Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Real Video

Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Real Video

First Real video:

A Japanese video released by Yomiuri News shows the forthcoming Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) for first time running in someone's hands and not connected to kiosk, as were all the PSP units at the E3 Expo this year.

The video shows the PSP running both Gran Turismo 4 Mobile and Dokodemo Issho games.


Watch Video:

Below are two locations to watch the video, which is about 3.5mb in size, narration is in Japanese:

- Streaming Version (Yomiuri Server, .asx)
- Windows Media Version (Lik-Sang Server, .wmv)

The video show's that the hardware engine is very much complete and it should not be long before developers get their hands on a test unit and begin creating their games.

Those who cannot wait, may wish to get their pre-order for the PSP confirmed through Lik-Sang International - your pre-order can be cancelled by yourself at any time and is in no way binding.


The CPU:

PSP will make use of twin MIPS R4000 32 bit processors running at max 333 Megahertz. One of these units is referred to as the Media Engine, and is to be used for sound, movies and I/O management. In addition, the system will include a so-called VFPU floating point vector unit with calculation capability of up to 2.6 Gigaflops. This latter unit is meant for assisting the CPU in 3D calculations.


The Memory:

The system is expected to feature 8 Megabytes main memory with bandwidth of 2.6 Gigabytes per second along with two megabytes of sub-memory, also at 2.6 Gigabytes per second, which will be used by the Media Engine.


The Graphics Processor:

The GPU is made up of a Rendering Engine and a Surface Engine and has access to 2 Megabytes of VRAM with a bandwidth of 5.3 Gigabytes per second. The hardware will include support for traditional polygons as well as curved surface primitives along with such things as clipping, morphing and more, freeing up software from having to deal with these. Sony claims a theoretical polygon performance of 33 million polygons per second.

The Disc:

The system's UMD (Universal Media Disc) optical disk format has also been clarified a bit. A UMD is a 60 millimeter dual layered disk that can store up to 1.8 Gigabytes of data. Transfer rate for the reader unit is 11 Megabits per second, which is twice the transfer rate of a standard DVD system. Sony is also promising the highest level of copy protection for these discs using DiscID and AES encoding technology.

The Release Date:

A worldwide simultaneous launch for the unit is expected for the fourth quarter of 2004.

Sony: no plans yet for controlling PSP via DualShock 3 for future games

Sony has made many promises before on raising PSP and PS3 interconnectivity. Unfortunately, that probably doesn't include more games - aside from Resistance: Retribution - being able to use the PSP via the DualShock 3.

In case you haven't heard of the function yet, Resistance: Retribution will be able to connect to the PS3's Resistance 2 via "Infected mode." Aside from changing the storyline significantly, it also allows you to use the DualShock 3 to play on the PSP, vastly improving your control over your character with a second joystick.

A Sony rep said they aren't even considering the possibility of integrating this tech with future games yet. The tech is still in the hands of Retribution's studio, Sony Bend. There are so many possibilities they could do with this, and I hope they do consider it soon. A lot of PSP games will undoubtedly benefit from a second joystick.

Sony: Resistance: Retribution PSP-PS3 connectivity is an added feature, not a US$ 60 cheat code

What is the Infected Mode in Resistance: Retribution really? Is it really just an added bonus feature for those who have both Retribution and Resistance 2, or is it actually a US$ 60 cheat code? Stephen Totilo of MTV Multiplayer dug into this question, and what he found should be sufficient for now for you to take your stand on the matter.

Without PSP-Plus

Here's what he found out, based on his hands-on preview of the PSP-PS3 connectivity feature:

• The PSP-Plus feature will let you control the handheld game using the PS3 controller. Using this feature will disable the game-assist feature of Retribution, and will instead put on a PS3 schematic. More challenging this way, they say.

