Kaz talks up PSP2 touch screen potential

By Fred Dutton Published 22 December, 2010

Plus, Sony boss doesn't fear the iPhone.

Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai has added further fuel to speculation that the PSP2 will have touch screen controls.

In an interview with The New York Times, Hirai explained that new control inputs will be key in competing with Nintendo and Apple.

"Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel,'' Hirai explained. ''But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination."

Hirai went on to explain that the rise of mobile gaming on the iPhone and Android devices shouldn't be seen as a threat to a new dedicated handheld gaming device, but as an opportunity.

''We're seeing people who never had an interest in games join the gaming population," he said. "That means that the gaming industry pie is getting bigger."

In any case, Hirai argued, "The games being played on Android and Apple platforms are fundamentally different from the world of immersive games that Sony Computer Entertainment, and PlayStation aims for."

Very little is known for sure about Sony's next handheld but rumours have suggested that, alongside those touch screen controls, the PSP2 will boast "early PS3 game quality visuals", two cameras and full digital game delivery.

As well as the mooted new handheld, rumours have also been flying around about a new PlayStation Phone. Hirai as good as confirmed the device, which may or may not be called the Xperia Play, expressing concern over how consumers might tell the gadget apart from a regular PSP.

''We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that and a PSP,'' he said. ''We have to come up with a message that users will understand. It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact.''

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (28) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • sfp_noodle #1 1 year ago

    Just reveal the damn thing Sony! Everyone and their mums know it exists now!

  • Dizzy #2 1 year ago

    They also didn't fear the iPod. Look what happened there.

    There really is no use making another PSP. The 3DS might very well be the last true handheld system and it will sell like crazy. Five years later, everybody will probably game on their phone-thing.

  • spiritsnake #3 1 year ago

    they cant reveal it just like tht, most probably till E3

  • penhalion #4 1 year ago

    yea E3.

  • Essien #5 1 year ago

    If Sony is not worried about iOS and Android then they are even more stupid then I thought.

    I suspect they are sh@t scared actually.

    By the way World of Goo on iPad is great.

  • Noxia #6 1 year ago

    Give me buttons over touch screen any day. I don't enjoy gaming on my iPhone.

  • koopa #7 1 year ago

    ''But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination."

    I hope that's not the best they can think of about PSP2's strengths...

  • natashaspice #8 1 year ago

    just make it affordable. simple as and some good games at launch
    Edited by natashaspice at 22/12/10 @ 19:49

  • TheEnforcer000 #9 1 year ago

    He sounds complacent and delusional. Not good for the future of the psp brand.

  • M4RV #10 1 year ago

    Plus, Sony boss doesn't fear the iPhone

    ^ ^ ^ ^

    "Yessss... You will be... You... will be...!!!"

    /lame Yoda impersonation

  • CrumpledPaper #11 1 year ago

    If they don't want people asking what the difference is between the Playstation Phone and the PSP2, then they should make them play the same software. Like Apple does with its mobile products. Somehow, unfortunately I get the impression he thinks the exact opposite approach is required.

  • redcrayon #12 1 year ago

    Dizzy, your sentence

    'The 3DS might very well be the last true handheld system and it will sell like crazy'

    is a bit self-defeating. If it sells like crazy (and I think it will, but at a slightly slower pace than the DS) then it won't be Nintendo's last true gaming handheld. I can't see them ever going into the phone market. Also

    'there really is no use making another PSP'

    Really? The console itself has been profitable despite entering the market against the DS, despite UMDs being unsupported as a new media format, despite poor game sales outside Japan and despite the Go having a less than stellar impact. That all points to there being a market for it, and one worth exploring for a large technology company. They have a huge advantage in terms of a loyal customer base that likes the IP you can only get on a Sony portable, and, as seen with the iPhone and DS, handhelds are a place where good use of technology, innovation and marketing can make you a huge pile of cash for much lower costs (and thus risk) than a home games console.
    Edited by redcrayon at 22/12/10 @ 20:37

  • funkateer #13 1 year ago

    Sure, iPhone gaming is hugely successful, but I actually like the position he's taking: He's not bashing Android or iOS at all, but he sees it as an opportunity to learn from it and take focused hand held gaming to the next level.
    For gaming, give me a dedicated handheld console over an iPhone or Droid any day. The PSP2 (or 3DS for that matter) might not become as successful in pure volume of sales (it probably won't), but chances are that it will exceed it in quality focused mobile gaming.

