E3 2004: Sony debut eagerly-awaited PSP handheld
With Sony's pre-show conference now in full swing the Playstation Portable has been fully unveiled to the awed masses. As well as the first images of the wee beast in action, we've news herein on the specifications and other such details, including clues to the titles that we'll be playing on this device Sony claim can produce full-motion "3D-CG" visuals similar to the PS2.
The PSP will initially be available in black, and will include a 16:9 ratio TFT LCD wide screen, centred on a sleek, ergonomically designed controller that Sony hope will fit snugly in the hand. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm and it will reportedly weigh 260g. The screen will support the full sixteen-million or so colours of the spectrum, in a resolution of 480 x 272. The positioning of the PSP's D-Pad and buttons are apparently based on the Playstation's - for convenience - and the device will incorporate stereo speakers, a headphone jack and volume/brightness controls.
Connectors offered include a full 802.11b wireless LAN option (for connection in the home and to the wider network), as well as USB 2.0. The wireless functionality will allow several PSPs to connect and enjoy multiplayer gaming or take the player online. Data will be downloadable wirelessly, via USB, or using the Sony Memory Stick compatibility offered.
PSP software will come in Universal Media Disc format, which supports 1.8gb of data, despite being only 60mm in diameter. This format will offer support for movie and music files as well as games and other software, and a robust anti-piracy encryption system is touted.
Here's the cold hard technical truths of this prodigious new handheld:
- Product Name: PlayStationPortable (PSP)
- Color: Black
- Dimensions: Approx. 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
- Weight: Approx. 260 g (including battery)
- CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
- Main Memory: 32MB
- Embedded DRAM: 4MB
- Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
- 480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
- Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)
- Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
- Main Input/Output: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
- USB 2.0 (Target)
- Memory StickTM PRO Duo
- IrDA
- IR Remote (SIRCS)
- Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)
- Profile: PSP Game
- UMD Audio
- UMD Video
- Main Connectors: DC IN 5V
- Terminals for charging built-in battery
- Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
- Keys/Switches: Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
- Analog pad
- Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
- Left, Right keys
- START, SELECT, HOME
- POWER On/Hold/Off switch
- Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
- Wireless LAN On/Off switch
- UMD Eject
- Power: Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
- Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control
- Accessories:
- Stand
- Headphone with remote commander
- Headphone with remote commander and microphone
- External battery pack
- Case
- Strap
- E3 Prototype Exhibition: USB Camera for PSP
- USB GPS for PSP
- USB Keyboard for PSP
- UMD Specifications
- Dimensions: Approx. 65 mm (W) x 64 mm (D) x 4.2 mm (H)
- Weight: Approx. 10g
- Disc Diameter: 60 mm
- Maximum Capacity: 1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer)
- Laser wavelength: 660nm (Red laser)
- Encryption: AES 128bit
- Profile: PSP Game (full function)
- UMD Audio (codec ATRAC3plus, PCM, (MPEG4 AVC))
- UMD Video (codec MPEG4 AVC, ATRAC3plus, Caption PNG)
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
- 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.
Europe/Pal