14 DAY TRIAL // According to a fresh press release today, United Coders, the development studio in charge with the DS version of Dragon's Lair are currently "putting the final touches" on the game and so a publisher for the PSP version is now needed. That's right, it's not just the DS that's getting a revamped version of one of the most popular games of all time, but Sony's handheld too.
Of course, the PSP port is not due out until Christmas 2008, since the studio is hoping to begin work on the title in February, this year. According to the report, in exchange for funding the development and intellectual property cost of Dragon's Lair for Sony PSP, the publisher will be granted the global publishing rights for the format.
Dragon's Lair debuted in 1983 as the world's first full-animation laser disc video game. It stars Dirk the Daring, a rather clumsy knight who must make his way through the castle of an evil wizard to save the beautiful Princess Daphne. Finding your way through the castle of a dark wizard is not going to be easy, not to mention that the wretched mage has enchanted it with monsters and obstacles.
According to Hans Olsen, the Executive Producer and Lead Programmer for both versions of Dragon's Lair, the PSP port will feature two distinct modes of play (just like the DS version): an 1983 Arcade mode and a Director's Cut mode:
"The Arcade mode is exactly what its name implies; a genuine arcade accurate version of the 1983 arcade game with LEDs for scores, featuring the same semi-randomness of the scenes being played," Olsen confirms. "The Director's Cut mode is very different. One difference is that the Director's Cut mode features 5 lives instead of the typical 3 lives for Arcade mode. Another difference is that Director's Cut mode features extra scenes, such as a scene where Dirk the daring has to cross a drawbridge and avoid getting killed by tentacles."
Remember, development of the PSP version of Dragon's Lair starts this February. With the DS port being close to finish, we should expect a batch of screens and videos arriving within the following weeks, while United Coders hopefully grab hold of a publisher for the Sony installment.