "future consoles, notably the 3DS and the NGP," Ubisoft is hoping to extend the lifespan of its portable productions by focusing on two phases of release.

"We are working to make sure that the games we create for the portable machines can be adapted for those platforms so that after making good revenue on 3DS or PSP2," Guillemot said, "we can go to a second phase which is going at a lower-price to the other machines." The other machines he's referring to here are the gaming smartphone platforms, typified by the iPhone and its hyper-competitive (and budget-priced!) App Store offerings.

Publishers are eager to capitalize on new hardware, and the excitement that inevitably follows, but want to continue to invest in the potentially lucrative phone ecosystems. This two-phase solution might allow them to have it both ways.

JoystiqUbisoft on next-gen portable dev: 3DS / PSP2 first, 'the other machines' next originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DSdsmobileNGPnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitapspPSP2sonyUbisoftvitaYves-GuillemotMon, 14 Feb 2011 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[NGP Killzone in development at Sony Cambridge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/ngp-killzone-in-development-at-sony-cambridge/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/ngp-killzone-in-development-at-sony-cambridge/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/ngp-killzone-in-development-at-sony-cambridge/#comments The next Killzone game is the first not to be developed by series creators, Guerrilla Games. Instead, Gamerzines has learned that they have passed on development to Sony's Cambridge studio. While fans of the excellent Killzone Liberation for PSP may be disappointed to hear that Guerrilla isn't working directly on the game, senior producer Steven Ter Heide told the site that "we'll still oversee it because the universe is something we've built up, we know the war and the rules that have been established, but they're driving the development."

The Cambridge studio has worked on the MediEvil franchise and, most recently, LittleBigPlanet for PSP and TV Superstars for PlayStation Move.

JoystiqNGP Killzone in development at Sony Cambridge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>killzonengpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonysony-cambridgevitaSat, 05 Feb 2011 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: NGP developers encouraged to go cross-platform]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/rumor-ngp-developers-encouraged-to-go-cross-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/rumor-ngp-developers-encouraged-to-go-cross-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/rumor-ngp-developers-encouraged-to-go-cross-platform/#comments An anonymous developer speaking with Eurogamer paints a rosy picture of the NGP, calling it nothing less than a "developer's dream." The dev had just just returned, cheeks still presumably flush with pleasure, from a UK Sony meeting in which the company outlined the system's future.

Most concretely, Sony reportedly stated that all NGP launch games would be available both on the new format game cards and on the PlayStation Store, a feat its predecessor was never able to live up to.

Slightly murkier is the anonymous developer's claim that Sony encourages titles to be developed simultaneously for the NGP and PS3. From Eurogamer:
"'They want us to do cross-platform,' said the source, explaining that the submission process has been streamlined, with only a single submission required for a title on PSN and NGP. However, Sony is also insisting that it 'does not want exactly the same game' on NGP and PS3 -- there 'has to be a reason for the NGP title.' 'They want at least some kind of interactivity between the two versions with NGP-only extras.'"
While it's unclear what the implications of that are -- simultaneous PS3 and NGP releases, or retail NGP games available for download on PS3? -- one thing is certain: The future of the PlayStation platform is getting more interesting by the day.

JoystiqRumor: NGP developers encouraged to go cross-platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psppsp2sonyvitaFri, 04 Feb 2011 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Meeting 2011, part three: Developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-three-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-three-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-three-developers/#comments This last set of videos have third party developers showing off their NGP plans. Sega showcased a direct port of the newest Yakuza game on PS3, while Hideo Kojima from Konami showed off Metal Gear Solid 4. See all the videos here:

Continue reading PlayStation Meeting 2011, part three: Developers

JoystiqPlayStation Meeting 2011, part three: Developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaSat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Meeting 2011, part two: NGP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-two-ngp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-two-ngp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-two-ngp/#comments The PSP2 is finally revealed to the world ... with the codename NGP, or "Next Generation Portable." The first video goes over its basic features, while the second video shows off Uncharted running on the handheld. The third video goes over NGP's unique location-based features. Watch below:

Continue reading PlayStation Meeting 2011, part two: NGP

JoystiqPlayStation Meeting 2011, part two: NGP originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaSat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Meeting 2011, part one: PlayStation Suite]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-one-playstation-suite/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-one-playstation-suite/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/playstation-meeting-2011-part-one-playstation-suite/#comments In this series of videos, Kaz Hirai takes the stage to kick-start the event, going over some of the big trends in the industry today. The second video is dedicated to the first big announcement from the event: PlayStation is coming to Android via the "PlayStation Suite." Watch below:

Continue reading PlayStation Meeting 2011, part one: PlayStation Suite

JoystiqPlayStation Meeting 2011, part one: PlayStation Suite originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidmobilengpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaSat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rewatch the NGP reveal with the complete PlayStation Meeting 2011 video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/ngp-psp2-playstation-suite-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/ngp-psp2-playstation-suite-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/ngp-psp2-playstation-suite-video/#comments Having a lazy weekend? Then relive the biggest story of the week by watching the entirety of the PlayStation Meeting. It's like you're actually there! Because the presentation is over an hour long, we're splitting all the videos across three posts. Want to skip to the Metal Gear Solid 4 demo? Go ahead. Want to see Uncharted on the NGP? You can do that too. Or, maybe you just want to take it all in:

Part One:
Opening & PlayStation Suite

Part Two:
NGP Presentation

Part Three:
Developers & Closing

[Thanks, Matt!]

