PLAYSTATION VITA - February 22

[Coded-Dude]

......as long as its not linux?

[Black Dragon37]

Isn't Android open source?

[Coded-Dude]

the android Os is based on a linux kernel, but the only way to run custom firmware is to root the device and install the modified code. the platform is open to developers, but isn't completely open(at least not the versions put in retail phones/pda's) Its based on an open source platform, but the OS itself is maintained by a select few.

you can make any app you want on the platform, but don't expect your OS features to get thrown into the retail version anytime soon.

[NeoPlayStation]

Kaz Hirai on the NGP (with video)

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/...rai_ngp_020211

[Stelio]

Well it looks good. The only thing that I am actually excited about is the potential to use this to actually control PS3 games. With a touch screen that incorporates tilt, touch pad on the back, camera, mic, data, imagine the degree of control. It's like move only better.

Although the fill rate is up there with PS3 (some even say slightly higher, don't know), the polygon count is a measly 120-130 M/pps. However, I found some very interesting bits of information that if incorporated into the NGP and the PS3 it could dramatically extend their life cycles and feel like new systems without releasing one. It's called Point Cloud Computing (forgive me if previously discussed). There is a company called Unlimited Detail that is trying to incorporate their tech into the hardware of gfx card makers and what not. But they also say they can and will do it via software if they do not gain any contracts. I think it's safe to assume this will be the norm next gen but possibly sooner.


Useful links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWujsO2V2IA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YPL4wyvaBA&NR=1

Demonstrations on NGP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyNSJ...F3DE0388651073
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRcmRNGjU1s&feature=fvwk

Questions of the day:

1. Will the cellphone edition of by SONY Ericsson be equally as powerful as the NGP?
2. Will SONY be releasing tablet versions with varying dimensions? Possibly not. Although I'd rather have one of those to be honest. In any case, once other devs catch up with hardware we'll be able to play these games on any device.
3. I wonder if the psp would be able to access the ps3 for increased processing potential and scalability with future games?

Prediction of the day:
PS4 will be a beefy tablet with all the same features as NGP only many times more powerful. Simply connect to tv if you wish and your off. 8Mp cam, 4G, and of course Android.

The realest says:
Will never happen. Not only can you get more muscle into a larger system but you won't be competing against your own products.
Response:
I don't think we care.

:P

Anyway, Thx for the read.

-Stelio

[Generosity of God]

Prediction of the day:
PS4 will be a beefy tablet with all the same features as NGP only many times more powerful. Simply connect to tv if you wish and your off. 8Mp cam, 4G, and of course Android.

The realest says:
Will never happen. Not only can you get more muscle into a larger system but you won't be competing against your own products.
Response:
I don't think we care.

i think the realist response would be. what happens with local multiplayer? each player has to have their own tablet and copy of the game? in that case i think there will be people who care.

[Viper]

Steelio, I think the early days of PS3 tech talk had a lot of chatter about using the PS3 as a cloud-like device. Something like all not in use but networked PS3's will be used to help process game data for those in use networked PS3's. Obviously nothing ever became of that but it sounds like it was the early foundation for what you are linking to.

[blackdrgn]

I'd probably be disappointed if they just ported loads of PS3 games, the potential's there for new games on a new portable, I'd not be very pleased if they left that potential untapped.
I'm excited (for once) about what new games they could design with the dual touch screen, motion sensing & such, I'm looking forward to a game library that compliments the portables features.

[Stelio]

i think the realist response would be. what happens with local multiplayer? each player has to have their own tablet and copy of the game? in that case i think there will be people who care.

Yes sir. That's what I was saying

---------- Post added at 12:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------

Yup. I remember that from a while back. I think I may have misunderstood it though. My understanding was that the PS3 was built with this in mind but having much processing being done by servers and idle ps3's. Still doesn't make sense though. Idle ps3's? There's not enough of them. Affordable speed and bandwidth to sustain this concept does not yet exist.

[solidsnakejej]

SCE Cambridge Studio developing Killzone NGP
http://www.gamerzines.com/psp/news/k...cambridge.html

[frosty]

i think the realist response would be. what happens with local multiplayer? each player has to have their own tablet and copy of the game? in that case i think there will be people who care.

Hook it up to a TV, use bluetooth to hook up some DS3's or move controllers, and there you go.

---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

1. Will the cellphone edition of by SONY Ericsson be equally as powerful as the NGP?
2. Will SONY be releasing tablet versions with varying dimensions? Possibly not. Although I'd rather have one of those to be honest. In any case, once other devs catch up with hardware we'll be able to play these games on any device.
3. I wonder if the psp would be able to access the ps3 for increased processing potential and scalability with future games?

