I have always found console launches to be underwhelming, as usually there would be perhaps three or four games released for the console at tops and would only start picking up once the console game down in price a tad – I say it not only for the Playstation Portable and Playstation 3 launches, but also that of the Nintendo Wii and XBox360. However, Sony Computer Entertainment revealed overnight at a preview event in London their current range of current launch titles which totals 11, not including what they call a compelling array of third party offerings which will launch with or close to the launch date of the console, not only in North America and Europe, but Australia and New Zealand as well. These launch titles include:
- UnchartedTM: Golden Abyss
- WipEout® 2048
- Reality Fighters
- Little Deviants
- ModNation RacersTM: Road Trip
- Everybody’s Golf®
- Escape Plan
- Top Darts
- Hustle Kings
- Unit 13
- MotorStorm® RC
Personally out of this list I am hyped up for Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Wipeout 2048, Reality Fighter, Everybody’s Golf, Escape Plan (Hell it looks different), Little Deviants and ModNation Racers. A rather hefty number of titles if you ask me.
For those who are interested in what third party titles have already been announced for English distribution on the PS Vita, Sony Computer Entertainment have provided a list of them – and assuming they are on the list, that they will eventually be available in Australia as well:
- Army Corps of Hell, Square Enix
- Asphalt: Injection, Ubisoft
- Disgaea 3 Return, NIS America
- Dungeon Hunter: Alliance, Ubisoft
- Dynasty Warriors Next, Tecmo Koei
- EA Sports FIFA Football, EA
- F1 2011, Codemasters
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7, WB Games
- Lumines Electronic Symphony, Ubisoft
- Michael Jackson: The Experience HD, Ubisoft
- Ninja Gaiden (working title), Tecmo Koei
- OddWorld: Strangers Wrath, OddWorld Inhabitants
- Puddle, Neko Entertainment
- Pure Chess, RebelPlay
- Putty Squad Vita, System 3
- Rayman Origins, Ubisoft
- Ridge Racer, Bandai Namco
- Shinobido 2, Bandai Namco
- Silent Hill: Book of Memories, Konami
- Stardrone Extreme, BeatShapers
- Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz, SEGA
- Supremacy MMA, 505 Games
- Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack, Drinkbox Studios
- The Treasures of Montezuma Blitz, Alawar Entertainment
- Touch My Katamari, Bandai Namco
- Troopies, Bloober Team
- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom, Capcom
- Urban Trials, Tate Multimedia
- Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition, SEGA
- Orc Attack, Casual Brothers
- Ben 10 Galactic Racing, Bandai Entertainment
- Dragon’s Racing, Ignition Entertainment
- Robot Rescue Revolution, Teyon
- Mortal Kombat, WB Games
- Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft
- Bioshock, Take Two
- Street Fighter X Tekken, Capcom
- Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard
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Also at the event Michael Denny, SVP of Worldwide Studios Europe highlighted some of the augmented reality technology implemented into the console which seems to be similar to what was discussed at the EB Games Expo. Six augmented reality cards will be available at launch with free games to download from the PSN Store, allowing gamers to take advantage of the full capabilities of the PS Vita. As well, they discussed and previewed the WAAR (Wide Area Augmented Reality) system which uses six cards and allows for a huge gameplay area than what previously has been seen. To contrast – these six cards could be placed around a coffee table, and a battle could take place all over the table instead of in a confined region. While not having as such great potential behind it as WAAR (In my opinion), they will also allow you to enjoy a markerless AR system.
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The final thing they elaborated on was the “Social Revolution” aspect to the console. While having the normal internet features that would be expected of the console (and personally, I hope they are improved upon in comparison to the Playstation Portable), they have also announced applications for Facebook, Skype, foursquare and twitter, as well as the newly announced Flickr app. No word on if we will see a Nico Nico Douga application available outside of Japan (As we have an English version), but it may be possible to use a Japanese account and download it if you so insist. They also elaborated on the social applications they will have including:
- Party enables gamers to enjoy voice chat or text chat with their friends, not only while they play online, but also when playing different games or using different applications such as the internet browser
- Live AreaTM is an interactive portal that enables you to connect to your contacts, and the content. Players can check the latest news; receive instant gaming updates from your friends, and then comment back on what friends have said.
- near is a feature that enables you to find out what your friends in the same area are playing right now and share and discover gifts which can be used in game. Simply by sharing your game information, you can meet your friends and new players, regardless of what games they are playing
- Trophies: Because gaming is always much more complex with trophies!
- Cross-Play is the ability to play head to head in real time across platforms. PS Vita can connect wirelessly to PS3 allowing PS3 quality graphics to be seen on the PS Vita’s beautiful five-inch OLED Screen