Sony has stated that a price drop for the recently-launched super handheld, the PlayStation Vita, is “not currently” on its radar. As we know, the device is pretty expensive at this point in time – around 3k, less if you take the wifi-only option and a bit more if you want 3G included.

Sony Computer Entertainment UK managing director Fergal Gara recently spoke to CVG, saying: “It will take several years for this investment to pay back as it stands, so if we have to do more with the price… Clearly, we’ll have to view how consumers respond – do they value the amount of technology packed into that box?

“One benchmark I would draw is that it is round about half of the price-point of an entry-level tablet, and considerably less than a high-end smartphone. So, what’s the appropriate point of reference for its price? “We need to wait and see, but we believe it’s a step-change in performance and a step-change in capabilities compared to what people could do before.”

Gara went on: “Picking up on the Nintendo example, it’s not for us to comment on their performance, but I would say that the strength of our software has been demonstrated very well, and that was on our to-do list early last year: to launch with strong software and to make sure the supply of quality software was maintained through the year and beyond. So we hope to start better, and that agenda will continue.”

I don’t know about you, but this guy’s surname makes me think of Gaara from the anime, Naruto.

As for more relevant matters, I was highly doubting a price cut so soon after launch, but right now, financial issues aside, as a gaming device the Vita is looking pretty awesome. As it is with any new console, it will take time for the platform to grow into something worth it. Or, not. We’ll see.

Will you be buying the PlayStation Vita? Now, or perhaps some time in the future?

Ken Levine seems to have a new-found love for Sony. At the publisher’s E3 press conference, he showed off BioShock: Infinite’s Move support and then proceeded to whip out a Vita and pledge to develop a BioShock title for the currently struggling little handheld. I can’t wait for said BioShock title to release but until then it’s pretty clear what we all have to do: because Ken is like Jesus to us and we heed his every word, we should all go out and buy a Vita. In fact don’t just stop there, take it to the next level and become a Sony freak. Screw that BB, get an Xperia.

Okay okay, I’m obviously kidding, mostly. Seriously though get an Xperia, they’re shiny.

Anyway, Ken Levine showed some more love for the Vita in the latest issue of PSM3. When asked what he thought about the handheld, he was initially cautious – probably because he wanted to choose his words carefully given the console’s precarious position – but then called the Vita a “really interesting platform,” citing the platform’s ability to preserve the purity of different gaming experiences and genres as a core strength.

“It’s a really interesting platform because, as a gamer, it’s the first platform that really sort of gives of everything. It’s the first time I can play things like shooters on an aeroplane; and I don’t like feeling I’m playing something that’s compromised in any way.”

Levine also believes that in the very near future “there will be whole kinds of games that you wouldn’t have been able to play before on the Vita.”

It may be that Irrational is currently working on BioShock: Infinite and that Vita’s BioShock will be built from the ground up but I can’t wait to see what it eventually looks like given how well Uncharted transposed itself onto the Vita with Golden Abyss.

So someone decided that instead of receiving the super awesome Kevin Butler treatment, the best way to market the PlayStation Vita now that it has launched in Europe would be with some lifestyle shots showing how happy and aesthetically pleasing the average Vita user looks. I don’t know about you but they just look like colossal tools to me.

However, I am but a bespectacled nerd and so do not understand the finer nuances of coolness displayed by these strapping gentlemen.

I guess the only question remaining is which one of these guys most resembles Alessandro? Speaking of which, have you seen his rather cool unboxing of the PS Vita?

Nyko, a peripheral company, is gearing up to dish out a range of new peripherals for the PlayStation Vita when it launches next month. However, out of all of them, perhaps this one right here will catch your eye the most.

It’s called The Power Grip and, while it may not be the prettiest add-on around, it does also feature as a battery extension pack, which could potentially make a big difference to your playtime with the handheld.

Nyko claims that the device will succeed in tripling your battery life with the Vita, which Sony estimates will last for about three to five hours of gameplay on a single charge.

That’s not a bad deal, especially since the device costs $24.99 (approximately R200.91), which is a pretty good price considering the usual rates battery packs go for. Not to mention that if you don’t like the peripheral’s weird arms, they can apparently be folded behind the handheld, although we naturally can’t confirm yet if that will still provide a comfortable playing experience.

Sounds good, but we’ll have to wait to see if it makes a worthy difference.

PlayStation Vita is nowhere near being a failure just yet but people seem to be writing it off already due to a slow start in sales. What they seem to neglect is the fact that Vita, like the 3DS is doing something largely different to other handhelds and so people are reluctant to buy in because they want to be absolutely certain that it’s worth the money and for the amount of cash a Vita will set you back, you can’t really blame them.

Vita is arguably making a giant leap in handheld gaming but only once people start seeing good reviews for the games and console and when they start to hear things like, “Person X has a had a Vita for almost two months now and they say it’s amazing,” will they consider forking out the cash.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president and CEO Jim Ryan told MCV that Nintendo’s success is a good sign for handheld gaming.

“One of the encouraging things about 3DS’ sales performance at Christmas is that it is confounding the naysayers who say that there is no room in the market for a dedicated handheld gaming device,” the European PlayStation boss said.

“And to that extent we were encouraged by how 3DS did over the last month.”

Ryan also said that it would be counter-productive to estimate launch sales in other regions based on how it started off in Japan.

“One of the things we have learnt over a long period of time, is that whether it is PS1, PS2, PSP or PS3, it is dangerous to the point of impossible to take any experience from the Japanese market and try and extrapolate it, and propose upon what will happen in Europe or North America.

“Not withstanding the fact that it is just way too early to make any conclusions. The markets are now just so different, I actually think they are diverging to a greater extent than they were different in the past – if that’s even possible.”

I personally think that Sony is on to a winner in the Vita but it’ll be a while before the sales figures begin to reflect that. Similarly, it was only after several years that PS3 console’s became profitable for Sony who had previously been selling them at a reported loss.

Excellent news for all of you sitting at home with a heap of PSP titles and wondering whether any of them will be playable on the new Vita handheld console. Because after all, there are some really great PSP titles and it would be a shame for them to just be forgotten with the PSP. Well, if Sony comes through on their UMD conversion program, which is currently being considered, then you might just be able to enjoy all your favourite PSP games on the new console.

In the same way that Sony has made a number of PS1 games available on PSN, Sony said at its pre-TGS conference that some 500-600 PSP titles will be playable on Vita, as almost all digital PSP games on PSN are compatible with the new console.

According to Destructoid, Sony is also “considering some kind of program to offer special download versions” of older PSP titles although this has yet to be confirmed.

And here we are again with the Vita adding even more games to its catalogue, even if these are oldies.

Sony’s PlayStation Vita won’t be supporting 3D technology when it launches, and Mick Hocking has provided us with an explanation on why.

