Sony's Tokyo Game Show 2011 press conference has come to an end.
Revealed was a launch date for PlayStation Vita in Japan and the games that will be available for it.
Square Enix provided the most excitement of the morning with the announcement of a Final Fantasy 10 remake for Vita and PS3.
Capcom's Yoshinori Ono confirmed rumours of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on Vita. He said it will be a launch title and perform just as it does on PS3/360.
Hideo Kojima also solidified rumours of the Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders HD Collections heading to Vita.
Eurogamer's blow by blow report of the event is below.
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
Hello from Tokyo Midtown Hall!
– Martin Robinson
aka we're in, online and up and running. Well, kind of - we're being shunted around by quite literally hundreds of SCE staff, who quite handsomely outnumber the press here.
– Martin Robinson
Quick show of hands - who's stayed up all night for this one?
– Martin Robinson
And who's done the more sensible thing of getting up nice and early?
– Martin Robinson
*whistles to self* Well, hopefully if you're up and watching this you'll be rewarded with some half decent news.
– Martin Robinson
It'll be interesting to see if Sony has a response to Nintendo's decent showing yesterday - especially the mugging the Kyoto outfit carried out when it announced Monster Hunter 4 would be a 3DS title.
– Martin Robinson
Proscenium update, 'cos I know that's all you care about. Tokyo's Midtown Hall's a pretty austere place with the dimensions and atmosphere of a school hall.
– Martin Robinson
So the proscenium's a fittingly blank number. Can't even call it a proscenium really. More of a roof.
– Martin Robinson
Anyways, back to business. Odds on that this'll be heavily Vita focused. I'm hopeful that we'll see a firm release date for Japan.
– Martin Robinson
@jmechan - the difference is night and day. It's proper functional here - I don't think there'll be any dancing crews or celebrity appearances.
– Martin Robinson
Important and exciting news - straight after the Sony conference I'm going to snoop around Treasure's offices. I am happy about this.
– Martin Robinson
And even more exciting news - the Konami shop next door in the Roppongi mall has a Vic Viper model. I'm also very happy about this.
– Martin Robinson
So, we're expecting a big Vita presence - and the most recent issue of Famitsu has revealed that Ninja Gaiden, Katamari and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will all be coming to the handheld.
– Martin Robinson
We've been given the five minute warning. This is about to get real.
– Martin Robinson
An image of the hall, courtesy of the big Shu. http://yfrog.com/kkdxsplj
– Martin Robinson
Fred's my right hand man here, and he'll be turning this all into some serious news felch. Also, big shout out to Bertie who's woken up early to take point from Brighton, and whose cats are confused as they think he's woken up to feed them. Serious business, this.
– Martin Robinson
Time for a quick plug - you will of course be able to play the Vita in just under two weeks at the Expo, some show or something that's going on in Earl's Court. Should be a cracker, that.
– Martin Robinson
Just as Fred gets a little freaked out by the electro music being pumped into our earpieces we're told the show is about to start.
– Martin Robinson
And so it does! Hiroshi Kawano takes the stage. No, us neither.
– Martin Robinson
A year of conferences comes to a head - Sony started their Vita tour in January, and now they're going to explain some of its Japanese strategy.
– Martin Robinson
And now it's Andy House, taking the big stage for the first time since he stepped up at the beginning of September.
– Martin Robinson
Incredible Japanese skills from our man House. Can you do that, Jim Ryan?
– Martin Robinson
House is talking about the support that Vita's got - and how well the PS3 and PSP have done since their respective price cuts.
– Martin Robinson
Kawano's back on - and will give us an overview of today's topics.
– Martin Robinson
51.8 million world wide PS3 sales.
– Martin Robinson
And a runthrough of the software line-up. It's Japan centric - Tales of Xillia and FFXIII-2, which we won't be seeing until much later.
– Martin Robinson
Some more impressive numbers - 71.4 million for the PSP. Sony's coming out well from the numbers game, evidently.
– Martin Robinson
A dual-tone PSP being shown - but it doesn't look like the entry model one introduced at Gamescom earlier this year.
