Sidhe developing for Sonys' PSP

[Dragon]

Ok just stumbled across some great news for gaming fans. I think Sidhe announced that they were hopeful of developing for Sonys Hand held gaming device - the PSP (Playstation portable), but i found a confrimed list of developers, and was excited to see Sidhes in the list.

What this means my fellow League lovers, is that we may indeed get Rugby League, in portable flavour!

Heres the list -

The lucky blighters in Japan will be getting their paws on the PSP at the end of 2004, whilst North American and European gamers will have to wait until the Spring of 2005 for local launches. The following 99 firms have also pledged their support of the new device:

List of Developers and Publishers as of May 11th, 2004:

Japan


Atlus Co.,Ltd.
Bandai Co.,Ltd.
Banpresto Co.,Ltd.
Capcom
Cyberfront Corporation
Dimps Corporation
Dorasu Corporation
Electronic Arts K. K.
Fromsoftware, Inc.
Genki Co.,Ltd.
Gust Co.,Ltd.
Hudson Soft Co., Ltd.
Idea Factory Co., Ltd.
Koei Co., Ltd.
Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
Konami Computer Entertainment Studios
Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc.
Konami Corporation
Marvelous Interactive Inc.
Mto Co.,Ltd.
Namco Ltd
Nippon Ichi Software Inc.
Now Production Co.,Ltd.
Sammy Corporation
Sega Corporation
Snk Playmore Corp.
Spike Co., Ltd.
Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Success Corporation
Taito Corporation
Tecmo
Tomy Company, Ltd
Workjam Co.Ltd.
Yuke's Co., Ltd.

34 Companies In Total

North America


Activsion, Inc.
Atari, Inc.
Backbone Entertainment
Bethesda Softworks Llc
Eidos
Electronic Arts
Factor 5
Inxile
Konami Hawaii
Lucasarts
Majesco
Midway Games Inc.
Namco Hometek, Inc.
Radical Entertainment Inc.
Rockstar Games/ Take 2
Saffire
Sega Of America
Snowblind
Sony Online Entertainment
Stormfront Studios
Surreal Software
Thq
Ubisoft
Vicarious Visions

24 Companies In Total

Europe/Pal


Acclaim Entertainment Ltd
Activision Uk Ltd
Argonaut Games Plc
Atari Group
Blitz Games Ltd
Broadsword Interactive Limited
Codemasters Software Company Limited
Criterion Software Ltd
Driver-Inter Ltd
Eidos Interactive Ltd
Eko Software S.A.R.L
Engine Software Bv
Eurocom Entertainment Software
Full Fat Productions Limited
Hothouse Creations
Icon Games Ltd
Ignition Entertainment Ltd
Kuju Entertainment Ltd
Pocket Studios Ltd
Publishing Identity Svenska Ab
Rebellion Developments Ltd.
Revolution Software Limited
Rockstar Games
Rockstar Leeds Ltd.
Sidhe Interactive
Tantalus Interactive Pty Ltd
Team17 Software Limited
Torus Games Pty. Ltd.
Ubisoft Entertainment Sa
Visual Impact Bvba
Warthog Plc

31 Companies In Total

South Korea


Axis Entertainment Inc.
Cinepix
Coong Entertainment Inc.
Expotato Corp.
Lions Logics
Neowiz Corp.
Nexon Corporation.
Seed9 Entertainment Inc.
Skonec Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Zepetto Studios Inc.

If you dont know much about the PSP, check out this link -
http://psp.ign.com/articles/513/513175p1.html

Heres a quote -

For the layperson, exactly how powerful is the PSP?

For those not able to understand the techno mumbo-jumbo spelled out in the PSP specs, what it all boils down to is that the PSP has a whole lot of power, portable system or otherwise. At GDC 2004 in April of 2004, Christ Charla (of the development outfits Digital Eclipse and now Backbone Entertainment) said at the handheld's tech demonstration unveiling conference: "Polygon for polygon, PSP has more power than PS2 ... A huge number of effects that are given to you in software on PS2 are available in hardware on PSP." And all indications at the E3 unveiling were that the system would indeed meet those lofty heights -- the preliminary box for Gran Turismo 4 Mobile stats that the game quality, "...is not at all inferior to its PS2 counterpart."

