Hacking the PSP Blog

Gamasutra asks: "Is there anything wrong with the PSP?"

We'd like to think that there's nothing wrong with our beloved handheld. However, the truth is that many people, misinformed or not, do not believe in Sony's platform. Gamasutra asked a number of industry professionals about what they think is wrong about PSP, if there is anything at all.

• David Cole from DFC Intelligence points out that the price drop is a good step, but that's not enough. "I think a new form factor is needed more than a price cut."
• Ed Barton from Screen Digest is frustrated at the constant comparisons to Nintendo DS: "We forecast that the global installed base of PSP users will be around 29 million at the end of 2007, generating $1.9 billion in software sales. Lifetime software sales at the end of 2007 will be around $4.5 billion. If this is 'failing,' then failure just got a huge brand makeover."
• Mike Wolf from ABI Research thinks that anti-Sony fanboyism runs wild due to high expectations placed on Sony ... due to their ambitious claims. "I believe the device's perceived 'failure' by some is due to the device struggling to live up to Sony's own marketing of the product, much like what the PS3 is going through today."

Read the full text here...
Original Gamasuta article here...

Andrew Yoon
April 6, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

The Real Reason Behind Game Delays

Game development, like any software development, is an immensely intricate process. Given its temperamental nature, delays are inevitable -- it just comes with the territory. Sometimes, game developers delay a game's release in order to enhance the gameplay or polish the presentation, frustrating original release dates in the process.

"Typically, development teams delay games because they want to add an extra feature or spend more time on a specific aspect to get it just right," says Dave Karraker, senior director of communications at Sony Computer Entertainment of America. "You need to remember that at the end of the day, the developer is truly an artist and their name is on that final product," Karraker continues. "They will take every opportunity to get just a little more time to make the game as great as it possibly can be."

But even though quality is a major reason for game delays, it's far from the only reason. "Delays occur for both strategic and quality reasons," says analyst Michael Pachter. Contrary to what you may think, publishers are just as as likely to delay a game for strategic reasons as they are quality ones.

Read the full article here...

Blake Snow
April 5, 2007

Source: GamePro

ESRB reveals revolutionary "beats" project for PSP

The ESRB lists a mysterious new product for PSP, simply titled beats. According to our reader, Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe trademarked the title back in January, with a truly ambitious description. We're still looking for the original source, but we've seen this description on NeoGAF as well:

"Providing access to gaming, digital music and/or video web sites; providing wireless transmission of music, video and games, via the Internet and via communications networks; uploading and downloading of music, video and games, via the Internet and via communications networks; providing on-line bulletin boards for the transmission of messages among computer users concerning games, music and videos; distribution of computer software relating to music, video and games over local or global communications networks; communication services in the form of matching users for the transfer of music and video recordings via communication networks; information, advisory and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid."

Y.M. has intelligently put two and two together: Sony said they were looking into expanding the capabilties of PSP to target the teen market. Certainly, a wireless music and video sharing service would out-do everything Zune tried to. The evidence is pointing to a truly revolutionary service for PSP--beats can become the PSP equivalent of PS3's Home.

Andrew Yoon
April 5, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

Off Topic: Cullen, Welker sign on for Transformers game

Back in the 1980s, children were riveted to their television sets to watch the ongoing battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The "robots in disguise" became a sensation, and one of that generation's most popular catchphrases was the animated series' famous battlecry, "Autobots, roll out!"

The man behind that line is Peter Cullen, who voiced the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. Also lending vocal talent to the show was Frank Welker, who provided the raspy voice of Decepticon leader Megatron.

Today, Activision announced that both Cullen and Welker (pictured above) have signed on to reprise their roles in the publisher's upcoming Transformers: The Game, based on the DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures film Transformers, due out in early July.

"As Transformers fans, we knew the importance of having the well-known voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron in the game,” said Activision head of production Laird Malamed.

In addition to sending shivers down the spines of kids as Megatron, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, and other Transformers, Welker has done voice work for The Simpsons, Kingdom Hearts II, and New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Party 5 as Bowser. Cullen also provided the voices for fellow Transformers Ironhide and Slugslinger and the sheepish Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame.

Read the full article here...

Tim Surette
April 5, 2007

Source: GameSpot