PlayStation Suite for all your Android gaming needs

PlayStation Suite for all your Android gaming needs
Still fresh from Sony‘s event in Tokyo, they have dropped another bomb on us. No this isn’t the loooong rumored PlayStation Phone as many would expect, but something grander. Sony has revealed a framework to not only tie-in with the recently-announced PSP2 (NGP) but as well as to cater with all the many Android tablets and cellphones out in the market. Called the PlayStation Suite, it is the PlayStation Store filled with Android-based games for the aforementioned devices. To start things off, Sony has announced an emulator for existing PSOne games and promises to include an Android store for games as well. Sounds exciting isn’t it, imagine playing good old Twisted Metal in your tablet/mobile phone. Stick in after the break for more.

With this, Sony aims to be as “hardware-neutral” as possible, to be able to cater to the large Android market today and to the multitude of gadgets. Part of this framework is a third-party licensing and quality-assurance scheme called “PlayStation Certified”. They’re hoping that through this, major game developers will be able to produce top-of-the-notch games and all it ensues. As for requirements, it seems that it would need at least Android 2.3 to run and to emphasize, PSOne titles are to be emulated.

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT TO UNVEIL “PLAYSTATION®SUITE,” DELIVERING THE WORLD OF PLAYSTATION® TO ANDROID™ BASED PORTABLE DEVICES

Simultaneously Launching “PlayStation®Certified” License Program to Provide PlayStation® Content and Development Support for Android™ Based Portable Devices

Tokyo, January 27, 2011– Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled “PlayStation®Suite” (PS Suite), delivering the PlayStation® experience to Android™ based portable devices*1. Through this entirely new initiative, users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history. In the dramatically evolving and diversifying mobile market, the number of users who enjoy games casually on a variety of devices including mobile phones, smart-phones and tablet PCs, has been increasing significantly. By offering “PlayStation quality” content to this rapidly growing market, SCE will not only deliver the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users around the globe, but will also be able to offer game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to these devices.

In providing the PlayStation experience on Android based portable devices, SCE will commence a “PlayStation®Certified” license program for hardware manufacturers. Through this program, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support as well as logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of PlayStation quality experience across various devices.

On the software front, SCE plans to provide PS Suite content within this calendar year, starting with original PlayStation games*2 (PS one® classics) that will allow users to enjoy “PlayStation quality” gameplay on their Android based portable devices. SCE also plans to open PlayStation®Store where users will be able to download content in an easy to use environment, directly via the Android based portable devices. Moreover, SCE will provide a new game development environment in an effort to ensure new and compelling content is delivered on PS Suite, which will also offer opportunities for a wider base of developers and publishers to further expand their business on various portable devices.

Newly developed content for PS Suite can also be enjoyed on the next generation portable entertainment system (codename: NGP), which SCE announced today. Users who have never experienced PlayStation content can get a taste of the PlayStation experience through PS Suite and from there, they can enjoy the ultimate portable entertainment experience that is only possible on NGP.

SCE will vigorously enhance the entertainment world delivering the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users.

*1 Android™ 2.3 or beyond is required.
*2 PS one game console software title. We will announce the tiles when ready.