Sony have gone to E3 with all guns blazing in light of the hacking issues that have plagued its Playstation network (and since PS4 is a year away yet), giving it double the reason to look for some love from gamers.
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| Image: Sony Vita |
So, first to the E3 stage it brought its star performer hopeful Vita, the Latin word for ‘life’.
And they will be hoping this hand held will bring some much need life back into the PS category.
The next gen console is “a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity” with Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi models available”, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for you to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play” with your friends wherever they are,” writes John Koller, Director, Hardware Marketing in his blog.
The 5 inch multi-touch Vita incorporates an OLED screen in front and a multi-touch pad at the rear, will start at $249 (Wi-Fi only) and $299 (Wi-Fi/3G). Two analogue sticks enable a wider range of game genres.
Sony also announced changes to its PS network including LiveArea an interactive space for each Vita software title that allows you to access the latest game information, a ‘near’ a pre-installed application that lets you see what other Vita users in the vicinity are playing.
Social networking is also allowed through ‘party’ tool which lets you voice chat or text while playing games.
The gamer also announced titles from SCE Worldwide Studios, including Street Fighter X Tekken, Super Stardust Delta,UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss, LittleBigPlanet, and Ruin exclusively Vita as well as Little Deviants, Hot Shots Golf, Reality Fighter, Hustle Kings, ModNation Racers and Wipeout.
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| Image: Sony |
Now, to the PS gaming accessories. To this end it unveiled some pretty sweet accessories including 24 inch LCD 3D display designed especially for gaming and has a two-player feature, offering both 2D and 3D screen.
It also optimizes two-player mode by delivering individual full HD screens, giving each person their own full screen view of the action on the same display while playing co-op or head-to-head, writes Koller.
It also boasts a “ultra-slim” PlayStation inspired bezel design and built-in speakers and subwoofer and also promises to deliver all of media content in 3D just by connecting to PS3, PC or TV box, so it isn’t just strictly for gaming alone.
At a US$499 pricetag, it doesn’t come cheap but does come with glasses, HDMI cable and Resistance 3 bundle (see below).
Keeping with the 3D theme, it also brought 3D glasses aboard, which Sony says are “comfortable stylish” design and also have a built-in rechargeable battery, which comes with the display or can be bought separately for around US$69.
And Sony’s specs will also work with a “variety” of active shutter type 3D TVs and displays.
Resistance 3, The Doomsday bundle, out on September 6, includes the game on Blu-ray, a PlayStation Move motion controller, navigation controller, PlayStation Eye, and PlayStation Move sharp shooter, selling for around $149.99.