Speaking with GameSpot, Hocking said that 3D gaming on a handheld, without the use of glasses, only works properly if you can keep your head still while playing. And that’s something which won’t work entirely well with the Vita’s use of SixAxis motion functionality.

Personally, I wouldn’t keep my head still while playing even without SixAxis.

“We wanted to offer a really, really high-resolution OLED screen, and the best way to do that was in 2D. At least for the first one,” he said.

Hocking also spoke a little on general 3D support, revealing to us that Sony only encourages game developers to make use of 3D technology if they feel that the game in question would benefit from the tech.

“A message we’ve been giving to all of our PS3 developers is add 3D where it adds something to the game. It’s not a tickbox we want on all the game boxes; we want 3D to add to the experience. The other really important thing is to do it well,” he said.

I rather like that to be honest, because right now 3D isn’t the worldly revolution that it seems hyped to be.

Ahead of the  NPD Group’s release of official market data this week, game industry analysts have weighed in with their own sales predictions for the month of April, in the US.

Analyst firms Wedbush and EEDAR both predict that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 will be named the month’s top-selling console, with the “It only does everything, except go online” PlayStation 3 tipped to edge out the Wii.

Wedbush’s Micheal Pachter said in a research note that things aren’t looking great for the 3DS. “The long-awaited introduction of the 3DS has so far had a smaller impact than we originally expected,” he wrote.

“The handheld is off to a slow start, as a lack of compelling software has kept many consumers on the sidelines for the expensive hardware.”

Mostly because Nintendo have released an expensive piece of hardware with almost zero first-party application support. Well fucking played, guys…

On the software front, Pachter expects April sales to be dominated by everyone’s favourite puzzle-orgy, Portal 2, and everyone’s favourite guts-orgy, Mortal Kombat.

Here are the actual numbers for those who are interested:

Hardware sales estimates, Wedbush / EEDAR (year-over-year change):
360 – 315,000 (+70%) / 315,000 (+70%)
DS – 300,000 (-32%) / 325,000 (-26%)
PS3 – 210,000 (+16%) / 215,000 (+19%)
Wii – 215,000 (-22%) / 200,000 (-28%)
3DS – 200,000 (N/A) / 250,000 (N/A)
PSP – 90,000 (+37%) / 80,000 (+22%)
PS2 – 15,000 (-66%) / N/A
Total – 1,345,000 (+13%) / 1,385,000 (+16%)

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Sony’s egregiously titled UMD-less portable gaming handheld, the PSPgo, is no more.

It’s only been out for just over a year and Sony has ceased production of the device in order to “concentrate on NGP” which is due out at year end. But really it’s just because it was a massive flop that the ubiquitous company don’t really want around any more.

Also, I mean, “PSPgo” has to be the worst name since Halo: Reach…

The question that apparently seems important enough to be answered then, is simply: “Why did it flop?”

As if the ridiculously pathetic name wasn’t enough of an answer, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter offered some explanation stating: “It was a flop because it wasn’t sufficiently differentiated from the PSP-3000 to justify the much higher price.”

But more because of that name, I’m sure.

“There’s not a lot to say about the PSPgo. The feature set was cool, but not cool enough. The download-only mechanism was not as attractive as they thought it would be. The form factor, while nice, wasn’t worth an extra $80.”

The PSPgo endured constant flak for its perceived high cost and was constantly criticised for its defining feature: The lack of a UMD drive.

But also because it’s name was just terrible. I mean really, “PSPgo”? What were you thinking, Sony!

In September 2009 Holland’s largest specialised retail outlet, the very aptly named Nedgame, decided not to sell the PSPgo, and soon after, various UK shops decided to follow suit.

The nail in the coffin from the day of release, in some respects, and it was indeed this sort of tumultuous relationship that Nicholas Lovell of GAMEbrief believes was the PSPgo’s biggest problem.

“The death of the PSPgo highlights the problems faced by hardware manufacturers in their relationship with retail,” he said. “Sony needs retailers to sell its hardware; it also knows that the future of software is downloadable. In a world of downloadable software, physical retailers are vastly less important, and this terrifies them.”

Ideally then, Sony had the right idea by launching a UMD-less gaming device, but…

“So Sony tried to launch a product that needed retail support to shift units, then cut them out of the value chain by selling games directly to the consumer. The retailers rebelled.”

Sony tried to work around these issues by launching marketing campaigns such as a £225 deal that came with ten free games as well as the PSPgo, which was seen as an effort to reverse the handheld’s flagging fortunes. It didn’t work, of course.

Incidentally the PSPgo’s launch coincided with the crazy rise in popularity of the smartphone as a portable gaming device. So Sony had it unlucky there, at least.

Experts who really didn’t need to be experts to have seen that, have pointed out that that was also a contributor to its downfall.

“The demise of the PSPgo is not a surprise, in our view, as device sales were weak,” explained Lazard Capital Markets’ Colin Sebastian.

“We think price was one factor, but more important the download only distribution model for PSP games never resonated well with core gamers. Ironically, the launch of go also coincided with the steep ramp in smartphones, which are now the most popular gaming platforms ‘on the go’.”

We all see the PSPgo then as a gross failure, and an expensive one at that, but Sony will take plenty of positives from it.

For some, the belief is that it was a decent experiment in digital distribution ahead of the NGP since all NGP games have been stated to be sold digitally as downloads with only the really popular ones getting physical retail versions.

“PSPgo was a failure, but iterative failure is a necessary step in progress toward innovation,” offered M2 Research senior analyst Billy Pidgeon.

“PSPgo could have contributed very helpful feedback to Sony’s dedicated handheld strategy as an open beta marketplace test in the evolution of game distribution from a physical media format to digital media format. NGP may well be a better system due to lessons Sony learned with PSPgo.”

Metrics FTW?

And for EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich, when history casts judgement on the PSPgo, it may do so favourably.

“For the PSPgo, I do agree with most of the industry that (it) was a complete flop. The PSPgo was simply ahead of its time, which is a common problem for Sony. We will all look back (ten) years from now and peg the PSPgo as being the first platform to go (one hundred percent) digital. While not successful, it did demonstrate the idea of a pure digital environment, which we all can agree will one day occur.”

The name still sucked…

It would be nice to get some comments from gaming developers also, but for now it seems the consensus is the same wherever you look. The PSPgo was doomed to failure because it released with far too ambitious expectations and a terrible name.

On to the NGP, then.

The PSP Go may have been a colossal flop as far as handheld consoles go but it’s still good to see the console put out of its misery. Sales were never really too good and with the NGP on its way, Sony have finally decided to cut the console from its production line.

Sony Japan has just announced that it has ceased production on the PSP Go and all future sales will be limited to current stock.

The Go was originally supposed to be sold alongside the NGP rather than replace it but Sony seem to have made the right call in cutting it which allows them to focus on the NGP.

Farewell PSP Go, we barely knew you and we never really wanted to in the first place.

According to online reports, Sony is aiming to release their Next Generation Portable on November 11, 2011 worldwide.

