210°

Sony's Vita TV does what Apple TV has so far failed to

Sony's Vita TV adapter will allow gamers to play PS Vita and stream PS4 games to any television in their home.
In effect, Sony has beaten Apple to a critical phase in the development of tiny media boxes.
For some time now, Apple fans have expected Cupertino to announce the arrival of apps – and even some form of controller – to allow Apple TV to become a pseudo-gaming console.

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gamerthumb.com
Qrphe3871d ago

Ironically, I'd only play any PS game but PS Vita games on this device, touch controls on this thing seem unbearable to pull off.

US8F3871d ago

Mapping L3 and R3 for the front and back touch control could work. I rather they implement that on the dualshock controller than abandon the psVita games all together. To each his own I guess

ginsunuva3871d ago

But now maybe devs who make vita games will use touch less. And ignore rear-touch altogether.

PopRocks3593871d ago

Am I the only one who thinks mapping touch controls to L3/R3 is extremely impractical? What about the rear touch panel controls for games like Tearaway?

mattkelly19913871d ago

What about the ds4 touch pad for the ps vita touch pad?

Eonjay3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Another brilliant move on the part of Sony. A $500 fantasy football box is not casual. A $99 dedicated game machine with built in Netflix, Hulu and the like not only appeals to the wider market, but also the the PlayStation fanbase looking to extend their PS4 into other rooms.
This is just another win for Sony and the consumer.

nix3871d ago

okay... how i think they might handle the touch control until DS4 gets updated. DS3 still comes with extra tow shoulder buttons. so you press L2 and move the left stick around for front touch and R2 and right stick to simulate rear touch.

or simply R3 and L3.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3871d ago
Kydawg3871d ago

They will figure that out, like they figured out everything else.

Qrphe3871d ago

They surely didn't figure out PS3/Vita remote play, and it was more or less one line of code away. Don't expect most Vita devs to go back and rework their code to make this functionality work.

Kydawg3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

@Qrphe
Are you ok man? What's with people today? It seems like the dumb beetle has infected everyone. 1st- PS3/Vita remote play will be done through the PS4/Gaikai/VitaTV, along with PS1, PS2 and PS4 games. 2nd- Who cares they didn't think of this with the PS3, they thought of it now. 3rd- I expect every dev to make PS3 functionality work with Vita/Gaikai/Vita TV because it will make them a ton of cash. Don't know what your "one line of code" rambling nonsense is and I don't think you know either. It's called brains, grow some.

Qrphe3871d ago

>Don't know what your "one line of code"...

Of course you wouldn't, you need to do your homework.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

Soldierone3871d ago

Not really, vita's touch controls are normally just the touchscreens making up for lack of buttons. Rear screen is often times the shoulder buttons, and thefront screen is the analog.

Other features for the touch screen are just "bonus" things that can be turned off in settings of the games.

Very few games like Little Deviants actually require full fledged touch and motion controls.

miyamoto3871d ago

PS vita TV is sold out at Amazon JP!

1GB storage is built-in to the system, and it can output in 480p, 720p and 1080i.
&
Gaikai

Seals the deal for me.

it is small enough to be portable.

rainslacker3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Even so, less than 10% of Vita games, if that, absolutely require touch controls. They're usually just added on after the fact, such as in Rayman Origins. I'd expect in the future that devs will map controls to make it functional, and that the less than 10% will stay the same. There will be the few oddball titles that won't work, but that doesn't mean the other 90%+ are going to disappear.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3871d ago
demonddel3871d ago

wow everything Sony does is revolutionary but I guess im the minority here but couldn't they have done this on the ps3 or ps4 without having too buy a new device im just saying not hating

Kydawg3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Hello? Anyone home up there? No, how are you going to stream games, ect. to another TV ect. without a device on that TV? Think before you speak.

KwietStorm_BLM3871d ago

Yea, he's wrong. Just try to be a little less condescending next time.

Raccoon3871d ago

This is not a debate as youre correct about needing psvita tv to stream ps4 content to other displays...

smart tv's which are capapable of installing 3rd party apps and services like netflix, hulu, youtube ect. Likely gaikai in the near future... With features like those its safe to say streaming content to my tv or display device free is the imminent future.

