Developers uncertain about PSP

[AndrewTS 0]

From 411games (yeah, it's more of a commentary on the things as it stands...)

 

Disgruntlement Abounds For The PSP

Posted By Alex Lucard on 05.06.04

 

being compared to the N-Gage is NOT a good thing.

 

If you guys have today'sWall Street Journal handy, it's interesting to see companies comparing the PSP to the N-Gage. And not just financial companies. here's a list of the companies saying right now that they are developing for the PSP but they doubt it will be able to compete

 

Michihiro Sasaki "Manager of Corporate Strategy." Company? SQUARE-ENIX

 

His words "We have no idea what Sony wants to do with this - that's a problem."

 

Almost the same quote heard for the N-Gage when it debuted.

 

In fact, Sasaki is not alone. According to the journal, Sony has yet to provide most companies with final dev kits. Developers are in the dark as to actual PSP stats, from basic specs about the capabilities of the machine, to memory size! This is not good my friends.

 

Back to Square-Enix. They have stated that the hope to eventually provide content for the machine, but until Sony actually develops a business model for the PSP, they will refrain.

 

As well, many companies are upset the PSP is following the route of Nokia trying to design a portable game system that does more than well..play games!

 

Kazumi Kitaue, Konami Executive says, "It would be better if it was just a game machine. It's silly to talk about watching movies anywhere; anytime; you want to concentrate."

 

So, ticking off Konami and Square-Enix? Not a good way to kickstart the system Sony.

 

Masayyuki Chatani, chief tech office at SCE, sluffs off worries by game developers, pointing to the PS2 success. However, at the same time, Sony's latest attempt a game-movie hybrid, the Japanese only PSX is considered a flop because people weren't sure whether it was a game console of a home electronic system.

 

The Wall Street Journal also hints at the price of the PSP by saying it will be directly competing with the IPOD as well as Nintendo hand helds. And we all know how much those lovely MP3 players from Apple cost. About the same as oh...AN N-GAGE?

 

Other companies the Wall Street Journal has said are developing for the PSP but worried about how long it will take to develop for the system and the future of it as well include Sega, Namco, Koei and EA.

 

Here's hoping the Journal is laying ont he gloom and doom a little thick. But even so, it appears their is disgruntlement within the industry towards developing for the PSP. The big question is, can Sony dominate once again due to marketing and name value, or will developers and gamers shy away due to the cost and the fact Sony wants it to be for "Adult" gamers, saying only teens and pre-teens play the GBA.

 

Again, it's eerie how much Sony and the PSP are mirroring Nokia's N-Gage. At least Sony however is trying to build a quality machine.

 

Guess we'll have to wait for E3 to see how all this plays out.

[Downhome 0]

The first game for the PSP looks awesome though.

[BUTT 0]

I'm unsure about the PSP's success, due to the fact that I can't really see 3D working well on a handheld. Given the choice between creating a new hit 3D game on a PSP or a PS2, I have to bet most developers and publishers would choose the PS2. Of course, there's a huge number of PS1 games that can be ported to the PSP, but the handheld market relies heavily on "pick-up-and-play" games like the Mario series and I don't think games like Final Fantasy 7 and Metal Gear Solid really fall into that category.

[Lightning Flik 0]

The only way 3D games would work on a handheld is if, you dumb them down. Or make it something pick up and go, which usually means action/adventure/strategy RPG like (with save points every five minutes).

 

Seriously, I don't see how this will work myself.

Edited May 9, 2004 by Lightning Flik

[MrRant 0]

Depending on the hardware 3D will work fine. It's just on a smaller screen.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

What's the battery life on a N-Gage and what will the PSP's battery life be?

[AndrewTS 0]

Depending on the hardware 3D will work fine. It's just on a smaller screen.

Have you even tried the N-Gage or the PS1 with the flip-top monitor? It's hard to put my finger on it, but it just "feels" wrong. You lose so much of the immersive quality and your ability to pay attention to detail is severely diminished.

 

It isn't just the smaller screen too, but the resolution is going to be reduced, too.

 

Plus the price seems like it's going to be far out of the same ballpark as even the Dual Screen, because of all the extra features planned. Nokia learned the hard way that people aren't going to be forking out 200-300+ bucks for a handheld.

 

Yeah, that was far from the only reason, but I simply don't see it as realistic for a company to offer a handheld that costs as much as one of the major consoles.

[AndrewTS 0]

What's the battery life on a N-Gage and what will the PSP's battery life be?

The article says that even developers don't know jack about the PSP, so no one outside of the inner workings at Sony would be able to tell you that.

 

N-Gage--not sure.

[Downhome 0]

You mean someone has played an N-Gage long enough to find out the battery life?

[MrRant 0]

Depending on the hardware 3D will work fine.  It's just on a smaller screen.

Have you even tried the N-Gage or the PS1 with the flip-top monitor? It's hard to put my finger on it, but it just "feels" wrong. You lose so much of the immersive quality and your ability to pay attention to detail is severely diminished.

 

It isn't just the smaller screen too, but the resolution is going to be reduced, too.

 

Plus the price seems like it's going to be far out of the same ballpark as even the Dual Screen, because of all the extra features planned. Nokia learned the hard way that people aren't going to be forking out 200-300+ bucks for a handheld.

 

Yeah, that was far from the only reason, but I simply don't see it as realistic for a company to offer a handheld that costs as much as one of the major consoles.

I've tried the flip top on PS1 and yes the screen is crap. But hopefully the PSP will have a higher quality screen.

 

Don't think I'm going to purchase it though.

[Anya 0]

I've played hundreds of hours of PSone and PS2 on small moniters. In fact, I log in more game time on one of those than I do on my TVs. They're great.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I would laugh if they cancelled production of the PSP or if it flopped like N-Gage. I mean it seems like no one will ever beat Game Boy in the handheld market.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

And the GBA DS has like 30 games lined up for E3 and the hardware itself will be shown at E3. While it won't match the tech specs of the PSP, Its probably going to be around $100 give or take, whereas the PSP will probably cost $300+ easy for just the specs I've seen rumored.

 

Im convinced that handheld gaming target audience is primarily kids. Parents aren't going to spend $300+ on something that could get left on a bus, dropped, stolen, etc. You can get GBA SPs now for $50 (at Sams Club supposedly, although it was probably a price mistake, but they still go for around $80).

[Scroby 0]

Yeah I agree with Marvin, I've noticed that kids pretty much have the SP's. Yeah teens and some adults have them, but kids mainly have them because their cheaper than the major consoles, except for Gamecube.

[AndrewTS 0]

Im convinced that handheld gaming target audience is primarily kids.

Based on what? I know plenty of guys and some gals at my college that have SPs (and some regular GBAs). Plus, why all the retro-titles on GBA if it's just kids? Why would Sony even consider trying to go after a market that you suppose doesn't exist or is very small?

 

The only game system out right now that has more users than the GBA is the PS2. If you don't think that includes quite a number of older gamers, I don't know where you're coming from.