14 DAY TRIAL // Handheld gaming has become very important for companies, as a lot of platforms have recently appeared, encouraging gaming on the go for people who don't have enough time to play titles at home on their big consoles or PC.
We have recently heard a lot of rumors regarding Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld console, which, despite having received a new version, the PSP-3000 just a few months ago, will be replaced by another model. Now this is where the rumors take two different directions – this model will either keep the hardware specifications of the old one and employ aesthetic improvements, thus becoming a PSP-4000, or it will be a completely new machine, with new hardware, looks and, most importantly, new features.
The latter was recently confirmed by the chief creative officer at Acclaim, David Perry, who revealed to Kotaku that he knew a fellow developer who was already making titles for the future console, and hinted at a fall release of the new PSP2 model. He went on to say that the future device wouldn't feature the UMD playing option, thus getting rid of something that wasted battery life and wasn't extremely popular, and would receive a digital download service from Sony, thus eliminating the need to go to brick-and-mortar game stores to buy your favorite titles.
“I spoke to a developer who is working on it right now," he said. "I know this developer is already working on it, so that means they have a prototype. That would sound like a fall release to me. I've been pounding on Sony for a long time to make the Playstation Portable relevant and not to let Apple stroll away with the portable game market. Look at what Apple is doing now. Why are so many investors investing in Apple game development? Trying to pitch a PSP game to investors right now is brutal.”
So it seems that a new model of the PSP will soon be released, and, according to other sources, it might be unveiled at one of the upcoming game conferences that will take place in summer. But as soon as the official announcement will be made, you can be sure that we will report it.