MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
As many as twenty publishers have already thrown their weight behind Sony Ericsson’s new PlayStation Phone (known as Xperia Play).
Developers from SCE are creating content for the device alongside fellow studios Digital Chocolate, Electronic Arts, Fishlabs, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Namco Bandai Networks, PopCap.
Sony Ericsson also has signed a deal with Unity to ensure the latter’s engine will fully integrate with Xperia Play. Meanwhile, Sony has confirmed the PlayStation Suite, and PlayStation Store, will be attuned for the new smartphone.
“Xperia Play will forever change the way people think about smartphones and mobile gaming,” said Sony Ericsson executive vice president Rikko Sakaguchi.
A rush of developers have begun to pour praise over the new device, with exclusive deals – such as a multiplayer FIFA 2011 – announced.
Glu Mobile is set to develop a final Guitar Hero title for the device (Activision, the game’s publisher, has otherwise cancelled the franchise).
Electronic Arts’ worldwide studios’ boss Travis Boatman said the firm had “collaborated closely with Sony Ericsson to bring exciting versions our best-selling consumer favourites such as The Sims 3 and FIFA 10 to the Xperia Play”.
“The device’s dedicated gaming keypad gives FIFA players what matters most in a footy game — ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes and more,” he added.
“The Xperia Play’s unique gamepad also delivers robust control in The Sims 3 bringing a whole new life simulation experience to fans of the franchise. We look forward to watching consumers interact with our great games in new ways through the Xperia Play.”
Meanwhile, Gameloft president Michel Guillemot lavished praise on the device.
He said: “We are pleased to partner with Sony Ericsson to offer a catalogue of 10 of our best-selling games at launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. My vision since the creation of Gameloft was to turn video games into a true mass-market form of entertainment. This vision is realised with the launch of Xperia Play, which combines a perfect smartphone for daily use as well as a real game controller to provide the best gaming experience ever seen on a mobile phone.”
Guillemot added that over 20 games will be released on Xperia Play over the next 6 months.
Glu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi, meanwhile, said the studio is looking forward to “accelerating our momentum in social mobile gaming with compelling offerings on Sony Ericsson’s newest mobile devices."
