Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony and Sky to deliver video on demand to PSP

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Sky have formed a joint venture company to deliver video-on-demand to PSP owners.

The new company promises to begin by offering "a wealth of video and film content" for the more than 2.3 million PSP owners in the UK and Ireland, with discussions regarding a broader European offering ongoing.

More details will be announced at Games Convention in Leipzig on Wednesday, 22nd August, Sony added.

Further details were not forthcoming, but the platform holder said that both companies would enjoy equal board-level representation.

Tom Bramwell
July 27, 2007

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

Patent reveals dual-analog controller connectivity for PSP

US Patent Application 0070174531 is of particular interest to PSP fans: it reveals strange plans for connectivity between a DualShock/SIXAXIS controller and Sony's handheld. According to the patent, a "control docking unit" will "facilitate use of one or more controls provided on the control docking unit." Essentially, a controller connected to the PSP will be able to control the system.

The system will use a "wired or wireless communication link," which may suggest at both PS2 and PS3 controllers being compatible with this feature. In addition, "the portable processing unit can be configured to provide additional functions, features, or enhanced operation when coupled to the control docking unit." It looks like players will finally be able to use dual analog controls in-game. (Note: hackers have already been able to do something similar.)

Of course, not all patent applications come to fruition in the marketplace. Regardless, this is certainly an interesting development, one we wouldn't mind seeing Sony pursue.

View US Patent Application 0070174531

Andrew Yoon
July 27, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

Syphon Filter infiltrates PSP's innards to enable full 333MHz

Chris Reese, Technical Director for SCEA's Bend Studio, has posted on the PlayStation.Blog to confirm that Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow will utilize the full 333MHz of PSP power. Reese claims the extra 67MHz will allow Bend Studio to create a look and feel that isn't possible using the original 266mhz. The increase in power will let them focus on adding detail and interactivity to the game's environments.

For those who are confused about 333mhz compatability, let us put your mind at rest. Games utilizing the 333 MHz clock speed will work exactly the same on a normal PSP as on a Slim PSP. The increase in power does mean that the battery in both models will drain more quickly than in other games, but for those who are picking up a PSP Slim you can use your old PSP's battery to lengthen the playtime. This does, however, come with its own problems.

Jem Alexander
July 27, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

David Jaffe (God of War Director) goes indie

Last year David Jaffe made it known that he wanted to test the waters of smaller-scale, downloadable games, starting with the PlayStation 3 title Calling All Cars! (originally titled Criminal Crackdown). Now the director and designer of God of War is venturing out into another new frontier: independent development.

Jaffe has updated his blog (warning: profanity) with news that today is his last day as a Sony employee, as he has joined up with Incognito founder Scott Campbell (designer of Downhill Domination and producer of Twisted Metal: Black) to form the independent studio Eat Sleep Play. While the outfit is an independent, it has already signed an exclusive three-game deal with Sony to make console and handheld games.

"We met with some other interested parties," Jaffe wrote, "but at the end of the day, Sony is our home, our family, and we're really thrilled and honored they wanted to work with us and continue the relationship we've spent almost 15 years cultivating."

Read the full story here...

Brendan Sinclair
July 27, 2007

Source: GameSpot

Sort of Off Topic: Game in bag prompts airport evacuation

LONG BEACH, Calif. — A suspicious item in checked luggage that prompted the evacuation of a terminal at Long Beach Airport on Thursday turned out to be an electronic game, authorities said.

Several hundred people were evacuated from the terminal for about 90 minutes and five arriving aircraft were held on the tarmac until the all-clear was given.

Transportation Security Administration screeners spotted the suspicious item while X-raying a checked bag around 9:30 a.m., agency spokeswoman Jennifer Peppin said.

The item turned out to be a handheld electronic game board in a "raw form" that showed its wiring, she said.

The passenger worked for "some sort of game or toy company," she added.

Firefighters, police and a bomb squad were called to the airport, about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

The Associated Press
July 26, 2007

Source: The Associated Press via Houston Chronicle