Word is that third party licensees have told website MCV that development deadlines have been set in stone in order to make sure that big Western games are up and ready before the end of summer so that they’ll be in time and available for the handheld’s launch.

We’re still waiting for the official word on this matter as well as the price of the device, but the latest we heard was that Sony dropped some features from the handheld in order to keep it “affordable”.

If you haven’t yet checked out what launch titles will be available and what games are on the cards so far, be sure to get yourself up to speed on all things NGP, as well as check out our video collection of game and tech demos for the device.

Sony engineers clarified all the talk and hype that many to believe (including us) that the NGP handheld device can rival the PlayStation 3 equally.

It’s definitely still a very powerful handheld, but Kotaku reports that it will lie roughly “halfway” between the original PSP and the PS3.

David Coombes, platform research manager at Sony Computer Entertainment America, said during a technical speech on the NGP: “Some people in the press have said ‘Wow, this thing could be as powerful as a PS3.’

“Well, it’s not going to run at 2 GHz because the battery would last five minutes… and it would probably set fire to your pants.”

Coombes revealed that the NGP will use four symmetrical CPU cores. And that’s compared to a single core, single hardware thread for the original PSP and the PlayStation 3′s CELL architecture. It was also confirmed that the device will have “a lot of memory compared to the PSP”, with its RAM size being closer to that of the PS3. It was said that NGP games will be stored on 2GB or 4GB memory cards.

Be sure to read up all you can on Sony’s NGP device right here.

Epic Games has made it official in announcing that developers can now start licensing the famous Unreal Engine 3 for the Sony NGP. That rhymed, it was unintentional.

“NGP raises the bar for the performance of handheld platforms with its multi-core GPU and shader-based, multi-core CPU,” said Epic vice president Mark Rein.

“This makes Unreal Engine 3 a particularly advantageous fit for NGP. Furthermore, multiple UE3 licensees are already working with NGP, some of which have indicated they intend to release their games for the platform’s launch.”

Sweeney added: “We see NGP as a true game-changer with a perfect combination of performance, innovative controls and gamer appeal that make it truly a high-end console in your pocket.”

To see what this little thing can do so far, be sure to check out our tech and gaming video collection for the Sony NGP. It’s certainly capable of greatness already.

Sony also recently confirmed that Crytek’s CryEngine development tools are compatible with the NGP, which is awesome news. On top of that, another big-name engine confirmed for the NGP is the Havoc physics engine, which is widely used and famous.

We are pretty much certain you saw the attempt by two Japanese guys to eat a deep fried PSP.

Well in this video the guys from Japanese comedy troupe Megawin aren’t that daft. Instead of actually trying to eat a PSP, which will, you know, probably kill you, Megawin uses a PSP case to make sabazushi, or mackerel sushi.

The dish is popular in Western Japa. Megawin shows how easy and simple it is to make it with a mackerel, rice, rice vinegar, sugar and a PSP case. You will also need a refrigerator, too, a fan, plastic wrap and a knife… yes and a blowtorch, if you’ve got one.

You can take your sabazushi with you for some portable eating and engage in some multi-eating with your friends.

Tempura is typically a Japanese dish of deep-fried fish or vegetables. Here, it’s deep fried PSP.

This is a 10 minute video of some Japanese guys that covers a PSP in batter and deep fry it.

At about a minute in, they cover it in batter. At about 2 minutes in, they deep fry the PSP. And at about 3 and a half minutes in, they start cough and making burning plastic and metal induced noises.

After four minutes into the video, they pull the tempura PSP out. It’s melted, falling apart and pwnd, and they really don’t seem to be bothered or thankful that, you know, there wasn’t an explosion or a fire. Then, the guy in the white shirt eats some of the fried batter. He dips the PSP in tentsuyu and tries to eat the actual PSP, biting a piece off and then spitting it out while the cameraman cackles in the background.

Nuclear Bomb = radiation = stuff like this.

Therefore all we can say is “Japan” because that is nuff said.

The peeps over at Edge have put out a hands-on article and an evaluation for Sony’s NGP, and their words come packed with praise for the PSP’s ultimate successor.

“Based on our hands-on time with the device following the presentation in Tokyo, we can confirm that Sony’s ‘Next Generation Portable’ feels considerably larger than previous PSP models,” gaming magazine Edge writes, adding that the handheld’s lack in pocket friendliness is a “fair trade-off for the spectacular five-inch OLED display”.

“Despite the larger dimensions, the handheld console is actually thinner than a PSP,” it adds. “It’s hard to believe such power is contained in such a slim form factor, especially without giving off any heat.”

Edge continues on by calling NGP’s ‘Super Oval’ shape “very comfortable”, “robust” and “high quality”.

But Edge’s biggest praise is aimed at the NGP’s dual thumbsticks, which is something gamers wanted to see back on the original PSP.

“The analogue sticks are the best ever implemented in a portable device, giving the feel of using a genuine DualShock controller, with all the granularity of input you’d expect,” the mag writes.

In this same interview with Edge, Sony Computer Entertainment’s worldwide studio boss, Shuhei Yoshida, revealed that Sony cut out various features from the NGP to keep it affordable.

Sony has revealed that it has had to cut out various “cool” features in order to keep their new NGP handheld device affordable.

In case you’re behind in your reading, be sure to check out everything on the PSP2, codenamed the NGP (New Generation Portable), right here.

Back to the story at hand. President of Sony Computer Entertainment worldwide studio, Shuhei Yoshida, told Edge: “I can’t talk about a definitive price at this stage. But since the very beginning we had a target in mind. So, when considering various features, we always had our price range in mind.

“There were elements that we found pretty cool, but had to set aside to remain on target. It’s a big lesson we learnt from the PS3. There’s no point putting everything you want into a device and doing the math later. We always had the price and consumer in mind. We had to sell something that people could buy.”

Yoshida also acknowledged the fact that Sony “can’t sell the NGP for the same price as a PSP”.

Sony has promised that the device will be “affordable”, and that the handheld will be out in “at least one territory” by Christmas this year, so the price is definitely a concern for us right now.

According to a source who attended a Sony NGP developer meeting recently, Sony is pushing for developers to make cross-platform games that will be designed to work across both the NGP and PS3.

“They want us to do cross-platform,” the source told Eurogamer.

However, Sony has apparently said that it “does not want exactly the same game” on the NGP and PS3.

“They want at least some kind of interactivity between the two versions with NGP-only extras,” the site was told.

“Any shaders for PS3 stuff will just work,” said the source. “We won’t have to rewrite. What would have taken two-to-three months before looks like it could take just one-to-two weeks now. The architecture is obviously different, but it’s the same development environment.”

In the developer presentation Sony listed the wifi only NGP model to be releasing in “2011″, while the 3G-included model was listed as “Holiday Season 2011″, which possibly means that the 3G model won’t be available at the console’s launch.

