PSP lives! Announced: MotorStorm, LBP, Ass'n Creed, Rock Band/Amplitude, Persona

Lunker

Update: Atlus PR confirms Persona remake heading to North America this fall!

Rock Band Unplugged details say it's very similar to Harmonix's Amplitude:

Primotech has learned that Rock Band Unplugged, as it’s titled, is currently in development at Backbone Entertainment (Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, 1942: Joint Strike) and will mark the third release in MTV Games and EA’s burgeoning series of music video games.

The gameplay is largely the same as that of Rock Band and Rock Band 2; players must hit corresponding buttons in-time as they scroll by on-screen. There will not be a peripheral attachment available, like that which Activision produced for Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS. Instead, all input is handled by the ‘Left,’ ‘Up,’ ‘Triangle,’ and ‘Circle’ buttons. The player can switch between guitar, drums, bass, and “vocals” (although he won’t physically be singing, merely tapping buttons) using the L and R shoulder buttons.

Tracks are broken down into what are called “phrases.” Play a phrase perfectly to earn a multiplier boost and a prompt to switch to a different instrument. The player can actually choose to switch instruments at anytime, but switching prematurely will cause him to lose his multiplier. “Overdrive,” used to rack up big points and avoid failing a track, is of course included as always.

The game will ship with tracks from Blink 182, Boston, AFI, Kansas, Lit, and The Police. DLC tracks will be made available through the PlayStation Network and can be accessed through the game’s own built-in store. Multiplayer functionality will not be available. Visually, the style and feel of Rock Band is maintained perfectly, with only a drop-off in the polygon count.

Original:

MotorStorm, LittleBigPlanet, Assassin's Creed and Rock Band coming to PSP, along with a handful of other new announcements:

Couscous wrote: »

Sony has announced more support for the PSP.
http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2009/2/24-58

PSP(R) System Poised for Breakout Year with a New 'Lilac' PSP System for Female Gamers, New Entertainment Packs, and Breakout Titles for North America

At its annual retail and publisher conference Destination PlayStation(R), Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced its unprecedented line up for PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable), including a new hardware offering that extends the PSP market to young female gamers, the debut of blockbuster franchises MotorStorm(R) and LittleBigPlanet(TM) on the platform, and major software support from Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, MTV Games, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and other publishing partners.

...

With a rapidly growing install base, the PSP platform is riding a wave of momentum that will be paired with a new hardware offering and its best software line up to date, demonstrating significant support from SCEA's publishing partners. Two new limited-edition PSP Entertainment Packs will be available in 2009, bundling everything consumers need to jump onto the PSP platform, from the hardware to games, videos, and other content -- all for $199.99 (MSRP).

-- Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack -- As part of a new focus on expanding the PSP market to female gamers, SCEA will launch this new bundle in July. The pack includes the introduction of the "Lilac" PSP system, Disney Interactive's Hannah Montana PSP game (an exclusive dancing and rhythm action game for gamers to design the show and go on tour as the teen icon), a selection episodes from the Hannah Montana TV series on UMD, a 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and stickers to customize the PSP.

-- Assassin's Creed(TM) PSP Entertainment Pack -- Ubisoft will debut an exclusive installment of the popular Assassin's Creed franchise on PSP later this year. To commemorate this highly anticipated title, SCEA will launch a new bundle that includes the game, a "Piano Black" PSP, and other content that will be announced later.

SCEA's push toward teen and "tween" girl gamers will also be supported by Ubisoft's Petz(R) software line, which will make its debut on PSP with new, unique titles later this year. The Petz series allows young players to create and care for cute, furry pets chosen from many different breeds of dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, dolphins, tigers and bunnies.

Publisher support for the PSP system will continue throughout the year with Rock Band Unplugged(TM), launching exclusively on PSP. MTV Games and Harmonix announced separately that gamers will be able to take Rock Band Unplugged on the road with the first ever portable version of the popular music and gaming experience. Rock Band Unplugged will take center stage as it leverages the PSP system's Wi-Fi capabilities and becomes the first PSP game to include a fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content in the North American and Europeans markets.