JoystiqRewatch the NGP reveal with the complete PlayStation Meeting 2011 video originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaSat, 29 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[NGP battery life likely comparable to PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-battery-life-likely-comparable-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-battery-life-likely-comparable-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-battery-life-likely-comparable-to-psp/#comments A 1UP report quotes Sony head of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida saying that the NGP handheld will have "about the same [battery life] as the original PSP." The PSP's battery life varies considerably from around 3 hours if the UMD disc drive was whirring away, to much longer if played off flash storage. Sony's official estimate for average PSP operation time is 3-5 hours.

Meanwhile, Eurogamer has Sony Europe honcho Andrew House saying the device will have a "good, solid battery life because of two factors." The dual delights of life extension are apparently the card-based media (instead of UMD, which requires moving parts) and the OLED screen. Those potential power savers are joined by energy-sapping features like a four-core CPU, 3G, and other factors, helping explain the PSP-like battery life.

JoystiqNGP battery life likely comparable to PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew-housebatterybattery-lifengpplaystationplaystation-vitapspPSP2shuhei-yoshidasonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop taking NGP pre-orders ... for $999]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/gamestop-taking-ngp-pre-orders-for-999/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/gamestop-taking-ngp-pre-orders-for-999/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/gamestop-taking-ngp-pre-orders-for-999/#comments At the very bottom of GameStop's listing for the NGP is a notice: "official pricing and release dates have not been announced by the publisher." But that's not stopping the retailer from taking pre-orders for Sony's newly announced handheld -- for a whopping $999.99. Before you faint, though, remember that "these are estimates only and subject to change."

Talk about a horrible estimate (we hope). Hey guys, why not wait to take pre-orders until the system, y'know, has a name?

[Thanks, Howard!]

JoystiqGameStop taking NGP pre-orders ... for $999 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopngpplaystationplaystation-vitapre-orderpsppsp2sonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[id's Carmack comments on NGP's theoretical performance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ids-carmack-comments-on-ngps-theoretical-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ids-carmack-comments-on-ngps-theoretical-performance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ids-carmack-comments-on-ngps-theoretical-performance/#comments John Carmack, id Software's technical director, reminds us of our technical incompetence daily on Twitter. Yet, one tweet managed to catch our attention and make some semblance of sense to our puny brains. Carmack expects "the Sony NGP to perform about a generation beyond smart phones with comparable specs." That should theoretically give Sony's handheld a competitive edge over the next slate of Android and iOS devices.

"Low level APIs" may enable developers to get the most out of the NGP. Essentially, low-level APIs give the developer more direct control. However, it's unclear if Carmack is speaking out of first-hand experience -- we don't see id Software/Bethesda on this list of NGP developers.

Joystiqid's Carmack comments on NGP's theoretical performance originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>id-softwarejohn-carmackngpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 'Little Deviants' shows unique use of NGP's rear touchpad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/video-little-deviants-shows-unique-use-of-ngps-rear-touch-pa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/video-little-deviants-shows-unique-use-of-ngps-rear-touch-pa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/video-little-deviants-shows-unique-use-of-ngps-rear-touch-pa/#commentsIt turns out that the NGP game Little Deviants doesn't just have the most amusing and cute name in the handheld's known lineup -- it also has the most interesting use of that inexplicable rear touchpad thing.

As shown on stage at last night's PlayStation Meeting, players manipulate said deviants by moving their fingers along the touch panel, which raises the ground on screen, causing them to roll. It's as if you're putting your finger through the system to gouge the game world!

Continue reading Video: 'Little Deviants' shows unique use of NGP's rear touchpad

JoystiqVideo: 'Little Deviants' shows unique use of NGP's rear touchpad originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>little-deviantsngpplaystationplaystation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the NGP 'concept video']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/watch-the-ngp-concept-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/watch-the-ngp-concept-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/watch-the-ngp-concept-video/#comments Weren't able to attend the PlayStation Meeting in Japan? Don't worry. You can watch the concept video that introduced the world to the PSP2 NGP right after the break.

Continue reading Watch the NGP 'concept video'

JoystiqWatch the NGP 'concept video' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-meeting-2011playstation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 02:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Your first look at Sony's 'NGP' handheld]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-psp2-hardware-gallery/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-psp2-hardware-gallery/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/ngp-psp2-hardware-gallery/#commentsSony sent out lovely product shots of its new handheld, the NGP. If you're dying to see what the crazy rear touchpad thing looks like, or what it looks like from the side (a lot like an iPhone 4, strangely) then you're going to be in looking-at-hardware heaven. The power button is on the top this time! That's different. And it's a button instead of a toggle!