It was also revealed that pricing details and a more specific release date would be provided “very soon”.

Sony may have just reinvented the wheel with the rear touch pad that will feature on its NGP (PSP2) handheld console.

The NGP has an OLED touch screen which in itself is nothing to boast about despite the awesome visual quality that teh screen can produce but what really sets the NGp apart from its competitors is not the touch-screen up front but the one in the rear. The rear pad is the same size as the screen and therefore allows for intuitive and instinctive touch interface with every movement on the rear pad being able to correspond perfectly with what’s on-screen.

Sure, using the front touch-screen as one would in any other touch interface isn’t exactly impossible but especially where gaming is concerned, it can clutter the screen up so being able to keep the screen completely clear gives you a perfect view of the screen. It is also a very natural place for your fingers to be since your hands tend to wrap around a controller/handheld console anyway.

Interestingly, there is an iPod patent froma few year’s ago which boasts similar tech but Sony is intent on filing their own patent. There are also plans to extend the technology to other Sony devices possibly phones and maybe even some new kind of PS3 control but we can dream for now.

Sony has revealed that it aims to release the newly unveiled PSP2 – codenamed the NGP – in “at least one territory” before 2011 ends.

Since the PSP2′s official announcement and explosion of information, Sony hasn’t elaborated much on the “late 2011″ and “holiday 2011″ release dates. Fortunately, SCEA boss Jack Tretton gave us a little more to go on, but nothing concrete. Still, something is better than nothing.

When he was asked if he could elaborate further on the release date of the device, Tretton replied: “Um, nothing more than we said. I know that’s rather ambiguous, and that’s for a reason.”

He went on: “I think our goal is always to launch holidays when the majority of sales are done. You want to have a worldwide simultaneous launch. Having said that, this’ll be our sixth platform launch, and it’s very difficult to have the quantities to be able to launch on a worldwide basis on the same date. So while that’s the goal, the reality might be something different. I think our goal is, we would get at least one territory out by the end of holiday 2011.”

As for hearing confirmation at E3 this year, it doesn’t look very likely.

“We probably won’t know until fall. You know, I don’t know that we’d have more detail for you at E3,” admitted Tretton.

The PSP2 – codenamed NGP – was unveiled today by Sony at a press conference in Tokyo.

The announcement and massive mountain of details led people to believe that the NGP will come with 3G functionality as part of the package. However, Sony has stepped up since then to clarify the matter, revealing that there will be multiple SKUs of the NGP and that only one of them will have 3G included.

“The first thing to clarify, which I’m not sure the presentation did a perfect job of doing today, is that all of the devices will have Wi-Fi capability; a separate SKU will have 3G,” PlayStation Europe boss Andrew House revealed to EuroGamer.

“So the user gets a choice. Wi-Fi is available wherever, which clearly is the most important aspect of connectivity and that connected experience; 3G will be a subset of that.”

House also confirmed that 3G services will come at a price.

“You’ll hear more from us around that aspect of the strategy as we get closer to launch,” he added.

Other eye-catching news includes Sony promising that the NGP will be “affordable”, and a revelation that the device looks like it will have a battery life of four to five hours. Check out the new screens for the device here.

Gaming website Eurogamer has been told by a ‘source’ that Sony’s newly announced handheld, the PSP2 – codenamed NGP – will have a battery life of between four and five hours.

According to Eurogamer, Sony were originally targeting a battery life of six to eight hours.

Interestingly though, when Sony unveiled the new handheld at  Tokyo press conference, the NGP’s battery life was not discussed.

Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, but Sony promised that the device would be affordable. The NGP is currently scheduled to release in late 2011.

Keep your eye out for more details as we get them.

Earlier Sony unveiled the PSP2 – codenamed the NGP (Next Generation Portable), and we covered everything there is on the device at this point in time. Be sure to read up on all Sony’s revelations thus far.

Naturally, after having heard all the hype surrounding the PSP2 so far, price would definitely be a huge concern, because this handheld is shaping up to be a real monster of a machine.

However, Sony has said not to worry, and that the price of the NGP will be “affordable” when it launches in late 2011.

Of course an exact price was not given, nor was one even speculated or hinted at, but Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss Andrew House did tell Eurogamer something of interest.

“I can’t put a ballpark on it in terms of figures, but what I would say is that we will shoot for an affordable price that’s appropriate for the handheld gaming space,” he said.

Apparently Sony will “make a loss” with the NGP, according to Eurogamer.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope then that the price is good.

That’s right. The cat is out of the bag, and the PSP2 is indeed real, as it was announced and unveiled at a Sony Press Conference. That’s the first thing you should know before we get into this whole huge mountain of information on the new handheld.

Codenamed NGP (Next Generation Portable) by Sony, the successor to the PlayStation Portable is looking to be an absolute monster of a machine.

But before we get into it, firstly and most importantly, the device is scheduled to release in ‘late 2011′, but we’ve yet to pinpoint an exact date.

Onto the PSP itself, the full specs list is further down below, but the highlights are definitely the dual analogue sticks, six axis controls, front and rear cameras, a five-inch OLED screen, a touch pad on the front and back, 3G and wi-fi functionality, three motion sensors, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an electronic compass and Flash memory.

That last one is pretty important, so right off the bat, we’ll clear the air and confirm that the PSP2 will NOT be digital-only, like the PSP-Go. The PSP2 will still allow for physical media content, but it has done away with the UMD disc format, instead opting for a new flash memory-based card format, dedicated to PSP2 software titles.

Sony sent a statement to CVG on the matter, which read: “Taking advantage of the flash memory feature, this innovative card can store the full software titles plus add-on game content or the game save data directly on to the card.

“By adopting flash memory based card, SCE will be able to provide game cards with higher capacity in the future, allowing developers to store more game data to deliver rich and immersive games.”

High praise has been sung for the PSP2 so far, and the stuff they’re saying about it is mind-blowing.

Staring with the big guys, Sony has said that the PSP2 (a.k.a the NGP) blurs the line between entertainment and reality. Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton explains it all:

“With NGP we carry on this rich history of redefining industry standards and raising the bar for consumer expectations for what portable gaming can deliver,” he wrote on the PS Blog.

“Designed to blur the lines between interactive entertainment and reality, the NGP will offer Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity. The 5-inch OLED front multi-touch display will bring brilliant images to life and the multi-touch pad on the rear will allow users to engage with the game and characters with a simple movement of their fingertips.

“Additionally, services created specifically for NGP will be available on PlayStation Network. These services are designed help users take their gameplay, as well as interaction with other gamers, to new levels.

“I think you will agree that the incredible momentum behind PlayStation continues to grow with each passing year. While 2010 was record breaking thanks to an unsurpassed line-up of award winning AAA software, the introduction of 3D entertainment into millions of homes and the launch of our incredibly successful PlayStation Move motion controller, 2011 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest years yet.”

