Video Game Saga *

Information and links on this new hand held system coming out in 2011

Click here for what we know so far, and please add any information as it comes out!

Some PSP2 infor to start your day!

From IGN.com

Sony's successor to the PSP will boast a larger, HD screen – and it's been shown off behind closed doors according to a recent report.

The new console was shown at the Tokyo Games Show according to a recent Kotaku report, which backed up earlier rumours that the PSP2 would be sporting a touch pad on the back of the device.

The report suggests that the new console's screen is an inch larger than that of the existing PSP model, and that its boost in resolution has lead to Sony touting it as 'HD'. The same report also reveals that the touch pad is similar in look and feel to a "big mouse trackpad".

From Kotaku.com:

Currently, the PSP2's hardware is not finalized, and Sony is having problems balancing battery, power and heat. There are apparently overheating issues, but Sony is, of course, aiming to have those issues corrected by the time the hardware is publicly shown.

We've been hearing numerous rumors about the PSP 2 for awhile now, but EA's senior vice president Patrick Soderlund isn't mincing words, confirming that EA has seen the new device.

Soderlund was pretty tight-lipped in his interview with CVG, but definitively answered the question of whether the company has had exposure to a PSP 2: "Well, obviously as a developer we have had that - but I'm not allowed to talk about it."

When asked about his expectations for the console, however, Soderlund didn't budge. "We can't talk about it because of our relationship with Sony obviously, which is... That's just the way it is." We'll have to stick to the rumors for now regarding possible details for the handheld, but it's nice to know it exists.

From 411 Mania.com:

According to VG247, the screens your looking at are prototype images of the PSP2.  Terrible quality aside, you can see two thumbsticks, mic, two cameras and trackpad highlighted. The handheld also slides up and down, similar to the PSPGo. What seems to be missing, though, is Sony's normal D-pad that's segmented.

VG247 did mention that this "isn't the console's final form factor," and even updated later on that a source said the slide has been taken off due to an overheating problem.

IGN also updated that "a development source confirmed to IGN these photos are legitimate."

Dude this is freaking sweet!!! I'm super excited to see how the camera is going to work on the PSP 2, could it be 3D??? I believe so especially since Sony is leading the 3D world with there TV sets. It will be interesting to see what kind of handheld console war could rage between the 3DS and PSP 2. And OMG!!! Two analog sticks! Freaking amazing! For years fans have wanted dual analog sticks on a PSP, now it looks like it will be a reality. I love the slide up feature so I was sad to hear it got axed, however, it does excite me to see what new design Sony comes out with. I'm pumped! Keep that PSP 2 news coming 

Video Game Saga at November 22, 2010 at 4:53 AM

Dude this is freaking sweet!!! I'm super excited to see how the camera is going to work on the PSP 2, could it be 3D??? I believe so especially since Sony is leading the 3D world with there TV sets. It will be interesting to see what kind of handheld console war could rage between the 3DS and PSP 2. And OMG!!! Two analog sticks! Freaking amazing! For years fans have wanted dual analog sticks on a PSP, now it looks like it will be a reality. I love the slide up feature so I was sad to hear it got axed, however, it does excite me to see what new design Sony comes out with. I'm pumped! Keep that PSP 2 news coming 

During interviews, Sony and developers with the test units have confirmed that the PSP2 will not be a 3D system like the Nintendo 3DS.

I agree with you, the design looks cool.  My main concerns is that I am a big guy with huge hands.  If the PSP is too small, I might not be able to play it comfortably, but we will see.

Awww shucks! I was totally excited for the 3D aspect on a PSP, this totally leaves me pondering just how those cameras are going to be utilized. My guess of course is that it will be like an intrigrated version of EyeToy Camera that was recently released externally for the PSP. Also, I'm sure we can bank on webcam capabilitles as well in addition to all the cababilites that a DSi can do. I'm so excited for PSP 2, can't wait for more details to come rolling down the PSP pipe line

From 1up.com:

A recently uncovered (via Akihabara News) patent application filed by Sony Computer Entertainment of America for a "hand-held device with two-fingered touch" points to a forthcoming device with a touch screen that could turn out to be the long rumored PSP 2.

