Summary of Sony Press Conference and details on PSP2

So I stayed up for Kotaku’s live blogging of the Sony Press Conference and decided to summarize all the essentials of the event. As expected, it was about the new PlayStation Portable device. However, what was perhaps unexpected, were the amount of programs and applications that were solely unique to the device. It was revolutionary to listen to.

PlayStation Suite
A “cross platform.” Described as a “hardware neutral game framework”– it offers emulation of PSOne games on phones– so the gamer no longer has to be abided by hardware. To ensure this, Sony has also created the program, PlayStation Certified, to ensure quality across the board. The games are scheduled to be available this year. In addition, it will also be compatible in the NGP.

Next Generation Portable (Codenamed: NGP) (aka, the new PSP)

“Location-based Entertainment”
Two analog sticks, six access controls, front and rear cameras, front and rear touchbads, “big big screen”, flash memory based, with 3g and wifi. The graphics are PS3 quality. You may use the analog sticks, in addition to the touchpad in the back to navigate characters (You may use one or two fingers). (The touchpad in the front is the screen, so you can alternate screen use). The design is very similar to the PSP. In addition, it will also feature the sixaxis.

It has been promised a 2011 HOLIDAY release.

Games planning to be released: Hot Shots Golf, Gravity Daze, Killzone (!), Hustle Kings, Reality Fighters, Smart As, Broken, Little Big Planet(!), Little Deviants, Wipeout, Resistance(!), Uncharted (!), Call of Duty installment (!)

In addition, there were demoes featuring the power and the performance of the NGP,
*a demoed one was a downloadable version of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. (Funny quote from Takeuchi, Vice president of Capcom, upon playing MHP on the NPG– “The stick feels great, you can quote me”). In addition, Lost Planet was also demoed on the NGP from Capcom. However, that is all the info from Capcom.
*In addition it seems that it’ll be easy to port PS3 games to the NPG (a Yakuza 4 demo was featured).
* A Dynasty Warriors demo was also featured, showing off new controls with the NGP.
*Kojima showcased a Metal Gear Solid 4 cutscene, ported on the NPG. *Tim Sweeney of Epic Games showcased “Dungeon Defenders”, a game developed for the PS3, but now is moved to NGP (in a week’s time nonetheless!).

LiveArea
Essentially, a user interface on the NGP that will have easily accessible info on other games and publishers. Players can basically find out more information on games. It also has a communication function, and a live feed that shows what your friends are up to. It can also connect with mobile networks, the first game portable to do so.

“Near” Application on LiveArea
In addition, the application “Near” lets players see what other game players are talking about in the area around you. Just think on a subway. This is again, to be able to enhance the “Location-Based Entertainment”. The Near app is to be able to connect players essentially– you can check out what titles different players have played recently, and thus maybe even the popular title in the area. If you like a game you see on Near, you can buy it in the PS Store!

All in all, Kaz Hirai stressed the importance of immersing the virtuality and reality, as well as the new handheld scene. The developers in the audience, who presented demoes of the games, also comment on the endless possibilities this new handheld will present to them.