Gallery: Sony NGP (hardware)

JoystiqYour first look at Sony's 'NGP' handheld originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ngpplaystationplaystation-meeting-2011playstation-vitapsppsp2sonyvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 02:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Uncharted, Killzone, Resistance, LBP ... and Little Deviants among 'NGP' games in development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/uncharted-killzone-resistance-lbp-ngp-psp2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/uncharted-killzone-resistance-lbp-ngp-psp2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/uncharted-killzone-resistance-lbp-ngp-psp2/#comments Sony's bringing out its biggest guns for its new little game machine, the device currently known as "NGP." A slide revealed franchises currently in development for the newly announced handheld, including familiar names like Hot Shots Golf, LittleBigPlanet, WipEout, Killzone, Resistance, and PS3 showpiece Uncharted. Sony's Shuhei Yoshida showed off the Uncharted game, and revealed some controls new to the series: you can touch the screen (or press X) to jump, swing the NGP back and forth to swing on vines, and climb using the device's rear touch panel "as if you're climbing a vine with both hands."

The new IPs sound a bit more, um, eclectic: Gravity Daze, Reality Fighters (an augmented reality title), Smart As, Broken, and the delightful-sounding Little Deviants.

Update: PlayStation Blog confirms the complete list of game franchises noted at PlayStation Meeting 2011 with NGP iterations in development:
  • Call of Duty
  • Broken
  • Gravity Daze
  • Hot Shots Golf
  • Hustle Kings
  • Killzone
  • LittleBigPlanet
  • Little Deviants
  • Reality Fighters
  • Resistance
  • Smart As
  • Uncharted
  • WipEout

JoystiqUncharted, Killzone, Resistance, LBP ... and Little Deviants among 'NGP' games in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokengravity-dazehot-shots-golflittle-deviantslittlebigplanetngpplaystationplaystation-meeting-2011playstation-vitapsppsp2reality-fightersresistanceresistance-burning-skiesresistance-ngpsmart-assonyunchartedvitawipeoutThu, 27 Jan 2011 01:50:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP successor is official, codenamed 'NGP' (Next Generation Portable)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/psp2-ngp-next-generation-portable/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/psp2-ngp-next-generation-portable/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/psp2-ngp-next-generation-portable/#comments Mock it up, talk it up and leak it out all you want, only Sony has the power to actually bring the so-called "PSP2" into the world -- and that moment has come. The "sequel" to the PlayStation Portable was made official today (like, just now!) during a press event in Japan, looking every bit as -- well, that thing looks like the PSP, doesn't it?

Codenamed "NGP" -- that's "Next Generation Portable" Entertainment System -- the device has been designed with five core tenets buzz phrases in mind, according to Sony: Revolutionary User Interface; Social Connectivity; Location-based Entertainment; Converging Real and Virtual; and PlayStation Suite Compatibility.

But what does that mean? For starters, the new hardware features dual analog sticks; a 5-inch OLED display (with 960x544 resolution -- four times the PSP's); a front touchscreen and rear touchpad (woah!); 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS; and, for good measure, the same six-axis motion system that propels the Move, plus a three-axis compass -- oh, and we can't forget the front and rear cameras (those come standard these days). Of course, the NGP plays games, too, which will be offered on new flash memory-based cards (so long UMD!) that feature added storage for DLC and game saves.

The NGP is coming this holiday season.

Update: Complete hardware specs, provided by Sony, are posted after the break.

Continue reading PSP successor is official, codenamed 'NGP' (Next Generation Portable)

JoystiqPSP successor is official, codenamed 'NGP' (Next Generation Portable) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codenamehardwarenext-generation-portablengpplaystationplaystation-meeting-2011playstation-vitapsppsp2sonysony-computer-entertainmentspecsvitaThu, 27 Jan 2011 01:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Live From Sony's PlayStation event]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/live-from-sonys-playstation-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/live-from-sonys-playstation-event/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/live-from-sonys-playstation-event/#commentsThis is where it all happens -- well, this is where we'll tell you about it all happening. Tonight, we'll find out what Sony has in store for us. Will it be ... some kind of handheld gaming device? Or will Sony defy expectations by continuing to pretend that the PSP successor doesn't exist? Or maybe it'll talk about the other handheld it's pretending doesn't exist!

Chances are, something will officially exist after today's event. Let's find out together!

Continue reading Live From Sony's PlayStation event

JoystiqLive From Sony's PlayStation event originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationpsppsp2sonytokyoThu, 27 Jan 2011 00:35:00 EST<![CDATA[The Next Big (Little) Thing: The Story of the PSP2 (so far)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/the-psp2-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/the-psp2-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/the-psp2-so-far/#comments
(This, and every other image of the PSP2 included in this post, is not representative of the final design of the device.)

Once again, we stand on the precipice of a major Sony press event with a mountain of evidence suggesting that the announcement of a new, PlayStation-branded gaming console is mere hours away. Much like the leaks surrounding the PS3 Slim in the weeks preceding its revelation, the rumors buzzing about the PSP2 -- not to be confused with the Xperia Play smartphone (though we wouldn't blame you if you did) -- are wide-ranging and, oftentimes, pretty darn conclusive.

