Topic: PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) - previously known as NGP

[nickmitch]

They could always just annually or biannually update the model every year. It could be slimmer, have more storage, become 4G compatible, etc. If it's really gonna compete in the phone market, then it's gonna have to do that anyway.

[Chozo Ghost]

They could always just annually or biannually update the model every year. It could be slimmer, have more storage, become 4G compatible, etc. If it's really gonna compete in the phone market, then it's gonna have to do that anyway.

That's probably what they will end up doing. It will work fine for the phone, but its going to leave the handheld version in the dust and probably cause some Segaesque Schizoming further down the road. Because the Handheld PSP isn't going to be constantly upgraded, so after a few years there's going to be a marked difference between the two, and this will mean different versions of games may have to be created for both platforms, with the version for the handheld being the inferior. Just like how there would be versions of games for the Genesis and other version for the 32X, and perhaps another version for the Saturn. We all know how that worked out.

There is some wise old proverb about how if you chase two rabbits you will end up catching neither of them. Sony is making a serious mistake by trying to chase both the 3DS and IPhone at the same time. They're literally splitting themselves apart as they try to do this. If they were the market leader in handhelds they might be able to pull it off, but they're a distant 2nd in handhelds and the phone market is something else entirely. I just don't think this is going to work out well for them... apparently they didn't learn from their mistakes regarding the PS3 and PSP Go...

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm guessing the phone won't be at the same level as the PSP2, at least to start, and the games on the phone will have to be made with the initial model in mind. Just look at the iPhone: it was only earlier this year that you started to see games that wouldn't run on the original iPhone from 2007 (with a couple minor exceptions).

[nickmitch]

Well, PSPhone games and PSP2 games don't really have to be the same thing. The PSP2 can afford to have substantially better hardware than a PSPhone since it wouldn't have to worry about any of the phone bits. The portable gaming market is already split. There's a casual market of people who play on their phones and a hardcore market that needs dedicated devices to fulfill their needs. Sony is probably assuming they can appeal to both with the Playstation brand.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Kinda late with the update here but....

PSP 2 to Rival PS3 Graphics
Source says Sony's new handheld will be a graphical powerhouse.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/113/1138871p1.html

We've heard a lot of rumors regarding the PSP 2 but it has been limited largely to isolated reports regarding specific features; today, however, we've received a comprehensive rundown of the device's features from someone with direct hands-on experience with the forthcoming handheld.

According to our source, current iterations of the PSP 2 feature dual analog sliders that are comparable to those found on the existing PSP but are unique in that they have concave indentations rather than convex. It maintains the slider design of the PSPgo, but increases the overall size to accommodate the new features and a slightly larger touch-enabled display.

As would be expected, the PSP 2, like the PSPgo, lacks a UMD drive and will run downloadable or expandable memory-based games. The device also incorporates both front- and rear-facing cameras, presumably for pictures, video recording and communication, and augmented reality-based games.

Notably, the frequently rumored rear-mounted touch panel is real and features a smooth glass-like surface, which our source says can be used for a variety of input functions such as analog thumbstick-type controls, taps, swipes and other gesture commands like a swipe to reload motion.

Our source also confirmed the recent batch of leaked images from VG247, which detail the state of current development units.

As far as graphics are concerned, the PSP 2 is a beast, packing enough processing hardware to produce graphics comparable to early PlayStation 3 titles. The processor, we're told, is just over half as powerful as the PS3, though the specific framework of the cores and the clock speed was not revealed.

While the device isn't as powerful as the PlayStation 3, its components should allow it to sufficiently play games of comparable graphical quality due to the fact that it is rendering to a smaller, lower-resolution display than a full 1080p HDTV.

All things considered, 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. In other words, players could potentially start games on their PlayStation 3 and continue them on-the-go with the PSP 2.

Despite all we've learned, several key questions remain – namely how much it will cost and when we may see it publicly unveiled. Naturally, a device as powerful and full-featured as this would fetch a pretty penny, perhaps as much as the PS3 itself, and we wouldn't be surprised to see its official debut at E3 2011.

[Shorty McNostril]

Oh dear.  This thing will have to run on AC power, it will absolutely destroy its batteries. 

And another thing, if these games are going to be PS3 quality visuals then these games are going to be huge.  This wouldn't be an issue on physical media, but if you have to download everything.... Wow.  I hope people who buy this have nice big internet plans.

[Chozo Ghost]

So if it only runs downloadable games, then aren't retailers going to be unhappy? Perhaps even to the point where they would opt to not sell the hardware?

[BranDonk Kong]

Based on the PSP Go's lack of success, I can't imagine Sony would go with a download-only system again. I could  see them actually switching to cartridges before making the same mistake twice.

[Shaymin]

Or Memory Sticks. The PSP2 could have two memory slots - one specifically for the games, one for the user storage.

[Stogi]

I'd buy it just for the jailbreaking potential.

[BranDonk Kong]

I'll second that - if this thing is as exploitable as the PSP or the PS3, then it's potentially the most badass portable media center and gaming machine on the planet, especially if (and I assume it will) has an HDMI port.

[TJ Spyke]

So if it only runs downloadable games, then aren't retailers going to be unhappy? Perhaps even to the point where they would opt to not sell the hardware?

A lot of retailers refused to even carry the PSP Go. Besides, the PSP Go bombed (although Sony tried to spin it by saying they never expected it to sell well). No way do I see a PSP 2 being as powerful as that rumor, the battery life would be like 2 hours.

