PlayStation game push across Android devices and new PSP2 handheld
Sony has broken a fifteen year tradition by allowing its games, both past and present, to be available beyond PlayStation devices.
A new software platform, called the PlayStation Suite, allows PlayStation developers to deliver content on Android, Google’s mobile operating system.
Devices that can incorporate the PlayStation Suite include the newly announced PSP2 (also known as NGP), the upcoming PlayStation Phone, and a rush of Android smartphones from the likes of HTC and Samsung.
Sony said it plans to make PlayStation Store “directly available to Android based portable devices” as well.
Though the initial push is to bring early PlayStation games to Android devices, Sony is encouraging developers to create new content and wants smartphone manufacturers to get involved.
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“Sony Computer Entertainment will provide a new game development environment in an effort to ensure new and compelling content is delivered on PS Suite, which will also offer opportunities for a wider base of developers and publishers to further expand their business on various portable devices,” the company said.
Android device manufacturers that want to incorporate the PlayStation Suite will enter a PlayStation Certified licence programme.
“Through this programme, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support and logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of quality PlayStation experiences across various devices,” Sony said.
The platform holder spoke of a “dramatically evolving and diversifying mobile market” as key to its new direction.
“The number of users who enjoy games casually on a variety of devices including mobile phones, smart phones and tablet PCs, has been increasing significantly,” Sony said in a statement.
“By offering quality PlayStation content to this rapidly growing market, SCE will not only deliver the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users around the globe, but will also be able to offer game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to these devices.”
PlayStation Suite will be compatible with Android 2.3 and above.
A few months ago I speculated to a family member that eventually unprofitable console hardware would disappear and the big console publishers would focus on software-driven delivery like OnLive. Is this indication that Sony has seen the writing on the wall?
I see it as more that Sony has realised there is potential to opening up other avenues to developers, all bundled behind the Sony brand name.
What they really need, is the ability for Android developers to be able to target the PSP2, as easily as every other Android device. And by that I mean, free SDK, cheap licensing deal, open access to the hardware's potential etc... They have probably realised that there are a huge number of very talented developers, writing software that could make use of the PSP2's features. Developers that would otherwise be attracted by "more accessible" development platforms.
Microsoft realised, and embraced that concept with XNA. Sony and Nintendo have refused to accomodate the creative desires of hardware owners.
We've seen a massive swing back to the days of the one man development team, the bedroom coder etc... I think all future platforms have to consider that as a potential source of great games, that come without the obscene development budgets that burden the bigger studios.
Indie developers have proven time after time, that given a piece of hardware, and the software to create... they can innovate, above and beyond the biggest studios out there. Where the Lair's of this world, try and fail... the Flowers of this world thrive and succeed. Give good people good tools and hardware, and you will reap the rewards, it's not rocket science, it's plain and simple logic.