The third party support for PSP will continue throughout the year with a stellar line up of titles from EA SPORTS. Madden NFL 10 will enable NFL fans to build their own formations and plays from scratch on the PSP. Then, through connectivity with the PS3, the plays can be downloaded and perfected on the console. In addition, Madden NFL 10 will deliver a faster and more "PSP- friendly" gameplay experience to adapt to the PSP owner's lifestyle. And for the golf fans out there, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) 10 will allow gamers to experience the drama of major golf tournaments with revamped gameplay modes for on and offline play. Look for more EA SPORTS titles to be announced for the PSP this year.

Rounding out the unprecedented publisher support, Square Enix's DISSIDIA(TM) FINAL FANTASY, which has sold 850,000 units since launching before the holidays in Japan, will make its way to North America this summer.

From a first party perspective, SCEA will bring its biggest franchises from the PS3 to the PSP this year, starting with MotorStorm(R) Arctic Edge and LittleBigPlanet(TM) in Fall 2009. These titles will be built from the ground up for PSP, offering users a unique portable experience based on the critically acclaimed franchises. Following are details for each game:

-- LittleBigPlanet -- Developed in conjunction with MediaMolecule, the critically acclaimed game LittleBigPlanet makes its way to the PSP, offering new SackBoy(TM) adventures with the same play, create, share experience for gamers on-the-go, in addition to brand new levels and environments specifically created for the platform.

-- MotorStorm Arctic Edge -- Developed by the award-winning Bigbig Studios, the team behind the best-selling Pursuit Force(TM) series, MotorStorm Arctic Edge sees the music, the festival and the brutal off-road racing arrive in the breathtaking yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska. The game is also expected to hit the PlayStation 2 platform in Fall of 2009.

First off: FUCK YEAH PETZ!

I've been toying with the idea of making a "PSP not quite dead" thread, and this seems as good as any. The system has lain dormant for a while, taking a backseat to Sony's posturing with the PS3, but I hope some new titles will spark at least moderate interest in getting people to consider the system.

It's not the DS. We know that. Few things in this world can ever hope to reach the DS (at least things not named "Wii"). But it's still a hell of a handheld, and with 50 million sold worldwide to date, if I recall the figures correctly, it's still a viable option for some people. I'm just excited I have more stuff to look forward to.

So, including the above, current/upcoming titles for 2009:

• February: Loco Roco 2, Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
• March: Phantasy Star Portable, Resistance: Retribution, Samurai Shodown Anthology
• April: Class of Heroes
• May: Patapon 2
• Summer: Final Fantasy Dissidia, Madden NFL 10, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
• Fall: Persona 1 remake, Assassin's Creed, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, LittleBigPlanet
• TBA 2009: Rock Band Unplugged

TBA:

• The 3rd Birthday (Parasite Eve 3)
• FFXIII Agito
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Lunker

...is it terrible to think that's actually kind of nice?

cloudeagle

That's actually a decent shade of lavender, yeah.

I'm still baffled Sony didn't make this kind of push a year or two earlier, when software releases started drying up. Ah well. New stuff, woo!

LewieP

Yep, glad I have a PSP right now. I would love to play LBP without having to own a PS3.

MotorStorm could be good too I guess.

I wonder what Rock Band will be.

Lunker

cloudeagle wrote: »

That's actually a decent shade of lavender, yeah.

I'm still baffled Sony didn't make this kind of push a year or two earlier, when software releases started drying up. Ah well. New stuff, woo!

I'm really stoked. Honestly, LittleBigPlanet and Motorstorm were two of the biggest PS3 franchises I'm actually interesed in. Having PSP versions removes my desire for a PS3 significantly. Super Stardust Portable and Everyday Shooter being released on PSP had the same effect.

I'm curious to see how the PS3 franchise transition to PSP falls out ... like, the shift from PS2 to PSP had a lot of people grumbling because most people say "Why would I want to play on a PSP when millions of people have a PS2 at home?" Now, I wonder if the effect will happen in reverse: Will people say "Why should I buy a PS3 when I can get a similar experience on PSP?"

