Tuesday, June 7th 2011

Sony Announces PlayStation Vita, Revolutionary Portable Entertainment Device

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Jun 7th, 2011 02:15 Discuss (61 Comments)

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) announced PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) (PCH-1000 series) as the official platform name for the next generation portable entertainment system at E3 2011. With an RRP of €249 for the Wireless model and €299 for the Wireless/3G version, PS Vita will launch in the global market starting at the end of 2011.

"Vita", which means "Life" in Latin, was chosen as the most appropriate name for the next generation portable entertainment system as it enables a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context as SCE aims to transform every aspect of a user's daily life into an entertainment experience and an opportunity to play.

PS Vita incorporates a beautiful 5-inch multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) as the front display and a unique multi-touch pad on the rear.

Together with the front touchscreen and the rear touch pad, PS Vita offers new gameplay experiences never before seen on any device, allowing users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through "touch, grab, trace, push and pull" finger motions.

PS Vita features two analog sticks which enable a wider range of game genres to be brought into the portable experience, such as shooters, action titles and fighting games.

Exciting and attractive new games are scheduled to be released from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Uncharted Golden Abyss, Little Deviants, Everybody's Golf (working title), Reality Fighters (working title), Hustle Kings, ModNation Racers (working title), Wipeout 2048 (working title) and Super Stardust Delta, as well as from a broad range of additional game developers and publishers, which will deliver value only possible on PS Vita.

By having both Wireless and 3G network connectivity, together with various applications, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for users to "encounter, connect, discover, share and play" with friends wherever they are.

On 27 January 2011, SCE announced the first PS Vita application, "near", which will come pre-installed on the system. It will let users discover what games PS Vita users in the vicinity are or were recently playing, as well as letting them share their game information. "near" also enables location-based gaming features such as gifting, in which a user can access virtual game-related items that other users are sharing, through checking in at geographic locations that others have also visited.

The virtual items can include content unlocked from games, such as character costumes, weapons and treasures. Sharing these items between users adds a unique dimension to the portable gaming experience on PS Vita while enhancing the social connectivity among the PS Vita community.

Additionally, PS Vita will come pre-installed with a newly developed application called "Party". "Party" is an innovative application for a portable entertainment system which enables users to enjoy voice chat or text chat not only during online gaming, but also when users are playing different games or using different applications such as the Internet browser.

With "Party", which offers a new form of social networking, and "near", which enables users to share their game information with other users anywhere, any time, users can dramatically expand the boundaries of interactive communication.

In addition, a tutorial application called "Welcome Park", developed specifically to guide users through the PS Vita system's brand new user interface such as the front touch display and the multi-touch pad on the rear, will come pre-installed. By playing "Welcome Park", users can easily become accustomed to the three dimension-like finger motions used on PS Vita.

SCE will vigorously promote PS Vita towards the launch as the next generation portable entertainment platform and work towards expanding the portable gaming market.

PlayStation Vita product outline

Platform Name: PlayStation Vita
Model number: PCH-1000 series
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)
Screen (touchscreen):
- 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED
- Multi touch screen (capacitive type)
Rear touch pad: Multi touch pad (capacitive type)
Cameras:
- Front camera
- Rear camera
- Frame rate: 120fps@320x240(QVGA), 60fps@640x480(VGA)
- Resolution : Up to 640x480(VGA)
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 (3G/Wireless model only)
- Wireless 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/Wireless model only)
- IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1x1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure Mode/Ad Hoc Mode)
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR （A2DP/AVRCP/HSP）
Slots/Ports:
- PlayStation Vita card slot
- Memory card slot
- SIM card slot (3G/Wireless model only)
- Multi-use port (for USB data communication, DC IN, Audio [Stereo Out / Mono In], Serial data communication)
- Headset jack (Stereo mini jack) (for Audio [Stereo Out / Mono In])
- Accessory port
Power:
- Built-In Lithium-ion Battery,
- AC adaptor
Supported AV content format:
- Music: MP3 MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 3、MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC)、WAVE (Linear PCM)
- Video: MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC)、H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Hi/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC)
- Photo: JPEG (Exif 2.2.1), TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG

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61 Comments on Sony Announces PlayStation Vita, Revolutionary Portable Entertainment Device

#26

Xyvik

NC37Vita=Worst name for a game console ever.

Uhm, no. Not even close. Let's consider, hmm?

Wii. "Look, ma, I'm playing with my Wii!"

Xbox 360. 360. A geometrical setting where you return to your original position.