While most familiar with the hardware say it would still be unfair to put the typical PSP and a PS2 or current-generation console game side-by-side in a professional test and expect the two to match up or favor the handheld version in technology terms, the advanced graphics processor technology of the PSP used to draw just enough to fill the pocket-sized screen means that PSP games will have more than enough power to create the kinds of vast 3D worlds, humanistic characters and cinematic effects that today's advanced games require.

:shock:

Hopefully Mario can shed some light on this possibilty.

 

[Mario]

Hopefully Mario can shed some light on this possibilty.

Anything is a possibility. Unfortunately, I can't specify exactly what we are working on.

Bearing in mind it will take a while for the PSP to build up a critical mass in the Australasian market, I certainly wouldn't be expecting a niche game like RL to be commercially viable at launch..

 

[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]

So...Mario...any word on a new game yet? :mrgreen:

 

[Dragon]

Hopefully Mario can shed some light on this possibilty.

Anything is a possibility. Unfortunately, I can't specify exactly what we are working on.

Bearing in mind it will take a while for the PSP to build up a critical mass in the Australasian market, I certainly wouldn't be expecting a niche game like RL to be commercially viable at launch..

Thanks Muzz. I reckon the PSP is gonna explode when it hits the scene. I dont think many ppl know or understand just how good it is.

 

[Mario]

Thanks Muzz. I reckon the PSP is gonna explode when it hits the scene. I dont think many ppl know or understand just how good it is.

We certainly like the PSP - it has some great capabilities. I expect it will be the gaming gadget/system of choice in 2005.

 

[Timmo]

So what is it? A handheld Playstation?

 

[Dragon]

Pretty much, its sonys entry into the handheld market, and from some of the videos ive seen, it is almost like a PS2, only portable. It plays MPEG4, and has discs called UMD (universal media disks). So you can watch dvd quality on that lil bugger! Comes with a memory stick, plays music, wireless LAN.

Heres a piccy

Sexy...

 

[Dragon]

Oh and heres some in game screenies, note they are still works in progress..

Need 4 speed

Tiger Woods

Hot Shots (Some jap golf game)

Kinda leaves the old GameBoy for dead.....

Just think RL psp

 

[Timmo]

What the heck is the point of a handheld playstation? What is wrong with playing games on your large TV with proper speakers?
"It's if you get bored while you are travelling or away from home"
I only get bored when I'm at home, usually if I'm away from home I'm doing something. Looks like another gimic to me. Like mobile phones. People spend stacks on mobile phones but probably dont need them. Usually people say to me that they dont really make phone calls with them coz it's too expensive. Then why do you have it!? What gets me is 13 year old kids with mobile phones. Man, i'm getting a little carried away here.

Sorry guys, I don't get it. Doesn't excite me.

 

[Mario]

What the heck is the point of a handheld playstation? What is wrong with playing games on your large TV with proper speakers?

There are a lot of gaming opportunities for handheld devices such as bus/train rides, plane trips, school/work lunch and break times, waiting for the match to start at the footy. The device also does movies and music too, so its not strictly just for gaming.

The other thing to consider is using the games on PSP to enhance the console or PC gaming experience.

WARNING: my next comment is theoretical only, please do not read into it!

Imagine, for example, some future version of Rugby League that has PSP connectivity. You build up your team and play through the season on your home console, then dump your save onto the PSP for when you are on the go where you can continue to manage and train your team.

 

[Dragon]

*drool*

Didnt even think of that! Timmo this 'gimmick' is going to take the gaming world by storm. Im not one for handheld gaming because the standard is just not up to scratch, but if there is a device that lets me play Ps2 on the move, then its a whole new concept.

 

[Dragon]

Expect a release around March next year, and a price tag of around AUD$275

Battery life officially stated by Sony to be between 4-6 hrs for games, 4-5 hours for movies.