14 DAY TRIAL // Sony has announced that it plans to release ModNation Racers, which was initially destined to be exclusive to the PlayStation 3 home gaming console, on the PlayStation Portable handheld as well. The development of the new version of the game will be handled by the San Diego Sony studio, with original creators of the concept United Front Games offering assistance.
The base engine used for the PSP version of ModNation Racers will be that seen in the Wipeout racing titles. The new version of the videogame is set to be release at the same time as the PS3 edition, which should arrive at an unspecified date during spring.
The single player mode in the PSP ModNation Racers will be built around a story that offers up a series of races to be completed by the player, with a boss facing them at the end of each race. Multiplayer modes will mimic those offered in the PlayStation 3 version but will also support a PSP exclusive mode that can be enjoyed either through a local connection or through the Internet by up to six players. Sony did not detail if any sort of cross play between the PS3 and the PSP version of the game was being created.
The concept of ModNation Racers is somewhat derived from LittleBigPLanet, another PlayStation 3 exclusive, which also received a PSP version. Players are able to create their own drivers and their own racing karts using a variety of options before engaging in racing against human or computer-controlled opponents.
More advanced users will also be able to create their own racing tracks and share them with the rest of the players. Details like land elevation, water placement, mountains, surface textures, placement of houses, items, trees, animals and time-of-day settings will be fully controlled by the creator. The same amount of detail is available for the karts themselves and for their drivers.