Sony to launch handheld console

Kodos · 05-13-2003, 03:21 PM

PSP coming soon.
PlayStation Portable announced

[13/05/2003: 17:45]
E3 2003: Sony takes on Game Boy Advance with the PSP

It's been rumoured for years, but Sony has officially announced it's about to launch a handheld console. Arriving towards the end of next year, the PSP is a shrunk-down 3D console, related to the PlayStation brand family, complete with teeny game discs.

You heard right. The console will be disc-based, with games coming on minute 6cm discs. This will make software much cheaper to produce than if it were to use cartridges. Part of the reason GBA games are so expensive for such relatively simple games is due to the high manufacturing cost of carts. But pressing a disc costs pennies compared to pounds for a cart.

The discs will use a proprietary DVD-like format, allowing them to hold as much data as CD in just a quarter of the physical size. This is easily possible: Nintendo's Gamecube squeezed 1.5Gb - or three CDs' worth of data - onto an 8cm disc.

If the machine is PS1 based this will give the it a potential back catalogue of thousands of games, plus may well breathe life into its bigger brother - PSone development has all but dried up, but this is likely to change as publishers create new titles for the handheld.

And not only will the console play games, it'll be capable of playing DVD-quality MPEG 4 video too. It'll have a built-in rechargable battery, backlit screen, and will be higher resolution than GBA (widescreen format, 480x272 dots). It will also have a USB 2.0 port for all sorts of connectivty shenanigans.

The Game Boy series of consoles is the most successful console ever, having sold knocking on for 150 million units since its 1989 release. And it goes to prove that games don't have to be cutting edge when shrunk down to pocket size.

Kodos · 05-13-2003, 03:23 PM

Nintendo's response to the PSP.
E3 2003: Nintendo "Not Worried" About Sony's PSP
By James Brightman -- Staff Writer
Published 2:44 PM CDT May 13, 2003

Nintendo just fielded some questions at the press event, and they claim to be comfortable about the PSP.

The press event continues with some Q & A from Nintendo. Sony just had their conference and they announced their entry into the handheld market with the PSP (PlayStation Portable). Nintendo says it's not worried at all.

Q: With the announcement of the PSP, what will GBA have to do to hold the market?

A: We just heard the announcement, and their launch date is Q4 2004 with no price point yet. It seems very Sony-like to me. Nintendo is in control of the handheld market, so we're not worrying about it. We'll just keep on innovating in games.

Q: If Nintendo pursues its current strategy, are you comfortable with where you are or do you want to be the leader?

A: The more our competitors move away from gaming, the stronger we will get for sticking with pure gaming.

Sounds to me like a battle has begun. Stay tuned for more!

Kodos · 05-13-2003, 03:46 PM

More info from IGN.

E3 2003: Sony Goes Handheld!
First specs and details on PSP (PlayStation Portable).

May 13, 2003 - Sony came out swinging today with a major announcement regarding its entry into the handheld market: the PSP. With a screen measuring in at a tidy 4.5 inches, the new device surely must have Nokia, Nintendo and other portable/handheld deck-makers quaking in their boots. In fact, the device is apparently so monumental, it has at least one Sony exec calling the unit "the Walkman of the 21st Century." Additionally, Ken Kutaragi, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and father of the Playstation commented that the device will be more powerful than the original PlayStation.

And just what makes this wondertoy so appealing? Well, other than the obvious welcome addition to the handheld market, we'd say it's these drool-worthy (and preliminary) specs:

UMD or Universal Media Device. This storage media is 60mm, about half the size of the traditional CD and has a capacity of 1.8GB. That's right GB. Expect massively complex, detailed gaming (for your handheld anyway). 2.4 inches.

ATRAC encoding support (Sony's proprietary sound format used in their minidiscs). This could mean it will be a multi-media device.

Graphics specs are also impressive: NURB technology for rendering with full 3D polygons.

The unit's widescreen LCD screen (480x272, that's the coveted 16:9 ratio we all love) will be backlit.

The unit's sound processing will feature full 3D sound, PCM, and will be "fully reconfigurable."

MIPS 32-bit processor.

Also, a secure ROM cartridge for anti-piracy efforts.

Super-one-chip solution for graphics, sound, etc.

