Evil Link
May 15th, 2003, 08:16 AM
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that it will release a portable gaming system in the fourth quarter of 2004. Dubbed the PSP, the device will utilize a new media style called Universal Media Discs (UMD), which are 60mm optical discs that hold up to 1.8gb and were developed by Sony themselves. Unlike CD, DVD, or GameCube discs, the UMD discs will be encased in a cartridge-like housing, protecting them from scratches that would be likely otherwise.
The PSP will be equipped with a backlit 480 x 272 pixel TFT screen, almost twice the resolution of both the GameBoy Advance and the GameBoy Advance SP (both of which have 240x160 pixel screens). Videophiles will note that the 480x272 size screen is a 16:9 ratio, which is the ratio that widescreen movies use.
Sony does appear to be targeting a wider audience than the GameBoy Advance has enjoyed; USB 2.0 and Sony Memory Stick slots promise more than just games for the unit. The USB port can also be used to connect to other PSPs or a PS2 console. The unit will be able to decode MPEG4 video streams, which promises DVD-quality video at a smaller data rate.
Though no plans were detailed on whether Sony would release or license films for the unit, with the existing specs and the storage space of the UMD media, it seems like a likely future announcement.
As far as games to, the PSP is built for 3D. A gaming industry staple, polygons will be the primary form of geometry for the unit. In addition, however, the unit will be the first gaming system able to directly process NURBS, a spline-based form of geometry that has been used primarily for motion picture-based animation. While it is unlikely that NURBS will become the primary source of geometry for the unit, it will allow cutscenes that previously needed to be pre-rendered to be dealt with on the fly by the unit.
Like Nintendo's GameBoy Advance SP, the PSP will ship with a rechargable lithium-ion battery. Sony also detailed that it will use PCM sound, including built-in speakers and stereo headphone output.
Sony also outlined a schedule for the unit. The company will announce the licensing scheme for the unit starting this summer, while development tools, including PC-based software, will be available to game developers starting this fall. The unit itself isn't scheduled to hit shelves until Winter 2004, so expect to wait a while before any games are announced.
Strangely enough, though the abilities of the unit were detailed, processor speeds (including MIPS and polygons/sec) were not mentioned at all. However, to render NURBS on the fly, the unit will need to have a good amount of processor power, likely well above that of the original PlayStation.
Sony seems to have high hopes for the unit; SCEI President and CEO Ken Kutaragi stated that he seems a huge market for the unit, both for games and other forms of entertainment He stated, "This is the 'Walkman' of the 21st century."
Sony has not yet announced a price for the unit, nor have they revealed a photograph of it. Should any more news develop on the PSP during E3 this week, Gameforms will have the latest for you.
info from http://www.gameforms.com/news/?816
goodbye Game Boy
------------------
http://viewserver.hypermart.net/images/thenewdoomsig.jpg
The PSP will be equipped with a backlit 480 x 272 pixel TFT screen, almost twice the resolution of both the GameBoy Advance and the GameBoy Advance SP (both of which have 240x160 pixel screens). Videophiles will note that the 480x272 size screen is a 16:9 ratio, which is the ratio that widescreen movies use.
Sony does appear to be targeting a wider audience than the GameBoy Advance has enjoyed; USB 2.0 and Sony Memory Stick slots promise more than just games for the unit. The USB port can also be used to connect to other PSPs or a PS2 console. The unit will be able to decode MPEG4 video streams, which promises DVD-quality video at a smaller data rate.
Though no plans were detailed on whether Sony would release or license films for the unit, with the existing specs and the storage space of the UMD media, it seems like a likely future announcement.
As far as games to, the PSP is built for 3D. A gaming industry staple, polygons will be the primary form of geometry for the unit. In addition, however, the unit will be the first gaming system able to directly process NURBS, a spline-based form of geometry that has been used primarily for motion picture-based animation. While it is unlikely that NURBS will become the primary source of geometry for the unit, it will allow cutscenes that previously needed to be pre-rendered to be dealt with on the fly by the unit.
Like Nintendo's GameBoy Advance SP, the PSP will ship with a rechargable lithium-ion battery. Sony also detailed that it will use PCM sound, including built-in speakers and stereo headphone output.
Sony also outlined a schedule for the unit. The company will announce the licensing scheme for the unit starting this summer, while development tools, including PC-based software, will be available to game developers starting this fall. The unit itself isn't scheduled to hit shelves until Winter 2004, so expect to wait a while before any games are announced.
Strangely enough, though the abilities of the unit were detailed, processor speeds (including MIPS and polygons/sec) were not mentioned at all. However, to render NURBS on the fly, the unit will need to have a good amount of processor power, likely well above that of the original PlayStation.
Sony seems to have high hopes for the unit; SCEI President and CEO Ken Kutaragi stated that he seems a huge market for the unit, both for games and other forms of entertainment He stated, "This is the 'Walkman' of the 21st century."
Sony has not yet announced a price for the unit, nor have they revealed a photograph of it. Should any more news develop on the PSP during E3 this week, Gameforms will have the latest for you.
info from http://www.gameforms.com/news/?816
goodbye Game Boy
------------------
http://viewserver.hypermart.net/images/thenewdoomsig.jpg