We've collected all the major points of the PSP2's nebulous history and arranged them in as comprehensive and critical a manner as we can muster below. Of course, we can't speak with absolute authority about the accuracy of any of the suggestions therein -- Sony will perform that arduous task for us at 1 AM ET tonight, during its Tokyo-based press conference -- but, with luck and determination, we should be able to separate the credible wheat from the impossible chaff.

Continue reading The Next Big (Little) Thing: The Story of the PSP2 (so far)

JoystiqThe Next Big (Little) Thing: The Story of the PSP2 (so far) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationpsppsp2sonySony-Computer-EntertainmentWed, 26 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: PSP2 features OLED screen, will offer 3G data]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/report-psp2-features-oled-screen-will-offer-3g-data/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/report-psp2-features-oled-screen-will-offer-3g-data/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/report-psp2-features-oled-screen-will-offer-3g-data/#comments We're expecting Sony to officially announce and detail the successor to the PSP later this week. In the meantime, Japanese newspaper Nikkei is alleging a few early details. Firstly, the portable will supposedly feature an OLED screen. Secondly (and more importantly!), the system will support 3G data, enabling over-the-air multiplayer and video and game downloads. In Japan, the service will be offered by NTT DoCoMo. And although the PSP2 will connect to cellular service, it won't make phone calls -- that's left for the PSP Phone to handle.

The report doesn't detail possible charges for the 3G service and doesn't state whether there will be an option for a Wi-Fi only version. We'll be grilling Sony for all the details later this week.

JoystiqReport: PSP2 features OLED screen, will offer 3G data originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gdocomooledplaystationpsppsp-2psp2sonySun, 23 Jan 2011 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: PSP2 unveiling in Tokyo this month at Sony 'business meeting']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/rumor-psp2-unveiling-in-tokyo-this-month-at-sony-business-meet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/rumor-psp2-unveiling-in-tokyo-this-month-at-sony-business-meet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/rumor-psp2-unveiling-in-tokyo-this-month-at-sony-business-meet/#commentsPSP2MCV reports that "trade sources" have "confirmed" that the so-called PSP2 will be unveiled at a January 27 press event, hosted by Sony in Tokyo. A VG247 source has described the event as a "business overview and strategy meeting," with "very select press" in attendance, and corroborated the supposed PSP2 reveal there. Thus far, Sony has declined to comment on the event.

Supposed images of a "PSP2" prototype (pictured) were leaked in November, followed in December by the detailing of alleged hardware specs. The PSP successor is assumed to be in development alongside the PlayStation Phone, and Sony has already acknowledged the challenge of differentiating two such devices in the consumer market. Coming out and announcing them already would probably be a good start.

Update: Sony has confirmed to Joystiq that the company will hold an event in Tokyo on Jan. 27. "We will be sharing business [overview] and strategy," said a representative, "but there is nothing we can comment on further at this time."

JoystiqRumor: PSP2 unveiling in Tokyo this month at Sony 'business meeting' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanplaystationpsppsp2sonyWed, 12 Jan 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/sonys-hirai-on-the-challenges-of-differentiating-a-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/sonys-hirai-on-the-challenges-of-differentiating-a-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/sonys-hirai-on-the-challenges-of-differentiating-a-playstation/#comments Based on the rumors circulating on this here internet, Sony supposedly intends to release two handheld devices in 2011: the PlayStation Phone and the PSP2. Although both are multi-function gaming devices, the two seem to be taking very different approaches, which have many confused about the direction Sony intends on going. Even PlayStation's Kazuo Hirai admits this is a challenge, telling the New York Times that ''we don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that and a PSP ... We have to come up with a message that users will understand." Of course, "that" being the rumored PlayStation Phone (Xperia Play?). While Hirai didn't offer an official confirmation of its existence, he did add that "it would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact."

The chat also touched upon the successor to the PSP, and Hirai's candid comments seem to give light to what Sony has planned for its next-generation device. Most importantly, and unsurprisingly, it seems a touch mechanic will be implemented with Hirai admitting that "there are [games] where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel. But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination.''

Earlier rumors suggested that PSP2 would feature some kind of touch-based "trackpad," and Hirai's comments seem to further cement that possibility. Could the next system really offer "early PS3 graphics"? And if so, what will the slogan be? "It Only Does Everything on the Go ... Except Make Calls, Which is What the PlayStation Phone Does Instead"?

JoystiqSony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kaz-hiraikazuo-hiraimobileplaystationplaystation-phonepsppsp-phonepsp2sonyWed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP2 rumor points to PS3 ports, 'early' PS3-level graphics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/psp2-rumor-points-to-ps3-ports-early-ps3-level-graphics/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/psp2-rumor-points-to-ps3-ports-early-ps3-level-graphics/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/psp2-rumor-points-to-ps3-ports-early-ps3-level-graphics/#commentsPSP2 IGN is the latest outlet to claim an inside source with hands-on experience handling Sony's latest rumored handheld, the so-called PSP2. While IGN's source doesn't contribute much to the overall impression we've assembled so far, it lends further credence to the rumored featureset (and also corroborated the previously leaked image, seen above): dual analog sliders, a UMD-less PSP Go-style slider design, a rear-mounted touch panel, a "slightly larger touch-enabled display" and both front- and rear-facing cameras.