    Let's just hope Sony will get their pricing right this time.
    Edited by funkateer at 22/12/10 @ 20:35

  • Dizzy #14 1 year ago

    "is a bit self-defeating. If it sells like crazy (and I think it will, but at a slightly slower pace than the DS) then it won't be Nintendo's last true gaming handheld"

    They will try... but 3DS will be the last IMHO. You can see it coming. 3DS selling like crazy and being the last is not a problem. Better to go out with a bang.

    "Really? The console itself has been profitable despite entering the market against the DS"

    Maybe... it all depends who you are asking. Software devs do not share that view most of the time (except in Japan). Making a PSP2 might still make money, but the risks are very high and failure a very big option.
    Edited by Dizzy at 22/12/10 @ 22:05

  • BuddyChrist #15 1 year ago

    Playstation strengths intact...?

    So.... It has a BlueRay player?
    No?

    Then you must be referring to the last to Playstations, because this generation is a loss of form for them. Both teams made mistakes early on, but Sony continues to make them.

    This new phone has Ngage written all over it.

  • the_merchant #16 1 year ago

    I'm actually really hoping for the PSP2 to end up being a phone. And please oh please Mr. Hirai, make your handheld ergonomic this time! My hands get hurt and fingers cramp up when playing. So yes, games like God of War and Daxter are so good that I'm willing to go through that pain to play them. The point though, is that there should be no pain. I like the idea of a touchpad at the back of the device, but will it be ergonomic? Please Mr. Hirai, make gaming on your handheld a painless experience.

  • SeesThroughAll #17 1 year ago

    Just release the damn thing so you can drop the price on the original model, thankyouverymuch.

  • Jokerrules #18 1 year ago

    How can you retards even compared a Cel PHONE, any Celphone to a PSP, DS... It's not a same products... Nintendo sold 140 millions DS and Sony sold 65 millions PSP. How many iPod Touch did Apple sold to date? I know it's not 140 million or 65 millions. As for the iPhone, well it is a PHONE STUPID, and yes it play shitty games. Anyone played God of War on the iPhone? The answer is No, and it would totally sucks.


    PSP2 will definitely be a huge success as long as it's not 500 bucks... $299 is a damn good price for 32GB or $399 for 64GB... Just what would happened if Sony decided to add 3D to the PSP2?




  • napalm68 #19 1 year ago

    I agree playing games using a touchscreen just isn't the same as using a controller. Imaging driving your car with a touchpad rather than a wheel...

  • WJF #20 1 year ago

    'How many iPod Touch did Apple sold to date? I know it's not 140 million or 65 millions'

    45 million iPod touches, 51.5 million iPhones = 96.5 million so far, with the number rising in the millions every month.

    Ah, the wonders of Google, eh?

  • Quak #21 1 year ago

    > Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai has added further fuel to speculation that the PSP2 will have touch screen controls.

    I thought this was already a given, considering the multiple sources, the leaked photos...

  • Arwin #22 1 year ago

    I have to say, anything that will have a display the size of the original PSP (bigger is fine too) has my vote. The DS, the iPhone, even the PSP Go, their screen sizes are just not comfortable enough. And 16:9 doesn't hurt either!

  • Arwin #23 1 year ago

    I don't know ... E3 may be late. We may see more at GDC already.

  • ATNR1 #24 1 year ago

    I dunno, this thing just sounds like it is going to be hell expensive. I mean I want one, but I don't wanna wait three years like I did with the PS3 before I get one.

  • funkateer #25 1 year ago

    "Imaging driving your car with a touchpad rather than a wheel... "

    Imagine driving a car with an analogue nub that won't center correctly after a few years...
    But I get your point :)

  • mr2ange #26 1 year ago

    @Funkateer

    I have an original japanese launch psp, so its as old as they come.

    After over 200 hours of awesomeness on monster hunter, as well as many many other games, my analogue nub is perfectly useable. (although i've physically worm the grip down a little)

    Maybe your pushing it a little too hard?

    "thinks about kids playing street fighter in the arcades" ... hmm?

  • Ryze #27 1 year ago

    "Depending on the game, there are ones where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel,'' Hirai explained. ''But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination."

    Like on the DS, or at the same time as your PSP2 announcement, on the 3DS.

    Sony don't seem to realise, that if they release the same hardware, they lack Mario and the other Nintendo franchises - so they have to make themselves unique and as much better as possible not to lose out to whatever Nintendo are doing.

    That said, I'm interested in seeing how much they can fix on the PSP, because there was loads that needed refinement.

  • gandhimaster #28 1 year ago

    what he says regards buttons vs touch screen only is dead on tho, some games NEED buttons n sticks/d-pad....