1. No. It is designed to play the "PlayStation Suite" games (PS1, PSN, and PSP1 games), which will be available to all andriod phones, but obviously best played on that one. That's why they put the slide out controls in there. Don't expect NGP, but rather typical smart phone specs out of it.

2. Probably not to avoid consumer confusion, though that would be cool.

3. I doubt it, considering the data throughput required being far higher than your average wifi or 3G connection can handle. However, FULL remote play of ALL PS3 games is definitely possible. Just map L2 and R2 to the touchpad on the back, and you're good to go. If the game requires analog control using L2/R2 (the triggers are analog sensitive), this could be achieved by sliding your fingers up and down on the touchpad.

So in that sense, NGP IS a portable PS3. Or at least it has the capability to become one.

I'd rather see more of that and less ports, with the NGP only games being designed to take full advantage of it's portable features.

[TimmyJ]

1. No. It is designed to play the "PlayStation Suite" games (PS1, PSN, and PSP1 games), which will be available to all andriod phones, but obviously best played on that one. That's why they put the slide out controls in there. Don't expect NGP, but rather typical smart phone specs out of it.

I think the initial release of "PlayStation Suite" content is limited to PlayStation Classics and new content developed for the "PlayStation Suite" which I'd imagine would have to fit a certain hardware specification (especially considering manufacturers seemingly have to meet certain criteria to be certified/branded as "PlayStation Suite" compatible).

[OmniStalgic]

yeah, it's likely to be classics and minis at first. Some small PSN games shouldn't be an issue however, Pixel Junk Monsters games were only 50 or 60 mb IIFC.

[solidsnakejej]

During a presentation to around 20 UK developers at its headquarters in London yesterday, Sony shared a wide range of information about its new handheld platform, revealing significant new details on launch plans, hardware specifications, networking features and more.

One attendee, speaking to Eurogamer this morning under condition of anonymity, said: "NGP is a developer's dream – Sony is finally doing the things developers have been crying out for for years."

Studios had been expecting to collect development kits at the event, but were told "late shipments from Japan" meant SCEE would now be "prioritising". According to the source, for a kit to be delivered before April a studio must supply a "20-page concept document on a game they want to release at launch".

Eurogamer understands that key UK studios have had early kits for almost a year. But the source claimed the new shipment of kits would be "the first to have the final GPU in them".

Sony has not yet dated the system beyond plans to begin rollout worldwide by the end of 2011. But during yesterday's presentation, Sony listed the Wi-Fi only edition of NGP as "2011", while the Wi-Fi plus 3G version was listed as "Holiday Season 2011", implying that the 3G-enabled console would not be available day one.

SCEE did not share any solid information on date or price, only adding that details would be revealed "very soon".

Sony staff demoed a handful of upcoming first-party NGP titles, including Uncharted, Little Deviants and WipEout. The source said the latter was "the WipEout HD PS3 engine running on PS3 with no changes to the art platform. That means full resolution, full 60 frames per second. It looks exactly the same as it does on PS3 – all the shader effects are in there".

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-private-event

[Segitz]

The last sentence should be reread... PS3 engine running on PS3 runs like on PS3...

[Luis]

It's interesting to see that apparently the programming side of the games could be somehow compatible between PS3 and PSP2, which would benefit both platforms. I guess this is what Sony will do with PS4 as well.

Anyway, how would "ease of development" be possible considering the hardware is so different? Do they mean that they could port games easily, only that they wouldn't really be completely tailored around the hardware? I mean, some games are made so they take full advantage of the hardware, but that would make porting considerably less straightforward.

[masteratt]

The last sentence should be reread... PS3 engine running on PS3 runs like on PS3...

lolol
"Wipeout PS3 runs like PS3 on PS3"
NAH! Really??!?!

I'm liking the overall message though. The odd thing is, developers overcame the difficulty of PS2 but not many bothered with PS3. I guess because it wasn't the "in" console. But still, making stuff easier for software guys should ALWAYS be near the top of your priorities when building a system and I'm glad Sony is realising this.

PSP2 is sounding better and better but I want to reiterate the importance of what @blackdrgn: said, it's important devs don't fall into the "let's make PS3 like game on PSP2" mentality and create unique appealing stuff that shows the strengths of PSP2. As most of the stuff we heard of so far falls into the "PS3 stuff on PSP2" at the moment (Yakuza, Lost Planet, Wipeout, Uncharted, KZ etc).

[Luis]

Surely making things easier for developers has a lot to do with Ken Kutaragi being out of the business.

[solidsnakejej]

Well Kaz wanted to get the World Wide Studios in on the Hardware development which is likely the reason.
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...xt-PlayStation

[Segitz]

IF they made it so, that if there's the same game on NGP and on PS3, and I only have to buy one, like on Steam Portal 2 PS3, then I'd get an NGP day one for sure... or at least make it like a 5er if I have one or the other. I have little interest in buying the same thing twice.