[Deadmeat]

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/501/501649p1.html?fromint=1

GDC 2004: Sony Booth Report
Not a huge presence but could tomorrow bring more?

March 24, 2004 - As we walked through the 2004 Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California today, it became rather obvious that Sony's presence on the show floor was surprisingly light. And though the company's booth did boast appearances by Final Fantasy XI and Resident Evil Outbreak, it was the add-on peripheral EyeToy that took center stage. Or should we say, it was EyeToy: Groove. Easily the most popular software title at the show, the second installment of Eye Toy software was capturing so much attention that we actually saw miniature lines forming to get a chance to play it. We'll have full details, impressions, and movies of Groove later on in the afternoon.

Interestingly, several of Sony's overseas properties like SingStar (a karaoke program created by SCEE) and Mojib Ribbon (the sequel to Vib Ribbon were on display as well, but the Sony representatives we spoke with would not confirm whether or not any of these games would be coming to the States.

Other Sony technology being discussed and presented included the PS2 performance analyzer (a development tool used for system analysis), a few demonstrations of the HDD hard drive, various online connection exhibitions, and the new PS2 Debug LT; which is a start-up card that allows developers and artists to target debugging stations over an Ethernet connection.

"GDC is a casual atmosphere where we just want to show off a couple of things and do our part," said one Sony representative. "You can expect to see a whole lot more of what we're working on at E3."

But we may not have to wait that long; as there were a couple of rumors that suggested that Sony may have a little something more up its sleeve later tonight and tomorrow. The first juicy tidbit was the possibility that we may hear an update on the status of hush-hush NICO project from a key member of the original game's design team, while a second suggested that we could see some kind of visual representation for the upcoming portable gaming device, PSP. Whether or not that visual representation of the PSP would be hardware or software based, we do not know -- nor do we know if these prospects actually hold any water. But with our own personal anticipation for such revelations at a fevered high, you can bet that we'll keep you posted on any developments.

PSP demos soon????

[Panajev2001a]

-- Thursday, March 25, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Dave Coombes, senior development support engineer, and Peter Young, software engineer, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America, lecture on "Programming the PlayStation Portable (PSP(TM))," Programming Track, room B2, Convention Center. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the resources it will take to create a game for PSP and the types of gameplay experiences it enables.

http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/03_16_04_08_00AM.htm

[McFly]

Nico? Did I read Nico? Wohoo!

Fredi

[zurich]

Forget PSP, NICO!

[marconelly!]

McFLy, I think Ueda speech has finished, without him saying anything about NICO. He issued a no-comment statement on their next game.

See here:
http://www.1up.com/article2/0,2053,1553979,00.asp

[McFly]

Originally Posted by marconelly!

See here:
http://www.1up.com/article2/0,2053,1553979,00.asp

Yeah, seen that before, but did not connect it to the speech. My hopes are still intact, ya know, hope dies last.

Fredi

[marconelly!]

I know. I'm hoping as well. These speeches Ueda is making at GDC every year, and in Japan as well, at least give the hope that he *must* be working on something. He obvously hasn't retired or anything.

[McFly]

Some new PSP bits:

PSP(TM) Provides Ultimate Portable Entertainment Platform

House also provided a progress report for the highly anticipated 21st century portable entertainment system, PSP(TM). Scheduled for release within the company's fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, PSP will target early adopters and teens, with a focus on gaming as the killer application. Emphasizing widespread content development for the platform, House provided details regarding PSP support plans.

Chris Charla, senior producer and Mike Mika, creative director, Backbone Entertainment, joined House and provided a first-hand account of the PSP software development process. Charla emphasized the unique opportunities PSP provides developers including the ability to bring the home console experience to hand-held systems for the first time, and the ease of development for the platform. Mika then demonstrated the power of PSP with a premiere unveiling of Death, Jr.(TM) and announced that the title will be a PSP exclusive.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040325/sfth052_1.html

No screens till now.

