Rumor: PSP2 Uses Touch Controls on Back of Device

August 19, 2010 10:20 AM

According to "three separate development sources who have seen and used the new PSP," Eurogamer is reporting that Sony's next-gen PSP "is roughly the same size as the PSP-3000 and has touch controls on the reverse of the unit."

I imagine any touch-sensitive controls would be in addition to the standard PSP button-based controls. Backwards-compatibility is likely to be a big feature to any next-gen PSP, as it tends to be for handhelds. Eurogamer also reports that it is "more likely" that the new device will utilize Flash memory like the PSPgo and might not have any physical media.

While Sony doesn't comment on rumor and speculation, sources say it is being shown to publishers along with some first-party games at Gamescom 2010.

Brian Leahy

Filed Under

From The Chatty

Refresh Go To Thread

valcan_s

 reply
August 19, 2010 10:31 AM

What an awesome idea, I am surprised no one has tried this yet for a game device.
- kapellen421
  
   reply
  August 19, 2010 10:33 AM
  
  +1 sarcasm?
  - MrBig0
    
     reply
    August 19, 2010 10:49 AM
    
    No, it IS a good idea. There was a TED talk about having the touch controls on the back and having a ghost-type overlay of your hands on the front screen. This pretty much fixes all of the problems with touchscreens as you don't need to have x-ray vision anymore.
    - Sivart13
      
       reply
      August 19, 2010 12:19 PM
      
      Except you also can't see exactly where your fingers are for precise screen-touching. I think you're trading off one problem for another.
      - MrBig0
        
         reply
        August 19, 2010 3:41 PM
        
        I'm not sure about the PSP, but the proposed control scheme has a camera facing your hands and overlaying where your hands are on the front screen so you can see where you are going to touch.
  - valcan_s
    
     reply
    August 19, 2010 11:45 AM
    
    I was serious :), I think it is a good idea.
    
    I hate looking at my finger when I play on a Apple device, etc, don't like it.
    
    I think this will work very well.
- Johnnsen
  
   reply
  August 19, 2010 11:11 AM
  
  Actually Apple has toyed with the thought before.
  - valcan_s
    
     reply
    August 19, 2010 11:49 AM
    
    They should of done it.
    
    I mean what would I rather have:
    
    - looks at my fingers and take up my screen real estate
    - Or have full real estate and just see actual in game menus etc highlight as if I had a mouse connected to the program or a game pad
    
    Who ever does this first will make everyone else convert, I see the future it will happen...
- spammehardo
  
   reply
  August 19, 2010 11:58 AM
  
  yea there were totally not thousands of games for PDA's that were completely touch based.... I HATE touch, motion or any other gimmick inaccurate sloppy controls. just give me another nub and buttons and im happy