Renzo

So...the next Assassin's Creed game is on the PSP? Interesting. Here's hoping it's not similar to the DS version.

projectmayhem

Did I read littlebigplanet. Someone tell me I read littlebigplanet.


Holy crap littlebigplanet.

corin7

I will definetly nab LBP. Love the PS3 version.

No Monster Hunter news makes me sad. Come on Sony/Capcom get unite on shelves.

Renzo

Yeah, I need Monster Hunter Unite. That and Dissidia are definite purchases.

And, really, Assassin's Creed PSP? If it's just scaled-down from the console versions, even that would be pretty cool.

Lunker

projectmayhem wrote: »

Did I read littlebigplanet. Someone tell me I read littlebigplanet.


Holy crap littlebigplanet.

You betcha. It also promises the same play/create/share aspect, so I would assume that some kind of level creation and sharing is in the portable version. I know that a PSP version that links to the PS3 version has been rumored for a long time, so it would make sense.

ALSO: Teaser trailer for MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. And some PR: Local 8-player multiplayer, plus online play, vehicle customization. Not the original devs, but the team who worked on Pursuit Force.

The MotorStorm® festival is unleashed in Alaska!

o Brutal off-road racing, MotorStorm® Arctic Edge, arrives on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®2

o Multi-route tracks, unpredictable terrain, hostile AI and sub-zero conditions: never race the same lap twice!

London, 24th February 2009: The MotorStorm® festival has ripped-up the Monument Valley desert, it’s obliterated everything that stood in its path on The Island, and now it’s set for a whole new challenge. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is delighted to announce that MotorStorm® Arctic Edge is set to arrive in Autumn 2009 for PAL territories and will be available on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and also on PlayStation®2.

Developed by award-winning Bigbig Studios, the team behind the best-selling Pursuit Forceâ„¢ series, MotorStorm Arctic Edge sees the music, the festival and the brutal off-road racing arrive in the breathtaking yet lethal and unpredictable setting of Alaska. With temperatures plummeting, sudden avalanches, broken ice bridges, and three different racing altitudes, this is possibly the most inhospitable environment the MotorStormers have ever had to deal with. With grip at a premium, and in addition to the six existing classes from the original MotorStorm, two new vehicles have been introduced to combat the ice, the cold and the snow - the Snowcat and the Snow Machine. One has the power and size to blast through packed snow, whilst the other has the grip and pace to combat most of what the sub-zero conditions can throw at it.

MotorStorm Arctic Edge is great for single player action, online multiplayer or playing with friends; two to eight players can compete against each other wirelessly via Ad Hoc Mode on PSP. Alternatively, you can also compete via online multiplayer using Infrastructure Mode on PSP to make it to the summit of the online global leaderboards.

A further new introduction to the MotorStorm festival is personalisation of your vehicle class. Each vehicle in the game has a selection of different parts - for example wheels, exhausts, spoilers - liveries and stickers to choose from. Players can also create their own liveries from a set of base patterns and decals. There are so many combinations that each player could own a unique vehicle!

MotorStorm Arctic Edge comes exclusively to PSP and PlayStation 2 hot on the heels of the multi million selling titles MotorStorm and MotorStorm Pacific Rift.

The end of 2009 is going to be as cold and challenging as it gets. So lose your t-shirt and your shorts, keep hold of sunglasses and grab your thermals – it’s time to take a trip to the top of the world to see if you can conquer the most unwelcoming terrain the planet has to offer.

projectmayhem

Hm. Motorstorm looks pretty cool.

Man, I had forgotten I even owned a psp.

Post Blue

Enough with the bundles. More hardware iterations.

maximumzero

It's nice for Sony to remember the PSP, but I'm more interested in third parties remembering the PSP.

And a scratch-proof screen. Would that be too much to ask?

corin7

maximumzero wrote: »

It's nice for Sony to remember the PSP, but I'm more interested in third parties remembering the PSP.

And a scratch-proof screen. Would that be too much to ask?

Man I carry mine in my pocket to work everyday with no screen protector and the screen is fine. That flip screen mock up looks hot though. I kind of hope they do that.

temperature!

