Gamernode: Latest Sony PSP News

Sony Says DS Lite Has No Impact on PSP Sales

John Koller, product manager for Sony,s PSP, gave his views on the differences and direction of the PSP versus Nintendo,s DS Lite in a recent interview given to Joystiq. According to Koller, the DS Lite has had no effect on sales of Sony's competing handheld.

"There has been no impact on sales. We have had steady sales since before the DS Lite and to today. Looking at it objectively they've had a very successful launch, obviously, and I think they're seeing a lot of Nintendo loyalists jump back in the market and there's a lot of retail initiatives to trade in your old DS for a DS Lite. If you look at the numbers, they did very well in June. But, if you look at our numbers since launch until now, we have outsold the DS by approximately 900,000 units in North America. Statistically speaking t...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Miami Vice Video Game Announced

The tie-in game to the movie Miami Vice has been released to retailers for the PSP, according to an announcement from Sierra Entertainment. Miami Vice: The Game, is a third person action shooter with Narc officers Crockett and Tubbs going undercover in an attempt to break into the underworld crime scene.

Cindy Cook, marketing officer for Vinvendi said, "By allowing players to go dangerously undercover as Crockett and Tubbs in the rich, glamorous and decadent world of Miami Vice, as well as providing game design elements that maximize the technology of the PSP system including cutting-edge motion capture, highly-detailed environments, and lighting effects inspired by the film, Miami Vice The Game delivers a truly authentic Miami Vice experience that will appeal to fans and action gamers."

Mov...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Sony Describes UMD Decline as a Problem of Educati...

Recent news of Hollywood studios pulling back their support of Sony,s UMD format for PSP movies has been addressed by Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing at Sony. The failing proprietary movie disk format has had Sony trying to boost sales by offering special bundles which offer standard DVD movies and the UMD version at a reduced price. The UMD format continues to lose support in the movie industry as a viable format.

However, in remarks made to United Press International, Dille explained the downturn in UMD movies as a result of Hollywood not understanding the intend audience-the PSP user. "SCEA has been providing the Hollywood studios with data on the PSP consumer, both from a demographic and psychographic point of view, in an effort for them to better tailor their product of...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Memory Stick Movies From Sony to Replace UMDs

Sony, whose Universal Media Disk (UMD) movies failed to establish a strong foothold with the PSP crowd, has announced a new strategy in selling movies to PSP users. This time, the electronics behemoth will hawk films on 1GB and 2GB memory stick duos. The new scheme involves the release of a Memory Stick Entertainment pack which includes a 1 or 2GB memory stick, plus a DVD which offers four movies. The user loads the DVD onto a computer and chooses one of the four movies to unlock. The movie can then be transferred onto the memory stick and viewed on the PSP.

Sony,s proprietary UMD movie format experienced slow sales and lack of interest from consumers and retailers, with several movie studios dropping the format entirely from their rosters. Typical prices for UMD formatted movies are about ...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Sony Pulls Controversial PSP Ads

Sony has withdrawn its highly controversial PSP ad campaign in the Netherlands and issued a public apology, following allegations of racism. The billboards depicted a caucasian woman in an aggressive stance over a woman of color while grasping her jaw. The subtitle read, "Portable PSP White is coming."

Sony said, "We recognize that the subject matter of one specific image may have caused concern in some countries not directly affected by the advertising. As a result, we have now withdrawn the campaign."

Earlier this year, Sony found itself in another controversial ad campaign with its PSP ads in which graffiti artists were hired to tag walls and buildings with pre-designed artwork advertising the PSP. The ads, which many saw as defacing public property, caused some city officials to levy pe...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

PSP Ads Racist?

Sony Computer Entertainment has set its shields on to "double front" status as they attempt to deflect accusations of posting racist advertisements for the PSP. The ads appear in the Netherlands and market the new "ceramic white" color. The ad depicts two women, one with light skin and the other with dark skin. The Caucasian woman is clasping the woman of color tightly by the jaw. The text below the photo says, "PlayStation Portable White is coming."

Sony has responded in its defense by saying, "The marketing campaign for the launch of the White PSP in the Benelux focuses on the contrast between the Black PSP model and the new Ceramic white PSP model. A variety of different treatments have been created as a campaign to either highlight the whiteness of the new model or contrast the black an...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

PSP Vending Machines Coming

You,ve had a hard day and decide to go to the company vending machine to buy a pick-me-up. As you scan the offerings, you see something that catches your eye; the perfect thing to cure you of the doldrums. You take out your credit card, swipe it through the slot, and out pops a Sony PSP with a couple of games. Happy as a clam, you return to your desk, with the handheld device in tow. Suddenly your day at the office is looking a lot better.