What is new from this particular source are impressions of the portable's power. IGN reports that the processor is "just over half as powerful as the PS3" and should be capable of producing "graphics comparable to early PlayStation 3 titles." The lower resolution screen will surely help minimize the quality gap between the PS3's beefy innards and whatever's powering the PSP2 so then, the question is how Sony distinguishes its gaming lineup if both consoles are graphically competitive. IGN says, "It seems that Sony aims to allow developers to port or custom-tailor PlayStation 3 titles for use on the handheld, potentially to create a ubiquitous gameplay experience that could sync seamlessly between the console and the handheld."

This, of course, leads to the long-imagined "start a game at home and take it with you" model that executives, and some particularly obsessed gamers, have long dreamt about (remember the Dreamcast VMU?). Better technology was never enough to put the original PSP at the top of the handheld gaming charts and with competition from the 3DS and, more notably, smartphone platforms like the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7 and even the also-rumored PlayStation Phone, it raises the obvious question: Does anyone want a PS3 in their pocket?

View Poll

JoystiqPSP2 rumor points to PS3 ports, 'early' PS3-level graphics originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationps3pspPSP2sonyWed, 08 Dec 2010 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/#commentsAkihabara News has discovered a series of patent applications from Sony Computer Entertainment America, all dealing with touch interfaces. One (#20100299595), for example, specifies an interface that uses "two-fingered touch" gestures for data manipulation, and even specifies that the touch interface may be separate from the main display -- like the "trackpad" thing on the back of the rumored PSP2.

Other suggested layouts in that application include a hypothetical design "wherein the first and second case portions are slidably connected to each other" and one "wherein the visual display and touch pad are disposed on the same side of the case." In fact, Sony covered its bases, listing every possible combination of screen and touch interface as a possibility.

Other patents deal with specifying a "buffer" region on the touch interface between active input areas, using touch on one input to activate zoom on the screen, and highlighting information on one screen in response to a touch, in order to disambiguate. It sounds like Sony is most interested in using touchscreen input to affect a separate display, which would suggest the rear-touchpad interface from that purported PSP2.

JoystiqSony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>patentplaystationpsppsp2sonytouchtouchscreenusptoTue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: PSP2 prototype images leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/rumor-psp2-prototype-images-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/rumor-psp2-prototype-images-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/rumor-psp2-prototype-images-leaked/#commentsVG247 claims to have obtained two images of a PSP2 development prototype -- pictures that appear to have been taken with a Barbie Video Girl-quality camera. The images depict a "slider" style device with the familiar PlayStation button layout, two thumbsticks, a microphone, two cameras, and a trackpad on the back. See the other picture after the break.

The site notes that the development kit "isn't the console's final form factor" -- and then, in an update, mentions that, according to a source, Sony has already replaced this version of the dev hardware with a non-sliding version, designed to rectify an overheating problem. Which means that even if this thing is real (and we're not at all convinced it is, considering, for example, that it lacks the distinctive segmented PlayStation D-pad), it doesn't look anything like whatever the final hardware will be.

[Update 5:15pm ET: We've got some more truth gasoline to add to this rumor fire ... or something. After running the images, IGN updated its post with the following: "A development source confirmed to IGN these photos are legitimate." So, best case scenario: this is what the PSP2 dev kit looks like and a rough idea of its feature set, though the hardware (including the PSP Go-style slider) is still at the prototype phase. Either that or both VG247 and IGN's sources are wrong.]

Continue reading Rumor: PSP2 prototype images leaked

JoystiqRumor: PSP2 prototype images leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barbie-Video-Girlplaystationpsppsp-2psp2sonyWed, 17 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[EA VP admits access to PSP2, but won't talk about it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-vp-admits-access-to-psp2-but-wont-talk-about-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-vp-admits-access-to-psp2-but-wont-talk-about-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-vp-admits-access-to-psp2-but-wont-talk-about-it/#commentsAt this point, we can probably all safely believe that developers are already working on games for the next generation of Sony handhelds, much like we can be pretty confident that a PlayStation mobile phone device is real. The Mortal Kombat team has already claimed to have a PSP2 development system, and EA senior vice president Patrick Soderlund recently told CVG that EA has had contact with the as-yet unannounced device as well.

"Well, obviously as a developer we have had that" -- referring to "exposure" with the PSP2 -- "but I'm not allowed to talk about it." He refused to offer anything more specific, saying that "We can't talk about it because of our relationship with Sony obviously, which is ... That's just the way it is." Not that we're complaining, but we're pretty sure Sony wouldn't want Soderlund blithely acknowledging the existence of something he's not supposed to talk about.