Two giants also stepped in to praise Sony’s new handheld. The first was legendary games creator Hideo Kojima, who spoke at Sony’s Meeting event in Japan and said – get this – that the PSP2, known as the NGP, is as powerful as the PlayStation 3. If that didn’t blow your mind enough, then also know that Kojima said that he would like to create a game that you could play on your PS3 at home and then continue to play the same game on the move with the NGP handheld.

He gave no specifics, as usual, but Kojima did talk a little about E3, and said that he has plans for a new game.

“On NGP, we can enjoy the same quality as PS3.”

“When we launched Peace Walker for PSP, this is what I said: In the near future there will be a world of cloud computing… I really believe that you can have a portable MGS and Peace Walker was an experiment for the cloud computing future. NGP allows this cloud computing.”

“What I’d like to realize is playing on your PS3, and when you go out, you put the game on your NGP, and when you come back home, you can once again use your PS3 and large screen TV.”

“This dream is going to come true in the near future. And right now, I’m working on this project of the dream. I’m sorry, I can’t reveal this now. But we’d like to present what we’re doing at E3″

Awesome.

Next up was Gears of War creator and developer Epic Games’, who said that the graphical power of Sony’s NGP is a staggering four times more powerful than any other handheld currently on the market.

Tim Sweeney, the studio founder, stepped up today at a conference in Tokyo to put on display an Unreal Engine 3 tech demo for Sony’s NGP.

Sweeney commented on the fantastic visuals of the PSP2: “This is made possible by Sony’s multi-core GPU,” he said, “which is roughly four times as powerful as any portable we’ve previously seen.”

Sweeney concluded his stage demonstration, commenting: “We’re very excited and think you’ll be stunned at what’s possible on Sony’s next generation portable platform.”

The next thing that was confirmed were all the third party publishers and developers who have already signed themselves up to create games for the NGP. You’ll be happy to know that all the big names are present. Check out the full list below, courtesy of CVG:

Japan

• Acquire
• Alvion
• AQ Interactive
• Arc System Works
• Arika
• Artdink Corporation
• ASCII Media Works
• Capcom
• Chun Soft
• Codemasters Software Company
• Crafts & Meister
• CyberConnect2
• D3 Publisher
• Dimps Corporation
• Edia
• Enterbrain
• FromSoftware
• Gameloft
• Genki
• Grasshopper Manufacture
• GungHo Online Entertainment
• Gust
• Hamster Corporation
• Hudson Soft
• Idea FActory
• Index Corporation (Atlus)
• Irem Software Engineering
• Kadokawa Games
• Kadokawa Shoten Publishing
• Konami Digital Entertainment
• Level-5
• Marvelous Entertainment
• media5 Corporation
• Namco Bandai Games
• Nihon Falcom Corporation
• Nippon Ichi Software
• Now Production
• Q Entertainment
• Sega
• SNK Playmore
• Spike
• Square Enix
• SystemSoft Alpha
• Tecmo Koei Game
• Tomy Company
• Tose
• Ubisoft
• Yuke’s

North America

• Activision
• Capybara Games
• Demiurge Studios
• Epic Games
• Far Sight Studios
• Frima
• High Voltage Software
• Kung Fu Factory
• Paramount Digital Entertainment
• PopCap Games
• Powerhead Games
• Trendy Entertainment
• Ubisoft
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• 2K Games
• 2K Sport

Europe

• Avalanche Studios
• Climax Studios
• Codemasters Software Company
• Eurocom Developments
• Eutechnyx
• Exient
• Firemint
• Gameloft
• Gusto Games
• Home Entertainment Suppliers
• Impromptu Software
• Rebellion
• Rockstar Games
• Sidhe Interactive
• Sumo Digital
• Team 17 Software
• Ubisoft Entertainment
• Zen Studios

And as usual, we save the best for last. The full list of games and gaming franchises coming to the NGP were confirmed, and CVG provides a great list of them all, which you can see below:

• Killzone
• Call of Duty
• LittleBigPlanet
• Uncharted
• Resistance
• WipEout
• Monster Hunter Portable 3
• Hot Shots Golf
• Gravity Daze
• Reality Fighters
• Smart As
• Broken
• Little Deviants
• Dynasty Warriors

The Tokyo were treated to a couple of tech demos by various developers, including:

• Epic Citadel (Epic)
• Dungeon Defenders (Epic)
• Lost Planet 2 (Capcom)
• Metal Gear Solid 4 (Kojima)
• Yakuza 4 (Sega)

There is no confirmation yet regarding which of these titles will be available at the handheld’s launch, so we’ll keep you posted on release dates.

Finally, to end off, here are the known specs, so check them out below. It’s certainly very impressive.

CPU

ARM CortexTM-A9 core (4 core)

GPU

SGX543MP4+

External Dimensions

Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)

Screen

5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED

(Touch screen)

Multi-touch screen (capacitive type)

Rear touch pad

Multi-touch pad (capacitive type)

Cameras

Front camera, Rear camera

Sound

Built-in stereo speakers

Built-in microphone

Sensors

Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass

Location

Built-in GPS

Wi-Fi location service support

Keys / Switches

PS button

Power button

Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)

Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)

Shoulder buttons (Right/Left)

Right stick, Left stick

START button, SELECT button

Volume buttons (+/-)

Wireless communications

Mobile network connectivity (3G)

IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode)

Bluetooth 2.1+EDR ?A2DP/AVRCP/HSP?

That’s everything about the PSP2 – codenamed NPG. We’ll post all the other juicy details as soon as we get our hands on them.

Sony has finally come to admit and acknowledge what everybody and their grandma has known since mid-2009 (or earlier): the PSP is outdated and getting old fast. To quote them, Sony conceded that the PSP is “getting a bit old” in the eyes of gamers.

PlayStation development boss Shuhei Toshida recently admitted in an interview that the company is “looking at new technologies” in the handheld sector but went on to say that that it’s “not the right time to say anything about it.”

Yoshida did have the following to say about the aging handheld console:
“Yeah, there’s no denying that – it’s about six years since the launch of the PlayStation Portable. When we launched PSP it was the newest, biggest, brightest thing that we had – and after five or six years, and releasing many games, there’s no denying that people start to see that it’s getting a bit old.

“But we’re always trying to expand the market – now our focus is on shifting to a younger audience and a more casual audience, and we’re making games for that audience.

“In terms of looking at new technology, it’s always the case that as soon as we look at a new platform or new tech, our R&D teams start looking at what’s new in the general space.

“So yes, we have been looking at new technologies, and looking at the options that we have. It’s not the right time for me to say anything about it.”

How is it possible to be so backward and delayed in the handheld sector when the very same company put out a home console that’s meant to last for 10 years? the Ps2 may only be a year old in Brazil but seriously, how did Sony not see the PSP spluttering to its death earlier on?

