PS3 games and video can be viewed as is on the PSP

In an interview with Japan’s Nikkei BP, Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi, shared some unique visions Sony has for the PSP platform in relation to the PlayStation 3. The title of the article tells it all: “PSP will become a Virtual PS3.” It’s a very interesting read!

First Kawanishi mentioned some of the difficulties with Sony’s emulation project. “Emulating all PSP games would be difficult. The PS1 has left and right analogue sticks and a large number of controller buttons. The PSP has just one analogue stick, and a different number of buttons. There’s no power problem with emulation, but there are limitations with the user interface.”

Sony may have some Xbox Live style plans for its e-distribution scheme. “Games for PS3, PSP, PS1 and so-forth will be distributed via the network. While popular series are a separate matter, it’s becoming hard to tell what’s inside the package of recent games. So, we’re thinking of distributing demo versions.” Note that in Japan, it was possible for a while to download a select few PS2 titles to the PS2 hard disk, but there were too few broadband connections at the time.

Sony’s plans go beyond games. “Distributed content won’t be limited just to games,” explained Kawanishi. “It will also likely include movies. While we can’t get a grasp for how well UMD movie software is selling, there’s no question that the world is moving in the direction of network distribution for movies. I’ve heard that So-Net’s Portable TV is performing well.”

All this downloadable content brings up a big question: how long will the wait be for such massive files? Kawanishi explained. “The download amount will, put simply, be one CD’s worth at most 600 Megabytes. PS1 game programs themselves are small, but the music data is recorded to CD tracks. When the music data is added, it’s quite large in terms of volume. However, looking at the current state of internet distribution, downloading files of 400M and 500M doesn’t take up too much time. This level of volume is in the range of tolerance.”

For those who are worried about Sony taking its time to get a network infrastructure in place for the PS3, Kawanishi’s next comment should offer some relief. Asked if gamers will be able to use e-Distribution from the day they purchase a PS3, he said, “That’s the plan.”

But you may not need a PS3 in order to download PS1 content to your PSP. Asked what means you’ll have to download content, Kawanishi said, “There will be three: through the PS3, through the PC, or direct download to the PSP via wireless LAN. Our fundamental stance is to use an open network, so PC-based downloads will be possible. And not only that, but we believe things like download through cell phones are also a possibility. We don’t plan on placing limits on the network.”

Kawanishi also suggested that Sony might allow gamers to play PS1 games through emulation on the PC and, in the future, on a cell phone.

The interview then shifted to linking up the PS3 and PSP. “It’s possible to have distribution of video imagery from the PS3 to PSP,” said Kawanishi. “In other words, images that are rendered on the PS3 will be sent to the PSP via wireless LAN. If the PS3 is something like a home server that’s placed in the center of your home, the PSP is an information terminal that you carry with you.”

According to Nikkei, Kawanishi was referring to 3D imagery that’s rendered on the PS3 and viewed on the PSP. “PS3 video can be viewed as is on the PSP, so the PSP becomes like a Virtual PS3,” continued Kawanishi’s explanation. Kawanishi then credited the PS3’s Cell CPU with allowing for this unexpected connectivity. “The power of the Cell will be put to use. If you don’t have this much power, this cannot be realized.”

Nikkei then asked if Kawanishi feels the system will become an information terminal in the future. “It depends on what the users want,” responded Kawanishi. “It already has a Web Browser, and along those lines, schedule management and mailer applications will likely appear. However, it’s important that the concept [of the PSP] doesn’t lose focus. It would be troubling to have it become a machine whose use is unknown.” After which he continued the PSP might replace your cell phone one day… just ideas of his interest though.

Sony will be demonstrating two new technological sides of the PSP at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan later this month on September 22th to 24th, where the system’s GPS Receiver and camera will be on display.

Translated by IGN, edited picture from Pspfanboy.

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