PSP Middleware Unveiled – Launch GTA Looks Likely
Criterion off the blocks - PSP development cycle accelerated.
Criterion has announced that it has completed development of a substantial suite of middleware for Sony’s looming PSP handheld, expanding the perceived early software line-up the machine will be able to muster when it hits retail later this year in Japan, followed by the western release early 2005.
The RenderWare toolchain is based around the award-winning middleware solution deployed by Criterion that has enabled multi-platform releases of some of the world’s biggest games, including Sega's Sonic Heroes and Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City.
David Lau-Kee, Criterion's CEO comments, "PSP is a truly revolutionary platform, and it has been a pleasure to work on it. Demand from RenderWare users for support for PSP has been phenomenal, and we're looking forward to delivering the full RenderWare toolchain for PSP to them. RenderWare has long provided the underlying power behind many AAA videogames, and in an increasingly high-stakes world, is a brand that people know and trust to deliver. Producing RenderWare for PSP reinforces Criterion's commitment to empowering the publisher and developer communities with open, flexible and future-proofed production solutions."
The news that Criterion is at deployment stage with its development suite has been seen as one of the most important points in the emergence of the PSP by analysts, with the clouds of doubt that surrounded the machine's launch beginning to evaporate. Given the timeframe and development load involved in making portable games to around the same specification of those seen on the PlayStation 2, many analysts have doubted that a sufficient launch line-up would be achievable.
This news also adds weight to recent talk that will see a version of either Grand Theft Auto 3 or its Vice City semi-sequel getting an outing on the power-handheld within the early release cycle of the PSP.
Expect more meat on the bones of this story within the next couple of months.
The RenderWare toolchain is based around the award-winning middleware solution deployed by Criterion that has enabled multi-platform releases of some of the world’s biggest games, including Sega's Sonic Heroes and Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City.
David Lau-Kee, Criterion's CEO comments, "PSP is a truly revolutionary platform, and it has been a pleasure to work on it. Demand from RenderWare users for support for PSP has been phenomenal, and we're looking forward to delivering the full RenderWare toolchain for PSP to them. RenderWare has long provided the underlying power behind many AAA videogames, and in an increasingly high-stakes world, is a brand that people know and trust to deliver. Producing RenderWare for PSP reinforces Criterion's commitment to empowering the publisher and developer communities with open, flexible and future-proofed production solutions."
The news that Criterion is at deployment stage with its development suite has been seen as one of the most important points in the emergence of the PSP by analysts, with the clouds of doubt that surrounded the machine's launch beginning to evaporate. Given the timeframe and development load involved in making portable games to around the same specification of those seen on the PlayStation 2, many analysts have doubted that a sufficient launch line-up would be achievable.
This news also adds weight to recent talk that will see a version of either Grand Theft Auto 3 or its Vice City semi-sequel getting an outing on the power-handheld within the early release cycle of the PSP.
Expect more meat on the bones of this story within the next couple of months.
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Comments
Pandaman 23 Mar 2004 13:44
1/3
I am left wonderig how the kiddies are going to get their GTA if this thing costs like $300.
almondVanHelsing 23 Mar 2004 20:05
2/3
Get lost to the kiddies!
I want this for my long train journeys into work. I hope the PSP is more holdable than the GBA or GBA/SP. First too wide, then too narrow.
Like Microsoft found out, not all people have the hands the same size!!
I want this for my long train journeys into work. I hope the PSP is more holdable than the GBA or GBA/SP. First too wide, then too narrow.
Like Microsoft found out, not all people have the hands the same size!!
SPInGSPOnG 23 Mar 2004 20:06
3/3
Alan Poole wrote:
>I am left wonderig how the kiddies are going to
>get their GTA if this thing costs like $300.
Dude, kids today aren't bothered about a PSP, it's PCP they want. Then they'll go out and roll a few hookers for cash. Then steal some cars, and sell them to drug dealers. Then they'll ram raid a pharmacy, and sell the sleeping pills to crack whores. Pretty soon, they'll have a PSP for each day of the week, and a fine Caddy and a stable of foxy little whores.
That's what GTA taught them. Let's see what Stasky and Hutch have to say about that, mofo!
>I am left wonderig how the kiddies are going to
>get their GTA if this thing costs like $300.
Dude, kids today aren't bothered about a PSP, it's PCP they want. Then they'll go out and roll a few hookers for cash. Then steal some cars, and sell them to drug dealers. Then they'll ram raid a pharmacy, and sell the sleeping pills to crack whores. Pretty soon, they'll have a PSP for each day of the week, and a fine Caddy and a stable of foxy little whores.
That's what GTA taught them. Let's see what Stasky and Hutch have to say about that, mofo!