JoystiqEA VP admits access to PSP2, but won't talk about it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electronic-artseuropepatrick-soderlundplaystationpsppsp-2psp2sonyTue, 02 Nov 2010 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony to announce 'new PSP product' when 'the timing is right,' VP says]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/sony-to-announce-new-psp-product-when-the-timing-is-right-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/sony-to-announce-new-psp-product-when-the-timing-is-right-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/sony-to-announce-new-psp-product-when-the-timing-is-right-v/#comments Is the PSP Phone real? Sony isn't directly commenting on it right now, but a recent earnings call reveals one of the strangest non-denials we've ever seen. "As for the new PSP product, as mentioned, I know that you are not asking me to tell you when we will be coming out with a new product, but there is a gaming market based on [the] cellphones," a Sony VP (presumably CFO Masaru Kato) stated during the call. "It's not that we are not looking into those markets as well. We will look into those markets in trying to develop strategy for the future." Essentially, Sony isn't not making a gaming phone.

Although the Sony representative repeats that he cannot talk about specific products in development, he does note that the planning and development of the "new product ... we are making right now" would come from under a single Sony "umbrella" that combines various branches of the company -- like Ericsson and SCE. But when will we find out more about this mysterious device? "When the timing is right we can probably announce [to] you about the new product that we have."

For Sony's sake, we hope the "timing" is before Engadget gets another scoop on this not not in development phone.

JoystiqSony to announce 'new PSP product' when 'the timing is right,' VP says originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>masaru-katomobileplaystationpsppsp-phonepsp2sonyFri, 29 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Phone leak reveals prototype device, platform details]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/playstation-phone-leak-reveals-prototype-device-platform-detail/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/playstation-phone-leak-reveals-prototype-device-platform-detail/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/playstation-phone-leak-reveals-prototype-device-platform-detail/#comments Could this be it? The long-rumored PlayStation Phone appears to have taken a giant leap towards being real, thanks to these incredible pictures sent to Engadget. Although the slide-out D-Pad and PlayStation face buttons make it look very similar to a PSP Go, the Android-loaded device is considerably more powerful, sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 chip and 512MB of RAM. (The PSP, by comparison, has a 333MHz processor with 32MB of RAM.)

You can also see what looks to be the PS button underneath the D-Pad (with placeholder marking) and the big, rounded rectangle in the middle is reportedly a touch-sensitive strip capable of mimicking dual-analog input.

This prototype device certainly looks like the real deal, but the lack of a custom Android skin and any obvious PSP branding raises even more questions. When will this device be ready, let alone announced? How much will it be? Maybe most importantly, what kind of games will be compatible with it?

JoystiqPlayStation Phone leak reveals prototype device, platform details originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobileplaystationplaystation-phonepsppsp-2psp-phonepsp2sonysony-ericssonTue, 26 Oct 2010 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP2 in the hands of Mortal Kombat devs; 'It's a pretty powerful machine']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/psp2-in-the-hands-of-mortal-kombat-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/psp2-in-the-hands-of-mortal-kombat-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/psp2-in-the-hands-of-mortal-kombat-devs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to an interview with Netherrealm Studios executive producer Shaun Himmerick conducted by Industry Gamers, not only does the PSP2 exist, but it's already in developers' hands. When asked about the possibility of the Mortal Kombat reboot heading to PSP or 3DS, Himmerick replied, "We're not launching day one on all consoles like that. We are looking at them; we have a PSP2 in the house and we're looking at the engine, like what can it support."

Wait -- the PSP2, you say? "PSP2 looks like it's a pretty powerful machine," Himmerick added, before saying that his studio doesn't have a 3DS just yet. Sony, as you might imagine, refused to comment.

JoystiqPSP2 in the hands of Mortal Kombat devs; 'It's a pretty powerful machine' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>netherrealm-studiosplaystationpsppsp-2psp2shaun-himmericksonyThu, 16 Sep 2010 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: PSP2 powered by Imagination Technology 'Hydra' chip]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/rumor-psp2-powered-by-imagination-technology-hydra-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/rumor-psp2-powered-by-imagination-technology-hydra-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/rumor-psp2-powered-by-imagination-technology-hydra-chip/#comments
The PSP Go? It's already old news. The rumors have started afresh with details on Sony's next, next handheld console. The PSP2 is apparently already in development and, according to some inside info that Eurogamer.es has allegedly got its hands on, Imagination Technology's PowerVR tech will be an important part of the device.

Without getting into too many technical specifics, the chip -- codenamed "Hydra" -- will allow for 133 million polygons per second and a fillrate of 4Gpixels per second, with higher potential chip speeds obviously allowing for even more graphical power. Digital Foundry suggests this is a "ballpark match for the original Xbox." Allegedly, the chip will act as both a GPU and CPU simultaneously, increasing power efficiency and helping in other areas of programming for the device.