This being a patent application (number 20100299595 for the record), the document is big on potential applications so specific hints are few and far between. Listed hardware configurations include "slidably connected" halves, a DS-like "hinged configuration," or even a dual-sided device where the display is on "front" side and the touch screen is on the "back" side. Even the purpose of the device is (intentionally) left ambiguous. The device "may be configured for use as a game device, a phone, a portable media player, an email device, web browser device and the like."

From MCVUK.com:

Sony has told licensees the device ‘is as powerful as the PlayStation 3’.

High-level sources told us they expect Sony to start outlining its 2011 handheld strategy within days of Nintendo events in Amsterdam and New York detailing the 3DS Easter rollout plans.

The new PSP is expected to arrive within the Q4 period, perhaps as early as October, and includes a HD screen with twin-stick controls in the familiar ‘brick’ form factor.  Sony has already consulted publishers about launch timings and the first wave of games.

Sony is already plotting to reveal more at GDC and E3 after this month’s first tease.

‘PSP2’ will even use a media format to make sure retail has a part to play in the console’s lifecycle by selling physical software.

But the device will also provide access to plenty of downloadable content, smaller games and apps via PSN – and maybe even incorporate a phone, but not as a primary function.

From IGN.com:

...the PSP successor will have a 3G connection. In Japan, this will be provided by NTT DoCoMo.  The 3G connection will be used for online gaming and for downloading movies and games. Users will not be able to make phone calls.

Different from Wi-Fi, which requires hotspots, users will be able to access the 3G connection wherever DoCoMo cell phone service is available. This likely means a permanent connection throughout Japan, as DoCoMo is Japan's largest cell phone carrier. The system will also have WiFi support similar to the PSP, of course.

The paper did not say if users would incur a monthly charge for accessing DoCoMo's network. It also did not mention equivalent providers for overseas access.

Other bits mentioned in the Nikkei article include the inclusion of an OLED touch screen and a newly developed processor for outputting high end visuals.

The paper also has a few details on Sony's games-focused cell phone device. This will offer button controls, making games easier to play when compared to other smartphone devices. The set will use Google's Android operating system and will allow users to access non-game software.

From 411Mania.com:

However, the first thing you'll notice is that it's not being called the PSP2. Instead, it's currently known as the Next Generation Portable, or NGP.

The trailer can be found HERE!

Sony says the system will be as powerful as the PlayStation 3, and will feature built-in WiFi and 3G connectivity, a built-in GPS, the six-axis motion sensing system and a new form of media storage.

"NGP adopts a new game medium, a small flash memory based card, dedicated for NGP software titles," Sony said. "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 also announced that the battery life of the NGP will be the same as the current PSP-3000 system.  So, gamers can expect about four to six hours of play in between charges.

As far as the games go, Sony showed off some of their bigger franchises on the system, such as Uncharted, Killzone, Resistance, Monster Hunter and LittleBigPlanet. Sony also stated that downloadable titles on your PSP will be able to be transfered to the new system.

From Joystiq.com:

SCEA hasn't managed to deliver all PSP UMD releases digitally -- let alone simultaneously with retail -- and even said the likelihood of making such parity would be several years off. That doesn't appear to be the case with PSP's sucessor, the NGP, based on comments made by SCEE president Andrew House.

"One thing we learnt from PSP, is that we want to have simultaneous delivery in digital and physical for NGP," House told MCV. "Just to clarify that, all games that appear physically will be made available digitally."

While that's certainly positive news, we're still waiting on word about Sony filling in the gaps on downloadable PSP back-catalog games -- which will run on the NGP, some with patched-in support for the handheld's second analog stick. Then there's the matter of the system's proprietary flash storage media, needed to store downloaded games, being a bit fuzzy. In short: Sony still has a lot to explain about its powerful new portable.

