[Velhart]

People have known this has been coming for a long time. Sony has developed a new handheld in which they said would rival the graphical power of the PS3, and so far, it looks like they are keeping up with what they said. There are a ton of improvements over the original PSP in many ways.

The Full Specs

CPU: ARM® Cortex™-A9 core (4 core)
GPU: SGX543MP4+
External Dimensions: Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
Rear touch pad: Multi touch pad (capacitive type)
Cameras: Front camera, Rear camera
Sound: Built-in stereo speakers, Built-in microphone
Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass
Location: Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi location service support
Keys / Switches: PS button, Power button, Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left), Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), Shoulder buttons (Right/Left), Right stick, Left stick, START button, SELECT button, Volume buttons
Wireless communications: Mobile network connectivity (3G), IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1x1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode), Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR （A2DP/AVRCP/HSP）

Here is a link to more details on the product.

http://kotaku.com/57...-psp-2-revealed


I am very happy in the direction this device is going. It is bigger and does not use the PSPfail's model at all. I look forward to the titles being announced, besides Sony's basic ones.

This post has been edited by Velhart: 27 January 2011 - 08:23 AM

[Velhart]

Also a nice video showing it in action.

[phunk]

Looks great, but I think Sony is late (yet again) with getting things right with their hardware. I'm asking myself now, with my iPhone 4; which I play heavily. Can something like the NGP really replace the on-the-go gaming I have with my phone?

I plan on getting the 3DS but even thats something I'll probably just play at home or on long trips (say an airplane). Also, what market are they trying to tap into? Are we going to have to sign up for a two year plan to use the 3g service?

Their release window for this winter seems a bit off too, as the 3DS will probably overshadow any announcement of NGP since it'll be launching this March. Throw in the rumors that new iPhone & iPad models are on their way this year too and Sony has some trouble getting this thing to entice consumers.

I'll get the NGP though... Because I'm am sure as hell not missing out on the next Monster Hunter.

This post has been edited by phunk: 27 January 2011 - 04:27 PM

[Hackysacky]

looks nice, but i dont know if i like the rear touch sensor. it makes sense since your hand is already back there but not being able to see where your touching until you touch will be weird. you wont be able to do quick touches like selections because you have no clue where your finger is.

[Velhart]

phunk, on 27 January 2011 - 04:26 PM, said:

Looks great, but I think Sony is late (yet again) with getting things right with their hardware. I'm asking myself now, with my iPhone 4; which I play heavily. Can something like the NGP really replace the on-the-go gaming I have with my phone?

The problem is, and NGP but slightly be part of this now, is that it is overall, a general multimedia machine, and gaming is not the iPhones biggest thing compared to the other things it does. The NGP and 3DS are built for gamers first and other features second. iPhone is built for convenience, then fun. So I don't know why people believe that iPhone will be dominant in the gaming department. Yes it has some good games on there, but for every good one that comes out, both Nintendo and Sony have released a ton of good games in the process.

[Velhart]

Hackysacky, on 27 January 2011 - 05:05 PM, said:

looks nice, but i dont know if i like the rear touch sensor. it makes sense since your hand is already back there but not being able to see where your touching until you touch will be weird. you wont be able to do quick touches like selections because you have no clue where your finger is.

From what I see on the back of the PSP, it looks like there is grips at the end where you put your fingers so you don't run into it. This is assuming your hands are not ridiculously huge.

[Corrderio]

If the 3DS is 250 dollars (More than Wii and about the same price for 360 elite) I'm really going to cringe at the price for this.

Also, will this be like the PSP Go where you can only download games? Or will there be a place to insert the disc/card/etc.

[phunk]

Velhart, on 27 January 2011 - 05:11 PM, said:

The problem is, and NGP but slightly be part of this now, is that it is overall, a general multimedia machine, and gaming is not the iPhones biggest thing compared to the other things it does. The NGP and 3DS are built for gamers first and other features second. iPhone is built for convenience, then fun. So I don't know why people believe that iPhone will be dominant in the gaming department. Yes it has some good games on there, but for every good one that comes out, both Nintendo and Sony have released a ton of good games in the process.

