So wait, what ever happened to being able to use a PSP as a PS3 controller?

[daphatty]

I just remembered that one of the big reasons why I bought a PSP was for its supposed ability to function as a PS3 controller. I clearly remember that being one of Sony's selling points for the PSP. And now that the PS3 is weeks away from launch I have yet to hear/see/feel Sony even mention such functionality being present. Have I lost my mind or is Sony trying to sweep this one under the rug?

[alpo845]

you can use it as a remote, and watch videos from your ps3 on it
thats about it. unless they come out with a SIXAXIS PSP. that would suck.

[daphatty]

you can use it as a remote

But how? The PS3 doesn't have an IR port, only one of the two models comes with WiFi, and the PSP doesn't support Bluetooth...

[WhipSmartBanky]

Same thing that happened to the three ethernet ports, six USB ports and dual-HDMI outputs Sony initially promised...

Par for the course.

[FriskyTanuki]

But how? The PS3 doesn't have an IR port, only one of the two models comes with WiFi, and the PSP doesn't support Bluetooth...
You use WiFi or a USB cable to do it. Of course, you have to buy a WiFi adapter if you get the 20 GB model, which hasn't been announced just yet. You can use the PS3 to download videos, PS1 games or PSP demos, music, etc and stream it to your PSP to use while away from the PS3. Sometime soon after the launch, they'll release an update to get the Location Free Player working so you can connect to your PS3 from any WiFi hotspot and download content to your PSP.

From the official PS3 faq:

For some games, PSP® acting as a remote control to PLAYSTATION®3 is a possibility. Additionally, you can transfer content from the PSP® to PLAYSTATION®3 via Memory Stick or USB*. Ultimately, the developer community has creative license on how they would like the PSP® and PLAYSTATION®3 to interact. For example, in "Formula One 06" (SCEE), PSP® was used as a rear-view mirror.
* Certain limitations apply.
They demonstrated a lot of that stuff at the Gamers' Day event and a small display at TGS.

[daphatty]

You use WiFi or a USB cable to do it. Of course, you have to buy a WiFi adapter if you get the 20 GB model, which hasn't been announced just yet. You can use the PS3 to download videos, PS1 games or PSP demos, music, etc and stream it to your PSP to use while away from the PS3. Sometime soon after the launch, they'll release an update to get the Location Free Player working so you can connect to your PS3 from any WiFi hotspot and download content to your PSP.

From the official PS3 faq:


They demonstrated a lot of that stuff at the Gamers' Day event and a small display at TGS.


Gee. That's great. While I love my PSP I am quite angered that they would advertise the use of a PSP as a PS3 controller and then relegate it to a cheap gimick that NO ONE is going to develop for. Case in point, the Gamecube/Gameboy integration. I can only count two games that took advantage of this, Pac-Man Vs. and FF: Crystal Chronicles.

Fuck you Sony. Fuck you.

[FriskyTanuki]

Gee. That's great. While I love my PSP I am quite angered that they would advertise the use of a PSP as a PS3 controller and then relegate it to a cheap gimick that NO ONE is going to develop for. Case in point, the Gamecube/Gameboy integration. I can only count two games that took advantage of this, Pac-Man Vs. and FF: Crystal Chronicles.

Fuck you Sony. Fuck you.
I never really heard much of any actual boasting (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/16/news_6124681.html) of the use of the PSP as an actual controller, just that it could be done since it was connectable to the PS3. I'd have never bet the bank on the feature because of the horrible job of GC/GBA connectivity-based games not selling at all that well, that and the incompatability of the control schemes between the Sixaxis and PSP. Just having the extra things being done with it in games and the streaming media within the room and eventually across the world are enough for me.

[A7las]

I don't really care about the whole controller thing. I'm looking forward to being able to play downloaded PS1 games on my PS3 (once the update) and PSP. In my ideal world, I'll be able to transfer my saved game from one to the other, so *cross my fingers* I'll be able to play my downloaded Suikoden II on my PS3 and transfer my save data to my PSP so that I can play it on the go.
That scenario would make me forget all of the other empty Sony promises.

[Thomas96]

this is a feature that can be added later on, so I'm not worried about it. I'm just glad about the other features... being able to access your media on the playstation 3.