• Infected Mode

• Changes James Grayson's dialogue, infects him with an enemy Chimera virus, turns his eyes orange, provides him with a costume change
• Health-pack-oriented health system replaced with regen health ala Halo style
• Underwater-breathing capabilities
• New weapon HE .44 Magnum
• Cut-scenes changes according to the new dynamics of the team due to Grayson's infection
• Access to Chimera-locked doors and hidden areas and Intel
• more

With PSP-Plus

More, huh? It's good that it does do a lot more, right? Maybe not, if you don't own a PS3 unit and you can't play Resistance 2. And don't even think renting a copy would do. See, the Infected Mode stays on your game for as long as the system is on, or even when it's on Sleep mode. Once you turn off your PSP, it's gone. Therefore you'll really have to own Resistance 2 to fully enjoy Infected Mode. It's actually a very well-drawn out plot for you to get Resistance 2 AND a PS3 unit. It's called keeping it all in the family, methinks?

So. Do you think the PSP players are getting the shorter end of the stick? Sony says no, cos Retribution is already a full experience in itself. Even without the Infected Mode, you're already gonna get 12 hours of gameplay. Really, the PS3 connection is just an added feature.

Oh, and by the way, the Infected Mode can be a strategic tool for gamers out there. You can re-Infect yourself at any point in the game, and so possibly get you out of a tight spot if the scene calls for an Infected gameplay.

But really, these are just bonus features.

Hone your hand-eye coordination: Q.T.E. homebrew for PSP

Consider this practice for God of War 3 or Heavy Rain. Finger-work and fast reflexes will forever remain as one of your best assets as a gamer, so here's something so mind-numbingly simple that it's actually pure genius. It's a homebrew game (or is it an app for training?) that concerns itself with Quick Time Event (QTE) button pressing.

Yes. Like I told you, it's simple. (Useless? I don't think so.) And all you have to do here is follow the on-screen buttons and press them on cue. Just like QTE sequences in games - well, without the fancy animations of course.

As French homebrew dev Light-wolf says, it's perfect to while away the time waiting for the bus or... yeah, why not on the toilet too?

PSP Homebrew: Champyonshipp Kaiten Patissier 1.00 PSP R1

Homebrew developer Mk2k has released a follow up to Ura Kaiten Patissier 1.00 R1 for the PlayStation Portable called Champyonshipp Kaiten Patissier 1.00 PSP R1.

This application is a port of Alpha Secret Base's popular game of the same name.

Like the other games in the Kaiten Patissier series, this is a level-rotating, puzzle game. It sports 50 different levels which should be enough for fans of these types of games to chew on until the next release.

Like all homebrew applications, remember to go over the documentation for full installation instructions.

APPSwitcher PSP v1.1: more GAME folder support

Sweet! MK2k has updated the APPSwitcher plugin that lets you categorize and organize your homebrew as seen on the XMB - perfect for someone as obsessive compulsive as I am! Shuffling from category to category is done by a simple button combination.

Now on v1.1, the app supports more directories, as well as some additional fixes. Here are the changes for APPSwitcher PSP v1.1:

• ISO, GAME150 etc. directories now work
• The content of the memorystick gets automatically refreshed (no need for the workaround of activating/deactivating the USB mode anymore)
• The standard XMB functionality should now work correctly

Full notes and other instructions on how to specifically set up APPSwitcher are in the playfully titled "README_OR_DIE" text file. Really, you should. For those who might need it, the download archive also contains the source codes.

Homebrew goin' oldschool: Alex the Allegator 4 ported to PSP

Oldschool time! MK2k has ported Alex the Allegator 4 for the PSP. It was originally coded by Johan Peitz as a freeware game on the PC, and now, that same game that's deliberately made to be riminiscent of the GameBoy platformer era is on your handheld!

For this port, MK2k appends the following notes:

• Read the readme_psp.txt for installation notes and button configuration.
• Alex the Allegator 4 PSP comes with an extra menu for choosing custom level packs, read readme_psp.txt on how to install new custom packs (there are already four custom packs included).

But he didn't need to tell you that already, did he? At this point, reading the readme should already be habit! You guys can drop by the forums to meet and greet MK2k.