I agree.

The iPhone/iPad's biggest features are not gaming; however, the fact that they've been able to take a chunk out of the mobile gaming market does hold some sort of significance. When the 3DS is concerned, I don't see any reason for Nintendo to even worry about the iPhone/iPad taking away possible users as the experience I've had on my DS has always been one where I've only used it for games.

The main problem for me is the fact that once again Sony is touting their portable device as a multimedia device . When the PSP first was launched with UMD movies, mp3 player, web usage via wifi etc... this was great, because smart phones weren't widely used. Now we're living in a time where you can generally get the same experience on smart phones. I've played games on my iPhone that rival triple A titles in terms of gameplay and story.

This is where Sony's main problem with their portable device might lie again; no clear focus. With the DS, it has always been games first and foremost. With the PSP it was multimedia, then games, then multimedia again. The NGP is obviously trying to tap into the smart phone gaming market by including 3g (whether or not you'll have to pay for the service is still up in the air). The question is, will the common consumer (who already might have a smart phone) want to carry around both or just opt to get a 3DS for certain titles and keep their smart phone for on the go?

Majority of people I know generally choose the latter in today's age. I don't remember the last time I honestly had my DS or PSP out in public playing. However, thats just my lifestyle as its as you said, more convenient for me to just carry my iPhone and laptop; basically a mobile office =P.


Unless the NGP has Skype =O then it wins.

This post has been edited by phunk: 27 January 2011 - 06:21 PM

[Velhart]

Corrderio, on 27 January 2011 - 05:50 PM, said:

Also, will this be like the PSP Go where you can only download games? Or will there be a place to insert the disc/card/etc.

Yes, I am glad they are, and I will tell you why. If you put the NGP's games onto a UMD disc, a lot has to be compressed and you cannot get the full experience out of the game. Making it a downloadable game gives it an opportunity to be more open with it's data and have the game performing a lot better, so I welcome the idea of download only. If I really want to play my UMD games, I will play them on my PSP.

[Corrderio]

Well that's going to suck then. Since I like physical copies of my games, and a good memory card is pretty damn expensive to.

[What?]

NGP is using a type of card/cartridge for games but they said they'll have digital versions available too

i.e. you can still walk into stores and buy physical copies they're just not discs anymore

This post has been edited by What?: 27 January 2011 - 07:16 PM

[Velhart]

What?, on 27 January 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

NGP is using a type of card/cartridge for games but they said they'll have digital versions available too

i.e. you can still walk into stores and buy physical copies they're just not discs anymore

It will be similar to how you can buy DLC from stores. You buy it in a DVD case, open it up and it is a small piece of paper with a code on it. Smart idea for people not wanting to put their credit card information on PSN.

[What?]

Where did you hear that? There would be massive shitstorms if that was true and I haven't seen any yet

Edit: For example this quote from Sony's PR doesn't make any sense to me if what you're saying is correct

Sony said:

* l New Game Medium

NGP adopts a new game medium, a small flash memory based card, dedicated for NGP software titles. 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.

The bolded section makes no sense if it's a DD only device, the capacity they have to work with is more or less unlimited if all games are stored on memory sticks of varying sizes

This post has been edited by What?: 27 January 2011 - 09:07 PM

[Velhart]

What?, on 27 January 2011 - 08:52 PM, said:

Where did you hear that? There would be massive shitstorms if that was true and I haven't seen any yet

Edit: For example this quote from Sony's PR doesn't make any sense to me if what you're saying is correct



The bolded section makes no sense if it's a DD only device, the capacity they have to work with is more or less unlimited if all games are stored on memory sticks of varying sizes

Put both concepts into one.

And I don't have sources, but it is logical none-the-less. Some people don't want to use a credit card to purchase download content, so it is provided with a card with a code on it. Like Sonic 4, you could either download it, or go to a game store and pick up the card.

[What?]

Quick google search:

http://www.joystiq.c...y-storage-game/

"While Sony has not mentioned an internal flash memory component of the NGP, SCE Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida revealed to Game Informer that the device will feature "two slots" for memory cards; one for the new game card format (which Yoshida confirmed would be proprietary -- not SD) and a second port for additional storage."