– Martin Robinson
'As you may remember, not everything's been smooth' - Kawano's tackling the PSN outage.
– Martin Robinson
A humbler and drier appraisal than Jack Tretton's one at E3 - Kawano's thankful to the users for sticking around, and there's been some positives as Sony's identified some security weaknesses.
– Martin Robinson
And now for the main course - the PlayStation Vita.
– Martin Robinson
A new member of the PlayStation family. 'The way gamer's interact with these devices is changing.'
– Martin Robinson
Many of PS Vita's features are a response to the rise of smart gaming.
– Martin Robinson
And! It's going to have games that are both Casural (sic) and Unique.
– Martin Robinson
And now we're seeing some of those casural games being played in a swift little video.
– Martin Robinson
A quick peek at a Monster Hunter game in the demo reel - not sure if it was a PSP one though, so don't get too excited.
– Martin Robinson
The video showed core games, casural games and some of the apps like Near - so it's a diverse line-up, then.
– Martin Robinson
A quick recap of the prices - 29,980 and 24,980 yen in Japan.
– Martin Robinson
And now the launch date - December 17.
– Martin Robinson
That's Japan only, obviously. That's a Saturday, should you wish to fly over to Tokyo and pick one up.
– Martin Robinson
So, with the release date out the way, we'll get a look at the 3G features, the launch line-up (which has already been leaked) and the PSP compatibility.
– Martin Robinson
The second main announcement is......
– Martin Robinson
NTT Docomo will be carrying the 3G in Japan. None of the murmuring that met the AT&T announcement at E3, but it's a much politer crowd.
– Martin Robinson
Obviously of little interest to those outside of Japan. But here's a nice photo opp as a chap from NTT Docomo takes to the stage.
– Martin Robinson
While this is going on, here's an update on the leaks. A slide is doing the rounds that reveals that Metal Gear Solid HD and Zone of the Enders HD will be coming to Vita. So pretend to look surprised when that's announced.
– Martin Robinson
This could be relevant - the data plan for Japan. a 980 yen 20-hour prepaid plan, or a 100-hour prepaid plan for 4,980 yen.
– Martin Robinson
That's around a tenner and fifty quid according to my loose currency conversion skills that have been getting me into all sorts of trouble while I've been out here.
– Martin Robinson
Docomo, btw, is a strong service provider. None of that AT&T business here - though obviously Japan's phone networks are from the future.
– Martin Robinson
Be fascinating to see who snaps up the contract in the UK/Europe.
– Martin Robinson
Never thought I'd say this, but where are the celebrity appearances and dancing crews when you need them?
– Martin Robinson
This could totally be enlivened by a little Morris Dancing.
– Martin Robinson
Kawano's not got a Vita in hand - presented to him by a man wearing white gloves. Which is the closest we've come to a dance troupe appearance so far.
– Martin Robinson
Although we're told it's a prototype and won't be connecting to a 3G network.
– Martin Robinson
And it doesn't work. He turns it off an on again. Standard.
– Martin Robinson
Selecting language, time and date. This is gold.
– Martin Robinson
And it connects to a 3G network! Well, a mock 3G network.
– Martin Robinson
From here it's possible to access your account.
– Martin Robinson
And now he's inputting his account details and inputting his date of birth. I really want to see some dancing now.
– Martin Robinson
We actually just watched a man input his date of birth live on stage. Quite unbelievable scenes.
– Martin Robinson
Someone fresh from SEJ. Maybe we'll see him update his credit card details.
– Martin Robinson
Start-up screen being shown, as well as the wallpaper - which can be peeled away. Smart.
– Martin Robinson
Media playback looks handsome - and is easily accessible using a touch-screen enabled spin on Sony's traditional XMB.
– Martin Robinson
I think Fred's just fallen asleep. Multitasking will be possible o the Vita, so you can look at photos of your ex-girlfriend while you listen to The Smiths.
– Martin Robinson
Welcome Park is the Vita tutorial. It's fun!
