Hustle Kings – Gamescom Trailer (photograph your own table baize)

[Shin-Ra]

VooFoo Studios

Take a shot at the ultimate pool experience anywhere you go.

• Step into the world's coolest pool hall with staggering visuals.
• Take frame winning shots with pinpoint precision via the touchscreen and rear touch pad.
• Challenge friends and rivals wherever you go and hustle your way to the top of the global leaderboards via PlayStation Network.
• Asynchronous play - stay connected to your opponents when you're on the go with push notifications between turns.

VITA Preview: Hustle Kings
+ Posted by Jeff Rubenstein // Social Media Manager

It’s amazing what a new interface can do for a game. When Hustle Kings came out for PS3 in late 2009, it was lauded for its visuals. And for good reason – it’s the finest looking billiards game ever created.

But in playing Hustle Kings for NGP, I was struck by how much more satisfying the pool hall action becomes with the integration of touchscreen controls. After choosing my game type and table, I used a combo of touch- and analog stick-controls to set my shot using a customizable guide-line. Then I pulled the cue stick back with my index finger on the screen and fired. The result: a straight, solid shot with a satisfying “clack!” I did it again and again. Sure, you can use the analog stick to shoot, but touch is the way to go with the NGP version of Hustle Kings. It makes the game more immersive, and, dare I say, a lot more fun.

The difficulty of taking a shot is widely variable. You can set a guide that will tell you exactly where your ball will go, or just eyeball it. Cueing methods vary from a pinball-like pull-and-release motion to the traditional poolhall motion. But Hustle Kings NGP takes advantage of more than just the NGP’s touch screen. On the PS3 you can chalk your cue by shaking the DualShock 3. Here you can apply chalk by “rubbing the cue” via the backtouch panel. Instead of selecting a pre-made avatar, you can snap a photo of yourself using the built-in camera. Other functionality abounds: You can use your NGP’s screen as a window into the pool hall by rotating around the ball with the six axis motion sensing, and chat in-game using the NGP’s built-in microphone.

Things get even more creative on the multiplayer side. Yes, you can compete live via Wifi against other NGP-equipped players. Hustle Kings also features interoperable cross-play with the PS3 version of the game, ensuring plenty of built-in competition on day one. None of your friends online right now? Here’s something I think you’ll see a lot of moving forward: asynchronous multiplayer. You take your shots, then the NGP messages your friend. When they pick up the game next, they view your last turn, then take their shots. It’s kind of like playing via text message, or Words With Friends on a smartphone.

I was also informed that all DLC presently available for Hustle Kings PS3 (like the ever-popular snooker) will be made available on NGP as well. I thought I knew what to expect before going hands-on with Hustle Kings NGP, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. A new interface can make a big difference.

Soon as I find some less compressed screenshots I'll replace these.

[Shin-Ra]

The asynchronous play is something that should work even with just a 3G connection. Bring on the board games!

[AranhaHunter]

Interview (same from the other thread):

YouTube - ‪E3 2011 Exclusive NGP Sony Interview Hussel Kings‬‏

[Shin-Ra]

That interview reminds me - I wonder if starting with NGP, they'll let you use a photo as your PSN avatar. They'd probably need to pair it with better integrated reporting functionality.

[Shin-Ra]

I'm not sure this Gamescom trailer's entirely new but the bit with making your own table baize is.

PS Vita - Hustle Kings (gamescom 2011) - YouTube

[Shin-Ra]

Stay connected to your opponents when you're on the go with push notifications between turns.

http://us.playstation.com/games-and-...gs-psvita.html

So this is how you'll know its your turn with Asynchronous play.

[garlad]

Who the hell is that guy peeking in to the pool room under the arch?!?!?


2012-02-29-183802 by GarDeady, on Flickr