There are a mountain of rumours regarding Sony’s PSP2, and they’ve all been around for quite a long time now. However, seemingly out of nowhere, one studio has the next PSP, and according to Netherrealm Studios’ Shaun Himmerick, the device is “a pretty powerful machine”.

Himmerick sat down with Industry Gamers and chatted about the possibility of the Mortal Kombat rebirth ending up on the PSP or Nintendo’s 3DS.

He said, “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. Always a big thing for us is the performance. We’re running at 60 fps, what can we do and do we have to build all the art assets over.”

He continued by saying that the PSP2 appears to be a powerful little device.

“We’re definitely looking at them. PSP2 looks like it’s a pretty powerful machine. We don’t have a 3DS system in house yet, but we’re looking to get one, and we’ll certainly look at what its power is.”

I didn’t expect the PSP2 to be spoken about so openly before an official reveal was even made. But if this is to be believed, then the PSP2 is not only entirely real, but is also far in its development – far enough to be tested as a potential platform for games currently in the making.

If this is true, it would mean that Netherrealm Studio has a PSP2, but not a 3DS. Many speculations have pointed towards the Sony PSP2 releasing in 2011, but no announcements have been made.

Engadget says that it’s finally happening in the form of Sony Ericsson-developed, Android-based hardware that’s PSPgo-like in form. On top of that all it could be here in October!

According to the report the PlayStation branded phone will be based on the Android 3.0 platform, have a 3.7 to 4.1 inch WVGA or better resolution screen, as well as (maybe) a 5 megapixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU.

Earlier this year Sony trademarked a device named “PlayView“. We should have known.

The report states that instead of a QWERTY keyboard the phone will include a side-slider PlayStation standard d-pad and face buttons, plus a “long touch pad” for analog controls.

The report said:

“The D-pad is here, but instead of the small joystick, the device will have what was described as a ‘long touch pad’ for analog controls, along with standard PSP buttons and shoulder buttons.”

Look-wise, the phone is mostly black (duh) with some silver highlights, and the gamepad area is white / silver in color, claims the source. (It will definatly look better than the mock-up on top)

Hardware-wise the source describes it as “a cross between the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go.”

The device will run the Gingerbread (Android 3.0) and there will be a new section of the Android Market specifically for games.

If Sony plan to release the mythical phone this year, as the report states, they sill have Gamescom and the Tokyo Game Show left to do it.

My money is on the Tokyo Game show, because Sony is Japanese based and we all know how the Japs are about their hand-held gaming.

Android 3.0, PlayStation Controls and a phone all in one. This could be good.

Why the hell did I upgrade Tuesday!?

[Source: CVG; Kotaku via Engadget]

Nintendo and Sony are apparently in talks with major wireless phone carriers about incorporating 3G technology into the 3DS and next PSP.

Japanese wireless carrier giant NTT DoCoMo Inc’s president, Ryuji Yamada, told the Wall Street Journal that “videogame makers know that in order for portable game machines to take the next step forward, they need wireless communication.”

He followed up by saying “we are discussing this with various players.” Although Yamada was unclear as to who these ‘players’ are. It should be mentioned that Nintendo has already expressed interest in wireless improvements for the 3DS and Nintendo CEO, Satoru Iwata, has shown great interest in Amazon’s Kindle e-reader which bundles 3G costs in with downloadable purchases so that users never have to pay a monthly subscription fee. Sony already incorporates 3G technology into its netbooks and e-readers but both companies declined to comment on Yamada’s statements.

It does however seem as if both companies are intent on keeping up with Apple’s ever-more popular iPad and iPhone.

[Source: CVG]

Scott Rohde , Worldwide Studios VP, has said there are no plans for a 3D tech in for the next PlayStation handheld, whatever form that will take.

When asked about the ‘E3 winning’ 3DS he told Industry Gamers, “It’s an interesting idea for a technology.”

“I’m, personally, very curious to see how it takes hold with the marketplace, whether people are into that experience or whether it’s just a little too foreign to them. It’s going to be a great experiment.”

Many would think that with the competition from Nintendo firmly in place and Sony pushing the 3D agenda already, you’d think its next handheld might have an extra dimension of it’s own.

“No, no plans for that,” Rhodes responded to questions about a 3D PSP2.

“We just chose to focus on the big 3D in the home. It’s important to us to push that out there and be on the bleeding edge of it.”

Of course hopes of a PSP2 are low since nothing more has been heard of it since the start of the month. Who knows maybe they are taking a page from David Jaffe’s book and are lying.

[Source: CVG]

This is actually not what most would expect. Most would think that GTA or that plumber guy Mario would top these lists, right? Wrong!

According to the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) of Japan, it would appear that neither cardboard gangsters or plumbing fans are the ones who have been ripping off the most games.

It’s…

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Final Fantasy and Pokemon fans.

According to CESA’s figures, Pokemon Platinum is the most pirated game on the DS with around 2,071,006 illegal downloads, but the cake for most pirated handheld game in the current generation goes to PSP for about 5,281,223 downloads of Dissidia: Final Fantasy.

Phantasy Star Portable 2, Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite are also quite high on the PSP list. With Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies sits just above Mario Party DS, New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart DS on the DS list.

It seems “Core” Games are the most targeted, with the non-hardcore titles not as widely downloaded.

PSP is dead though.

[Source:CVG]

Sony says that the PSPgo was only released as an experiment to gauge the reception for a digital-only handheld console.

MCV asked SCEE President, Andrew House, weather the PSPgo sales where a success. His reply was:

“It was introduced in a mature life cycle to learn more about what the consumer wanted and we’ve definitely learnt a lot.

“Is that measured by success in sales? I don’t think it is,” he added.

“One of the reasons we launched PSPgo was to understand where that consumer behaviour was going. We were getting signals from consumers that this was the kind of device that they wanted. But we need to recognise that consumers like their packaged media library,” said House.

Well Mr House did you take your Vicodin this morning? I think not. The PSPgo hasn’t served as a fair test for the demand for a download-only console due to the fact that being a download-only console is not the only thing that makes people not want to buy it. The reason is that the PSP has been around for years and people have purchased many UMDs which they can play on their PSPs which they could re-download and play on the Go.

Also the digital releases are usually days behind the UMD release, if they are released at all, and with all its problems the PSPgo is not short of the PS3 cost wise. Previous versions of the PSP with the same features and UMD drives are much cheaper.

It’s safe to say that the PSP2 will not be a download-only console.

[Source:CVG]

I’m sure we’re all well aware of how bumpy Sony’s PlayStation Portable handheld console has been over the years – and, of course, how neglected it has been. However, Sony don’t look to be throwing in the towel just yet, and recently SCE UK has spoken with MCV regarding their plans to “reinvent the whole PSP model” for a future competitive spot in the handheld market.

“I think in handheld over all the industry is at a bit of a tipping point,” SCE UK’s sales director Mark Howsen told MCV. “We’re seeing a trend whereby consumers are relatively accepting of the fact that they have to buy high-price hardware but at the same time they expect to pay very little, or sometimes even nothing at all, for software,” he added, touting “new business models” (i.e. digital distribution, we assume) and piracy as key reasons for this shift.