From Joystiq.com:

As a result of the recent earthquake in Japan, the NGP handheld may not make the holiday 2011 release window worldwide. "It may be the straw that says 'maybe we get to just one market by the end of the year,'" SCEA president Jack Tretton told Bloomberg, suggesting that Sony may opt to stagger production of the handheld and release it in just one territory this year. According to Bloomberg, damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami has slowed Sony's production line by forcing the closure of "several" factories in northern Japan. Sony's plan as of January was already to have the handheld out in "at least one territory" by holiday 2011. It's just more likely to be just one now.

Of course, we hope we can all agree that the people of Japan have more important things to worry about right now than rushing out video game hardware. On the upside, Tretton brought up the point that increased time before release will allow developers to put more work into their launch games.

Loopks like the NGP might not face delays after all...

From 411Mania.com:

According to Sony's Japanese rep. Satoshi Fukuoka, the company is expecting "no impact from the quake on our launch plan."

He added that Sony has never said it would launch the NPG in Asia, North America and Europe simultaneously.

Sony has announced that they will launch four first party titles to launch along side the NGP. The titles will be: Uncharted, Wipeout 2048, Modnation Racers and Smart As which will be a brand new Sony title. Also, a Resistance title has been announced as well to release between January and March of 2012. 

From Wired.com:

After getting everyone’s hopes up, Sony now says only one user account can be used on a PlayStation Vita.

Though a Sony representative told Wired.com at a Vita preview event last week in Manhattan that Vita users will be able to switch accounts by swapping out memory cards, the PlayStation maker has now retracted that statement. It told Wired.com in an email on Thursday that Vita owners will indeed have to reset their hardware to factory settings, deleting all of their data, in order to sign in with a different PlayStation Network account.

Sony will release Vita in Japan on Saturday and in the U.S. on February 22.

“[The] PSN account is tied to the hardware and the memory card, not just the card,” a different Sony representative said in an e-mail, “which means that if a second person is using your Vita, it’s not just a case of switching out memory cards, it’s clearing out all of your saved data on the Vita itself when you do the factory reset.”

“In other words, PlayStation Vita is intended to be played by only one user,” the representative said.

Vita users will have to delete all of their data in order to use new accounts on Sony’s online network, which is used for both digital shopping and multiplayer gaming. The PlayStation 3 and PSP allow users to sign in with separate accounts. They also allow players in different regions to create Japanese or European accounts to download games from those regions. It seems that neither of these things will be possible on PlayStation Vita — at least not without jumping through some as-yet-undiscovered loopholes.

From 411Mania.com:

When the Vita launches in North America on Feb. 22, another game will be available for it.

Tecmo Koei America and Team NINJA announced today that Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is being made into a Vita launch title.

The game, which will include the new Hero Mode, will also have some Vita-specific controls, including use of the touchscreen, gyro sensor and rear touch pad.

"The Ninja Gaiden series lends itself to a great experience on this amazing new platform," says Yosuke Hayashi, Studio Head of Team NINJA. "We're confident that gamers, both our fans and those new to the series, will find Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus to be a thrilling and challenging experience that lives up to the spirit of what the series is best known for while offering a host of new and portable gameplay mechanics."

Pre-ordered my PS Vita yesterday at Best Buy. I pre-ordered the first edition bundle that comes with: 3G/Wi-fi system, 4gb mem card, Little Deviants game and a limited edition carry case. I'm so excited! And now with Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus as a launch title on top of all the other stellar launch titles, I'm gonna be broke as a joke! lol. Thanks for the update TonyB

From 411Mania.com:

Sony revealed plenty of PlayStation Vita information at CES yesterday.

First off, the US data plans for the handheld were revealed. There are two plans through AT&T, one with a 250MB cap per month for $14.99, and the other with a 2GB cap for $25. Neither plan requires a contract.

In addition, Executive Deputy President Kaz Hirai announced that the handheld has sold over 500,000 units in Japan since launch.

Also, Netflix should be usable in the US and Europe on it on "day one," as well as Music Unlimited.