Rumors of a touchscreen-capable PSP 2 have been running rampant for the past few days. There was that survey from Sony asking about new PSP features just a few days ago, and then, the rumor column of UK OPM also listed that games are already being developed for the next-gen handheld
.
Are they all true? More like poppycock, says Sony.
Representatives of Sony are on crunchtime trying to squash all the speculation. One of the more recent reports of the PSP 2 rumor comes from none other than IGN UK. In their report from a few days ago:
IGN has learned from several credible sources that the PSP 2 is indeed on the horizon, and will be packing multi-touch technology. According to our sources, the PSP 2 will feature a widescreen multi-touch interface comparable to that of the iPhone for both in-game control and menu navigation.
This seems to have triggered some stinging remarks from Sony, even calling out IGN as a non-reliable news source. For one, a Sony rep has contacted TechRadar and flat-out denied IGN's report as purely unfounded and that there are no current plans for a PSP 2.
Meanwhile, though not an official representative, another source close to Sony has contacted MCV UK, giving us a more colorful reply to IGN's rumor:
Clearly, being a quiet time of year, many, what we thought to be credible websites, are making up stories about PSP 2, and how it allows you to teleport across the globe, travel through time, and will be powered by the horns of baby rhinoceroses.
Hopefully, you can sense a mild tone of sarcasm, which should hopefully indicate how ‘on the money’ IGN are. Needless to say, we don't comment on rumour or speculation, but this is nonsense.
Quote:
There have been a lot of rumors and hopefuls talking about PS3s with backwards compatibility for some time now. There was this one rumor that there would be some kind of emulation in an update that would enable PS3s to run PS2 games. The Koalition got a chance to get a few words from Sony, and they got the final nail on that rumor's coffin.
Here's the email sent in by Sony to The Koalition:
Thanks for your email,
When we removed backwards compatibility from PS3, we said that it would not be coming back as our priority was to make great next generation games. I am not sure where you are getting your information from, but at no point did we say that there would be some sort of emulation being brought to PS3. At no point has this strategy changed and therefore I can tell you that there are no plans to bring back backwards compatibility to PS3. I think you will agree that the list of 1st party exclusive games for PS3 is growing quickly and the quality of them is great. Games such as LittleBigPlanet, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, Resistance 2, GT5: Prologue and the up-coming Killzone 2 show that we are very serious about bring exciting, innovative and fun games to PS3.
Many thanks
Well now, they were certainly direct to the point about that. Ouch though. One of the things I love about the PS2 is its backwards compatibility, which means I still get to play my old PS1 games. Re-played my old Suikoden I and II, in fact. Oh well. So if I still want to play PS2 games, I guess I'll take goooood care of my PS2 then.
way to go sony. who would have thought teleportation and time travel were possible with baby rhino's!