Shacknews has insider information from sources close to Sony that a new version of the PSP is currently being worked on. Unlike the PS2's redesigned slim version, the latest iteration of the PSP will not be a redesign but an actual successor the PSP, even though recent rumors suggest that Sony is working on a redesign.
It is unknown if the new PSP will still use UMD's or not. Dramitc drops in sales on UMD movies may intice Sony to switch to another format. It's to be noted that Shacknews' source has reffered to the new PSP only as "PSP 2".
The device is a successor rather than a redesign of the current system; recent rumors have suggested that Sony is also working on a redesigned PSP. It is not clear if the two rumors are in fact speaking about the same project, but this new report definitely refers to a brand new system. It will have built in hard drive support from the beginning, and will not be using the UMD media format, either for games or for other content. This makes sense, since the PSP is the only device that uses UMDs, and since UMD movie sales have been falling lately, there is little reason for Sony to stick with the format. However, it does appear to rule out the possibility of backwards compatibility. It is unknown what format will be used in its stead. The device, which the source referred to only as "PSP 2," is currently in development, and may appear some time "in the next three years."
Nvidia recently announced that it has a new design contract with Sony, one which will apparently pay more than the company received for its work on the PlayStation 3's GPU. It seems fairly likely that the contract in question refers to this PSP successor, given Sony's history of working with Nvidia on game console technology.
When contacted for comment, SCEA representative Paul Murphy said, "As you know, SCEA does not comment on rumors or speculation."
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Not surprising at all, but I hope it turns out good, wonder what they will change the game format to though, considering if they do, it won't be backwards compatible
If they're planning the next handheld this early, they're probably going to be shot down.
It has been about 3-4 years already though
Oops, wait, I forgot. Sony has no originality.
I hope they use a Blu-Ray based UMD, or Mini Blu-ray disk, as the disk cover/case isn't necessary, since the disks are quite durable....
I wonder what the resolution of the screen would be (I'd hope about double)? What of the processors (Cell and GPU) will be like?
It is a bit soon, I think....If they had waited (unless this is really early news, and it won't be released until Fall 2009 or something), perhaps it would be a significant improvement over the PSP 1?
Several things that could have happened if they waited even a year or two:
OLED display (and cheap to produce)....Much better contrast, energy efficient, transparent (no that would be necessary), and gives off it's own light....Good for battery life (the PSP1 has issues with that)....As it stands now, OLEDs are expensive, but given time, they could become cheaper for both manufacturers and consumers, than traditional/LCD screens....
CELL based processor. It would allow it to be better at processing than a traditional CPU...Granted, they could still do that, but I don't believe they can make them small enough (at least not yet), to be practical for a small handheld...Energy efficiency and heat production is an issue as well, after all....
Blu-ray disks would be cheaper, and more practical to manufacture...With the aid of a better screen, better CPU, and the Blu-ray disk's storage space, you could probably get some very sweet graphics out of the PSP2. If they used Mini-blu ray disks (rather than UMD type Blu-ray discs), you might actually be able to play the mini disks in regular players....Dunno about the PS3 (and other front loading players) though, it doesn't use an ejecting disk try, so it might not be able to properly handle smaller disk sizes....
And this is still a rumor, and will remain that way, until Sony confirms it themselves....
But still needs more sales and more great games, or good ones.
As mentioned, any content played will be available most likely through the PSN, or though browser downloads such as MP3 and MP4s. You can likely expect to see added buttons and the much wished-for second analog nub. On top of that, a slight up in processing speed and video capability (along with the addition of new buttons/nub) we just may see full PS2 games as portable PSP2 playables.
Even more to the point is that Nvidia is suspected of contributing to its design, since the PS2's graphics chipset is part of Nvidia lineage.
Along with the backing of the entire PS2 library on a portable device, new functionality and console specs could open up the possibility for games with more play depth to them than is currently standard. It would basically be like they were continuing PS2 software production.
The biggest clue to this mystery will be advances in battery life and portability. A current PSP battery powering something running PS2 software would last somewhere along an hour and ten minutes.
> They'd choose graphics that are just slightly up the price scale and hope the costs would lower over the years
> They'd make it disc based, as cartridge-based, though cheap and very quick, doesn't provide enough space for the above-mentioned graphics
> It would focus largely on multimedia support and other nifty trinkets that have nothing to do with games
They only thing I could see them experimenting with is control scheme. Unfortunately they may run into the same pits as before.
> Higher priced makes it only attractive to those looking for high end do-it-all gadgets
> Parents will prefer the cheaper alternative
> Will run into the same expenses and technical difficulty rates as before
As much as I love them, Sony has never been one to choose the cheap and reliable roads. I will leave VGChartz out of this, but if you want to steal Nintendo's market, maybe you should plan like Nintendo? Shouldn't your game-making abilities be good enough to keep up with whatever tech power you give them to work with?
My point is that PSP's games thrive on hi-tech hardware, using Nintendo's cheaper strategy wouldn't work out in the long run, especially since Nintendo's systems have more popularity...and who would want to buy another system that does the same thing as the DS without the touchscreen?
PSP's best games are big ones like Logan's Shadow or Chains of Olympus which can rival a lot of console games, games which cannot be done on the DS. Kinda like the DS's touchscreen, the PSP's advanced (and multimedia) features is a bit of an exclusivity.
While the UMD is not exactly profitable, let's not forget that they do use digital distribution as well though the PC PSP Store (Or just homebrew).
The new and old PSP dont look any diferent via pictures so far. So I don't know what will happern.
Those are just pictures of the slimmer PSP, not a new one yet
Like the PS1 to PS2....Same brand, new generation....
I wonder if there will be a PSP3, like they did with PS1, PS2, and then PS3?
They also have to think if it could get good at all, as opposed to "any better".
Then it just wouldn't be Sony anymore...
duh!
I like the idea on PSP-3 to. But really, I don't think this psp will be any BETA than it already is. (lol)
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