[Chozo Ghost]

Well, seeing as how they tested the download only waters with PSP Go and even they themselves deem that as a failure, then I don't see how this rumor of the PSP2 being like that could actually be true. More likely, they'll do something like the DS by taking a flash media format (most likely their own memory stick, as suggested in a previous post) and then further modify it to make it more difficult to be pirated. That to me seems like the most sensible thing to do, but then again this is Sony we're talking about here so don't be surprised if it ends up running on Mini Blu-ray discs, or something completely new altogether.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Oh dear.  This thing will have to run on AC power, it will absolutely destroy its batteries. 

And another thing, if these games are going to be PS3 quality visuals then these games are going to be huge.  This wouldn't be an issue on physical media, but if you have to download everything.... Wow.  I hope people who buy this have nice big internet plans.

So if it only runs downloadable games, then aren't retailers going to be unhappy? Perhaps even to the point where they would opt to not sell the hardware?

you guys need to read more carefully

As would be expected, the PSP 2, like the PSPgo, lacks a UMD drive and will run downloadable or expandable memory-based games.

That means it will use a cartridge or flash based card of some sort in addition to being able to download software.

also with that kind of power, I'm expecting this thing to cost a minimum of $399 up to $499 (iPad price range) and do just about everything from gaming to casual web browsing and be a top notch PMP.
I bet it will also be capable of supporting 3D (w/ glasses) from Day1.

[NWR_insanolord]

Glasses-based 3D on a mobile device is a horrible idea. And Sony's not Apple; they can't get away with charging $500 for something like this. If they try it'll be the PS3 all over again, except worse. The PS3 survived because it was easy to port 360 games to it, so it never lost software support; there won't be a comparable system for this. The best it could hope for is last-gen console ports, and that hasn't been very successful on the Wii.

[Kytim89]

Or Memory Sticks. The PSP2 could have two memory slots - one specifically for the games, one for the user storage.

Sony's memory sticks are much too expensive for a consumer, but I do see them having their own cartridge based games from that technology. As for the second slot for memory storage, Sony would be smart to adopt the SD card because it is cheaper for the consumer.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Glasses-based 3D on a mobile device is a horrible idea.

key word being "capable". Like the PS3 maybe a firmware update will unlock the feature should the 3DS catch fire like we all expect it too, and it will also be a reason for all the early adopters up upgrade PSP2-3D(6 months after the 3D FW update) since they will want the option but not have to wear the glasses.

And Sony's not Apple; they can't get away with charging $500 for something like this. If they try it'll be the PS3 all over again, except worse. The PS3 survived because it was easy to port 360 games to it, so it never lost software support; there won't be a comparable system for this. The best it could hope for is last-gen console ports, and that hasn't been very successful on the Wii.

really? Don't forget that the 3DS is already producing visuals that look similar to PS360 games in detail

While the device isn't as powerful as the PlayStation 3, its components should allow it to sufficiently play games of comparable graphical quality due to the fact that it is rendering to a smaller, lower-resolution display than a full 1080p HDTV.

All things considered, 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. In other words, players could potentially start games on their PlayStation 3 and continue them on-the-go with the PSP 2.

So we are looking at PS360 games getting ported over to the PSP2 and the PSP2 basically being a PS3 on the go (same problem PSP had with being a PS2 on the go). Only problem is that the 3DS is also capable of delivering games of a superior graphical quality to Wii and closer to the visual styling of PS360 games, so in theory it too could be getting those same ports.... only in 3D, and a second screen, but only 1 analog stick.

So I don't think the PSP2 will have a shortage of games, but I think it might suffer from some of the same problems the PSP did. Being a current Gen on the way out port system on the go.

[BranDonk Kong]

BNM - expandable memory could mean anything, but typically implies blank flash memory storage that you fill up yourself, via downloads. I read it correctly

[BlackNMild2k1]

Why would you buy expandable flash storage to download games and play them on the PSP2 when the PSP2 already has onboard flash storage?

unless there are gonna be retail kiosk where you insert your blank flash media and download to the card and then use it in your PSP2, but even then that option would mostly be for those that have no internet connection and is just the same as buying a proprietary card that already has the game on it.

so while expandable storage may mean many things, I'm certain it doesn't mean download only, like was being said in the posts I quoted.

*I meant to quote Shorty and not you Brandogg* sorry. I'll go edit that now.

[BranDonk Kong]

It's all good.

[nickmitch]

I like that kiosk idea, BNM. It'll keep retailers happy, since people at least have the option to go to the store, and it wouldn't even waste shelf space. It may even be cost saving if Sony builds and ships them themselves, which they should.

[Chozo Ghost]

Why would you buy expandable flash storage to download games and play them on the PSP2 when the PSP2 already has onboard flash storage?

Because the onboard storage may not be enough?

[BlackNMild2k1]

Why would you buy expandable flash storage to download games and play them on the PSP2 when the PSP2 already has onboard flash storage?

Because the onboard storage may not be enough?

What I meant was why would they require you to purchase expandable memory to do download only content since they will most definitely have plenty of onboard storage (16GB or more) built in. If it was required of you to buy flash cards to download games, then they should just provide the games on their own proprietary flash card.

[BranDonk Kong]

If the games are PS3-calibur stuff, then I imagine 16GB would fill up rather quickly. Sure we wouldn't be looking at 20GB+ games, but I imagine the average size will be around 4-5GB, even PSP games often exceed 1GB (with all the crap removed too).

[Chozo Ghost]

16GB is doable if you are fine with only having one or two games installed at a time. But considering how long it takes to download and install the mastodon sized games of today, I don't think most gamers would be very tolerant of that.