minis for PSP & PS3: Snacksize, Cheaper Games under 100MB

[Shin-Ra]

Offering a variety of small yet mighty downloadable games that pack a punch

gamescom, Cologne, 18th August 2009: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the imminent arrival of “minis”: a new section on PlayStation®Store that offers a range of all-new downloadable games for PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable). Available exclusively via digital distribution, “minis” will have a 100MB size limit, ensuring they are quick and easy to download to either the upcoming PSP® go or to the more than 52 million units of PSP that exist worldwide, offering innovative entertainment at your fingertips.

The new “minis” section will be available on PlayStation Store on 1st October in Europe/ PAL territories and in North America, to coincide with the launch of PSPgo, offering more choice, more ways to play and more innovative experiences to immerse yourself in wherever you are. Fifteen games will be available initially, across a wide variety of genres including arcade-style games, racers, parlour games – and a few that defy categorisation! – with more than 50 games on offer by the end of the year in Europe and the PAL territories.

The “minis” development process has been designed to open the door to a broad range of developers to encourage new talent and creative ideas to PSP. “minis” are being developed by some of the most creative studios from across the globe from Gameshastra, a medium-sized development team based in India, to HoneySlug a three-man team in Camden, London. Some developers, such as Creat, have already created content for PlayStation Network; others, such as Subatomic Studios. are bringing their experience in the mobile phone market to PSP.

The minis initiative is also supported by traditional game publishers, with industry leader Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) developing a number of games for the programme including Tetris® and Sudoku, with other titles to follow before the end of the year.

”We are very excited to offer so much new content for PSP this year, particularly in this bite-sized form,” said Zeno Colaco, Vice President, Publisher and Developer Relations, SCEE. ”In opening the door to developers everywhere, we are broadening the type of content available to PSP owners, and opening up a world of possibilities to enhance the PSP gaming experience.”

“”minis” is yet another part of our concerted effort to expand content options on PlayStation Store as the demand for digital content will increase with the launch of PSPgo,” said Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network and Strategic Planning, SCEA. “minis will give developers the opportunity to create and share a variety of new and original content that in some cases, are only available on PSP.”

Arriving on 1st October, “minis” – along with the new PlayStation®Network video delivery service, Digital Comics, and features such as Skype, photos, music, movies and the best handheld games out there – are another reason to take PSP with you wherever you go.

[AranhaHunter]

So minis are only for smaller games, I thought they would also include apps there.

Either way, they're doing a lot of ports in the beginning, I'm hoping for that GoW and Ratchet mobile to be ported with upgraded graphics, as well as Civ Rev.

[Shin-Ra]

Fifteen titles will be available for purchase when the Minis section launches in October, with Sony expecting at least fifty titles by the end of the year. Confirmed for release are Fieldrunners, Puzzle Scape, Alien Havok, Sudoku, Pacman Championship Edition, Championship Manager, Burn Zombie Burn 2D, Funky Punch, Breakquest, and Melody Bloxx.

http://kotaku.com/5340111/psp-minis-...rices/gallery/

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

http://kotaku.com/5340111/psp-minis-...rices/gallery/

Careful! According to forum rules, you link to Kotaku at your own risk!

Kidding aside, I'm in love with this idea and think it's brilliant. Mini games tend to be hella-fun, particularly on portable devices. Sign me up for the Mah Jongg and Tetris games!

[aygie]

I really hope they keep it under control, the amount of turd games on the iPhone app store is unbelievable.

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Aygie

I really hope they keep it under control, the amount of turd games on the iPhone app store is unbelievable.

That's because anybody and their retarded cousin can write apps for the iPhone.

I'd wager Sony will keep the devkits for the PSP a little closer to the chest.

[Shin-Ra]

Big IGN list of games. Some have PSP screens already, some screens from another version and the rest just art/logos.

Alien Havoc
Aqua Panic: Oasis
Arcade Air Hockey & Bowling (Icon Games)
Arcade Darts
Arcade Pool
AstroTripper
Brainpipe
BreakQuest
Bubble Trubble
Burn, Zombie, Burn! 2D
Championship Manager Minis
Circles
D-Cube Planet
Fieldrunners
Flexis
FMX
Funky Punch
Hero of Sparta
Kahoots
Laser Ride
Little Mason
Little Track
Melody Bloxx
Minigore
Mighty Empires: The Great Mughals
Overkill Apache
Pac-Man Championship Edition
Pinball Dreaming: Dreams
Puzzlescape
Resurrection
Stunt Cars
Sudoku
Tetris (EA)
Vempire
YetiSports
Zombie Tycoon

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Sylin

That's because anybody and their retarded cousin can write apps for the iPhone.

If you say so

Originally Posted by Sylin

;2231395I'd wager Sony will keep the devkits for the PSP a little closer to the chest.

