Sony Vita to control PlayStation 3
Wii U, me too
Sony is touting a new feature for PlayStation 3 that uses the forthcoming PS Vita as a controller, in a way that sounds suspiciously similar to Nintendo's next-gen console, the Wii U
Sony Europe's Phil Rogers talked-up the Vita's Wii U-like capabilities at the Develop Conference 2011 this week, Eurogamer reports.
"Here's a few boring technical ideas: you could drive a display from a PS3 game… send data down to Vita and Vita can display it," he said.
According to the R&D Manager, the Vita's gyroscope and controls - including the rear-touchpad - could be used as a control device for a PS3 game too.
"You can run software on both devices and use the network to sync the game states. And that's pretty good, because you then have the processing power of PS3 doing that work, Vita [handling] fancy graphics - however you want to do it. You're not sacrificing the PS3's CPU to be able to have a rich experience on Vita."
Sony went on to demonstrate the Vita's cross-platform playability, highlighting the Remote Play function, which'll be available from launch. That allows users to stream video content from their PS3 to the Vita.
However, it's the 'Continuation Play' we're looking forward to the most, being able to play a game on one device and take it on the move with the other.
As it stands, the only announced Vita game that uses this function is Ruin, a Diablo-esque RPG pictured above, however more will no doubt follow.
If Vita - expected in late October - effectively turns the PS3 into a Wii U, what effect will that have on Nintendo's plans to launch its next-gen console in 2012?
The Wii was a huge success much due to its unique selling point of motion control, but if the Wii U has nothing cutting-edge except slightly better graphics, it risks falling flat on its face, especially with its competitors gearing up their respective followups.
And after last week's stock drop due to 3DS price cuts, that would be the last thing Ninty needs right now. ®
COMMENTS
@Alan
Initially similar features were announced for the PSP (using the PSP as mirror for an F1 game or remote display) but currently only some games provide remote play (also due to control issues with a single analogue stick, and inherent latency via WiFi) although playing music and movies works great via remote play. (which includes turning on a PS3 remotely).
(i have used this to watch movies stored on a NAS, played via PS3, streamed to PSP over the internet.)
Think you got your facts wrong.
"which the PS Move predates by many years"
You mean the PS Move that was announced nearly 4 years AFTER Nintendo announced the Wiimote, and 3 years after it actually launched said remote?
Didn't PSP do this?
I never had a PSP, but I thought Sony touted the PSP as having this feature? Or was this another feature Sony got rid of?
Yes it did
You could remotely control the PS3 and play videos and even a few games. The impediment of course was the PSP controller has less buttons and sticks. I suppose the Vita could be a closer match though games would have to have the spare CPU and latency to make remote play possible. I expect the Vita could also act as a super controller, acting like a dualshock with the display / touch screen supplying additional controls.
The Wii-U is basically treading the same ground here though since the controller is part of the console the functionality is likely to be employed by more games.
I'm with you on this
"However, it's the 'Continuation Play' we're looking forward to the most, being able to play a game on one device and take it on the move with the other."
Me too! I've been wondering if they'll double-package the PS3 and PSP games together at a reduced price point to get people using it. They could patch the PS3 versions of ported games for the same effect. It's a fantastic idea IMO.