Fredi

[Deadmeat]

Highlights of the keynote address included details about: the 10-year lifecycle for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and its benefits to the industry

A 10 year life cycle of PSX2? What are these SCEI executives smoking????

[Fafalada]

A 10 year life cycle of PSX2? What are these SCEI executives smoking????

Well PS1 DID have a 10year life cycle - and PS2 has only been more successfull so far... is it really that unlikely?

[V3]

What are these SCEI executives smoking????

Hundred dollar bill

Mika then demonstrated the power of PSP with a premiere unveiling of Death, Jr.(TM) and announced that the title will be a PSP exclusive.

What's that, an original exclusive title ? Where're my ports ?

[marconelly!]

First concept art screen, with what seems like realtime main character model:



And more quotes from game's developer:

If the name inspires visions in your head of a superdeformed Grim Reaper (something like the Blind Skateboards mascot), you wouldn't be very far off the mark. The trailer featured graphics roughly comparable to PS2 games and a action-oriented style reminiscent of Spyro the Dragon or Maximo.

Polygon for polygon," he claimed, "PSP has more power than PS2," and it's apparently easier to develop for as well. "A huge number of effects that are given to you in software on PS2 are available in hardware on PSP
.
.
.
Charla compared the ease of development to experience with the GameCube, saying that Backbone had its first PSP game up and running within two man-weeks, and a PS2 project ported over to the PSP within four.

And from SCEA's spokeperson:

Worldwide, House claimed some 81 developers are at work on PSP games: 23 in North America, 24 in Japan, and 34 in Europe. His presentation featured expressions of support from several developer representatives -- Electronic Arts, Vicarious Visions, and even long-time Nintendo partisan Julian Eggebrecht of Factor 5 had encouraging words to add.

All found at:
http://www.1up.com/article2/0,2053,1554440,00.asp

[zurich]

...but where's Squenix?

[marconelly!]

From my own selfish perspective, Squeenix support for PSP would be cool only because it would garner better sales for the device. Other than that, it would take a mirracle for me to buy any of their games. Actually I did buy one for PS1 - Einhander.

[Deadmeat]

[img]

[Deadmeat]

Compare to PSP...

[Tiberius]

it seems it's the 1rst 3d game they make http://www.digitaleclipse.com/live/m...?v=pi&sort=p#4

[I.S.T.]

Originally Posted by Deadmeat

Compare to PSP...

Taht looks like it's been played in an emulator with AA turned on.

[Sonic]

For once Deadmeat and I agree on something. I was thinking of how the crappy pics resemble N64 level stills, though this is a game early in development so I still have an open mind. Are there any final specs on the PSP that have been released and if so would anyone mind repeating them?

[I.S.T.]

The pics are of a shitty quality but IMO the actual GFX looks better than any N64 game I've played or owned.

[Tiberius]

there's a movie on gamespot http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/d...jr_pspgdc1.asx

[jvd]

I would say the quality seems to fall between the n64 and the dreamcast. Not quite as good as the first gen dc games but very impressive for a handheld. Only question is how will it look on a 4 inch screen and how good is the fsaa

[Deadmeat]

The shortfall in PSP graphics is attributable to lack of memory. This is why I keep emphasizing on memory capacity so much.

I am very much concerned by the lack of sufficient memory for 5th gen consoles, since these machines really do need at least 512 MB or more to show off their true power....

[V3]

The only impressive thing, are these particles effects.

The artwork is reminiscent of that Lucasart game Grim Fandago(sp?).

If no name developer can get this kind of stuff done, in less than half a year, maybe future looks bright for PSP.

I would say the quality seems to fall between the n64 and the dreamcast. Not quite as good as the first gen dc games but very impressive for a handheld.

However, it looks better than any early PS2 title, the platformers type anyway

On Dreamcast there was Sonic Adventure, which looks better than this thing, but on PS2, I don't remember any good looking platformer, until Rayman 2. But the particles effects, is definitely something above what Dreamcast ever offered.

[jvd]

well thats because the only decent looking ps2 game for a long time was mgs . Otherwise i was never and still am not impressed with ps2 graphics .