Sony reveals the NGP handheld console, and announces that PlayStation games will also be available on Android phones
Sony has revealed a new handheld gaming system, codenamed NGP (Next Generation Portable) and due out by the end of 2011. The device features a 5in organic light emitting display, with touchscreen facilities.
There is a unique multi-touch pad on the rear, which Sony suggests will allow players to interact with games in three dimensions, using grab, trace, push and pull moves. There are also two analogue controllers as well as motion sensors, a gyroscope and an accelerometer for tilt sensitivity. Front and back cameras, together with Wi-Fi and 3G internet access, complete the features line-up.
At a press event in Tokyo, SCE president Kaz Hirai outlined his integrated vision for the future of portable PlayStation entertainment, recognising that a vast number of gamers now play on phones rather than specialist handheld gaming devices. In response, he revealed a new "PlayStation Suite" initiative which will bring PlayStation games to Google Android devices.
Sony will provide a game development environment for studios whol will be able to bring "PlayStation quality" titles to Android phones. Sony still plans to release a PlayStation-branded Xperia handset of its own, but it is unclear how such a product will fit into its diversifying mobile plans. The consumer electronics giant will also run a "PlayStation Certified" license program for hardware manufacturers to ensure handsets have the specifications required to run PlayStation quality titles.
The NGP, meanwhile, is aimed at established gamers who want console-quality gaming experiences on the go. It will compete directly against Nintendo's 3DS console, which features a less powerful processor but offers glasses-free 3D viewing. The 3DS will be out in the UK in March, while the NGP is likely to arrive in late autumn.
It looks as though Sony and Nintendo have some similar ideas on capturing the mainstream market in the connected era. Every Sony NGP game will feature a "LiveArea" space, a sort of community service that allows multiplayer gaming, as well as triggering real-time communication with other people playing the same title.
Another buillt-in application named "Near" lets users find out what nearby friends are playing. There are similarities with Nintendo's StreetPass and SpotPass concepts for the 3DS, which allow seamless game connection and communication with fellow console owners in the vicinity.
The device will support a new storage medium in the shape of a small flash memory-based card. According to Sony:
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.
Sony has also mentioned that owners will be able to watch digital content such as movies on the NGP. It's likely these will be downloadable rather than available on physical media. When the original PSP was released, Sony distributed movies on the device's proprietary UMD carts, but sales were poor.
There is no word yet on price. As for games, a demo of Uncharted was shown at the Tokyo event and a video revealed that popular first-party franchises such as Killzone, WipEout, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance, and Hot Shots Golf are coming to the system.
According to MCV, third-party publishers such as Capcom, Sega, Tecmo Koei, Activision, Epic and Konami have announced their support. Activision revealed an NGP version of Call of Duty, while Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima showed a version of Metal Gear Solid 4 running on the device.
Further announcements are likely at this summer's E3, the annual video game exhibition held in Los Angeles.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/jan/27/sony-announces-psp-sequel-ngp
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