The unlikely scenario above is already here as Sony of America has announced plans to place their Sony vending machines in various strategic locations, like airports and shopping malls. The first machines are on their way to California, Colorado and Georgia, according to Interweb news.

These super vending machines will also offer items such as music CDs, c...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Adopt a Panda; Win a PSP

No. Not a real panda, but buying or renewing your Panda Titanium 2006 or Panda Platinum 2006 consumer security solutions during the World Cup finals lands you an entry into a daily drawing for a PlayStation Portable and EA Sports, FIFA World Cup 2006 game.

According to Panda Software, the FIFA World Cup gives hackers the ideal occasion to launch massive scale phishing attacks and hoaxes against computer users. In May 2005, the Sober.V worm enticed users with free tickets to a match but infected them with a nasty virus instead. This year, Panda wants you to be ready! "I wish the best of luck to participants in the promotion, so they can enjoy this World Cup with a little but more excitement thrown in," said Marketing Director Pedro Bustamante. "In any event, users that choose Panda Software ...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Myst Goes Mobile!

Midway Games announced today that gamers will soon be able to get their 'mobile Myst' on in the latest adventure coming to the PSP. Managing Director of Midway Games Ltd. Martin Spiess commented, "We,re thrilled to be bringing one of the best known and most successful game franchises to a handheld format for the first time. Myst promises a one-of-a-kind adventure experience and contributes to the broadening of our PSP portfolio."

It will come as no surprise to seasoned Myst fans that the new adventurer begins on a mysterious island rife with puzzles, mazes, and a chilling back-story to uncover. The player first finds himself alone on this island but quickly discovers there are more people trapped somewhere in a parallel dimension. Gamers must travel through space and time, sans Delorean, in...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Tenchu Slips Away

The stealth-assassination-ninja series has announced multiple new titles, but will we get to play all of them?

Ever since the first PlayStation version of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins came out, I was hooked. This was like Metal Gear Solid without all the cutscenes and shooting! For those of you that don't know the Tenchu series, it is, at its heart, a stealth killing game. With brilliant level design and one-shot kills (as long as you're not seen), it taxes your abilities, timing, and strategy to the utmost. In short, it's a great series, and further releases have stayed very close to to the winning formula.

Now "From Software" has released information about no less than THREE new Tenchu games. Time of the Assassin's for the PSP, Dark Secret for the Nintendo DS - formerly known as Dark Shadow (...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Developer Blasts Quality of PSP Games

Are you a PSP owner that is more than concerned about the lack of quality games for your handheld? You are not alone nor are your views represented by only the gamer community. Didier Malenfant of Ready At Dawn games has broken the dawn,s silence by blasting developers who say the PSP limits their creativity. His remarks were given in an interview to GameIndustry. Malenfant said, "Everything is compromised, and it bugs the hell out of me when you hear a lot of developers saying, 'Well, we can't do this that way because it's a handheld game,' or 'We can't do this because it doesn't have a second analog stick.' Those are all excuses." His goals are not only to make a good PSP game, but to send a message to the industry. "We really set out to prove that you can do a game that is as good, if n...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

No More Katamari?

Katamari Damacy is the game with a weird name where you collect the whole world,s objects on a giant sticky ball. It was recently given a sequel on PS2 (titled "We love Katamari" in translation), and has recently gone gold for its PSP release, titled "Me & My Katamari." The PSP is set to hit store shelves on March 21st. At the same time, the producer of "Me & My Katamari," Toshiya Hara, has left a sinking feeling in the stomachs of fans everywhere when he said "The core concept of the Katamari series was complete from the first game... The PSP version was made basically so that the game could be... played on the go. So for now, this is where we wrap it up," To back this statement, the original creator of Katamari Damacy announced plans to leave the gaming industry to pursue, of all things,...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

PSP 3.0 Firmware Feature Leak?

The internet is abound with rumors and supposed pics from the 3.0 firmware upgrade for the PSP. While none of this is set in stone as of yet, the results look promising and is propelling the PSP toward PDA status with such features as Sony Mail, Sony Paint, and Sony Organizer. The list goes on with PS3 connectivity, Music Store Connectivity, Console Security, Writepad and Alarm Clock. This of course is an update from the recent 2.0 software that added web browsing and a few other minor features to the mix. If this update does indeed go through it will be the most ambitious upgrade for the PSP yet. However some of these applications while suitable for a PDA don't seem apt for the PSP's lack of touch screen. How well can you draw with directional controls or the thumb stick analog controller...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Sony Japan Opening 300 New PSP Hotspots