“To reinvent the whole PSP model wee need to look at handheld in a very different way, in the context in which consumers are now viewing it,” said Howsen.

“We’re trying to reengage consumers with PSP, though that’s not just a challenge for us – it’s a challenge for the whole handheld sector. We are at the point of a major shift in the way that consumers are engaging with the current players in that market.”

Let’s see what they come up with, because the PSP is in serious need of help.

[Source: MCV]

E3 sure has its share of big announcements, like Project Natal and Sony’s Move to name a few, but there will be some smaller announcements, such as this one in particular. According to a source,  Sony (people who can’t keep any secrets) will be overhauling the PlayStation Network.

VG247 reports that a “highly placed” source has said Sony will announce a “large-scale monetizing scheme for PSN” at E3. The “highly placed” source was quick to say that the network’s free aspects for PS3 gamers will stay the same.

“I can tell you now, 100%, that that’s not the case, there’s nothing in the premium package which will gimp regular PSN users.”- the “highly-placed” source.

Although it wasn’t explicitly stated, it is said that Sony will attempt to charge an annual fee of “under $50″ for access to Sony’s library of digital games and music. This is a service plan similar to Microsoft’s Zune Pass and Spotify’s music service, except with a few games.

According to VG247′s “highly-placed” source:

Subscribers will be able to download one new game each month from a smaller, plan-specific library of PSN games. Subscribers will also, along with the games, be able to stream music from Sony’s library and play it in the background whilst playing PlayStation games.

Gamespy has stated, “The rumor mill also says Sony will take the wraps off of its PSP-phone at E3, and to me, this PSN subscription plan lends itself far more to a handheld device than the PS3, which VG247 seems to be reporting on.”

Sony’s E3 conference is on June 15.

[source: Gamespy]

It’s been hinted. It’s been suggested. And now, it’s officially labeled as rumoured. Sony’s PSP2 was recently expected to arrive at June’s E3 expo, however gaming sites around the globe are convinced that it’s untrue.

Sources have said that the hand-held game device will pack a punch so deadly that you might lose your eyes. Expect a quad-core CPU, a touch screen, the standard PlayStation button interface and two camera’s. One camera will record your feet, while the other will video your face.

The might even be 3G support, how’s that?

Apparently the PSP2 will only launch in 2011 where the reveal will be at Tokyo’s Game Show, or Gamescom in Germany later this year.

[via:vg247]

* According to the other article, there were loads of images. I chose this one because I like it.

According to various sources speaking to MCV, one of Sony’s big surprises might be a new PSP, which is needed…badly.

Unfortunately the sources are not from Sony themselves, they are from various publishers who were unable to comment until “a specific announcement from the platform holder”.

Remember this is not the first time there have been rumors about a new PSP and as E3 inches closer, it probably isn’t the last, either.

I really hope a new PSP comes out soon, because the PSP Go is crap…period!

[Source:Kotaku]

Sony’s Networked Products and Services Division has just reported a sizable drop in overall sales and profit over the last fiscal year (ended 31 march).

The division saw a 10.2% drop in sales to R132.9 billion despite trimming its operating losses by R378 million to R7.3 billion.

While PS3 sales were up  by almost 2 million units and software (games and DLC) sales increased from 103.7 million to 115.6 million, it was the PS2 (!) and PSP sales which brought the figures down somewhat. PSP console sales were down 14.1 million to 9.9 million with its game sales down from 50.3 million to 44.4 million units. The PS2 saw only a small drop in console sales, from 7.9 million to 7.3 million but it was dealt a devastating blow in terms of game sales with teh amount of games sold more than halving.

“Sales in the game business decreased mainly due to unfavourable foreign currency exchange rates, decreases in unit sales of PSP hardware and of PS2 software,” Sony said.

“This decrease was partially offset by increased unit sales of PS3 software, driven by the expanded PS3 platform as a result of the launch of a new model.”

It seems that the new model PS3 with its potential profitability can’t come fast enough for Sony.

Although Sony’s products are fa less likely to break down than most, they still strive for excellence and have therefore brought a service which allows PS3, PSP-3000 and PSPgo owners to extend their warranty.

All Sony consoles already come with a 1-year warranty but owners can now extend that to 2 or even 3 years, for a fee of course. this service will be valid for any machine that is still under its original warranty. PSP owners can also opt for the Accidental Damage Plan which covers any damage done by the owner, such as cracked screens or loose buttons.

The one year extension is available at $50 for the PS3 and $30 for PSP’s while the 2 year extension is available at $60 for the PS3 and $40 for PSP’s. The Accidental damage plan which includes the standard warranty extension goes for $40 for a year and $50 for two.

The service is currently only available in the US but may well be going worldwide soon.

I’ve positive Sony have promised this before, only to end up only delivering one or two big titles in the year. Alright, it’s a new year, let’s not be skeptical. Right then, suspiciously (Ok, sorry, I said no skepticism) very closely linked to the PSP’s fifth birthday, which was celebrated, technically yesterday, Sony has claimed that huge games are in store for the PlayStation Portable this year.

“As we move further into 2010, the innovation and technological prowess of the PSP system continues to be evident,” says Sony hardware mouthpiece John Koller.  ”We have a plethora of exciting new games, some of which have yet to be announced, coming later this year that will continue to deliver the same unparalleled gaming experiences that you know and love.”

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the PSP will have a good year in 2010.

Big PSP surprises coming this year — Sony [CVG]

Today, in North America, Sony celebrates the fifth year of the PlayStation Portable’s life – the five-year anniversary, if you will. The PSP originally shipped to stores on the 24th of March 2005. Whoa, has time really flown that fast?

Current statistics indicate that, since launch, over 245 developers have made software for the PSP. At the moment, more than 520 games are currently available. There are, at this point in time, around 300 titles available on PlayStation Network,which incudes PSP Mini games and PlayStation One re-released classics.

A brief timeline to show the PSP’s evolution over the years:

• 2005: PSP launched
• 2007: PSP-2000
• 2008: PSP-3000 (the one with the enhanced LCD screen)
• 2009: PSPgo, the fully digital PlayStation Portable (did not use UMD discs)

Happy birthday, PlayStation Portable! Oh yes, and with great birthdays, comes great cake.

[Source of Stats: Destructoid]

Nintendo’s top-dog has already said that he isn’t impressed with the new Apple iPad, but Sony on the other hand is really stoked about it. The Japanese company said that they have a positive reaction to the device as it will help boost PSP sales.

Yeah — they are being serious about this.

“Apple’s entrance into the portable gaming space has been a net positive for Sony … when people want a deeper, richer console, they start playing on a PSP.” said John Koller, a Sony employee.