[thagoat]

i think sony will live up to its promise with the psp/ps3 connectivity. of course, you'll have to buy the new redesigned version of the psp to take full advantage of it. either way ya slice it, yer screwed. thanks again sony.

[NamPaehc]

Give them time, the system isn't even out yet! Plus Sony hasn't been spilling their guts about every little detail, just dropping little hints like you've seen. BOTH of the systems are upgradeable. All it'll take is more developers taking advatage of the interconnectivity once that is in place. And who is to say they already aren't?

[David85]

Case in point, the Gamecube/Gameboy integration. I can only count two games that took advantage of this, Pac-Man Vs. and FF: Crystal Chronicles.

Fuck you Sony. Fuck you.


There was more than two games.

Zelda did, and Animal Crossing did for some island mini-game. There were a few others too.

But yes fuck you Sony, fuck you!

[argyle]

They've also said recently that you'll be able to play PS3 games streamed to your PSP. IMO, they're doing a lot with the device, and comparing it to the gba/gc connectivity is ignorant. *shrug* But they ARE Sony, so I suppose I should hate them too, huh? :roll:

[DeathDealer]

I don't really care about the whole controller thing. I'm looking forward to being able to play downloaded PS1 games on my PS3 (once the update) and PSP. In my ideal world, I'll be able to transfer my saved game from one to the other, so *cross my fingers* I'll be able to play my downloaded Suikoden II on my PS3 and transfer my save data to my PSP so that I can play it on the go.
That scenario would make me forget all of the other empty Sony promises.

Thats awesome, I didnt even think about that. I hope they make that possible.

[icruise]

I'm hoping that they'll make a way for you to stream video from your PS3 to your PSP, kind of like that "location-free" device they have.

[PawnTakesKing]

Why would anyone want to use their PSP as a PS3 controller? The thing controls horribly enough as it is, and I can't see anyone preferring the analog nub to an actual thumbstick.

[GizmoGC]

i think sony will live up to its promise with the psp/ps3 connectivity. of course, you'll have to buy the new redesigned version of the psp to take full advantage of it. either way ya slice it, yer screwed. thanks again sony.

Does someone really want to look down all the time and see what's going on with the PSP? Atleast with the Cube it wasn't needed all the time (when Link is sailing you could see a map).

[FriskyTanuki]

I'm hoping that they'll make a way for you to stream video from your PS3 to your PSP, kind of like that "location-free" device they have.
That's what they're doing. It'll just be local streaming at first, but they're planning to release an update sometime soon after the launch to allow you to access your videos from any Wi-Fi hotspot around the world.

[daphatty]

That's what they're doing. It'll just be local streaming at first, but they're planning to release an update sometime soon after the launch to allow you to access your videos from any Wi-Fi hotspot around the world.

You know, the only thing keeping me from getting rid of my PSP is the fact that I love it as a media device. However, if the iPod weren't DRM'd out the wazoo, I'd probably dump the PSP in favor of the smaller device. It may be in our best interests to dump our current PSPs since it is fairly certain that a new version will be coming out at some point.

[NamPaehc]

Well if you like media, then your PSP will gain a new life when the PS3 is out. Not only games, but you'll be able to access your PS3's hard drive to look at the pictures/music/video stored there from any hot spot.

One example I've seen of a "controller" via PSP is doing things like picking your plays on the PSP while play Madden or the like to hide what your going to run from your friend.

A while back, a Sony rep was brain storming (or maybe just sharing what other peole had brain stormed) about different ways to use both systems. He mentioned something like "wouldn't it be cool if you played Everquest online at home and some how were able to upload your character to your PSP, continue adventuring on the road, and then return up and get back onto the main world? Maybe you could just do some mini/side quests on your PSP to earn some rewards for the main game."

He also mentioned something about "only buying one game". In which one disc (or download) could actually be split among the systems and all sort of do the same thing. So instead of buying the PS3 AND PSP version of Socom, you'd only buy the PS3 game and it would allow you to download enough of the game have some fun on the PSP. Again, both systems effecting each other.

Just because I don't see what they have in store doesn't mean there isn't cool things been worked on. Both of Sony's systems are VERY flexable, I think people underestimate the power of the framewire updates.