Courtesy of last week's E3 show in L.A. a wealth of new information, on Sony's upcoming PSP handheld console was released. This information included the final hardware specs for the unit, the first images, the names of the first new titles to appear for the console and some gloomy predictions on the console's profitability during its first few years, from Sony.
More importantly we also got a more specific glimpse at Sony's launch schedule for the handheld. PSP is scheduled to be launched in Japan in the end of 2004, followed by the North American and European launches in the spring of 2005.
We also found out that Sony did not succumb to developer pressure and stuck to the 32 Mb RAM it had initially announced.
By following the Screens tab above, you can view the latest full-sized images of the console and of the game packaging.
We have put all the new information on the PSP together in one concise report in order to prepare the ground for PSPs arrival. Follow the link below and to the right to find the full detailed specs of the unit.
PSP comes in a black color, with a 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD centered in a sleek ergonomic design with a high quality finish that fits comfortably in the hands. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm with a weight of 260g. PSP features a high quality TFT LCD that displays full-color (16.77 million colors) on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. It also comes complete with the basic functions of a portable player such as built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector, brightness control and sound mode selection. Keys and controls inherit the same operability of PlayStation and PlayStation 2, familiar to fans all over the world.
PSP also comes equipped with diverse input/output connectors such as USB 2.0, and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, providing connectivity to various devices in the home and to the wireless network outside. The world of gaming is further enhanced by enabling users to enjoy on-line gaming, or by connecting multiple PSPs to each other, directly via the wireless network. In addition, software and data can be downloaded through a USB or wireless network onto Memory Stick PRO Duo. All of these features can be enjoyed on one single system.
PSP adopts a small but high capacity optical medium UMD (Universal Media Disc), enabling game software, rich with full motion video and other forms of digital entertainment content, to be stored. The newly developed UMD, the next generation compact storage media, is only 60mm in diameter but can store up to 1.8GB of digital data. A broad range of digital entertainment content such as music video clips, movies and sports programs can be provided on UMD. To protect this entertainment content, a robust copyright protection system has been developed which utilizes a combination of a unique disc ID, a 128 bit AES encryption keys for the media, and individual ID for each PSP hardware unit.
SCEI intends to aggressively promote PSP and UMD as the new handheld entertainment platform for the coming era.
PSP Product Specifications
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 Stick 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)
Follow the link below and to the right to find out how much the PSP will cost and what Sony's plans are.
Speaking to Reuters, during E3, SCEAs Kaz Hirai claimed that If you just add up the components, day one there's probably not too much margin on the hardware... but went on to add ...when all is said and done, we are in the business to make money on the hardware and we have proven that with the PlayStation and the PS2.
Sony has not yet announced its pricing strategy on the PSP, although experts expect a USD 250 - 300 range, but is expecting the current small LCD shortage to have an impact. The increased demand on color-screen cell phones has affected plans for the PSP and for Nintendo's DS, expected to sell for USD 199, which plans to have two such screens per unit. This shortage may have a negative effect on the availability of the PSP, with Sony promising to ship three million PSPs in the business year to March 31, 2005 and with analysts claiming that the target is unrealistic under current circumstances.
It has become commonplace in the console industry for hardware manufacturers to make-up for hardware sales losses by the sale of content for their products but Sony have always prided themselves on being able to rely on a hardware profit as well. It seems that the modern gaming market may force the company to rethink that trend with the PSP. Almost three years after its launch Microsoft's XBox is still not turning in a profit for the company but Sony have bigger plans for the PSP.
Mentioning PSPs proprietary UMD storage format Hirai said we have very high ambitions for this new format, adding that Sony will market UMD for other devices as well, I don't think you can establish a format with just one hardware platform. The plan calls for UMD to be used as a portable format for movies and music and with the format boasting a 1,8 GB capacity, that seems achievable.
PSP is unlikely to turn in a profit from day one but as Mr. Hirai says, Hopefully, this will have a 10-year lifecycle, at which point I'll look back and say 'Yes, definitely profitable.
Follow the link below and to the right to find out which developers and what titles you can expect for the PSP.
According to Sony, nearly one hundred third party game developers and publishers from around the world have expressed their support for PSP.
Sony have promised to safeguard the new console from the expected onslaught of PS2 ports and have promised to deliver a variety of original content for the device. Many experts are worried that Sony's six month commitment may not be enough and hope that the company will extend that in order to secure a wide variety of new games for the PSP.
SCEI has been promoting development of PSP games on UMD to third party game developers and publishers and as of today, 99 game software developers and publishers have expressed their support for PSP (Japan: 34, North America: 24, Europe/PAL: 31 and South Korea: 10). A broad range of new and attractive game titles are currently being developed for PSP by first and third party developers and publishers. SCEI expects to expand the world of PSP gaming supported by a strong line-up of software titles.
In addition to game developers and publishers, many inquiries have been received from various companies in the music and movie industries regarding publishing on PSP. In response to wide interest across the entertainment industries, SCEI will actively promote UMD as the new disc media to provide a diverse range of entertainment content in the future.
List of Developers and Publishers as of May 11th, 2004
(in alphabetical order of developer/publisher)
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.
10 companies in total