Lawrence.com

After much suspense and rumor on the Internet, Sony finally revealed the next generation of its portable line –– the horribly named Next Generation Portable, or NGP. While I'm fairly certain the name won't stick, it's a safe bet that the cavalcade of features most likely will. For those that haven't seen the lineup, NGP has everything: 3G and wi-fi, touch screen, dual analog sticks (finally!), a touch pad in the back, a new cartridge format, accelerometer, two cameras, memory stick support and an impressive 5" screen boasting PS3-like graphics. While the "throw everything at it and see what sticks" approach may seem risky, this list of features prevents segmentation on what type of game developers want to create. Whether it's to port iOS/android (or even DS/3DS) games, the touch pad, wi-fi and 3G now makes it a possibility; on the other hand if you want a console port of a game, this is also possible, especially with the dual analogs. This doesn't even speak to the vast possiblities with NGP exclusives that can use as many or as few of the features as a developer wants. Even better, there's already talk that the NGP has such a streamlined programming approach that it is "a developer's dream" as opposed to the obtuse programming structure of both the PSP and PS3. Unfortunately, we've heard this song and dance before with none other than Sony's original portable, the PSP. The big question becomes, what can Sony do to help ensure the NGP succeeds?

NGP's Front by frojas

First and foremost, they need to create a plan for how to handle hackers. Like it or not, hackers figured out how to create custom firmware and allow pirated games on the console before it even hit US shores. On the PS3, not only can hackers play backups but they are also altering multiplayer code allowing players to cheat competitively online and even affect other accounts. Sony needs to create a backup plan in the event (and distinct possiblity) that the NGP gets hacked. While I'm sure that preventing piracy would be a top priority for both Sony and developers, a player's bigger concern is that their online accounts can't be affected. Pushing firmware updates do nothing more than annoy those who don't alter their systems and give the hackers a reason to retaliate. Just in case this isn't clear, Sony: this method of hacker prevention has not and probably will not work. Sony needs to have a security measure that will ensure a better method of weeding out pirates and hackers.

Sony has admitted that they want gamers to be able to play games both at home and portably based on their current needs. This concept is actually intriguing to me as long as it is handled appropriately. Picture this: you just picked up the newest Uncharted and can't wait to burn through Nathan Drake's next adventure. Unfortunately, you also have a business trip scheduled and you'll be gone for more than a week. For many people, myself included, this is not an ideal circumstance to start a new game. By the time I come back I'll forget how it controls and what's going on. For the same reason, I don't want to start a big portable title on my trip either. If I could save my PS3 progress on the cloud and pick it up on my NGP while on my trip, this solves one of the biggest problems for gamers on the move. If there was some way to get both an NGP and PS3 version of the same game with only one purchase and you can store on the cloud via wi-fi/3G from your NGP (and preferably for free), then the concept is not so far fetched. Throw in an HDMI out so I can play my NGP if the hotel has an HDTV and you've really got some intrigue there. This will have to start out on first party Sony titles to assure proper integration, but after a year or so I'm sure third parties will start to get on board.

NGP's Back by frojas

The third support beam has already been previously discussed: versatile ports and exclusives. This console can logically support anything that releases on iOS, PSP, some DS/3DS titles and of course, its own exclusives. The key here is that a developer no longer has to decide to develop for the NGP, just include it. This can quickly make the NGP just as versatile, if not moreso, than a PC and completely remove the risk of exclusivity that so many smaller developers feared on the PSP.

I will be the first to admit that all of these suggestions aren't without concern to how they are handled and without risk. For starters, the stronger you combat hackers the more likely you are to hurt user experience for those legitimately playing the NGP. We've already seen the crushing criticism DRM has received and Sony may be foolish enough to assume that with 3G coverage and wi-fi it's possible to always get your NGP online. This could turn off many potential buyers when the eventual horror stories come creeping in. Allowing users to play PS3 titles on their NGP and visa versa is great and all, but if they focus too heavily on this type of integration the NGP will become nothing more than a haven of home console ports, a mistake the PSP made in relation to the PS2. If it becomes a welcome but not necessary feature, great, otherwise it could spell doom for those who don't own both systems (and many won't). Again, porting various games is great, but in the wake of piracy it could blacklist the portable from receiving these ports or prevent developers from making original titles for the NGP. Make no mistake about it, the strength of a console lies partially in its exclusives. In addition, one potential issue that is unavoidable at this point is the blatant fact that the NGP will not fit in your pocket. Like it or not it will be something else to carry around, but if it becomes my sole gaming/app platform as a substitute to my cell phone I just may have interest. I know this sounds crazy at first to most of us with iPhones and Androids but just imagine having a device that will play all your mobile games, PS3 games and portable exclusives in one package. Saves a lot of battery life I could be using for –– get this –– phone calls and texting.

New Uncharted Title on NGP by frojas

In the end, only Sony knows what is planned for this system. Some of my ideas, like piracy protection, can and should be integrated from day one. On the other hand, a heavy dose of ports and the ability to cross-platform play big name titles like Uncharted and Call of Duty between your PS3 and NGP will hardly be a day one feature. Time will have to tell. We have yet to even hear of the price, whether or not 3G will have full or limited free functionality and if it will have a video out. My personal opinion is that we will see models starting at around $300 (but 3G will have higher prices), that there will be a monthly charge for even limited 3G functionality and that video out will be integrated, but who knows. Sony doesn't have the best track record for making its recent systems approachable from both a developer and consumer standpoint, but from what we've already seen about the NGP, Sony may finally be on the right track. Here's hoping because the NGP has twice the potential of the PSP, but it also has history and cost working against it.