Wed, Feb 02, 2011 | 21:09 GMT

Kaz Hirai: Sony wants NGP to match current worldwide installed base of PSP

Sony has posted an video interview with the firm’s head of worldwide studios Kaz Hirai, and in it, Hirai chats a bit about NGP following the handheld’s reveal.

According to Kaz, the reason Sony went ahead and announced the portable early in the year, was so it could get more publisher and developer support for launch, while at the same time sharing the stage with those who already had products in development.

Kaz also said Sony wants the install base of NGP to match the current worldwide installed base of PSP, due to all the bells and whistles included in the new handheld, Sony believes it could “go beyond,” the current installed base as well.

NGP was announced last month in Japan during Sony’s PlayStation Meeting. There’s no release date just yet, but more information as well as more game announcements are expected at E3.

17 comments

Erthazus
02/02/11, 8:49 pm

If they won’t FUCK this up they have a pretty damn chance.

First PSP failed to outsold DS for few fuck ups by Sony, so… They have a good hardware now, everything what people wanted…

but there is always something that will fuck up the system i’m sure. It’s always like that.

Razor
02/02/11, 8:56 pm

Who knows what’s going to happen. Five years ago people said the PSP would destroy the DS, now they’re saying the 3DS will pummel NGP.

No-one can guess.

Crysis
02/02/11, 8:59 pm

The only thing i can complain about from the hardware is design is that it’s still missing 2 shoulder buttons =\ Many games need all the buttons the dualshock has to offer, let’s hope developers find a way around this, perhaps tapping the touch pad on the back.
If Sony announces PS2 playback I will go insane with joy, San Andreas, Timesplitters 2 & whatever else XDDD

Crysis
02/02/11, 9:22 pm

I also think the NGP would be a great reason for Sony to revisit pass franchises like MediEvil, Colony Wars & Destruction Derby & a great opportunity to establish some new franchises.
Also think it would be kind of fitting for ActiVision to make Spyro & Crash reboots @ launch & they would also suit the 3DS too.

chronoss2
02/02/11, 9:44 pm

if the price is that “affordable”, they can actually make it quite fast. PSP cost around 200 $ day one back in 2004 (wow that’s many years ago!!!). The mass is sensitive to the pricing, so Sony has to consider it seriously.

Crysis
02/02/11, 9:49 pm

yet the 3DS’s price @ is more than the original PSP’s launch price, I’d be ecstatic if Sony managed to get the PSP2 through retail @ a lower price than the 3DS XD

spiderLAW
02/02/11, 9:57 pm

PSP’s launch price in US was $249.99
Came with soft case, earbuds with control, a 32mb pro duo, and 1 video demo disc.

tmac2011
02/02/11, 11:06 pm

i’m going to get this, being able to play MGS on the go would be great

xino
03/02/11, 12:21 am

DAMN MAN!
That Kaz guy’s english voice is much better:)

Ironic isn’t it? how Black Ops on the PS3 version was messed up and people praise NGP’s line up for having Call of Duty.

if it’s priced £200 or below, I’ll get it

#10

Michael O’Connor
03/02/11, 12:35 am

Something does not have to outsell the competition in order to be a success.

Just because the PSP didn’t sell more units than the DS doesn’t mean it was a “failure”. It’s managed to enter more households than either the PS3 or the 360, so clearly it’s done something right.

#11

Michael O’Connor
03/02/11, 12:39 am

Also, they should totally call this the Play Boy, just for the lulz.

#12

lexph3re
03/02/11, 1:19 am

Ugh! I’m sick of everyone say mgs 4 is on this thing! Its not! It was a tech demo just to show off the specs!

But, if they latter do release a mgs game for ngp I will totally cream everywhere and have to buy another ngp

#13

2plus2equals5
03/02/11, 9:27 am

I bet that ngp will surpass psp in 3-4 years.

@crysis: back touchpad and touch screen can emulate shoulder buttons and even other things