PSP-4000 and PSP2 Coming Soon

[The 1 2 P]

Reports of both of these systems have been coming in although there hasn't been an official announcement made yet by Sony: http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/ne...sp2-to-follow/

Like the artical says, the PSP-4000 is most likely being made to fight off the new DSi that releases here next year. As for the PSP2, I hope they make more games for it than the first one.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Notes to Sony:

• Ditch the Vertical Resolution Line LCD screen found in the 3000 model.
  Sure, it's sharper and brighter ... but the movement artifacts aren't pretty.
  
• 2 Analog Sticks in both the PSP 4000 and the PSP 2 please. Thank you.

[TonyTheTiger]

Assuming that a PSP-4000 would not have software that doesn't work on earlier models, how will a second analog work? Now on a PSP2 that's a must.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Assuming that a PSP-4000 would not have software that doesn't work on earlier models, how will a second analog work? Now on a PSP2 that's a must.

As many many hardware modifiers have already done, it could be assignable to the X, Square, Triangle and Circle buttons with some type of software handled dead-space between them.

It would be more of a pseudo digital stick mapped out to buttons ... but in a more appropriate place.

There are plenty of MAME cabinets that use joysticks that are just mapped out to keyboard keys with the fakey-analog timing handled by the software.

I'm sure Sony could do it if they wanted to. (They probably won't on the PSP-4000, but a guy can dream!)

[neuropolitique]

As many many hardware modifiers have already done, it could be assignable to the X, Square, Triangle and Circle buttons with some type of software handled dead-space between them.

It would be more of a pseudo digital stick mapped out to buttons ... but in a more appropriate place.

There are plenty of MAME cabinets that use joysticks that are just mapped out to keyboard keys with the fakey-analog timing handled by the software.

I'm sure Sony could do it if they wanted to. (They probably won't on the PSP-4000, but a guy can dream!)

fuck you make my brain hurt.

[RyanMurf]

fuck you make my brain hurt.

Haha its not all that complicated just read line by line and im sure you will understand

[Leo_A]

I highly doubt a second analog stick would work with preexisting titles. They'd have to be patched (Does this ever happen to PSP games? I've never downloaded anything ingame, just firmware updates).

But there's no reason future PSP titles couldn't take advantage of it, with the option being able to be turned on in a options screen or automatically be enabled if it detected it was running on a PSP-4000.

[SpaceHarrier]

I doubt I'll be purchasing any of the X000 model PSPs, one is enough. The PSP2 could be enticing though...hmmm: BLUMD??? Maybe?? I mean, c'mon! That would be cool. Probably really really expensive, but it's Sony, right?

[Hitman Tyler]

Oh come on Sony! How many models do you need to put out? I am trying to decide which to buy, I am leading towards a 2000 though.
Also a 2nd analog in my mind is not worth it, I kinda like the psp the way it is. I would like a touch screen but I know it's kinda impossible but beggars can't be choosers also

[GrandAmChandler]

fuck you make my brain hurt.

I agree, leave the controls the way they are.

[kedawa]

A second analog stick would be nice for PS1 emulation, but so would R2/3 and L2/3 buttons.
I don't see it happening.

[CosmicMonkey]

I'm sure that there will eventually be a 4000 series PSP, but it'll be just the same feature-wise as the current 3000 series. Maybe Sony will sneak in a screen fix, but it'll just be one final cost saving model with less components, and a reduced production cost. If it becomes cheap enough/technically feasible, they could possibly build-in the GPS unit or even the camera but that's all the current PSP spec would allow for.

As for the inevitable PSP2, I'm hoping that design wise it'll be somewhere between the Pandora and this lovely fan-made render:



Whatever we end up with, I'm sure it will be a very nice looking product and will feature enhanced PSP/PS3 connectivity. I'm wondering if it will feature a touch/multi-touch display, and I'm sure Sony will find a reason to include one (if only to compete with iPhone/iPod). I also think that PSP2 will be the one that Sony add full mobile phone functions to. I mean, most of the hardware is already there, just add a SIM slot and away you go.

As for the games, I'm really hoping it will be the end of UMD. The question is: will Sony go for download-only games? All new Sony published games for the PSP are available as download from the PS Store, so they're definitely testing the water. And following the blatant hacking and piracy that plagued the current PSP, Sony are obviously going to go for the most secure method of distribution.

People are already loving WiiWare/PSN/Live!, and all iPhone/iPod games are only available digitally. It'll be interesting to see how Brazil gets on with the Zeebo too, if anyone actually buys one. Give it a couple more years and the whole concept will be much more widely accepted. Much as some of you guys hate the idea of not having box/manual/disc, digital downloads really are the future.

[Leo_A]

That thing looks horrible, lets hope their plans don't include anything like that.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY1wM-YexC4

I'm really surprised that nobody has seen a modified PSP with a 2nd analog installed.

Fast forward to about 1:00 and you can see it in action. Works fine mapped to the buttons ... if sony added firmware code to flesh out the functionality they really wouldn't have to "patch" anything.

[DeputyMoniker]

I'd rather they just make a good handheld. Skip all the "extra" features. And can you imagine having to play a game on that rendering? You'd have to attach it to a chest harness so the weight distribution wouldn't hurt your wrists...the controls are way too far down the base. It looks good though.

[kedawa]

Agreed. The original DS was bad enough ergonomically, and that thing looks 10x worse.

[CosmicMonkey]

I'd rather they just make a good handheld. Skip all the "extra" features.

Oh, I agree. But the only company now that makes pure games consoles is Nintendo. Going by Sony's MO, and the evolving multimedia capabilities of the PSX, PS3 and PSP, we know the PSP2 is going to be Sony's attempt at an über-handheld/smartphone.

And can you imagine having to play a game on that rendering? You'd have to attach it to a chest harness so the weight distribution wouldn't hurt your wrists...the controls are way too far down the base. It looks good though.

I'm sure it would be appalling to play, but I really like the overall concept. I'll be interested to compare it to the final product.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Oh, I agree. But the only company now that makes pure games consoles is Nintendo...

Wait, the Wii with it's growing selection of non-gaming related "channels" (Weather, News, Internet, Photo, Chat, etc.) and the DSi with it's two cameras, SD card slot and music playback features are PURE game consoles?

Maybe you meant until very recently Nintendo was the only company making pure gaming devices.

[The 1 2 P]

That thing looks horrible.

Sure does. It looks more like a portable dvd player than a game machine.

[CosmicMonkey]

Well, the new PSP rumors certainly keep on coming. It seems that UMD really is out and the system will be available with either 8GB or 16GB of internal flash memory. Currently there seem to be a couple of names floating around, of which PSP Go! is one. So maybe a built-in Go!Cam? It'd certainly make sense. The rumors also point to a complete redesign with a sliding form factor. Which leads nicely to another artist's impression:



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