Connectix plans Windows launch for PlayStation emulator

Connectix president Roy McDonald yesterday confirmed the company is developing a Windows version of its controversial Mac-based PlayStation emulator, Virtual GameStation (VGS). Ever since VGS was launch back at the beginning of January, there has been much speculation that Connectix would follow up its Mac release with a Windows version. However, until now the company has refused to say that a Wintel release was in the pipeline, probably as much out of fear of further antagonising Sony, which is currently preparing a lawsuit against it, as for commercial reasons. That will put VGS up against Bleem, a little-known commercial Windows PlayStation emulator currently in development. Speaking in a chat session hosted by Web site World Without Borders, McDonald said that VGS development was continuing despite the imminent legal action, and that Connectix was focusing on improving not only VGS' compatibility with PlayStation games -- so far only around 100 titles out of over 350 will work with VGS -- but its anti-piracy technology. Allegations that VGS in fact promotes the illegal copying of PlayStation CDs lie at the heart of Sony's case against Connectix (see Dissecting Sony's Game ). Moving ahead, McDonald said work on VGS would seek to add more features, including support for more game controllers, support for multiple players on the same host computer and ultimately Internet multiplayer capabilities. ®