A Latin word for life is significantly better than either of those.

As for the hardware, it looks awesome. I own the original PSP and still play it where it's cumbersome to carry a laptop or when I want to play games I don't get on PC. That's really all consoles and handhelds are for...to play games I can't get on my PC.

#27

kljhlkjhki

if vita means life in Latin, why not call it PlayStation Life, it sound so much better

#28

[H]@RD5TUFF

I saw the demo, and I have to question the need or validity of having touch in games when you already have 2 joypads, especially the demo of uncharted, it looked to me as it broke the flow of the game play more than adding anything to it.

Also I am find myself wondering what the actual manufacturing cost of this is, and if $ony is selling them at a loss to keep the price low (like they did with the PS3 for years) simply to gain market share in an attempt to push the rather stale PSP market.

Also I really have to say I just don't see the point in a traditional handheld anymore, with phone getting more and more powerful, and with game libraries, that while they don't hold namesake franchise and IP's, it would be hard to name a handheld title that has sold more copies than say Angry Birds. . .. if one even exists.

Cellphones like it or not are the one device that is always with us, and outside of the gym, it is my phone, my internet, my MP3 player, my camera, and time waster for games. That's a lot for a hand held to compete with, and that's before you even look at the "why do I want to carry 2 devices" argument.

It simply seems to me that outside of kids under the age of 10 (which isn't even $ony's target market), a handheld is a rather pointless device.

#29

AphexDreamer

[H]@RD5TUFFAlso I really have to say I just don't see the point in a traditional handheld anymore, with phone getting more and more powerful, and with game libraries, that while they don't hold namesake franchise and IP's, it would be hard to name a handheld title that has sold more copies than say Angry Birds. . .. if one even exists.

Yes, but does your phone have an OLED Screen, Quad Arma, dedicated GPU, Two Cameras front to back, a touch pad on the back, and support PlayStation titles like Uncharted with free talk from Vita to vita?

#30

[H]@RD5TUFF

AphexDreamerYes, but does your phone have an OLED Screen, Quad Arma, dedicated GPU, Two Cameras front to back, a touch pad on the back, and support PlayStation titles like Uncharted with free talk from Vita to vita?

OLED screen yes, 2 cameras yes, the ability to talk with other devices yes.

I question the point of "free talk from Vita to Vita" as you are less than likely to find another person with one, and then want to "chat" with a stranger.

It's not a question of features, I did say that phones don't have this kind of power, and they won't for a while, but that's not the issue because if DOA beach Volleyball taught us anything it's that pretty graphics can't save bad game play. I enjoy graphics looking great as much as the next guy, but you play games for the gameplay not for visually stunning graphics, if that's all you care for why not watch movies, and keep your personal data safe and out of the hands of $ony.

#31

Tartaros

[H]@RD5TUFFAlso I really have to say I just don't see the point in a traditional handheld anymore, with phone getting more and more powerful, and with game libraries, that while they don't hold namesake franchise and IP's, it would be hard to name a handheld title that has sold more copies than say Angry Birds. . .. if one even exists.

Cellphones like it or not are the one device that is always with us, and outside of the gym, it is my phone, my internet, my MP3 player, my camera, and time waster for games. That's a lot for a hand held to compete with, and that's before you even look at the "why do I want to carry 2 devices" argument.

It simply seems to me that outside of kids under the age of 10 (which isn't even $ony's target market), a handheld is a rather pointless device.

Have you ever tried to play a game on a phone? Let's say iphone or the latest htc thingy without pad or a mini qwerty keyboard. You can't play more than 10 minutes because you finally got fed up of the low accuracy or you play very simple games like pool.

Gaming in a handheld isn't so rare, I and many prefer a proper device for gaming than a phone with it's limited capacities for gaming. Because we buy consoles to play videogames, not a wannabe wich I would play twice and then use it only for calling and music.

And one more thing, handhelds sell a lot. And let's not metion Japan.

#32

wolf

Performance Enthusiast

I can wait till my next phone can have the specs this does or better, I cant stand carrying around multiple portable devices, it HAS to do it all.

#33

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

wolfI can wait till my next phone can have the specs this does or better, I cant stand carrying around multiple portable devices, it HAS to do it all.

without analogue sticks, no phone will be as good for gaming.

#34

[H]@RD5TUFF

TartarosHave you ever tried to play a game on a phone? Let's say iphone or the latest htc thingy without pad or a mini qwerty keyboard. You can't play more than 10 minutes because you finally got fed up of the low accuracy or you play very simple games like pool.