This is simply a rumor, for now, but if true we probably won't be hearing about the PSP2 until 2010 at the latest. It wouldn't make much sense to release an entirely new handheld just as the PSP looks like it's about to take off again. Unless it has backwards compatibility, that is. Then again, we know how that worked out last time.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqRumor: PSP2 powered by Imagination Technology 'Hydra' chip originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PSP2rumorTue, 07 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 1UP reveals details of next PSP, called 'PSP Go!']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/rumor-1up-reveals-details-of-next-psp-called-psp-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/rumor-1up-reveals-details-of-next-psp-called-psp-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/rumor-1up-reveals-details-of-next-psp-called-psp-go/#commentsNo, the lingering rumors of a new PSP haven't been confirmed, merely joined by another rumor. According to 1UP's "sources," the PSP is going to get a lot more exciting this E3, with the unveiling of a new hardware design (and an exclamation point!) In both a news story and the at1UP podcast (reportedly -- if it was there, the podcast has since been edited to remove it), the site describes a new PSP called the PSP Go!, which loses the UMD drive and adds a fancy sliding screen. The system will come in two variants: one with 8GB of internal memory, and one with 16GB.

1UP says that "over 100 classic and new PSP titles" will be available for download at the system's launch -- including Gran Turismo Mobile, which instantly makes this rumor harder to believe. The PSP Go! will purportedly Go! to stores in Japan this September, with a North American release to follow "in either late October or early November."

JoystiqRumor: 1UP reveals details of next PSP, called 'PSP Go!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran-turismo-mobilepsp-4000psp-gopsp2rumorTue, 28 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorang: PSP2 brings dual analog nubs, touch screen by Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/rumor-psp2-brings-dual-analog-nubs-touch-screen-by-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/rumor-psp2-brings-dual-analog-nubs-touch-screen-by-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/rumor-psp2-brings-dual-analog-nubs-touch-screen-by-christmas/#comments Rumors pertaining to the PSP2 (sometimes called PSP-4000) seem to be getting wilder and more exciting as the days go by. First, we heard about the UMD drive's removal and the addition of sliding screens, but now it's all touch screens (that slide) and dual analog nubs. According to PocketGamer, who apparently spoke with a developer working on the new hardware (and not Dave Perry), all of these new features will be available later this year when the PSP2 ships sometime before Christmas.

If we're following Sony's usual timeline of events, we'll see the new hardware unveiled at E3 -- just like the PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 in the previous years.
[image]

JoystiqRumorang: PSP2 brings dual analog nubs, touch screen by Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesshardwarepsp-2psp-4000psp2rumorTue, 07 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dave Perry challenges Sony to confirm UMD in PSP 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/dave-perry-challenges-sony-to-confirm-umd-in-psp-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/dave-perry-challenges-sony-to-confirm-umd-in-psp-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/dave-perry-challenges-sony-to-confirm-umd-in-psp-2/#commentsWow, son, this s**t just got real. Wait wait, let us get you up to speed with a fictionalized one act play.

Dave Perry, Acclaim COO: The PSP 2 totally isn't going to have a UMD drive.
Sony spokesperson John Koller: Huh? Wha? PSP 2?
Dave Perry, game industry veteran: Exactly.

Now, DP has gone one step further to extend the beef. He just dispatched a Twitter message (or, as they say on the streets, a "tweet") saying, "John Koller is publically questioning my post about PSP 2. So I confirmed with Top PSP 2 developers. John, state that PSP 2 WILL have UMD." Oh snap!

Dave, how about you stop sweating the contents of the PSP 2 and make us another Wild 9 for it? Please?

JoystiqDave Perry challenges Sony to confirm UMD in PSP 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-perrypsp-2psp2sonyumdTue, 03 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn CEO talks up PSP, says online distribution is key]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/#comments
Judging by last week's torrent of PSP headlines, clearly Sony has big plans in store for its handheld in the coming year. One popular rumor making the rounds of late centers on a possible redesign in the works for the portable, one which purports to drop the UMD format altogether. It's an idea that Ready at Dawn boss Didier Malenfant seems wholly in favor of seeing, if only because it looks to point towards a platform dedicated to digital distribution.

The exec admits that he doesn't have the inside track on what Sony is up to with the PSP, though he told Edge in a recent interview that he'd "love to see anything that can help distribution move quicker toward a 100 percent online model." Like Bungie's Marty O'Donnell before him, Malenfant has been feeling the financial crunch put on the industry by the used game market, and confessed that "it's not piracy but used games that are killing us."

Ready at Dawn may have a more personal stake in a possible PSP redesign as well, with rumors of a PSP sequel to God of War: Chains of Olympus in the pipeline at the Irvine, CA studio. Unfortunately, Edge wasn't ably to pry any details out of the company co-founder, with Malenfant saying only that "the PSP was a great platform to work on and it's certainly been really good to us, so we have no complaint there." However, if Ready at Dawn is back to working with the PSP, we suggest maybe holding onto a few of those dev kits after the project is out the door instead of spending all of the company profits on stamps.

JoystiqReady at Dawn CEO talks up PSP, says online distribution is key originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-olympusdidier-malenfantdigitalgod-of-wargod-of-war-chains-of-olympushardwarepsppsp-4000psp2ready-at-dawnsonyTue, 03 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony doesn't say 'no' to UMD-less PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/sony-doesnt-say-no-to-umd-less-psp2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/sony-doesnt-say-no-to-umd-less-psp2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/sony-doesnt-say-no-to-umd-less-psp2/#comments
Rumors about yet another iteration of the PlayStation Portable have been gaining momentum, some pegging it as a "PSP2," while others suggest an incremental update, a la the PSP Brite. Yesterday's claim by Shiny founder Dave Perry -- he knows someone who knows all about the new PSP and it doesn't have a UMD drive -- has been presented to and waffled at by Sony itself.

