Playstation Mobile

themadlionsfan

Why PlayStation Mobile Could Be a Big Deal

Sony is taking on Apple's App Store, and that's good news for gamers.



by Greg Miller

October 3, 2012







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"PlayStation Mobile" -- formerly PlayStation Suite -- has been a buzzword around Sony for a while, but today, it finally matters. Maybe. See, while you were worrying about PlayStation Vita sales and where you're scoring your next PlayStation Network Trophy, Sony was worrying about taking on the Apple and Android App Stores. Today, you can begin buying these games.

You should be very excited about this, but cautious at the same time. Let me explain.




PlayStation Mobile is Sony's move to get "PlayStation-like" games on smart phones and tablets -- regardless of brand -- as well as the PlayStation Vita. Basically, PlayStation Mobile gives developers one set of tools to create with and then allows those games to go to gamers regardless of where they play. Any would-be developer can grab the PlayStation Mobile tools for just $99, whip up a title, and get it to the people. Sound familiar? It's the Apple App Store model, and it's a momentous step for PlayStation.




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But I expect a lot of speed bumps.

Back in 2009, PlayStation Minis debuted on the PSP, but the movement never took off. The "bite-sized" experiences don't offer online support, don't pack Trophies, and are way too expensive. Part of this problem is that even though these were smaller games, they were still being worked through the traditional PlayStation pipeline. Now, PlayStation Mobile is streamlining the process and letting games get to the people without the traditional hurdles Minis have faced. Young upstarts working in their dorm room now have an affordable shot at getting their games on a PlayStation-certified device.

Does this mean we'll get breakout App Store hits like Game Dev Story and Hexagon to come to PlayStation Mobile? Who knows. If it's easy to port from one platform to the other, sure -- but what's more exciting is the untapped potential. PlayStation Mobile represents the next big mobile/indie game. The title we haven't even thought of that someone is going to tinker around with and publish one day.

Download the PlayStation Mobile title Aqua Kitty: Milk Mine Defender with its old-school graphics, shoot'em up gameplay and chiptune score and tell me that there isn't potential here. Tell me there aren't a million great game ideas out there ready for a ? at the big time.


Aqua Kitty in action.

This is all speculation, of course. PlayStation Mobile has a lot to prove now that it's out in the wild (you can get to the first run of games via the PlayStation Store on the Vita). First and foremost, when most of us think about mobile games, we think of 99-cent endeavors, but PlayStation Mobile titles range from free to $20.

On top of that, there are still a number of questions we as consumers need answered.
•Will PlayStation Mobile games always come out on Wednesdays rather than Tuesdays?
•Will there be games every week?
•Will they ever have Trophies?
•Will online functionality be supported?
•How do developers make money? Percentages?
•What's the approval process for a game like? How long does it take?

I reached out and asked PlayStation these questions, but the rep declined to comment. I wish I could tell you that I have the utmost faith in PlayStation nailing this program, but I expect a lot of speed bumps.

The fact that PlayStation didn't include Trophies in PlayStation Mobile -- a surefire way to give mobile users a stake in the PlayStation Network -- speaks to the platform and its missed opportunities. Pricing is probably going to be too high, online will be nonexistent, and really these are just going to be modern Minis.



That's not the worst thing in the world. I think gamers like you and me might not be super-excited for the program at the moment, but people getting their first taste of PlayStation on their phones won't know what they're missing. They'll begin playing, and PlayStation will begin iterating.

Think of today as the first step. It'll be shakey and there's going to be plenty to improve on, but if PlayStation Mobile can get its feet, it could be pretty impressive when it's running and be the lifeblood of Sony's gaming division. One day, PlayStation won't be in the hardware business -- there will be no PlayStation console for you to wait in line for. Buying studios to make games and getting PlayStation Mobile off the ground are examples of PlayStation future-proofing its business, making sure there's still a PlayStation even if you're playing its games on a Microsoft device.

It's just a question of whether or not the moves are going to work.