PSP2 Details w/Pics
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It wouldn't be a Sony hardware launch without leaks foreshadowing an announcement. That was even one of their key jokes at E3 2009 -- acknowledging that everyone knew what to expect from PSP Go before it was properly unveiled. And now history is repeating itself, because though Sony hasn't said anything on the record, word is out that a second generation PSP is on the way.
But as with any news of this sort, it can be hard to tell which rumors to believe -- it's a safe bet that some of what you've heard is accurate, some is exaggerated, and some is wrong. So in an attempt to cut through the noise, we rounded up what we've heard about the new system, talked to a couple developers familiar with it, and put together a breakdown of what we expect to see from Sony once they officially show it off.
What Makes This One Different?
When the original PSP shipped, Sony had the most powerful handheld on the market and drove home that point as much as possible -- marketing their games as ambitious, graphically impressive, and in many ways on par with home console titles. Depending on your perspective, this was either counterintuitive to the concept of a portable system (where many players only play games for a few minutes at a time), or a breath or fresh air that allowed for more substantial games.
From what we've heard, Sony is maintaining a focus on these kinds of games for the new system, with the system described as roughly half as powerful as PlayStation 3, and as such far more powerful from a computing perspective than Nintendo's 3DS.
Combine that with a screen described by one developer as "like the iPhone 4's retina display, but better," and it seems pretty clear that the platform is being built for high-end games. We can confirm the rumored Uncharted spin-off game is real and in development as a showpiece game along these lines.
But unlike the first PSP, Sony is also including various control/interface options to allow for less traditional game concepts. According to developers we talked to, the feature list includes a touch pad on the back of the system to allow touch controls without fingers obstructing the screen, front- and back-facing cameras which will likely lead to augmented reality games, left/right and front/back tilt controls similar to those in the PS3's Sixaxis, and dual analog sticks to fix one of the main complaints of the original PSP's setup.
Essentially, the system seems as if it's been designed to allow developers to be as traditional or as outside-the-box as they choose.
And Sony Loves 3D, Right?
Given how much marketing Sony has put behind PS3 3D games in the past couple years, it's unusual to think that Nintendo's portable focus is 3D, and Sony's is not, but that's what we're hearing.
A cynical view here could suggest that Sony is pushing PS3 3D to help sell 3D-enabled TVs, and thus they don't have as much of an interest in doing that with their portable system, while an optimistic one could point out that not having 3D features in the handheld will allow developers to focus more on the graphically-ambitious traditional games that the original PSP was known for, since they won't have to spend development or hardware resources making things work in 3D.
What Will It Look Like?
Back in November, website VG247 posted photos of a development kit version of the system showing a design with a sliding base similar to the PSP Go, which led many to assume that the system's final design would be similar. VG247 later updated their story, saying that the final design will be more along the lines of the original PSP.
We've heard similar things, and that there have been at least five different looks for the development kits in developers' hands. Seemingly, Sony is returning to the non-sliding design in part because they want to distance themselves from the bad taste PSP Go left in players' mouths.
Further distancing itself from the original PSP, the new system will also not use UMDs, but instead use Flash-rom carts, which will help publishers manufacture games more quickly should they need to ramp up production when a game sells out.
But When I Turn It On...
One of the main interface changes is that now each game will have its own space that you visit before you jump in and start playing. Think of it like what you currently find on PSN, with the ability to look at friends lists, download bonus content, and find other options relevant to whatever game you load up.
Is It Really Called PSP2?
Poke around online, and it's clear that a lot of people assume that's the name -- us included, if you look at the title of this article. But according to developers, Sony refers to the hardware under the codename "VITA." Realistically, we can't imagine seeing the name VITA in stores; it likely just exists so insiders can talk about the thing in secret.
From that perspective, "PSP2" seems like a safe bet. There's always the possibility that Sony could go with a different name, though, perhaps in part to position themselves favorably against Nintendo's 3DS. Remember that when Microsoft named their second Xbox, they didn't want to be viewed as Xbox "2" compared to PlayStation "3," so they came up with Xbox "360" instead. Since Nintendo's system has a "3" in the title, Sony might not want a "2" in theirs.
When Will We Hear More?
According to trade website MCV, Sony will formally announce PSP2 -- or whatever it ends up being called -- on January 27th at a press conference in Japan. 1UP is attending that event, though Sony won't say what it's for at this point, but these things don't get much more obvious, especially considering it makes sense Sony would want to get the word out before Nintendo puts 3DS on sale.
Current rumors peg the system to then launch in late 2011, but we don't know for certain on that front. If true, that will put it right in the middle of one of Sony's busiest holidays for PS3, with games like Uncharted 3 and The Last Guardian hitting stores at around the same time.
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3183093
Sony really may be onto something here.
Comments
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YESSSS!!!! 2 analogs!!!!!!
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Thats looks trill as ? .
Handheld HD gamins : 0 -
wtf the analog sticks on top??
that looks really uncomfortable -
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wtf the analog sticks on top??
that looks really uncomfortable
I thought so at first. But then I considered the way you hold a controller -
Sony's PlayStation Portable successor hasn't been officially announced, but it's already looking like a beast of a system. Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper has some additional details today a few days ahead of a press conference that is expected to mark the system's official debut.
According to the paper, the PSP successor will have a 3G connection. In Japan, this will be provided by NTT DoCoMo.
The 3G connection will be used for online gaming and for downloading movies and games. Users will not be able to make phone calls.
Different from Wi-Fi, which requires hotspots, users will be able to access the 3G connection wherever DoCoMo cell phone service is available. This likely means a permanent connection throughout Japan, as DoCoMo is Japan's largest cell phone carrier. The system will also have WiFi support similar to the PSP, of course.
The paper did not say if users would incur a monthly charge for accessing DoCoMo's network. It also did not mention equivalent providers for overseas access.
Other bits mentioned in the Nikkei article include the inclusion of an OLED touch screen and a newly developed processor for outputting high end visuals.
The paper also has a few details on Sony's games-focused cell phone device. This will offer button controls, making games easier to play when compared to other smartphone devices. The set will use Google's Android operating system and will allow users to access non-game software.
Nikkei is usually a reliable source for early leaks. In fact, we're having a hard time recalling when the paper did not get early notice of an impending hardware announcement.
Except to hear more details on Sony's next generation PlayStation Portable at a press conference on the 27th (Japan time).
http://psp.ign.com/articles/114/1145577p1.html -
give me MGS and im good
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looks cool but i hope they move the anologs to a differen tplace
