Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi shared some insights today in a report titled "PSP will become a virtual PS3." The article goes over emulating PS1 games on the handheld, and the obvious difficulties in translating some games that involve using more than one analog stick and use more shoulder buttons. According to Sony, emulation was always technically possible, but only now is the broadband penetration high enough to warrant 600MB downloads for players. "We felt that there was now an environment where true e-Distribution could be realized."
It appears that e-distribution of games is a high-priority for Sony. Services like Steam (PC) are becoming more and more popular with users and publishers, and Sony understands the appeal for many of us. Downloadable demos will be a continued trend for all kinds of games: PS3, PSP and PS1. Also, it was confirmed that you will not need a PS3 to download content to your PSP (for those that were worried).
But the future of digital distribution doesn't stop there:"Distributed content won't be limited just to games. It will also likely include movies. While we can't get a grasp for how well UMD movie software is selling, there's no question that the world is moving in the direction of network distribution for movies. I've heard that So-Net's Portable TV is performing well."
"PS3 video can be viewed as is on the PSP, so the PSP becomes like a Virtual PS3." Similar to how Location Free Player works, you'll be able to view PS3 content on your handheld. But that doesn't mean music, photos and videos. It means games as well (although games that require fast reflexes will most likely not work due to network latency).
Sony's developers still aren't done working on the system, and are still implementing new features: "It depends on what the users want... It already has a Web Browser, and along those lines, schedule management and mailer applications will likely appear. However, it's important that the concept not lose focus. It would be troubling to have it become a machine whose use is unknown."
Where might Sony end up taking the PSP? It might turn the system into a psuedo-cell phone: "I'm interested in it [turning PSP into a phone]. Of course, it's not the case that you can connect to wireless LAN everywhere, so you can't call it a permanent connection. But cell phones are permanently connected. Cell phones get more interesting as their data transfer rate increases, and I think it would be extremely interesting to try something like that."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-01-2006 @ 3:31PM
pixelator said...
I can already hear the haters saying "Since the PSP is a failure as a game system, Sony's going to try to turn it into something else."
PS3 connectivity in that you might actually be able to control and view content on the PSP is pretty impressive and opens up tons of opportunity for game designs. Imagine a D&D type game where the 'dungeon master' is guiding monsters and traps with the PSP (privately viewed) and the other player(s) are having to play the main part of the game on the big screen..!
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9-01-2006 @ 3:57PM
? said...
Hey Pix, I am not a hater, but come on. This is the most irrelavent direction Sony could pursue with the PSP. Not only was this already done with the GC and GBA link (albeit not to this extent, but still failed the same), but it doesnt offer anything new. The Wifi interface with the PSP is horrid and extremely slow making this a pipe dream at best. Even if this comes to fruition, I doubt it will become even marginally popular. Hey Sony, here's and idea: MAKE SOME BETTER FREAKING GAMES AND ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR PRODUCT AND DONT REHASH HALF-BAKED CONCEPTS THAT DONT ADD ANYTHING FUNDAMENTALLY NEW!
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9-01-2006 @ 4:05PM
Art Vandelay said...
Call me crazy but I am on the verge of getting pretty psyched for the PS3. I had already planned to make it my home's media center along with my iMac. But if I could connect wirelessly to my PS3 while traveling with my PSP and watch a movie or play some tunes from my music library, or catch my local news, play some games, podcasts etc...that'd be beyond awesome!
I think I'm gonna still get a Wii but my excitement for PS3 is growing.
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9-01-2006 @ 6:35PM
KUJGE said...
i just dont understand why sony wont just make a psp accessory that has a extra analog stick and L2 and R2 buttons
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9-01-2006 @ 9:55PM
Chris said...
Kind of like the GBA/Gamecube?
Which only linked up in about 4 games, ever?
I don't see it happening to an extent that makes it a commonplace use of the system. Oh yeah and... PS2 hard drive (which Sony removed support for in the newer PS2 model.) Hm.
The only thing here that's different is that the functionality is built in, which might make it better. But it still sounds like a relatively promising but under-used feature that will have a few games haphazardly making use of it for the hell of it.
I love the PSP, and the GBA, and the Gamecube, and the PS2 hard drive... it's just that alot of promising things never really come to fruition in the gaming world!
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9-03-2006 @ 5:15AM
Virtuous said...
This smells like a gimmick. We already have to live with the dual screens and 1 touch screen gimmicks on the DS.
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9-05-2006 @ 9:16PM
W. Jones said...
I agree with this person. PSP rocks and the PS3 functionalities on the PSP will/would be pretty awesome.
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9-05-2006 @ 10:08PM
pixelator said...
"The Wifi interface with the PSP is horrid and extremely slow making this a pipe dream at best."
Were this true, would they be doing it?
What's wrong with the PSP WiFi interface, anyway? Doesn't get any easier - even with the DS.
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