I loves me some assassin's creed, and I don't own a PS3 so LBP and motorstorm, if done right, will make me happy.

cj iwakura

Atlus also have big plans for the PSP, with the Persona and Growlanser remakes on the way(at least in Japan), and DJ MAX pretty much dominates the system in Korea.

Not sure if the US version is doing any good, but it deserves to. Best portable music game around.

Lunker

So if these Rock Band Unplugged details are true, it really is a FreQ/Amplitude revival!

Primotech link

Primotech has learned that Rock Band Unplugged, as it’s titled, is currently in development at Backbone Entertainment (Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, 1942: Joint Strike) and will mark the third release in MTV Games and EA’s burgeoning series of music video games.

The gameplay is largely the same as that of Rock Band and Rock Band 2; players must hit corresponding buttons in-time as they scroll by on-screen. There will not be a peripheral attachment available, like that which Activision produced for Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS. Instead, all input is handled by the ‘Left,’ ‘Up,’ ‘Triangle,’ and ‘Circle’ buttons. The player can switch between guitar, drums, bass, and “vocals” (although he won’t physically be singing, merely tapping buttons) using the L and R shoulder buttons.

Tracks are broken down into what are called “phrases.” Play a phrase perfectly to earn a multiplier boost and a prompt to switch to a different instrument. The player can actually choose to switch instruments at anytime, but switching prematurely will cause him to lose his multiplier. “Overdrive,” used to rack up big points and avoid failing a track, is of course included as always.

The game will ship with tracks from Blink 182, Boston, AFI, Kansas, Lit, and The Police. DLC tracks will be made available through the PlayStation Network and can be accessed through the game’s own built-in store. Multiplayer functionality will not be available. Visually, the style and feel of Rock Band is maintained perfectly, with only a drop-off in the polygon count.

EDIT: Via Harmonix's Dan Teasdale on Twitter:

Originally Posted by @deliciousbees:
deliciousbees is happy that Rock Band Unplugged is announed. Phrase-based lane-switching beatmatch lives again!

cj iwakura

Best news ever.

maximumzero

corin7 wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

It's nice for Sony to remember the PSP, but I'm more interested in third parties remembering the PSP.

And a scratch-proof screen. Would that be too much to ask?

Man I carry mine in my pocket to work everyday with no screen protector and the screen is fine. That flip screen mock up looks hot though. I kind of hope they do that.

Hold it up to a light. I guarantee you've got scratches.

Perhaps I'm just overly anal about the entire situation, but it's annoying to either have to deal with the scratches or deal with the "I know there's a screen protector there" problem.

I also need to go get the smaller playgear case as the one I have from my big PSP doesn't fit too well.

Lunker

I am now coining the term "Rock Bamplitude."

cj iwakura: I had almost forgotten about the Persona/Growlanser news, that's another key point. I'm assuming Persona is all but guaranteed to make it here, but I don't know much about Growlanser, what's the likelihood it'll come to the West?

Renzo

Holy shit, it really is a new Frequency/Amplitude. I probably won't buy it, though. I liked the electronic music in Frequency, and didn't really care for the rock/pop focus in Amplitude.

If they made a new Frequency, complete with new electronic music, I'd be all over it.

edit: Of course, I would be the only customer.

LewieP

I imagine that's what the DLC will be for.

Nocren

HOLY SHITH!

RB: unplugged sounds EXACTLY like Amp/Freq (except for a slightly altered control scheme).
Wonder how the interface looks.

cj iwakura

Lunker wrote: »

I am now coining the term "Rock Bamplitude."

cj iwakura: I had almost forgotten about the Persona/Growlanser news, that's another key point. I'm assuming Persona is all but guaranteed to make it here, but I don't know much about Growlanser, what's the likelihood it'll come to the West?

http://gl.atlusnet.jp

Port of the first game, new scenarios and characters. I'd say Persona is a given, but Growlanser, who knows. I'm doing everything in my power to sell Atlus USA on it(and there's quite a few people who seem to agree), so I'm hoping for the best

As for Persona PSP, http://persona.atlusnet.jp

More of a remake, since it has new cutscenes, an updated interface, new music, etc.

