Sony has revealed its next PlayStation Portable, code named NGP, which will feature two cameras, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and will be compatible with the new PlayStation Suite for Android devices.
The console, revealed at the PlayStation Meeting 2011 in Tokyo, will have a 5-inch OLED display and dual analogue sticks. It has a touch display at the front and a multi-touch pad at the back of the device. This will let players access “thee dimension-like motion” through touch, grab, trace, push and pull motions.
Its Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity will let users encounter, discover, share and play with friends.
The console will have an ARM Cortex A9 core processor and three motion sensors – a gyroscope, an accelerometer and an electronic compass. It’s also backward compatible.
Each game title will be given a space called ‘LiveArea’, where players can share with others. Users will be able to access news from Sony and third-party developers through the PlayStation Network.
NGP users also have an activity log which is updated constantly with accomplishments from gamers players of the same title. It also allows real-time communication between players.
It also has a ‘Near’ application, letting users discover what their friends nearby are playing.
Games will come on small, dedicated flash memory cards and titles mentioned at the meeting include Killzone, Uncharted, Call of Duty, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance.
It can also play PSP titles, minis, PS one titles, video and comics from the PlayStation Store.
The NGP will be released by the end of 2011.
PlayStation Suite
The announcement also revealed the PlayStation Suite, which brings PlayStation gaming to Android devices.
Gaming content will be released “within the calendar year” starting with original PlayStation games, such as PS one classics, on Android devices.
It will open a PlayStation Store, letting users download content directly to their devices.
Sony will also have a game development environment to encourage the creation of new content on this platform, offering opportunities to a wider base of developers.
Sony is aiming to bring “PlayStation quality” games to mobile devices. Mobile gaming has been growing hugely in the last number of years and it’s not surprising to see Sony trying to break into this market.