Gaming in a handheld isn't so rare, I and many prefer a proper device for gaming than a phone with it's limited capacities for gaming. Because we buy consoles to play videogames, not a wannabe wich I would play twice and then use it only for calling and music.

And one more thing, handhelds sell a lot. And let's not metion Japan.

Japan is a different market, where they have a fanatical preference for Japanese brands. Most people are not willing to carry around a phone, and a handheld. The reality is the all in one phone / gaming device is coming, and the handheld market is going away.

Musselswithout analogue sticks, no phone will be as good for gaming.

You mean like the droid Sony just launched.

#35

Tartaros

Musselswithout analogue sticks, no phone will be as good for gaming.

And you are happily (trying) to play in your phone and then bam, battery runs out. Oh, I can't call, I can't listen to music, I can't play.

#36

wolf

Performance Enthusiast

Musselswithout analogue sticks, no phone will be as good for gaming.

agreed on that one, but I still wouldnt carry around another device just for that, I'd rather put up with buttons or 'opaque' ones superimposed on a touch screen than carry two things around.

make the gaming device a 'traditional' phone too and I'm all ears.

#37

Tartaros

[H]@RD5TUFFThe reality is the all in one phone / gaming device is coming, and the handheld market is going away.

I didn't mean that is not the future, but face it, that is possible in 5, 10, 15 years or more. Present day, 8th june 2011, phones sucks in gaming because the control in most of them is absolutely crappy.

And if you think they do because in Japan sell is not a valid argument, you are very wrong. That's the main reason why they do this. For them is the most solid argument, they sell a lot.

#38

MxPhenom 216

ASIC Engineer

I am actually quite interested in the PSV. Id rather have the PSV then the 3DS. mainly for the Uncharted game! but i like all the touch aspects of it too

#39

AsRock

TPU addict

What they mean by Built-In Lithium-ion Battery, like the PS3 controllers ?. If so they know were the sun don't shine.

#40

NC37

XyvikUhm, no. Not even close. Let's consider, hmm?

Wii. "Look, ma, I'm playing with my Wii!"

Xbox 360. 360. A geometrical setting where you return to your original position.

A Latin word for life is significantly better than either of those.

As for the hardware, it looks awesome. I own the original PSP and still play it where it's cumbersome to carry a laptop or when I want to play games I don't get on PC. That's really all consoles and handhelds are for...to play games I can't get on my PC.

Yeah but Wii at least was somewhat marketable. Kids would make jokes about playing with their WiiWiis and you'd remember it with that.

Vita is...hmmm...can't think of a single way to market that without tying in some poor latin singer and selling it only in South America.

You can either name a console a cool name, a funny name, or something generic that makes the point (ie: PlayStation)...Vita is neither. Sounds like a brand of pet food or something.

"Dude is that a Vita?"
"Yeah man, ain't my Vita cool!"

Gaaaaaaahhhh!!! There is no way they can make Vita sound cool. All I can think about is pet food, 55+ vitamins, and latino music.:eek:

#41

[H]@RD5TUFF

TartarosI didn't mean that is not the future, but face it, that is possible in 5, 10, 15 years or more. Present day, 8th june 2011, phones sucks in gaming because the control in most of them is absolutely crappy.

And if you think they do because in Japan sell is not a valid argument, you are very wrong. That's the main reason why they do this. For them is the most solid argument, they sell a lot.

Sorry but $ony themselves just launched a phone that has a control pad on it. It's gotten good reviews.

It may be sooner than you think.

#42

n-ster

NC37Yeah but Wii at least was somewhat marketable. Kids would make jokes about playing with their WiiWiis and you'd remember it with that.

Vita is...hmmm...can't think of a single way to market that without tying in some poor latin singer and selling it only in South America.

You can either name a console a cool name, a funny name, or something generic that makes the point (ie: PlayStation)...Vita is neither. Sounds like a brand of pet food or something.

"Dude is that a PSV?"
"Yeah man, ain't my PSV cool!"

Gaaaaaaahhhh!!! There is no way they can make Vita sound cool. All I can think about is pet food, 55+ vitamins, and latino music.:eek:

problem solved

#43

1Kurgan1

The Knife in your Back

-1nf1n1ty-Gah I never thought I would buy a handheld after the gameboy advanced, but this is really making me consider it. looks great and the games look great too, tough call. Would sure be better than using my laptop on an airplane,bus,car trips, etc.