– Martin Robinson
You tap numbers! Which teaches you how to use the touchscreen!
– Martin Robinson
And you learn how to use the cameras via a little puzzle mini-game!
– Martin Robinson
I hope by throwing excessive punctuation marks I'll keep some of you awake!
– Martin Robinson
The browsers getting a rundown now.
– Martin Robinson
Few problems with the CMS - I think it's fallen asleep itself. Just kicking it awake now.
– Martin Robinson
An overview of the Vita - and a look at the final product. It's a handsome bit of kit, and it does do an awful lot. Would love to see some games now though please!
– Martin Robinson
Itagaki and Nagoshi flash up - as do many other developers who are all behind the new console.
– Martin Robinson
"Some people say that the Japanese games industry is lacking energy... But if you ask me what type of business model will revitalise the industry I'm sure that Japan's games industry will be a part of that."
– Martin Robinson
"By working with these people, we hope we can revitalise the industry" says Iwano.
– Martin Robinson
You're expecting Streetfighter x Tekken, but today he'll surprise us.
– Martin Robinson
Except we knew that Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will be a launch title 'cos it leaked earlier on!
– Martin Robinson
For what it's worth, the game will be out on December 17. And the game's complete.
– Martin Robinson
"The same amazing PS3 experience on PS Vita" Observation mode is already installed, and obviously the connectivity of the Vita will be played to.
– Martin Robinson
And it'll be at 60 fps!
– Martin Robinson
Touch-screen gaming will also feature (optionally, of course) and it'll make the most of Near. Ono can't say too much about that though.
– Martin Robinson
So, apparently this is Ono's third appearance at a conference this year.
– Martin Robinson
Community and connectivity is important. It'll link to PS3 - and we're just finding out how.
– Martin Robinson
Fighting games are all about community - so the Vita and its connectivity are a natural home for them. Can't argue with that.
– Martin Robinson
UMvC 3 wil be playable tomorrow on the Vita. Which is exciting for me, and less so to you at home. Sorry.
– Martin Robinson
The Awano and Ono show as they go through the community features. It's like seeing Eric and Ernie in their prime.
– Martin Robinson
Toro and Kuro will be characters in SF x Tekken. Who won't be a playable character in SF x Tekken?
– Martin Robinson
Toro and Kuro are the PS mascots in Japan, btw. They'll be announcing that Max from Eastenders is playable at the Expo next week. You heard it here first.
– Martin Robinson
Square Enix on the stage to announce two titles.
– Martin Robinson
First, Lord of Apocalypse, an action RPG.
– Martin Robinson
Army Corps of Hell. It's supposed to be a 'horrifying' title. One hundred goblin troops, apparently.
– Martin Robinson
Both launch titles. And both not that exciting, if I'm being honest.
– Martin Robinson
Final Fantasy Type-0 coming on October 27.
– Martin Robinson
Final Fantasy 13-2 released in December. On the PS3, of course.
– Martin Robinson
10th anniversary title will be....
– Martin Robinson
A quick announcement.....
– Martin Robinson
Final Fantasy X on Vita!
– Martin Robinson
HD version coming to Vita and PS3.
– Martin Robinson
For what it's worth, I like Final Fantasy X. But Final Fantasy XII on Vita? That'd be something.
– Martin Robinson
There's nothing to show on FFX on Vita right now, unfortunately.
– Martin Robinson
Kojima's on stage for, let's have a quick guess.... Metal Gear and ZOE HD?
– Martin Robinson
Transfarring - Kojima's own barmy name for playing at home then on the go.
– Martin Robinson
Transfarriring's got a logo and everything! Peace Walker will support it, enabling transfer between the PSP and upcoming PS3 version.
– Martin Robinson
MGS 2 & 3 HD also coming to Vita early in 2012.
– Martin Robinson
You won't need wires to transfar!
– Martin Robinson
Zone of the Enders takes centre stage now.
– Martin Robinson
Again, for PS3 and Vita, and again for 2012. Both of these will be on the show floor, so we'll let you know what they look like soon.
