Finally the PSP is getting functionality that actually makes it stand out in ways that the DS doesn’t. Here is a list of improvements/add-ons, that are coming soon for the PSP:

1. Skype support (for PSP Slim only): VOIP support for the PSP will hit in the next few weeks. PSP owners will be able to call and receive calls from landlines and cellphones for an additional charge. It will come as a firmware update, but will apparently only be accessible for Slim owners. Sony points towards a memory difference between the two versions of the handheld as the cause.
2. PSP GPS: Sony is officially showcasing a PSP GPS system at the 2008 CES. GPS has been available in Japan, but is now going to come to other countries as well. Users will be able to download city guides, see real time 2D and 3D maps, as well as get driving directions. No pricing has been released at this time, but it is still awesome to see the potential use of the PSP as more of a powerful handheld device.
3. Blu-ray to PSP move download: Sony has been showcasing the PSP’s ability to download a lower-res version of a Blu-Ray movie through the PS3. This makes me actually kinda want some Blu-Ray movies….

Dunno about you, but all these PSP additions make me happy to own the system. I am not happy that I won’t be able to use Skype–though I don’t know how much I actually would have used it, but I still wish I had the option. Maybe I’ll just sell the phat PSP to Aegies…

Anyways, combine these new features with games like God of War: Chains of Olympus, and I think the PSP has a good year ahead of it.

Chufmoney

Posted in PSP, PSP Lite, PSP revision, Sony, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Gameindustry.biz has learned that the PSP will get original titles, via the Playstation Network, in 2008. The store will also carry demos of retail releases and PS1 titles. All the PSP merchandise is scheduled to be available to find, purchase, and download to the PSP, via any wireless hotspot.

According to the Gameindustry source, thirteen games are being developed internally for release in the Playstation Store. Sony is also hopeful that more developers will jump at the chance to make downloadable games, as the cutting out of the middle man — fuck you, Gamestop — will make it more lucrative for both Sony and the publisher.

While this sounds amazing in theory, I have my doubts as to whether it will actually happen as they say. Sony is not in a position where they can screw with retailers, as evidenced by the release of Warhawk in both retail and downloadable forms, making we here at ESG pretty sure that whatever games come out for download will be released in some sort of retail form as well (hellllooo game bundles).

Chufmoney

Posted in PSP, PlayStation Network, Playstation Store, Sony, psp download store | No Comments »

I have been busy as hell lately. On top of my normal work, which is writing guides to games for MyCheats, I have been doing more than my fare share of previews for 1up.com and Modojo.com. I just wanted to share them with you because they are about games I think the readers of our site should know about (especially Kane and Lynch). So, click away!

Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (PSP, Wii)

Kane and Lynch (360)

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron Hands-on Multiplayer (PSP)

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron (PSP)

Jam Sessions (DS)

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness Episodes I (PC, 360, Mac, Linux)

So, as you can see, I have been busy. Lots of meetings, talks, travels to game companies. All in all, it’s been amazing. Either way, just wanted to share, some of these games are looking pretty good.

Chufmoney

Posted in 1UP, Kane & Lynch, LucasArts, Modojo, PSP, Penny-Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of, Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, Video Games, Wii | No Comments »

Sometimes Sony makes me super happy. Granted, I had mixed emotions about the new PSP. I was happy to see the improvements, especially the video out, but was sad to remember that I already own a PSP fatty.

For those of you who were waiting for a new PSP, it probably made you really happy to hear about its features: the smaller size, slimmer profile, video out, and built in flash memory.

Wait, what the fuck?

Where is the longer life battery? It is missing! That’s because the new slim PSP only gets 3-6 hours of game play per charge with the stock battery. However, for those of you who hate that idea you can take the old PSP battery and put it in your new PSP and it will make the life much longer. However, this also ruins the slimness of the system. Sony will be offering new battery covers for those who wish to put the fat battery in their slim system.

Seriously Sony, why did you shit on the good thing you were doing?

Chufmoney

[via PSP fanboy]

Posted in PSP, PSP Lite, PSP revision | No Comments »

If there is something that we have been talking about here at ESG it is that Sony needs to start making its advantages over the DS more apparent. One thing that they could do this with is full download games. The PSP, unlike the DS, does have the nice ability to use lots of memory if one desired to do so.
The recent firmware 3.50, as well as the newest patch 3.51, have a file within them that allows the playback of games from the memory stick. It is an official ISO loader.
Does this confirm that the Playstation Store really is coming? And, if it does, does this ISO loader, which can play full PSP software as well as PS1 games, say that Sony will start releasing games via UMD and download? Good things could be coming our way very, very soon.

Chufmoney

[via joystiq, via PSPfanboy]

Posted in PSP, PSP firmware update | No Comments »

Sony recently released the 3.50 firmware for the PSP. This was the firmware update that unlocked the full power of the PSP for developers. However, it also left open a nice little method for homebrewers to take advantage of the new update.
To run homebrew with firmware 3.50 all you need is a copy of Lumines and a little determination. While I won’t go into detail here about how to specifically bypass the firmware and run homebrew applications (there are plenty of places where you can read that), I will just say that the exploit comes through the menu system of Lumines.

As a result of the firmware update and its inherent homebrew hack via Lumines, Gamasutra reports that the sales of the game on Amazon have gone up by 5,900%! This places Lumines at the top of Amazon’s PSP sales chart.

Sony has not taken this situation lightly though. They just released their 3.51 firmware update, which, unlike the previous update, does nothing to help out the performance of the system. This update merely changes it so that the Lumines exploit is no longer accessible.

Chufmoney

Posted in Lumines, PSP, firmware | No Comments »