Interviewed by MTV Multiplayer, John Koller, who heads up SCEA's marketing of PSP, said that he "Can't comment either way," but did add, "I will reiterate that the digital component is very important to us. That's all we can say at this point."

Perry referred to the ostensibly new PSP model as a "fully digital online device;" one that would forgo UMDs in favor of downloadable, digitally distributed software. That said, Koller's comment already has us putting together our E3 2009 bingo cards.

JoystiqSony doesn't say 'no' to UMD-less PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-perryjohn-kollerpsppsp-britepsp2rumorsonyThu, 26 Feb 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dave Perry absolutely 'certain' next PSP will forego UMD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/dave-perry-absolutely-certain-next-psp-will-forego-umd/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/dave-perry-absolutely-certain-next-psp-will-forego-umd/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/dave-perry-absolutely-certain-next-psp-will-forego-umd/#comments Everyone on the internet seemingly has an "inside source" at Sony. Did you know that a forum poster's best friend's cousin works at Sony R&D and TOTALLY wants to spill the guts on firmware 3.00? Yeah. Dave Perry, former COO of now-defunct Acclaim, left a Twitter message claiming to have heard about Sony's next PSP. "I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they've removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. I'm excited!"

GameDaily BIZ followed up on Perry's tweet, and it appears Perry is willing to go on record with his statement. "I can't reveal my sources, but you can be certain there's no UMD, which means fully digital online device, and you know I know people."

We usually doubt anyone that claims to have an unnamed source at Sony -- and we still place a lot of doubt on this industry alum. However, his rumor is given a bit more weight thanks to a similar report at PC Watch released today, which states that SCEI is currently looking into PSP2 development much more seriously. Certainly, something is happening behind the scenes. Will Perry's claim come true?

JoystiqDave Perry absolutely 'certain' next PSP will forego UMD originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-perrypsppsp-2psp2rumorWed, 25 Feb 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony denies PSP2 rumors, calls it "misinterpretation"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/sony-denies-psp2-rumors-calls-it-misinterpretation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/sony-denies-psp2-rumors-calls-it-misinterpretation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/sony-denies-psp2-rumors-calls-it-misinterpretation/#commentsFiled under:


Chatting with Silicon Alley Insider, Sony's John Koller called the PSP2 rumor "completely unfounded." Koller called the push for a PSP2 a "misinterpretation" for the PSP's refocused direction away from UMDs and move towards digital distribution. Despite a flat out denial from Sony, Eurogamer -- the publication which first ran the PSP-4000 and PSP2 rumors -- insists that its sources are "adamant that Sony has specifically discussed both products with them, and that games are in development for a PSP successor."

It's a bit of a tug-of-war here. Who do we believe? It's not too farfetched of an idea that the PSP-4000 is due for next year considering that new hardware has come out annually for the past two years. Couple that without mention from Koller, and it's very likely that this could prove to be still on the table. As for the PSP2, it's never a good time to talk about replacement hardware during a key shopping season, if you catch our drift. Perhaps we'll hear more as we enter 2009.

JoystiqSony denies PSP2 rumors, calls it "misinterpretation" originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardwarepsppsp-2psp2Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: PSP-4000 in 2009, PSP2 in the works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-in-2009-psp2-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-in-2009-psp2-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-in-2009-psp2-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under:


Eurogamer reports that "publishing sources" indicate that Sony is planning to release the PSP-4000 in late '09 and will eventually launch a PSP2. This news is sure to come as a big shock to Sony Europe president David Reeves, who stated last week that there were "currently no plans for a PSP2." Eurogamer sources divulge that titles are currently in development for the unannounced handheld.

Obviously, we hope the PSP-4000 fixes the current iteration's interlacing issues. Sony UK informed Eurogamer that it would not comment on the story, due to the classic tag team of "rumour" and "speculation."

JoystiqRumor: PSP-4000 in 2009, PSP2 in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eurogamerPSPpsp-2psp-4000psp2sonyTue, 16 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: PSP-4000 out next year, PSP2 in development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-out-next-year-psp2-in-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-out-next-year-psp2-in-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/rumor-psp-4000-out-next-year-psp2-in-development/#commentsFiled under:


According to Eurogamer, numerous publishing sources have confirmed that Sony is at work at a third hardware revision and it's planned to come out next year. Not only that, but software developers are reportedly busy working on games for a "PSP2." There were no specific details revealed involving either hardware. The PSP2, unlike the PSP-4000, has not been given any sort of timeframe.

Despite how assured Eurogamer is on the credibility of the information, Sony continues to give the usual "won't comment on rumors and speculation" response. In fact, it was not too long ago that SCEE head David Reeves denied the existence of a PSP successor as rumors unfurled from a tech deal.

JoystiqRumor: PSP-4000 out next year, PSP2 in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardwarepsppsp-4000psp2rumorTue, 16 Dec 2008 07:45:00 EST