Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Says 'LSI Development for PSP is Nearly Done'
July 15, 2004 (TOKYO) -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc (SCE) revealed the "PlayStation Portable" (PSP), its mobile game console to be released at the end of 2004, at its event for the game industry, "PlayStation Meeting 2004," on July 12.
The company disclosed at the same time that it is preparing a total of 59 titles from 59 software makers for the console.
SCE plans to start marketing the PSP in Japan at the end of 2004 and in Europe and the United States by March 2005. Additionally, the company mentioned the advancement of the development of a model to follow "PlayStation 2" (PS2).
SCE emphasized that PSP's performance deserves to make it the latest PlayStation by referring to its core microcontroller with the main DRAM memory of 32MB, upgraded from the initial 8MB at its market debut in 2003.
The IEEE802.11b wireless LAN is installed as a communications interface to be used for hotspots, or wireless LAN access services in public locations. The company also assumes the device to be used for ad-hoc networking that connects PSP terminals.
"Our ad-hoc networking has connectivity of up to 16 terminals so that gamers can enjoy games in trains and buses on the way to school," said SCE's CTO Masayuki Chatani.
The company's President Fumiya Takeno commented on "Universal Media Disc" (UMD), its read-only optical disc to be used for the first time in PSP.
"We achieved a low manufacturing cost of 250 yen per disc from the start and expect to further lower the cost," Takeno said.
Meanwhile, CEO Ken Kutaragi, said, "We will complete final development of the PSP's microcontroller, including bug check before long."
As for the PSP development tool, Kutaragi predicted, "We can provide the tool within this fiscal year."
Emulation software has been the only available environment for developing videogame titles thus far. SCE expects that it can offer its performance analyzer in fiscal 2005. The company appears to be planning a presentation of this microcontroller at "HOT CHIPS" (A Symposium on High Performance Chips), a conference related to microprocessors and signal processor chips to be held at Stanford University in the United States.
SCE to Unveil Outline of Next-Generation PS in Spring 2005
Also, Kutaragi commented on the presentation plan for the next-generation model of PS.
"We are planning to hold its premiere (an official presentation of its framework) around the spring of 2005 and exhibit its actual equipment at the "Electronic Entertainment Expo" (E3) (to be held in Los Angeles, on May 18-20, 2005), Kutaragi said.
The company plans to start offering its first-generation development tool between the official presentation and E3, and subsequently release its second-generation development tool around the fall of 2005, when the Tokyo Game Show 2005 is held.
SCE confirmed the console will have some playable game titles by the time of the show. (That show being TGS??)
Kutaragi stressed that the development is on schedule.
"It is only because we are making solid progress in general that I can give you such a bold prediction," Kutaragi said.