There will be a lot more places for PSP owners in Japan to download content to their handhelds very soon. Sony Computer Entertainment announced that it will increase the number of PSP wireless kiosks to 300 throughout Japan. The sites will allow PSP owners to download games, game demos and other content. These new Playstation Spots will be located at major train stations, selected Internet cafes and retailers. Although the idea of these hotspot kiosks has been advertised since last October, the number available was limited to only a handful of locations. With the new push to open up 300 new locations in Japan, Sony is hoping to establish its PSP as the preferred wireless handheld of choice. In America, Nintendo™s DS machine has over 6,000 hotspots, located throughout selected McDonal...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

UMD's Are Lagging In Sales

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Warner Home Videos, and Paramount Home Entertainment are going to cut back on the production of UMD formatted movies for the PSP, according to reports from Variety Business. Jeff Baker, senior vice president at Warner said, "We are re-evaluating our position on any future [UMD movie] releases at this time. We're looking at this on a case-by-case basis. We're disappointed with consumer demand at this time." Chris Ansley, a buyer for media company Virgin said, "We continue to carry most new titles and there is a modest demand for them, but there simply hasn't been a consistent growth of this new format to justify making more space for it. We have been encouraged by the results of a couple successful campaigns that we've featured to help promote them, but the...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

UMD/DVD Bundled Movies. Cool!

PSP owners will be in for a treat, starting on March 28th. Sony has announced that it will start bundling PSP UMD disks along with DVD movies for a special price of $28.95. The two-for-one deals will first include the movies: The Terminator, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Resident Evil, Underworld, and The Grunge. Other titles to be released in late April will feature, Ghostbusters, The Fifth Element, and Mad Max. More bundles will be available in the coming months. As reported by Reuters, president Benjamin Feingold of Sony Home Entertainment said, A lot of people have DVD players and also have PSPs, and this way for one price they can get one movie and play it back on both formats." The move by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a good move to further establish the PSP as a multimedia d...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Street Alpha 3 MAX Comes to the PSP

Were you one of the many of coin-op fans that stood in line to beat the guy or girl who was the "expert" at Street Fighter? Or did you just do "cheap" moves to defeat your competitors? Whether you were an expert or a cheap fighter doesn,t matter. You,ll be able to not only relieve the glory (or gory) days of the Street Fighter game, but you,ll be able to take it with you. Capcom has announced the release of Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, for the PSP. As is typical of the series, there are a truckload of characters, lots of fighting moves, three-on-three team battles, and the original arcade characters. Pre-orders for the game include a special "support-pad" attachment that will make doing specials and combo moves easier on the PSP. The popular arcade game first appeared on U.S. shores in 1987...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Race Driver 2006 for PSP

I myself don™t own a PSP. Why? Because I™m old and that screen is too small for my eyes! No, but seriously, it™s because I™m a petrol head and love my racing games and nothing has thus far made me want to buy one. Thanks to Codemasters I might have to give in and break my piggy bank as they bring Race Driver 2006 to the PSP. This is going to be the ultimate racing game, with more than 50 different cars to race, over a dozen racing comps and the ability to have up to 21 cars on screen at once, RD2006 will definitely be on my list to buy. Not only will there be so much to choose from, but also lots of eye candy with real performance cars, real damage, real physics and with WLAN mode, you can have up to 12 players competing for the tarmac. Compete in GT Sports Car Raci...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

SCEA Releases Official PSP Schedule for Q1

SCEA announced some official release dates for PSP games in Q1. March seems like the hot-spot, with 4 games set to be released in that month. The for launch in March include Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, MLB 06 The Show, Daxter, and Pursuit Force. The game Ape Escape Academy is expected to be released within the next week. Neopets Petpet Adventures: The Wand of Wishing was expected to be released on February 28th, but is now set for a March release as well. SCEA executive Vice President said, Our first quarter lineup is yet another example of our continuous pledge to consumers to deliver viable and innovative new entertainment choices for the PSP system. Hopefully SCEA will continue with these hot new games throughout the year of ~06.

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

New Game for the PSP Can Measure Your Intelligence...

Usually, the only response to non-gamers about the benefits of playing video game goes something like this, Well, it inproves hand-eye coordination and sharpens your reflexes¦ To which the usual reply goes, So what? Talk about shutting down a discussion in no time flat. But there is a game for the PSP that will change this. A Japanese game developer, Nowproduction, has just released a game for the PSP entitled, PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient. Now before everyone starts to yawn at the blazingly boring title, the game is representative of the many popular intelligence games that have recently swept Japan. PIQ has 100 3D puzzles that measure and quantify a gamer™s intelligence and logic skills through various scenarios related to moving objects, avoiding obstacles, operating device...

• (0)
• 
• 
• 
• 
•