I love my PSP, I backup my PS1 games and play it on there. The small screen really brings back the memories of how good I thought they looked, playing them on todays TV's just murders my memories of those games.

n-ster1024*640 or 1152*640 would have been a much better screen option IMO

Whats 1152x640? A bit higher res would have been nice, and it's easy to say that it's not much more to push, but 960x544 is 522k pixels, 1024x640 is 655k (21% more pixels) and 1152x640 is 737k (29% more pixels). Those are large pixel gains, would be much harder to push, may not sound large going up 100 or so pixels in both directions, but it is.

#44

n-ster

1Kurgan1I love my PSP, I backup my PS1 games and play it on there. The small screen really brings back the memories of how good I thought they looked, playing them on todays TV's just murders my memories of those games.

Whats 1152x640? A bit higher res would have been nice, and it's easy to say that it's not much more to push, but 960x544 is 522k pixels, 1024x640 is 655k (21% more pixels) and 1152x640 is 737k (29% more pixels). Those are large pixel gains, would be much harder to push, may not sound large going up 100 or so pixels in both directions, but it is.

My screen is 2048x1152 lol :D

I know it's 20ish % more, but compare it to the difference between 1600x900 and 1080p, which is over 40%. and the more standard res and the higher quality would by far benefit the games more. From what I see, the PSV should EASILY handle those resolutions

#45

theJesus

I'm really excited for this and will be very tempted to purchase it if I have the money. I bought the original PSP at launch and still love it for all the homebrew/hacks/mods. "Games," you say? What are those? :laugh: Hopefully this will have better launch titles; it took way too long for the to be many decent games for the PSP.

Also, thank goodness they have dual analog sticks and they're actually analog! Now there's no need to wire a PS2 analog stick on it.

Wile EI really wish they would support more A/V containers and formats. Still no mkv, ogg vorbis, flac or subtitles.

Homebrew.

Musselsbecause they'll make their money back from the games/software/peripherals.

Pfft, screw that, I want homebrew!

FrickDo want and do want homebrews!

Fuck yeah!

ThrackanSeriously though? Handheld gaming doesn't do anything for me anymore. I owned the original PSP, and although it was fun for a little while, and a decent large-sized MP3 player for another little while, it was just too limited to take off.

Did you ever get into homebrew?

Thassodar*Unhooks from wall.*

"Alright lets play some games with random people!"

*3G ON*

[Battery low!]

"Son of a bit-"

Hopefully it won't be that bad, or if it is, then hopefully there will relatively inexpensive (doubtful) extended life batteries available.

n-sterMy screen is 2048x1152 lol :D

<3 2048x1152

#46

Thrackan

theJesusDid you ever get into homebrew?

Nah, I found out about the capabilities just after I upgraded to a firmware that wasn't patchable yet, so I never bothered.

Either way, the homebrew scene isn't attractive enough to me to buy a Portable product just for using homebrew software. And if I really wanted that, I'd go for a Linux-based handheld like a GP2X.

#47

theJesus

ThrackanNah, I found out about the capabilities just after I upgraded to a firmware that wasn't patchable yet, so I never bothered.

Either way, the homebrew scene isn't attractive enough to me to buy a Portable product just for using homebrew software. And if I really wanted that, I'd go for a Linux-based handheld like a GP2X.

The thing that makes the PSP+homebrew better than something like a GP2X (for me) is that you still get access to a lot of great games. Also, just imagine all the nifty apps people can make to utilize all the fancy hardware features available on this new platform.

#48

[H]@RD5TUFF

theJesusThe thing that makes the PSP+homebrew better than something like a GP2X (for me) is that you still get access to a lot of great games. Also, just imagine all the nifty apps people can make to utilize all the fancy hardware features available on this new platform.

Wasn't this supposed to have all kinds of things to prevent hacking and homebrew ?

#49

Thrackan

[H]@RD5TUFFWasn't Sony Product X supposed to have all kinds of things to prevent abuse form Y ?

Well, Sony does demonstrate their security capabilities lately :D

#50

naoan

tkpenaltyConsidering the PSP was PS2-level in terms of hardware... what does this mean fro the PSV?

Sony has demoed MGS4 in playable frame rate during early preview of Vita, also uncharted is one of the working title for this platform.

So yeah, basically you got a handheld PS3.

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Sony Announces PlayStation Vita, Revolutionary Portable Entertainment Device

61 Comments on Sony Announces PlayStation Vita, Revolutionary Portable Entertainment Device

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