Renzo wrote:

Holy shit, it really is a new Frequency/Amplitude. I probably won't buy it, though. I liked the electronic music in Frequency, and didn't really care for the rock/pop focus in Amplitude.

If they made a new Frequency, complete with new electronic music, I'd be all over it.

edit: Of course, I would be the only customer.

Absolutely not, I'd be there on day one.

Funny, when I spoke to Harmonix's people at PAX, they said they had no plans for the series, since SCEA own the rights to it.


I'm glad that worked out.

Xagarath

Little Bigplanet might finally push me over the line on one, what with Persona already on the horizon.

Lunker

I remember hearing rumors about a new Amplitude for PS3 for quite a while. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually release a straight electronica Amplitude on PSN that can work on both PSP and PS3.

EDIT: !!!

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24, 2009 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc, today announced that Shin Megami Tensei: Persona for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, a remake of the first entry in the critically-acclaimed RPG series, will be released in North America within the calendar year. SMT: Persona stands as a proud relaunch for the award-winning series, featuring a completely redone localization and content never before seen in North America. Combined with gameplay enhancements and additions new to the remake, fans will have the chance to experience the first Persona game released in North America in a whole new way. Those looking to see the original epic in a whole new light, those who missed out the first time around, and even those PSP system owners who crave a marquee RPG: that which you seek is approaching.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is currently scheduled to release this fall.

Xagarath

Ok, I'm buying a PSP sometime.
Dammit.

PeregrineFalcon

So is Sony ever going to update the PSP with WPA2-AES support?

Or can this be done with CFW? (I haven't kept up-to-date on that in a while.)

slash000

This is great news, since I have a PSP.

I shall buy and enjoy Little Big Planet.

Renzo wrote: »

So...the next Assassin's Creed game is on the PSP? Interesting. Here's hoping it's not similar to the DS version.

Hopefully it's not similar to the console one either. In other words, here's to hoping they make the platforming and combat fun and rewarding. Perhaps they can set the PSP game in Altair's time, too, and avoid the lame story of the Console game.

cj iwakura

Jaw ~> floor.

Pata

Rock Band?

Seriously?

anoffday

I'm pumped about Little Big Planet. Now I don't have to buy a 400 dollar system that I don't even want!

Lunker

Year of the [strike]PS3[/strike] PSP!

Pata wrote:

Rock Band?

Seriously?

Seriously. All sources indicate it plays like Frequency/Amplitude.

projectmayhem

Pata wrote: »

Rock Band?

JAWESOME

cloudeagle

Hey, nifty. Looks like they got it to work without physical instruments, then.

cj iwakura

Frequency didn't need a single instrument to be the game that sold me on a PS2.

The boss song in that game is still one of the toughest experiences in any music game.
(End Of Your World)

maximumzero

I don't remember there being this much enthusiasm when Guitar Hero was announced for the DS. Hmm.

I wonder how the general public will feel.

cj iwakura

Guitar Hero DS was a brand new concept.

RB PSP uses a gameplay format Harmonix knows, and knows well.

Lunker

maximumzero wrote: »

I don't remember there being this much enthusiasm when Guitar Hero was announced for the DS. Hmm.

I wonder how the general public will feel.

I think it's more that we're excited Frequency/Amplitude is coming back. It honestly doesn't strike me as a very mainstream kind of announcement, but the widespread appeal of Rock Band could kind of make it more appealing. And let's be honest, the PSP gaming lineup isn't really all that mainstream-friendly in the first place.

I'm glad they didn't go with the Guitar Hero Grip mechanic. I tried my nephew's copy of On Tour and the whole touchscreen strumming was pretty flimsy for high-level play, not to mention uncomfortable for adult-sized hands.

acidlacedpenguin

Little Little Big Planet? Rock Bamplitude? Persona? Motorstorm?

I knew I'd have to PSP sooner or later

elevature

Well now I have to buy a PSP.

But on the bright side I'll be able to play Patapon, Loco Roco, and Prinny.