– Martin Robinson
Fox Engine, Kojima Production's in-house engine, is being developed across PS3 and Vita. So expect future titles to come across both.
– Martin Robinson
Kojima's developing a original title to release across both. He can't say any more right now, but he'll reveal more soon.
– Martin Robinson
"When can we expect new information?" Kojima: "It will take a while"
– Martin Robinson
It's an original game, apparently. Does that rule out MGS5? Or another Boktai?
– Martin Robinson
The social side and connectivity will be catered for by this new game from Kojima.
– Martin Robinson
From Worldwide Studio we have Yamamoto from Japan Studio.
– Martin Robinson
Connectivity is important for the Vita - Everybody's Golf 6 will have online, as wel as national competitions.
– Martin Robinson
Two new applications being introduced.
– Martin Robinson
The first one's called You Channel.... something. Not hopeful of seeing this one outside of Japan.
– Martin Robinson
Your day to day schedule is treated as tasks that feed into an RPG.
– Martin Robinson
There's an iPhone game that does this, but I'm too jetlagged to remember what it's called. Any answers out there?
– Martin Robinson
The next one is... No, it's not got an English name, and if I try to phonetically type out what he's just said you might accuse me of being racialist.
– Martin Robinson
It looks very much like the 3DS's Mii Plaza, for what it's worth.
– Martin Robinson
Meanwhile on Twitter, @patlike's taking bets on Sony announcing Pokemon on the Vita as a conference-ending bombshell. Any takers?
– Martin Robinson
Mr Sugimotmo, president of niwango, on-stage. No, us neither.
– Martin Robinson
He's got his collar popped up like a bad boy though, so colour me interested.
– Martin Robinson
Nico Nico Douga! Take that Nintendo!
– Martin Robinson
I'm loving the white gloves that the assistant is using to handle the Vita. I hope they come as standard with the console.
– Martin Robinson
Would anyone notice if I slumped over my keyboard and got a little sleep?
– Martin Robinson
Sorry, back to the game at hand. It's a video sharing thing. It'll come out in December, with functionality being rolled out over the following months.
– Martin Robinson
Nico Nico Douga could allow players to air themselves playing a game live to other Vita users.
– Martin Robinson
Also, thanks BartsBlue. I'll buy you a box of Sugar Puffs if we ever meet.
– Martin Robinson
Bertie reckons the bombshell will be Lair for Vita. I live in hope.
– Martin Robinson
Quite literally falling asleep here as Awano wraps up. More as it happens.
– Martin Robinson
Finally, we're on to support for PSP titles.
– Martin Robinson
Actually, here's the launch line-up first.
– Martin Robinson
Fish On, Ridge Racer, Dream Club Portable, Project Noels, F1 2011, Virtua Tennis 4.
– Martin Robinson
There's more - 26 in total - that will be releasing at launch on December 17.
– Martin Robinson
And more games to come - Metal Gear, Ninja Gaiden, WipEout 2048, FIFA. 100 games to be out by March. Maybe that's when we'll see the Vita outside of Japan?
– Martin Robinson
And NOW we're on to PSP support.
– Martin Robinson
Around 500-600 available. Dual sticks will be functional on the device, and they're scaled up for the shiny new screen of the Vita.
– Martin Robinson
If you've a UMD and you want to play it on the Vita... They're considering special download versions of the UMD-only titles. More news on that at a later date.
– Martin Robinson
A recap on today's news - release date of 17 December, NTT Docomo will be providing the data in Japan and will be doing prepaid plans. First 500,000 models will come with a data plan included, with 100 hours free.
– Martin Robinson
You can start pre-ordering the Vita on October 15, in just a month's time.
– Martin Robinson
At TGS 2011, some 31 games will be available. 80 Vitas will be there (and remember there'll be at the Expo n'all!)
– Martin Robinson
If you're in Japan in the next month, there'll be a Vita caravan touring the country. Sounds like fun.
– Martin Robinson
"Where there is fun, people gather and new friendships are born" is the concluding message.