Gran Turismo's PSP Conversion Gets Details, Video

jasoncart writes "Sony has confirmed more details on PlayStation & PlayStation 2 killer-app Gran Turismo's upcoming port to the PSP handheld, further underlining the simplicity of PS2 to PSP conversions - series producer Kazunori Yamauchi says: 'Since we're already developing the [Gran Turismo 4]'s system on the PS2 hardware, we're planning to port that directly to the PSP.' IGN PSP has more details from the same interview, and there are also some Japanese shaky-cam videos featuring game footage playing on the PSP, one of the first times the handheld has been seen running in standalone form."

Comments

Anyone else notice?

[Stubtify]

Was it just me or did that guy in the video put that UMD disc into the PSP while it was "playing" another game? Would that mean all we're seeing here is a nice tft screen displaying a video feed (which is what I was suspecting all along)?

Re:Anyone else notice?

[NanoGator]

"Was it just me or did that guy in the video put that UMD disc into the PSP while it was "playing" another game? Would that mean all we're seeing here is a nice tft screen displaying a video feed (which is what I was suspecting all along)?"

Just you. But that's been covered in other posts. It's worth adding that since it's optical, the hardware would be able to keep running a program without the disc. If Sony's smart, they didn't build it to auto-reset in that event. Otherwise, how would Square make their multi-disc games? ;)

Re:Anyone else notice?

[Fred Or Alive]

It would fit with other Playstation stuff for it not to have an auto-reset. The other Playstations don't.

It's only the Sega consoles and the Xbox that (usually) auto-reset if you eject a disc.

Re:Anyone else notice?

[13Echo]

It wouldn't surprise me. Before GT3 was released, all of the "screenshots" were simply shots of FMV in action. It's a typical Sony stunt that they use to WOW users with graphics.

wow

[zors]

Was anyone else surprised at how good the image quality was on the PSP? I mean, i've heard about how powerful it was and that it's essentially the same as the PS2, etc. but i really hadn't believed it. At first i thought the GBA SP would still reign over the PSP for me, but after seeing this, i'm not so sure. The idea of playing a real console game while i'm walking around is pretty cool.

Additional

[NanoGator]

" Say whatever you will, it's a new generation of portable hardware, with performance that lines up with the PS2. Therefore, software development takes quite a bit of work. If you don't give it your all when making games, producing something good is difficult."

He's gotta point. The IGN article didn't mention it, but I've heard it before: The ~$30 price tag of these portable games will no doubt have an effect on development as well. That's significantly less money to be made. It is unlikely we'll see the same amount of effort put into making these games.

The Nintendo zealot in me wants to point out that this could really hurt the PSP. The more practical side of me says that mabye this could lend to more innovative games. I mean, what is innovation if it isn't the overcoming of hurdles such as smaller development staff or simpler interface?

As much as I want Nintendo to win at everything it does, I'm very glad to see this competition taking place in the handheld market.

Re:GT4 - Killer App

[NanoGator]

"I have very little interest in the DS - Ohh, a touchscreen - I can use Pda Functions, just like... on... my... PDA... "

How can you play PC games and not find the PDA style screen interesting?

"And the Games just dont look as appealing."

As much as I'd love to run to Nintendo's defense, I think you're spot on here. The games, ultimately, should direct you where you want to go. If any of us Nintendo fan boys give you shit about that, hold on strong to the choice of games. Ultimately that's what we end up doing with these machines.

Re:I think the real question is...

[fr0dicus]

I think the real question is: where is the demographic?

The answer is of course, working, looking after children, in the pub.

Shaky-cam?

[mbourgon]

To be honest, I wouldn't call that shaky-cam. Aside from 5 seconds or so, it's stable. I've seen much worse lately.

Re:Yeah I was suprised

[13Echo]

The Nintendo DS will also be 1/3 of the price. Now tell me... How many people will be willing to shell out $400-$500 for this portable? I'm sure it will have its niche but you seem to not understand that both portables are aimed for entirely different markets. Nintendo doesn't "have to compete" because they have a product in a market all its own.

Re:Yeah I was suprised

[kisrael]

IF the PSP can really deliver this kinda quality then WOW. Fuck battery life, fuck price. I can carry extra batteries. I can always sell my body to science. BUT I GOTTA HAVE IT.

I'm sure there are a lot of Game Gear, Lynx, TurboGrafx Express, etc users who agree with you.

Eh, who knows. Nintendo used to have mroe brand power than it does now; if Sony allows sufficient ports, maybe you have a point. But Nintendo knows how to make fun games in a small screen; there's always the chance that some direct PS2 ports wouldn't play nearly as well...

Re:GT on a portable is just bad.

[oGMo]

Eh? As another poster stated, the PSP has an analog controller, and from all reports, it's amazingly good.

However, most people I know who are serious GT players use the D-pad or a wheel for GT anyway, since the analog stick on the DualShock is typically too difficult for precision cornering. While it's doubtful anyone will be hooking up a wheel to the PSP, it's possible the analog control will actually be better on the PSP than the PS1/PS2.