That statement above is pretty true, according to the facts. If we have a short peak at past events we saw that once Apple released the iPhone, PSP sales nearly tripled. This would be due to iPhone games not being ‘good enough’ when compared to other hand held devices — namely, the PSP.

Sony has started to sell a few consoles in that communist state which uses bicycle transportation, or Vietnam for short. This is the first time that the PlayStation brand is officially being sold in the area, and it was said that the first products were on sale on Saturday.

The PlayStation 3 with the 120gb HDD, the PlayStation 2 and the PSP-3000 are all available for a price set in the millions. By million, we mean VND million, which is the currency that they use out there.

The software will be available in English and Chinese. Games available include Uncharted 2, LittleBigPlanet, Ridge Racer 2 (PSP) and Tekken Dark Resurrection (PSP).

It’s expected that kiddies will buy the PlayStation 2 as this is the cheapest console.

Should this be under LOLPosts?

For those who like to customise everything from their consoles to their watch straps, you will be pleased to know that EA games have signed multi-year licence agreements with three electronic accessory manufacturers. The accessories are EA SPORTS-branded and available for consoles, mobile platforms and even PC. This will also include EA SPORTS Active’s line of “interactive fitness products” which more than likely means the Wii but could also include Xbox since Project Natal is out soon.

Sakar International will produce Wii and Nintendo DS accessories such as a “Nintendo DSi(TM) Football Kit” consisting of a game case, earphones, skin and stylus with football-like textures and materials. As well as other football products such as sports-themed MP3 players, digital cameras and computer keyboards and mouse pads with graphics resembling a football field.

Accessories 4 Technology's Wii Fit gear -Expect football themes-

Sunflex Europe has started production on more than 20 products and Accessories 4 Technology will produce for all platforms including iPod. Vice President of Brand Marketing at EA SPORTS, Glenn Chin said the partnerships will “improve our consumers’ experience and deepen their connection to the fabric of sport”. So if replacing your controllers with sports themed branded ones will connect you to your sport game of choice then you can expect the first batch of products to be released around autumn this year.

[s:EA Games]

Kotaku seems to have gotten word from Sony that PlayStation Portable owners will NOT be able to transfer their disc UMD games to the PSP Go when the handheld console launches on the 1st of October next week. It’s launching so soon yet Sony choose to reveal this information now? Not the smartest of choices. A Sony Computer Entertainment of America spokesman told Kotaku that: “We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time.” Ultimately, any current PSP owner will not be able to play any of his UMD disc games on the PSP Go, should he decide to pick up one. What this means now is that not only is the PSP Go damn expensive (there isn’t a confirmed price for South Africa, if it’s even coming here, but it comes to $250 in America, which is apparently more expensive than the Nintendo Wii over there), but it will also only be “usable” if you have an Internet Connection, because the PSP Go functions entirely (gamewise) on digital data (it doesn’t have a UMD drive), so the Internet will now be the only way to purchase, download and install games onto the console’s hard drive or memory card. At least for now.

Sony Computer Entertainment’s Brian Keltner told Kotaku, regarding a solution for the problem surrounding the UMD disc converter, the following: “We are looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions. It’s something we are still hammering out the details. As soon as we have solid plans in place we will make an announcement.”

I don’t know about you, but at this point I can’t see any reason to purchase the PSP Go if you currently have a PSP. Even to those who don’t, while it might be a cool-looking gadget to have, the issue of cap for downloading games will most likely put you off. While Sony’s reasoning for withholding a UMD converter is certainly logical, it isn’t going to help their sales with this new handheld.
—————————————————————————
- Azhar “Tody” Amien (click to email me if you have any questions)

Images of the newest addition to the Sony PSP Go have been released by Qore and on Playstation Lifestyle

Specifications:

• Offical Name – PSP Go

• 3.8″ LCD Screen

• 43% Lighter then PSP-3000

• 16GB Flash Memory

• Memory Stick Micro Support

• BlueTooth Support – HeadSet and Cellphone Support

• All Digital Content (No UMD)

• Slide Out Controls

• Remote Play Support (just like PSP-3000)

So what do you think of Sony’s new baby?

E3 is just around the corner and there are rumours flying around the interwebs of what is going to be announced.

Here is my list of what I think is going to happen:

*Sony
-PSPGO!
-PS3 Slim
-Lots of God of War 3 footage

*Microsoft
-Next Gen XBox announced
-Halo 3 ODST footage
-Motion controller
-Metal Gear coming to XBox 360

*Nintendo
-New core IP
-Mario Galaxy 2
-New Zelda game
-Kid Icarus game
-Pokemon Radon/Argon for DSi featuring 200 new Pokemon
-New IP requiring another new peripheral

*Gameplay footage of Alan Wake

*3D Realms
-Bankruptcy was a hoax
-Duke Nukem Forever given a solid release date

*New Killer Instinct announced

*Lionhead
-Black and White 3
-Something Peter Molyneux considers groundbreaking, the internet thinks not

*Maxis
-New SimSomething game

*Valve
-Counter Strike 2(tribute to 10 year anniversary of Counter Strike)
-Loads of news for Half Life 2: Episode 3

*Sega
-Another useless Sonic game announced

What are your E3 predictions?

According to GameSpy, Chris Kramer, from Capcom, has confirmed that Capcom will be releasing PS1 games for the PSP throughout the year of 2009, all of which will be downloadable via the “PSP” PlayStation Network. Apparently Capcom will be looking for some community-input as to which PS1 titles should be released, but in the end, it all comes down to their final decisions.

A thought given by Chris suggests that Capcom might be planning a list of possible titles, thereafter releasing that list onto Capcom Unity for gamers to give their vote. It seems that the company goal is to deliver “between 20 and 40 titles to the PSN over the next several months.” The PSP really seems to have a spectacular year ahead of it – possibly its greatest since launch. However this idea of reviving old classic PS1 games to the PSP, while it sounds great and exciting, still makes you wonder that those who downgraded (hacked) their PSP’s already have free, complete access to any PS1 title out there – so it really just comes across as compensation to those who are still fully legal. At least that’s just my opinion, but hey, I’m not complaining, because an idea like this is a really great one for the PSP, especially if you’re one for nostalgia.

Researchers have recently discovered that people that constantly play action games are actually improving their eye sight. The video-game training which players under go actually improve their ability to notice subtle differences in shades of gray, and this might help people that find it difficult to drive at night.

The quick pace from action games causes the brain to process visual information a lot more efficiently, and this allows all improvements to the brain to last a few months after the game play has stopped.

Just how does it work? Well, players are constantly changing their brain’s pathway which is responsible for the visual processing, this causes the brain to adapt so that it can work a lot more efficiently, resulting in better eye sight.

This study was proven to work mainly on action games or games which need a lot of hand eye coordination, as the tests resulted with the players playing action games featuring an average improvement of 43%, while the players playing Sims 2 for the test had no improvements.

No to carrots. Yes to games.

[via:technorant]