Memory stick will be used for game saves. Also, for GPS functionality.

Rechargeable battery.

CPU: 90 nanometers with a clock speed TBD.

USB 2.0 connection for talking to your PC, cellphone, even your PS2.

Embedded RAM.

Supports additional video codecs (other than MPEG 4.)

We suspect that the PSP will also come equipped with an analog stick and, since the media is disc-based, it may also have a flip-top lid/cover.

IGN is tracking more info on the PSP and hopes to be breaking more news and details about the unit soon.

mrskippy · 05-13-2003, 03:52 PM

Sweet

Franklinnoble · 05-13-2003, 04:01 PM

Nice.

Fritz · 05-13-2003, 04:04 PM

I would rather have a card

Kodos · 05-13-2003, 04:18 PM

Fritz: Try not to drop this one down the stairs.

Fritz · 05-13-2003, 04:38 PM

in truth, I can see no reason for me to get one.

Franklinnoble · 05-13-2003, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fritz
in truth, I can see no reason for me to get one.

DVD quality MPEG-4 video.

This thing is a pocket porn machine.

Kodos · 05-13-2003, 05:09 PM

The PornStation. Pocket pool will never be the same!

Franklinnoble · 05-13-2003, 05:15 PM

The only problem I see is that Sony will probably make the media a proprietary format, like they did with the MiniDisc... which will totally hamstring the potential of the device... and make it more difficult to port my porn library to this glorious handheld format.

Fritz · 05-14-2003, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
DVD quality MPEG-4 video.

This thing is a pocket porn machine.

I can get a pocket porn machine from the love shop down the road for $8. Top that Sony!

CHEMICAL SOLDIER · 05-14-2003, 02:28 PM

It will get clobbered by the game boy in the end .

CHEMICAL SOLDIER · 05-14-2003, 02:29 PM

Dola: Reminds me of when the Allied forces tried to attack fortress Europe ....he he ....Oh wait....nevermind .

Bee · 05-14-2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER
It will get clobbered by the game boy in the end .

Enough porn talk already...

Kodos · 05-14-2003, 02:56 PM

I actually suspect that it is the Gameboy that is in trouble here. Time will tell...

Abe Sargent · 05-14-2003, 06:00 PM

this'd make a good franchise. Keep putting up actual net stories and coverage. heh.

-Anxiety

Calis · 05-14-2003, 06:18 PM

Not sure I see the Gameboy as the one being in trouble here, we'll see though.

I'm assuming here that the vast majority of handheld users are of a pretty young age, it depends on if the extras Sony is planning are enough to broaden the spectrum of users, we'll have to wait and see.

It really seems that the handheld market is focused around Pokemon, and in general I think Nintendo has a lot of franchises that go over well for that, I think Sony will be starting from scratch on a lot of that. I do however think Sony can pull it off, if anyone can. Either way, this'll be an interesting deal to watch unfold.

Kodos · 05-14-2003, 07:01 PM

Sony has a huge catalogue of PS1 games that they can put on it with some tweaking. Seems like that is a good start for them.

05-13-2003, 03:23 PM	#2
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Nintendo's response to the PSP. E3 2003: Nintendo "Not Worried" About Sony's PSP By James Brightman -- Staff Writer Published 2:44 PM CDT May 13, 2003 Nintendo just fielded some questions at the press event, and they claim to be comfortable about the PSP. The press event continues with some Q & A from Nintendo. Sony just had their conference and they announced their entry into the handheld market with the PSP (PlayStation Portable). Nintendo says it's not worried at all. Q: With the announcement of the PSP, what will GBA have to do to hold the market? A: We just heard the announcement, and their launch date is Q4 2004 with no price point yet. It seems very Sony-like to me. Nintendo is in control of the handheld market, so we're not worrying about it. We'll just keep on innovating in games. Q: If Nintendo pursues its current strategy, are you comfortable with where you are or do you want to be the leader? A: The more our competitors move away from gaming, the stronger we will get for sticking with pure gaming. Sounds to me like a battle has begun. Stay tuned for more! Last edited by Kodos : 05-13-2003 at 03:24 PM.