Well yes and no (i hope they do), but they are obviously trying to capture some of this app store market and they'll need to open up to the average joe developer even if juts a little bit.

[chnandler_bong]

Keep a price point of $5 or less and I'll keep myself in a steady supply of PSN money cards!

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Aygie

If you say so

As is evidenced by stuff like THIS.

Originally Posted by Aygie

Well yes and no (i hope they do), but they are obviously trying to capture some of this app store market and they'll need to open up to the average joe developer even if juts a little bit.

Oh, I don't doubt it. But unlike the iPhone, where apps can be anything from games to lifestyle "utilities", my guess is that those bothering to develop for the PSP will (1) have a more thorough appreciation for entertainment, and (2) understand their audience is not as diverse as the iPhone's (ie. ANYBODY can have an iPhone because it's primarily a cell phone, but GAMERS own PSP's because it's primarily a gaming device).

[Shin-Ra]

I'll get a better shot once the press conference videos are released but here's a photo of the minis store as seen on PS3.

[Shin-Ra]

PAC-MAN Championship Edition could be one to look out for. Here's some screens from the mobile phone version to get an idea how it may look.

[Shin-Ra]

FRIMA STUDIO PARTNERS WITH SONY ON NEW UNDEAD BRAIN MUNCHER FOR PSP

Official site - trailer and other media

After discovering a formula capable of reviving dead flesh, an eminent scientist created the first zombie of this world. As this briliant scientists corporate master you obviously ransacked the laboratory and assimilating your employees into an undead horde. Now it's just a simple task of absolute and utter world domination. All that stands in your way are some pesky cities filled with fresh humans to add to your army. The tenacity of mankind will indeed be a major obstacle but it is your task to ensure that the human plight remains... eternal.

Zombie Tycoon is a humorous game that puts the player at the helm of their very own ravenous zombie horde! Using a mix of fast-paced action and strategic execution, players can amass a terrifying undead army and conquer the entire world!

• Control three unique and hilarious zombie hordes;
• Uncover a tale of intrigue and betrayal through animated cut-scenes and in-game dialogues;
• Play through 10 levels and solve puzzles in order to infest every part of the map and achieve world domination;
• Choose from over 100 quirky items, armor sets and weapons for your zombie horde;
• Burn cities to the ground with the unique combat system allowing the player to attack humans AND the places they call home.

[Shin-Ra]

VEMPIRE

US, August 24, 2009 - Last week at the GameCom in Cologne Sony announced the new PSP Minis initiative and the list of titles announced features Impressionware's game, VEMPIRE. Impressionware is hard at work finalizing the game and can reveal that VEMPIRE is penciled in as a 1st October launch title.

VEMPIRE (Vampire + Empire) is a casual puzzle game with added strategy. It is more than a classic "match three" type of game. The player will be able to collect artifacts, summon minions and collect powers to be used during the levels. Strategy will be required to tackle the various different levels and the monsters the player will challenge to become king of the monster empire. VEMPIRE is an original title and has not been released on any other platforms before.

More screenshots.


Pinball Dreams

Haven't seen too many of these sideways games on PSP before.







More screenshots.

[Toxa]

Canadian iPhone developer Frima strikes deal with Sony for PSPgo game

Sony is seeing the beginnings of what it hopes is a vast migration of iPhone developers to PSPgo projects
During its Gamescom press conference, Sony revealed that its new Minis range – PSPgo games, sized under 100MB, sold cheap – has already courted enough small developers to create about 50 Mini-games by the end of the year.
One of those developers was revealed to be HoneySlug, a three-man studio based in London. HoneySlug has already created two games for the iPhone – Ric Rococo and Balloon Headed Boy – but the team is now focusing its efforts on Sony’s new disc-less handheld.
Further accelerating Sony’s push into a market that has downloaded over 1 billion iPhone Apps, the firm is partnering with Canadian studio Frima to develop Zombie Tycoon; “a thinking man’s zombie game”.
Frima had previously made two iPhone titles – GalaXseeds Tuber Shooter and iBrain Fit-IQ – but the group is, at least for now, putting down its iPhone SDK.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...to-Sonys-Minis

interesting

[Protectron]

I might be interested in the oregon trail if Gameloft decided to port that over to the psp. I loved playing that game as a kid in school!!

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Protectron

I might be interested in the oregon trail if Gameloft decided to port that over to the psp. I loved playing that game as a kid in school!!

Not gonna happen. All the programmers died of dysentery.

[Protectron]

Originally Posted by Sylin

Not gonna happen. All the programmers died of dysentery.

Ah...darn...

[AikonEnt]

I used to love Pinball Dreams/Fantasies/Illusions on my Amiga, may have to get this for my PSP.

[Shin-Ra]

Crystal Defenders (Square-Enix) has been rated for PSP by the German USK.