Official PlayStation Vita Thread

[Havok83]

It hasnt been officially announced yet but everyone knows it exists. So far most info has gone intO the PSPGo or PSP phone thread, but it deserves its own. There's a Playstation meeting in a few days that allegedly will announce it. Time will tell if that happens.

Here's an article from IGN

Sony's PlayStation Portable successor hasn't been officially announced, but it's already looking like a beast of a system. Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper has some additional details today a few days ahead of a press conference that is expected to mark the system's official debut.

According to the paper, 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.

Nikkei is usually a reliable source for early leaks. In fact, we're having a hard time recalling when the paper did not get early notice of an impending hardware announcement.

Except to hear more details on Sony's next generation PlayStation Portable at a press conference on the 27th (Japan time).

http://psp.ign.com/articles/114/1145577p1.html

 

[Electro UK]

I know a lot of people are already against the PSP2 given the recent dwindeling popularity of the original and the awesomeness that is the 3DS, but I've got a lot of faith in Sony getting it right this time.

Firstly they've got experience on their side; they know to give this thing two analog sticks (hopefully), they know to not make it $599 (hopefully), they know what's made the DS and iPhone more successful than them (hopefully), and they know (biggest hopeful of all) how to mix that all together.

They also have the advantage of having a much stronger first party IP line-up to pull us in with this time. In 2005 we were asking for Metal Gear and... well that's about it. This time we want to see Uncharted, MotorStorm, Resistance, inFamous, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, all of these fantastic IPs that (while not necesserily new to either PlayStation or the PSP itself) would really be exciting on a handheld.

Work on minis too; they're too expensive and too hard to get onto my own PSP at the moment. Make them as cheap and easy as the app store and I'll be flciking through that library every week.

Add in complete PSN intergration that's more akin to Xbox Live with easier game launching than PS3, trophies, and cross-platform features and they'll have made a great case for the PSP2.

 

[KALEL114]

FYI, Kotaku will be live blogging the event. I know there have been several mock ups done by people, but this one just popped up and looks pretty smexy.

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/25/ps_meeting_time/

Maybe fake, but you never no. I guess we will find out soon. The big thing I am looking for, two things actually, dual analog and price. Price has to be reasonable or I am out.

 

[Electro UK]

Isn't that just a mocked up PlayStation Phone?

 

[Havok83]

Isn't that just a mocked up PlayStation Phone?

No, the PSP Phone had no analog sticks. Looks similar aside from that

 

[Electro UK]

I meant mocked up as in taken the PSP Phone and mocked it up.

 

[Havok83]

Oh I get it now. As for features I want the actual thing to have:

No UMD. They can still sell the games on a formated memory stick. Removing UMD drive makes it cheaper to produce , reduces loading times, uses less power from the battery, etc...

Wi-fi N standard. The PSP only had B, I beleive. This thing better have the latest adn thats N

Bluetooth. I know the Go added it, so Im hoping it makes its way to the next generation

Actual PS3 compatibility. The original PSP never quite lived up this hyped up feature. Sony didnt do much with it after the first year of the PS3, except from a few isolated examples. They should find a way to integrate the 2 experiences.

HDMI port. This isnt a necesity, but it would be great if there was a way to export video/audio content to an HDTV. Many handheld devices these days can do it anyway.

Internal memory. All systems should have it (maybe 4gb at least) with the additional option of expanding via memory sticks

Try and keep it small. They probably wont so they can come out with a slim version a year or 2 later. That seems standard practice

 

[Benstamania]

Spoiler

While the PSP2 is not yet official, there have been fan Photoshop creations. Apparently, this is not a fan-made creation. Apparently, this is a Sony-made one.

Granted, this could very well be another slick Photoshop, but this week Sony is expected to unveil the new PlayStation Portable, which is currently being called the PSP2. As the reveal approaches, this art work surfaced online today on 2ch, Japan's largest online forum.

The photo features a handheld believed to be the PSP2, which has a PSPgo style sliding shell. There is a 32 GB SD memory card as well, plus a "PSP2" memory stick. There is a long, thin stylus as well.

Unlike the current PSP, there are two analog nubs, giving this handheld a controller layout similar to the PS3.

What is fishy about the picture is that it appears to be a photograph of a handout of some kind. While handouts may be present at the January 27 press conference, it's also a good way for a Photoshopper to hide their work, as it masks any differences in resolution you'd be able to detect in an online image.

Official Sony art is typically at a higher resolution, but this art is not, which also sends off alarm bells. The buttons and the d-pad look to be at a slightly different resolution. The copyright in the bottom left, which appears on official Sony images, is cut off, too. Likewise, odd. However, as mentioned above, this purported PSP2 image could be photo taken of official Sony art or of an official Sony handout, hence these resolution inconsistencies.

The thumbsticks are in a different location from photos that appeared last fall of what is supposedly the PSP2.

Last October, Kotaku broke the news that the PSP2 will ditch the UMD format and could very well rival the Xbox 360 in horsepower.

