At last week’s International CES, I had the opportunity to meet the head of Sony Computer Entertainment, President and CEO Andrew House. House ascended to the role after working for Sony in Japan, Europe, and at SCEA over the past two decades.
In this show floor discussion, I ask House about PlayStation Suite, his outlook on the Western launch of PS Vita, and his goals as CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment.
A couple of months ago, a video surfaced that showed off some cool-looking augmented reality apps running on PS Vita. Since then, it’s been confirmed that Vita will come with six AR Play Cards and a voucher to download a handful of free augmented reality mini games via the PSN. Today at CES, we were able to see one of these games in action: Table Football (it will be called Table Soccer in the US, because we already have football).
Backstage, Sony Santa Monica Sr. Manager Dave Thach dealt the AR Play Cards on a table, and a soccer pitch sprung to life through the window of the PS Vita‘s luscious OLED display. The actual game is kind of like a turn-based soccer match – it reminded me of a 2012 version of paper football. But enough talk, let’s see it in action:
Bonus points if you spotted the Men in Black 3 alien who walked through the frame. Vegas is weird.
Table Soccer is just one of the augmented-reality games you’ll be able to play for free if you pick up a new PS Vita on February 22nd. We’ll highlight more closer to launch right here on the PlayStation.Blog.
EA’s first foray onto the PlayStation Vita is a strong one, as the EA Sports team in Vancouver isn’t just miniaturising the PS3 experience into a portable size, but refining the controls to take advantage of the new hardware. In this hands-on video, producer Matt Prior demonstrates what he calls “the most controllable version of FIFA ever.”
As is quickly becoming standard practice when console franchises debut on the Vita, these touchscreen controls are optional. Yet I think longtime video footballers will find themselves using at least some of these new tricks pretty quickly, as they feel right at home.
I spent some time with this demo version of FIFA after the event, and I found myself toying around with the playable menu screen for a long time, just taking shot after shot on goal. The accuracy of the rear touch shooting has won me over, and I look forward to hearing your impressions of it once it debuts in just a few short months.
Unless you’ve been far, far away from the internet this weekend, you should already know that the VGAs afforded us our very first look at Naughty Dog‘s The Last of Us. If you haven’t, watch the trailer now! Then come back.
As soon as Zachary Levi walked off stage and the lights came up (I think the credits were still rolling!) we grabbed Naughty Dog co-presidents Christophe Balestra and Evan Wells to ask them about their next title.
You surely haven’t heard the last of The Last of Us; stay tuned to the PlayStation.Blog for more.
Earlier this week, Team Ninja set up a temporary dojo in San Francisco to share news and game time with Ninja Gaiden 3 and Dead or Alive 5 on the PlayStation 3. Of particular note was the first hands-on demo of Ninja Gaiden 3′s multiplayer offering in the form of 4v4 Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale modes. It’s a bold move to add a competitive multiplayer mode to a melee-based action game, and I struggled to think of a comparable product out there; it definitely stands on its own in the action genre. My favorite touch: when struck by a deathblow, you can fight off your attacker by mashing the buttons, and then choose to “die with honor” via seppuku. (more…)
Obsession Confessions: PS VitaThu, 23 Feb 2012 10:06:00 +0000
What games and apps are you looking forward to on PlayStation Vita? Find out what the PlayStation Community is itching to play.
Game OnMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000
Can't get enough of PlayStation Vita? We've got the perfect way to satisfy your craving as the revolutionary portable system launches this week.
Ask a question about PS Vita games and winThu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000
Put your questions to Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios and win a copy of MotorStorm RC.
Augmented reality on PS VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000
Bring the world into play with PlayStation Vita and dramatically change the world around you using augmented reality...
The features of PlayStation VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000
Take a look at the revolutionary features of PlayStation Vita that will change the way you play on the go.
PS Vita launches in Australia todayThu, 23 Feb 2012 00:58:00 +0000
Following a launch event held on Sydney Harbour this week, headlined by Empire of the Sun DJs, the highly anticipated PlayStation®Vita officially launches in stores nationally today.
Jak and Daxter: The story so farTue, 21 Feb 2012 13:44:00 +0000
With the brilliant PS3 adventure The Jak and Daxter Trilogy available to buy in shops and on PlayStation Store in March, it's time to get up to speed on their escapades.
Game OnMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000
Can't get enough of PlayStation Vita? We've got the perfect way to satisfy your craving as the revolutionary portable system launches this week.
The features of PlayStation VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000
Take a look at the revolutionary features of PlayStation Vita that will change the way you play on the go.
Jak and Daxter: The story so farTue, 21 Feb 2012 13:44:00 +0000
With the brilliant PS3 adventure The Jak and Daxter Trilogy available to buy in shops and on PlayStation Store in March, it's time to get up to speed on their escapades.
Trophy Cabinet: Battlefield 3Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000
Lock, load and fill up that trophy list with a little help from the PlayStation Community.
Discover cross-play in WipEoutTue, 21 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000
The way you challenge your friends online will never be the same again - Studio Liverpool's senior designer Karl Jones explains why.
Game OnMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000
Can't get enough of PlayStation Vita? We've got the perfect way to satisfy your craving as the revolutionary portable system launches this week.
The features of PlayStation VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000
Take a look at the revolutionary features of PlayStation Vita that will change the way you play on the go.
Download six sensational PS Vita demosWed, 22 Feb 2012 11:46:00 +0000
Check out six great PS Vita demos that you can download from PlayStation Store without paying a penny.
Top Tips: The Jak and Daxter TrilogyTue, 21 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000
Having trouble with the epic PlayStation 3 action adventure, The Jak and Daxter Trilogy? Never fear – a certain wisecracking Ottsel is on hand...
Game OnMon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000
Can't get enough of PlayStation Vita? We've got the perfect way to satisfy your craving as the revolutionary portable system launches this week.
Augmented reality on PS VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000
Bring the world into play with PlayStation Vita and dramatically change the world around you using augmented reality...
The features of PlayStation VitaMon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000
Take a look at the revolutionary features of PlayStation Vita that will change the way you play on the go.
Killzone 3: Know your enemySat, 18 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000
Use the Know Your Enemy Facebook App to sort friend from foe before meeting them on the deadly battlefields of Killzone 3.
Weekend Essentials 113Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000
Step inside the Octagon on PS3 this weekend, download the Mass Effect 3 demo from PlayStation Store and prepare for the coming of PlayStation Vita.
Weekend Essentials 112Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000
Unlock the secrets of Amalur, take a trip to Gotham City and discover a town plagued by nightmares in Catherine this weekend on PlayStation.
Top Tips: Gotham City ImpostorsWed, 08 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000
Become the perfect phoney in Batman's home town with these handy hints from Monolith, developer of Gotham City Impostors.
Weekend Essentials 111Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:42:00 +0000
The FINAL FANTASY and SOUL CALIBUR series return to PS3 this weekend, whilst a brand new edition of our Level Up quiz celebrates the upcoming launch of PS Vita.
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