"Digital distribution's role and scope and ratio of sales will definitely increase," Yoshida suggested to GI, indicating that memory expansion is important for the NGP to flourish. "It's just a matter of time as people get faster internet connections. So the role and importance of digital sales will increase. But at the same time, there are people who just want to buy a game at a store and plug and play. That's why we decided to adopt the flash media format."

"However, according to SCCE president Andrew House, digital distribution of games -- via the PlayStaiton Store -- could be NGP's primary retail format. "So what we're intending to do is have everything available on PlayStation Store," he told Eurogamer, "and potentially be on physical media as well." He reiterated the general perception that "if you have games that are only available for digital download, you remove clearly a huge amount of risk for publishers."

Andrew House there is making it sound like some games might not be physical, but I'm sure that's a decision made entirely by the publishers. They can decide to ignore retailers completely and have a download only game, much like most downloadable games right now on PSN, Xbox live, Wiiware etc. Considering the actual machine has a specific slot dedicated to physical game cards I don't see this being much more different than the current home consoles right now. Big name publishers that know the game they're putting out (big AAA stuff) won't tank can afford to stick cards on retail. Smaller niche games will probably be DD only, which is fantastic.

Velhart said:

...but it is logical none-the-less...

In some cases like the one you listed, yeah it is. But there are downsides to that method of distribution for certain people. The same applies to retail games, every distribution method has pros and cons. Thankfully the NGP seems to be trying to address both head on, leaving the decision up to the consumer

[octoberasian]

A couple things to think about the Playstation "NGP":

• If similar to the PSPGo, you may have to RE-PURCHASE games from an online store for games that were on UMD.
  
  • If I recall, game publishers had issues with the thought of players able to convert their UMD games to be used on the PSPGo including stating it would be a violation of copyrights and what not. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
    
    Therefore, there will most likely NEVER be an option to convert UMD games to be stored onto a flash memory-based cartridge used for the NGP. This will not change until game publishers get their greedy heads out of their own asses.
    
  • The Playstation Suite is going to be cross-platform between Sony handheld and mobile devices-- from PSP Phone to Android-based Sony phones to PSP NGP. This means that a majority of the games may very well be download only with only a few titles on memory carts. If you think about it, this is going to be another PSPGo, just that it'll be a PSPGo on steroids with graphics quality on par with the PS3.
  
  
• Battery life is purported to be around 4 to 5 hours tops. It is similar to the 3DS which is at 3 to 5 hours, with 8 hours max for the 3DS.
  
  • To stave off chances that this will be hacked, NGP will NOT have a user-replaceable battery like the iPhone and iPod. Remember: The original PSP (PSP-1000 to 2000, not sure about 3000) was hacked via the battery-- aka "Pandora battery."
    
    So, expect to send your NGP to Sony to replace the battery just like with Apple and the iPhone.
  
  
• If the 3DS is going to cost $250 due to the technology used inside it, expect a similar pricepoint (OR HIGHER) for the NGP especially for something like a quad-core ARM Cortex CPU and VR SGX GPU.
  
  • To put this into perspective: An iPhone 3GS or Motorola DROID with single core ARM A8 CPU and PowerVR SGX535 GPU costs between $300 to $600 without any plans if I recall.
    Sony will have to sell this at a loss for a few years just like with the PS3. This is all new technology-- quad core ARM A9 CPU-- and 2nd gen Series5 (SGX) GPU. All the while, Tegra 3 has only just been announced with quad core ARM CPU, and upcoming new mobile phones will start having dual CPU cores.
    
    This is going to be expensive. Sony's NGP is about a generation or two ahead of current and upcoming mobile phones until Tegra 3 is released and/or more phones start using NGP's SGX GPU and quad core A9 CPU.
  
  
• Capacitive touchscreen OLED is not cheap. OLED referring to organic LED screen that is both low power and able to provide high color fidelity.
  