I love gaming on the big screen to the psvita tv will replace my ps vita as my ps4 outdoor streamer....

Mystogan3871d ago

I'm not sure how this is revolutionary.

This is what every android console is trying to do. Only this one has Playstation games instead of Android games.

rainslacker3871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

"Only this one has Playstation games instead of Android games."

and that makes it infinitely more desirable.

Now imagine if Sony happens to start implementing that patent to add trophy support into older games without having to modify the original code.

UltimateMaster3871d ago

Is the PS3 really as slim as that Vita TV?

It's meant for easy travel to a friend.

tiffac0083870d ago (Edited 3870d ago )

Not that slim. The PS3 still has the optical drive and built in storage(or space for it) after all but if you mean to travel with the newer slim models, then you shouldn't have any problems.

KwietStorm_BLM3871d ago

There's no Vita game port on PS3, it can't stream PS4 content, and as many people keep overlooking, even with it in the headline of this very article itself, the device is easily marketable in the same marketplace with Apple TV. People who don't even own a PS3 can buy this cheap media device and stream actual PlayStation content, not smartphone games.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3870d ago
jgrigs093871d ago (Edited 3871d ago )

Apple hasn't ever considered adding gaming to their company. They could back in 2010, when they were about to buy out Sony. Now I applaud Sony for making this Vita TV, I just think it will have major issues like the Kinect did. If Apple does ever consider adding gaming apps to the Apple TV, it will probably be until they release a new one. They did announce, their won't be anything about the Apple TV at their conference tomorrow. So maybe next Apple TV they'll have some Apps. Other then that, I could careless.

TheLyonKing3871d ago

Finally no more hauling consoles around the house.
Been waiting for this ever since ps1 which is currently in the spare room, my ps2 downstairs and the ps3 in me and my girlfriends room!

Hope uk gets a release date soon! Would be great to have the ps4 as the living room entertainment box and then play the games anywhere. Great move by Sony!

Evil_Ryu3871d ago

sounds like a device for a very niche market...perhaps if the psp grows in numbers i can see it being more populer until then this is a gamble.

150°

Apple officially allows retro game emulators on the App Store

Retro gaming console emulator apps are now welcome on the Apple App Store and can even offer downloadable games.

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engadget.com
-Foxtrot9d ago

Nintendo is probably preparing their battle stations as we speak.

purple1019d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Yep most probably
Definitely infact

It’s just since apple got official dualsense support a while ago, (ios 14.5, it was 2 years ago now) I thought it useful to post here

fsfsxii8d ago

Lmao imagine thinking nintendo has a chance against Apple

Profchaos8d ago

The beaten quite a few prolific companies the past like universal so it's not unwinable

H99d ago

Nintendo be like: we were supposed to bully them together

120°

10 Weirdest Game Consoles of All Time

From systems that could keep your beer cool, to oddities trying to get in on the popularity of VHS and laserdisc, you’ve got some very, very weird video game consoles out there.

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culturedvultures.com
darthv7211d ago

I had the LaserActive... it was a nice collectors piece but not very practical. Especially when it came to needing recapping. I think i paid all of about $50 for the floor model from an incredible Universe back in the day. I ended up selling it many years later for $300 at the time due to it needing a new laser and the aforementioned recapping.

An honorable mention not on the list would be the VM Labs Nuon. It basically looked like any regular DVD player but it had ports on it for controllers to play specific games. one of which is still exclusive to it with Tempest 3000. It also offered nuon enhanced DVD movies with extra content not accessible by regular players.

_Decadent_Descent11d ago

Wasn't there some KFC console, or am I mistaken?

CoNn3rB10d ago

It was announced but it never actually came out as far as I know

280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

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techraptor.net
ChasterMies11d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken11d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga11d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken11d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6411d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long11d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197211d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
DivineHand12511d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91311d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer11d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91310d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit10d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

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Christopher11d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6910d ago (Edited 10d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit10d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher11d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken11d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197211d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2311d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218311d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder11d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts11d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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