05-13-2003, 04:04 PM	#6
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	I would rather have a card __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

05-13-2003, 04:38 PM	#8
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	in truth, I can see no reason for me to get one. __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

05-14-2003, 02:28 PM	#13
CHEMICAL SOLDIER College Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Henderson, Nevada	It will get clobbered by the game boy in the end . __________________ Toujour Pret

05-14-2003, 02:29 PM	#14
CHEMICAL SOLDIER College Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Henderson, Nevada	Dola: Reminds me of when the Allied forces tried to attack fortress Europe ....he he ....Oh wait....nevermind . __________________ Toujour Pret

05-13-2003, 03:46 PM	#3
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	More info from IGN. E3 2003: Sony Goes Handheld! First specs and details on PSP (PlayStation Portable). May 13, 2003 - Sony came out swinging today with a major announcement regarding its entry into the handheld market: the PSP. With a screen measuring in at a tidy 4.5 inches, the new device surely must have Nokia, Nintendo and other portable/handheld deck-makers quaking in their boots. In fact, the device is apparently so monumental, it has at least one Sony exec calling the unit "the Walkman of the 21st Century." Additionally, Ken Kutaragi, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and father of the Playstation commented that the device will be more powerful than the original PlayStation. And just what makes this wondertoy so appealing? Well, other than the obvious welcome addition to the handheld market, we'd say it's these drool-worthy (and preliminary) specs: UMD or Universal Media Device. This storage media is 60mm, about half the size of the traditional CD and has a capacity of 1.8GB. That's right GB. Expect massively complex, detailed gaming (for your handheld anyway). 2.4 inches. ATRAC encoding support (Sony's proprietary sound format used in their minidiscs). This could mean it will be a multi-media device. Graphics specs are also impressive: NURB technology for rendering with full 3D polygons. The unit's widescreen LCD screen (480x272, that's the coveted 16:9 ratio we all love) will be backlit. The unit's sound processing will feature full 3D sound, PCM, and will be "fully reconfigurable." MIPS 32-bit processor. Also, a secure ROM cartridge for anti-piracy efforts. Super-one-chip solution for graphics, sound, etc. Memory stick will be used for game saves. Also, for GPS functionality. Rechargeable battery. CPU: 90 nanometers with a clock speed TBD. USB 2.0 connection for talking to your PC, cellphone, even your PS2. Embedded RAM. Supports additional video codecs (other than MPEG 4.) We suspect that the PSP will also come equipped with an analog stick and, since the media is disc-based, it may also have a flip-top lid/cover. IGN is tracking more info on the PSP and hopes to be breaking more news and details about the unit soon.

05-13-2003, 03:52 PM	#4
mrskippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: California	Sweet

05-13-2003, 04:01 PM	#5
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Nice.

05-13-2003, 04:18 PM	#7
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Fritz: Try not to drop this one down the stairs.

05-13-2003, 05:09 PM	#10
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	The PornStation. Pocket pool will never be the same!

05-13-2003, 05:15 PM	#11
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	The only problem I see is that Sony will probably make the media a proprietary format, like they did with the MiniDisc... which will totally hamstring the potential of the device... and make it more difficult to port my porn library to this glorious handheld format.

05-14-2003, 02:56 PM	#16
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	I actually suspect that it is the Gameboy that is in trouble here. Time will tell...

05-14-2003, 06:00 PM	#17
Abe Sargent Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Catonsville, MD	this'd make a good franchise. Keep putting up actual net stories and coverage. heh. -Anxiety __________________ Check out my two current weekly Magic columns! https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/?action=search&page=1&author[]=Abe%20Sargent

05-14-2003, 06:18 PM	#18
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	Not sure I see the Gameboy as the one being in trouble here, we'll see though. I'm assuming here that the vast majority of handheld users are of a pretty young age, it depends on if the extras Sony is planning are enough to broaden the spectrum of users, we'll have to wait and see. It really seems that the handheld market is focused around Pokemon, and in general I think Nintendo has a lot of franchises that go over well for that, I think Sony will be starting from scratch on a lot of that. I do however think Sony can pull it off, if anyone can. Either way, this'll be an interesting deal to watch unfold.

05-14-2003, 07:01 PM	#19
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Sony has a huge catalogue of PS1 games that they can put on it with some tweaking. Seems like that is a good start for them.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)