  • The 3DS is using a cheaper resistive LCD touchscreen that is both lower in color fidelity and responsiveness than capacitive touchscreens. The NGP is using an awfully high resolution 960x544 pixels OLED screen. One of the highest for any mobile device with the only other device with similar resolution being the iPhone 4-- for now. So a large amount of the handheld's cost will come from the screen itself.

This should put things in perspective when looking at this handheld. It's going to affect Sony just like the PS3 has affected the company at launch-- costly and selling at a loss is my best assumption.

[What?]

The 3DS was priced with profiting in mind day one like all Nintendo machines and after the positive reaction from E3 they upped the price further than they had planned to release at. Apple are a bit notorious for gouging people with prices also. There's been conflicting reports from different Sony reps so I have no idea whether they're trying to sell for a profit or a loss. One says loss, one says profit, I just don't know. But I think from that it's fair to say it's either going to be sold for a slight profit or a slight loss, not a PS3 situation again with them losing $200 or so a machine.

The stuff inside it doesn't really look that expensive to me. There's a couple cheap phones already with OLED screens and ones ranging from 4 inches or more seem to be coming quickly. iPhone 5 is going to have the same CPU and GPU but using 2 cores instead of 4, is it fair to assume that'll retail for the same price as the iPhone 4 did when it launches? The iPhone 4 BOM cost was supposedly $180

Wild guess for me is $350 for the Wifi model, I don't think the entry cost will be higher than that. $300 doesn't seem completely outrageous either if they're really planning on taking a loss. Wouldn't be a huge loss I don't think, but a loss all the same

[octoberasian]

What?, on 28 January 2011 - 02:59 AM, said:

The 3DS was priced with profiting in mind day one like all Nintendo machines and after the positive reaction from E3 they upped the price further than they had planned to release at. Apple are a bit notorious for gouging people with prices also. There's been conflicting reports from different Sony reps so I have no idea whether they're trying to sell for a profit or a loss. One says loss, one says profit, I just don't know. But I think from that it's fair to say it's either going to be sold for a slight profit or a slight loss, not a PS3 situation again with them losing $200 or so a machine.

The stuff inside it doesn't really look that expensive to me. There's a couple cheap phones already with OLED screens and ones ranging from 4 inches or more seem to be coming quickly. iPhone 5 is going to have the same CPU and GPU but using 2 cores instead of 4, is it fair to assume that'll retail for the same price as the iPhone 4 did when it launches? The iPhone 4 BOM cost was supposedly $180

Wild guess for me is $350 for the Wifi model, I don't think the entry cost will be higher than that. $300 doesn't seem completely outrageous either if they're really planning on taking a loss. Wouldn't be a huge loss I don't think, but a loss all the same

Yeah, iPhone 4 was around $180 for BOM. An NGP may have to cost as much as $300 if they want to stay competitive with the 3DS. $350 or even $400 would be too much but then again the NGP is trying to be more than a gaming handheld without a phone.

More dual core mobile phones are going to start trickling out in the next few months with quad core phones shortly after, presumably. The NGP will be the most powerful mobile handheld device until then or until the iPhone 5 is released. When I suggested pricepoints for iPhone 3GS and DROID, that's unlocked without plans. And I know there is a price premium for Apple phones but DROID is about $400 to $600 unlocked depending where you buy it.

We're still looking at a pretty expensive gaming handheld. It's just amazing how far we've come now since something like Sega Game Gear or NeoGeo Pocket and the original Gameboy and its monochrome LCD.

[Corrderio]

What?, on 27 January 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

NGP is using a type of card/cartridge for games but they said they'll have digital versions available too

i.e. you can still walk into stores and buy physical copies they're just not discs anymore

Okay that explains it. Sucks I won't be able to play PSP titles on it, but then again I only have 2 games on the system so no harm done.

[Byozuma]

Meh, I only have a handful of PSP games I want to play and I already paid for them (i.e. own them), I don't want to have to buy them again which is why I never got the Go. This thing... will never see my hands either. Not to mention the overkill on the cameras and touch-y areas. How many cameras does one device need?! I take odds to the camera on my cellphone and that's just one!