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John Koller and the PSP's Future |
Listed in: Interviews, News Tags: GPS, interviews, John Koller, Playstation Home, PSP Camera, Sony
As much as a lot of us are slightly annoyed by fancy names for normal things like progress - web 2.0 we're looking at you - Sony announced back in GDC 2007, that Sony Computer Entertainment's approach to the next-generation gaming experience will be known as Game 3.0. Basically, Game 3.0 is a fancy name for using the PSP as a means to take part of your living-room based entertainment with you on the go. Yes, this is more stuff on their much touted PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable connection.
Of course the Game 3.0 era also implies further evolution for the PlayStation Portable. We're already experiencing that with their continuous releases of firmware updates and such. When asked by the folks at IGN if Sony is worried that the PSP will ever run out of space for that, John Koller, Senior Brand Manager for Sony Computer entertainment (SCE), said that no, for what they're considering, there's always space to evolve the PSP. He explains:
No, for what we're considering, it will not run out of room. We obviously never designed the PSP to be a static product - it will always continue to grow, evolve and allow the consumer new opportunities to utilize the PSP in unique ways. We launched it with a set of features that were pretty dynamic in terms of games and photos and video and movies and music, and we've added on to that quite a bit. You'll continue to see quite a few additions this year and beyond. We've been fairly regular with the firmware updates, and I think we have offered a lot of content that has been asked for, both in our research and in what we see out there in the broader PSP communities.
As for third party contributions to the PSP's features, Koller notes that despite their policy of making broad strokes and having users take everything at update instead of having things parceled out, they do listen to what people ask. He says: "...we definitely do listen to what consumers are asking for, and I think that that is what we really have to emphasize and have resonate this year."
John Koller also notes that Koller is thinking of ways to integrate the PSP in the PlayStation Home dynamic. They're still looking at ways to optimize that though. He does however, assure that they'll be more open about the PSP PlayStation home mesh soon.
As for the PSP getting access - this means not having to open up your PS3 - to the PlayStation Network's feature's like Friends Lists, Email Messaging, and shopping on the PlayStation Store, he notes that it's something that's "evolving" there and that it all wraps up with the Network. Okay, so perhaps it's safe to say that they're working on nit.
As for how they plan to improve Remote Play, because as it is now, it's basically just streaming data from the PS3 to the PSP, he notes that they're looking at a few options but they haven't chosen a firm direction yet. He notes: "...we are always looking to optimize. There are a number of elements on the table - we haven't chosen a firm direction yet, but we're definitely looking at it."
And with regard to the GPS and the PSP Camera that we're all still waiting for, Koller notes:
Both the PSP Camera and the GPS, we have plans to release those this year - we'd like to. We're starting to make time launch plans now, and we'll probably have something to announce as far as when and how pretty soon. But that's something that's on our agenda for the year.
As for developers not utilizing Game Sharing and Microphone Support - two PSP features that would've made for interesting games - Koller assures that they're trying to spread the word about those two. He explains:
Agreed on both counts with the features. Particularly on the Third Party side, we're going on some evangelizing tours to talk to publishers and developers to drum up support for both of those features. First Party is obviously well aware of some of the things that it needs to work on, and those are two points in there.
Okay, this is getting long so we'll end this with a list of things they're considering and not considering. Here are the things they're looking at for the future: Allowing the PSP to output video in it to a PS3 and then to the TV that the PS3 is connected to. Yay for portable porn; evangelizing and optimizing PS3 to PSP gameplay connection; and a keyboard for the PSP. Things they're NOT looking at: No, they're not looking to make a SIXAXIS accessory for the PSP. His words: Not at this time, no.
Via IGN
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this was going to happen in another post and
people thought I was full of it.
Keyboard, what, finally, after all this time?
And US versions of ChotoShot + GPS.
No... to SIXAXIS but what about a revised
console with second anolog?
Supposedly their listening to what we have to
say right? So who here wants a second analog?
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In its current state I don't look forward to the PSP holding back portable gaming device functionality. If Sony won't give the PSP the redesigning it clearly needs, someone else (I'm hoping Microsoft) will step up, and offer a better solution. Apple is soon set to release their IPhone portable multimedia device for $600 dollars. In order to stay competitive, and with progressing technology I don't see it beyond Sony's capability to release such an updated PSP.
These are the adjustments the PSP needs to stay competitive, if not, adjustments someone else will offer.
* Dual Analog Sticks, and two more trigger buttons
* IPOD-like hard-drive capacity (40+ GB range)
* 128+ Megabytes of main memory
* Bluetooth, and improved wifi
* Premium Cellphone Functionality with Microphone
* 3+ Megapixel Built-in Camera
* Mobile Broadband support
* 20+ hour full workload battery capacity
* Touchscreen
* Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse accessories offered optionally for use with web browser, and first person shooters.
* If included, free up the UMD format so people are given the option to record their own content
* Better compatible software options that not only offer a solid operating system for general users, but also encourage people to make personalized homebrew. Of course, all this would include such things as video voice chat, and a solid web browser with all multimedia functions included.
* Support for various flash media formats of all sorts, not just Sony proprietary, as was done on the PS3
* Motion sensitivity, as well as optional rumble pack accessory.
* If it is to be a PSP2, then of course, next gen graphics, as well as backward compatibility with PSP, PS1, and PS2 (PS2 media can be sold in whatever new portable media format Sony chooses to go with).
* Optional accessory kit that allows users to display their PSP2 to a high definition screen in 480i/p, 720i/p, and 1080i/p through use of an HDMI, or composite output
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- a foldable screen that turns into a 42" wide screen
- 7.1 dolby surround speakers
- blue-ray burner
- premium 4 joystick, 1-scsi, 2-pcmcia and 8 usb ports and a mind reader
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Given a few years time with better technology, the price would be considerably lower than $2000. As it is companies are working on bringing sub $1000 laptops down to PSP-type size.
@Mentality
When the PSP first came out, I was surprised it was possible to fit such hefty processing power down to such a small size. Think of it not necessarily PS3, but more like sub-PS3, sort of like the PSP now holds sub-PS2 style graphics, yet obviously better than PS1.
@aldostools
42" widescreen is already possible with the right kind of projector accesory,
Creative labs already released a portable 7.1 surround sound option. Putting this into a next gen PSP would be a good idea, at the very least as a usb add-on.
Blue-ray burner? Maybe in ten years. Would you instead settle for a UMD burner?
"- premium 4 joystick, 1-scsi, 2-pcmcia and 8 usb ports and a mind reader :-)"
Aside from the 8 usb (already possible through use of a usb hub), or the joystick possible through bluetooth/IR, those features will be obselete by the time the PSP3 is released ;-P
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