Whether or not it is real, won't be known for sure if and when the rumored PSP2 is finally made public. However, Kotaku is reaching out to Sony and will update this post should the company comment.

http://kotaku.com/5742423/the-first-official-shot-of-the-psp2

 

[hippie_hunter]

I remember reading the latest details that the PSP2 was going to use a physical format to keep retailers in the loop. Not only that, but I can't imagine the games with the massive amount of graphical power that the PSP2 is rumored with to be able to be exclusively digital without taking a massive amount of space within the handheld.

 

[KALEL114]

Like Havok said, I hope they ditch UMD and put there retail games on memory sticks. I just pray they do not go DL only ala the Go. I think they may have used the Go as a test for the PSP2, so I'm pretty sure they won't, but you never know.

 

[Superhero 101]

Wouldn't it be funny instead of announcing the PSP 2 they announce the PS Phone or whatever

 

[KALEL114]

That should be announced at the Mobile World Congress in February.

 

[Benstamania]

They need to give us an option ala iPod/iPhone because ONLY giving us a PSPhone or whatever you can bet that it would be some kind of company exclusive... and that's just a joke, IMHO.

Yeah, I think they should just put games on Memory sticks... or something not UMD or digital DL. Which, the Go being a gigantic failure probably means they won't go that route.

 

[Superhero 101]

out of all of the "leaks" i like this one the best

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2011/01/25/possible-psp2-specs-leaked/

 

[KALEL114]

Times on the Press Conference and when Kotaku's live blog starts.

Presser Set to Start
Kotaku (Mountain) Time: 11 p.m., Jan 26
East Coast: 1 a.m., Jan. 27
West Coast: 10 p.m., Jan 26
Japan: 3 p.m., Jan. 27
England: 6 a.m., Jan 27
Australia: 5 p.m., Jan. 27

Check In and Liveblog Kick Off
Kotaku (Mountain) Time: 9:30 p.m., Jan 26
East Coast: 11:30 p.m., Jan. 26
West Coast: 8:30 p.m., Jan 26
Japan: 1:30 p.m., Jan. 27
England: 4:30 a.m., Jan 27
Australia: 3:30 p.m., Jan. 27

 

[Spider-Who?]

Last October, Kotaku broke the news that the PSP2 will ditch the UMD format and could very well rival the Xbox 360 in horsepower.

 

[Benstamania]

out of all of the "leaks" i like this one the best

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2011/01/25/possible-psp2-specs-leaked/

Oh man, I haaaate that design.

 

[Electro UK]

Times on the Press Conference and when Kotaku's live blog starts.

Presser Set to Start
Kotaku (Mountain) Time: 11 p.m., Jan 26
East Coast: 1 a.m., Jan. 27
West Coast: 10 p.m., Jan 26
Japan: 3 p.m., Jan. 27
England: 6 a.m., Jan 27
Australia: 5 p.m., Jan. 27

Check In and Liveblog Kick Off
Kotaku (Mountain) Time: 9:30 p.m., Jan 26
East Coast: 11:30 p.m., Jan. 26
West Coast: 8:30 p.m., Jan 26
Japan: 1:30 p.m., Jan. 27
England: 4:30 a.m., Jan 27
Australia: 3:30 p.m., Jan. 27

Oh god... do I get up at 6 in the morning for this?

 

[KALEL114]

You know you will. It's a foregone conclusion.

 

[KALEL114]

Do you guys think they will announce some games for it as well? What are your guesses? Another GOW? Maybe a FPS like Battlefireld or Resistance? Riiiiiiiiiiidddgggeeeee Raaaacer!?! I wonder how Uncharted would translate to a handheld? That would be interesting.

 

[Benstamania]

I honestly think that Sony will bring out their big guns if they want to push this thing. I mean, if it "rivals the 360" in terms of power we WILL see an Uncharted game on it. We'll probably see a Killzone, maybe an inFAMOUS as well.

I also expect them (if they're smart) to announce a price right away and to sell it UNDER the 3DS... even if they sell it at a loss at first, do it. 199.99 would be the perfect price point for the PSP2 and I really think Nintendo would take a hit on sales if that was the case.

I doubt we get a price tonight... we really should though.

 

[Benstamania]

Oh god... do I get up at 6 in the morning for this?

1 AM for me. Excellent.

 

[KALEL114]

I honestly think that Sony will bring out their big guns if they want to push this thing. I mean, if it "rivals the 360" in terms of power we WILL see an Uncharted game on it. We'll probably see a Killzone, maybe an inFAMOUS as well.

I also expect them (if they're smart) to announce a price right away and to sell it UNDER the 3DS... even if they sell it at a loss at first, do it. 199.99 would be the perfect price point for the PSP2 and I really think Nintendo would take a hit on sales if that was the case.

I doubt we get a price tonight... we really should though.

Yeah getting a price point, maybe even a release date, would be great. I think they might hold off on those things for E3 though.

 

[Benstamania]

Yeah, I think they will. I think they really should give us a price point now and a release date around e3.

...Unless the PSP 2 is very far along and could release around spring. I don't see them waiting until the Holiday, Nintendo will be to far ahead by that point.

 

[Superhero 101]

I just wish i could fast forward till 10p.m