Sony Japan testing 'new game machine'

Hot on heels of PSP2 rumors, SCEJ begins hiring testers to evaluate a "part of the PlayStation or PSP series and their peripherals," including "machines not yet released."

For months, rumors have been circulating about either a redesign or a successor to Sony's PSP handheld. This week, the flames of speculation were further fanned by a job listing on the official Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Web site for an "evaluator/assessor" for a "new game machine." According to a GameSpot translation by a fluent Japanese speaker, the new machine is "part of the PlayStation or PSP series and their peripherals."

The PSP-3000...soon to be obsolete?

The job listing goes on to state that, if accepted, evaluator/assessor applicants will "be part of an advisory staff that will play PlayStation series software on this new machine and check its functionality. They will also be able to "test game machines not yet released or new functionality of PS3 peripherals before they are released." (Emphasis added.) [UPDATE] Since the story ran, Sony has changed the copy on the listing, removing mention of a "new game machine."

So what exactly is this new "game machine"? Is it a new PSP, as some suspect, or simply some sort of new peripheral for the PSP or PS3? When contacted by GameSpot, Sony Computer Entertainment reps said they were working on a response, which had not been issued as of press time.

If the device in question is a new model of the existing PSP platform, it would be the fourth iteration and third redesign of the handheld since its Western release in 2005. The first revamp, the PSP-2000, was unveiled at E3 2007 and offered a slimmer chassis and video-output support. The second revision, the PSP-3000 that launched last October, offered a brighter LCD screen, built-in microphone for use with Skype, and interlaced video output.

463 Comments

  • dannyatkinson

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 10:09 pm GMT

    The PSP2 will be the ultimate in portable gaming.
    It will be directly implanted into your brain.
    lol

  • Gmaster01

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 1:35 pm GMT

    seriously the new dsi is gonna be better than this psp trash.

  • Leo_Colt

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:09 pm GMT

    To be honest, I think by "new machines" they meant that they would test these things if they still hold the job in the future, rather than that they actually plan to release something in the next few weeks or months.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:05 pm GMT

    use the money on advertising i barley see any adverts without xbox swamping it all

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 1:03 pm GMT

    its likely to be ps3 slim but i cant see any extras

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 12:16 pm GMT

    michel_sinay

    ps3 slim,500gig hdd, and backwards compatibility for 299¿
    *************************************************
    LOL!! Dream on. I do think they are working on a remodeled PS3, but I don't see it getting released until next year. I also think M$ is also working on a smaller XBox 360 with better technology in it. That's one of the reasons I haven't rushed out to get an Elite yet, because something is going to be announced soon I'm thinking. Most likely this is an update to the PSP, but why do that again now, when the 3rd interation just got released last year. I guess we'll find out at the E3.

  • michel_sinay

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 6:29 pm GMT

    ps3 slim,500gig hdd, and backwards compatibility for 299¿

  • michel_sinay

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 6:25 pm GMT

    ps3 slim ?

  • akiwak

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 5:21 pm GMT

    It's a new network interface that plugs directly to the back of your head.

  • darth_lorenzo

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 2:26 pm GMT

    Two analog sticks and touch screen capabilities? It would be disastrous. Two analog sticks would get in the way if there was a touch screen. I accidentally press the B button on my ds all the time. I can only imagine how much an analog stick would do. Plainly, Sony needs to do one or the other, not both.

  • EddieTheGreat

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 9:42 am GMT

    I kinda want a PSP, but I already am saving up for an ipod, and I dont have the money to buy games for a PSP and my 360, I would love one sometimes though, I miss handheld consoles.

  • -Vect-

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 7:26 am GMT

    Could be the stereo-vision pherical they were thinking of adding to the PS3. Hopefully whatever it is it'll help the slow PS3 sales in the US.

  • XanderKage

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 5:14 am GMT

    PSP2 seems like the logical choice... I mean what else? I hope it was 2 analog sticks... And BluTooth. But a touch screen seems unnessesary.

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 12:20 am GMT

    PS3 + PSP2 = perfect match. Two machines that were made for eachother.

  • Bboyjhin

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 11:15 pm GMT

    they jus need to make some tucing games for the psp there is no enough titles for this system what is wrong with them? but if they release a new one like everyone says put two analog sticks that will help other than that im fine i dont need touch screen so fix the problem and make good titles instead of making new improvements that will make you waste enough money and leave your consumers with a what the tuck where is the games at

  • Elazul_Stice

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 10:38 pm GMT

    Why does everyone want Touch screen capabilities, its so gimicky. I have no need or desire to get my finger prints all over the screen and while i could just not use the touch screen aspect its somthing so stupid that i couldnt justify paying for. Like when i bought my ipod..i could get 120gigs or pay $80 more and get 8 gigs...and i can touch the screen oooOOooo...so stupid.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 10:16 pm GMT

    Sony is desperate to crack the new Wii-tastic gadget market. You can bet money it is something up that alley.

  • Big_Evil666

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 9:53 pm GMT

    this is exactly the reason i held off the upgrade, cause knowing Sony, they're going to release yet another new PSP some time soon, perhaps then i might upgrade

  • Kowpow

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 7:47 pm GMT

    Why aren't they making games for the PS3?

  • Inconnux

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 3:10 pm GMT

    why a new psp? it actually sells!!! what they need is to redesign the PS3 so they don't lose so much money per unit made.

  • PHeMoX

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 5:24 am GMT

    No doubt a PSP 2 will be a good thing. People got confused about all the PSP 1 versions and developers lost interest in the platform a long time ago. It's basically as good as dead, even though I enjoy playing on mine still.

    Sony, we need more games for the PSP 1 as well, even though I'd probably buy the PSP 2 with touchscreen, tilt sensor, bigger screen, two thumbsticks and what not. ^^

  • gandalf_storm

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 1:46 am GMT

    they dont need any more handhelds, or consoles for that matter, keep supporting and improving what they have, ive been crying out for a proper random play function for my PSP for years, still will not random play all tracks, not unless you copy them all into one folder.

  • xdeiri

    Posted Feb 24, 2009 1:40 am GMT

    it may indeed be the fat boy getting slim

  • eternity21

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:14 pm GMT

    Sony wasting money...

  • Hedfix

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:03 pm GMT

    Ah, new portable grill eh?

  • xdeiri

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:21 pm GMT

    testing attention please

  • woeeywoowoo

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 9:25 pm GMT

    Yawn, put more effort into the PS3 Sony. Can we get that to a 100% first???

  • gameking5000

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 9:14 pm GMT

    I wonder how much it costs? That will impact on how well it sells. So far it's looking good

  • cube-gage

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 6:39 pm GMT

    I dont think it will be a PSP2 just yet. I think a psp sony ericson is most likely, sony need an iphone competitor. A slim ps3 is possible but i think that is a little early too. I havent played on my psp for ages though.

  • perfect_chao

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:54 pm GMT

    all Nintendo and Sony are doing is releasing rehashes, grabbing people in to waste money on a slightly updated handheld.. MOVE ON WITH TECHNOLOGY dont release small updates!

    greed is all i can say

  • samtct

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:11 pm GMT

    PS3 Slim and Lite.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 2:53 pm GMT

    TeabagChampion

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 5:39 pm GMT

    When I got my Xbox 360, Microsoft announced that they were going to come out with the Elite 2 months later. Than when I bought the PS3, they came out with the 80HD. This really sucks for me.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I bought a 360 day 1 and then bought an Elite day 1.

    I bought a PS3 day 1, but will not buy another till this one breaks, as I can play PS2 games on my PS3.

    Not all upgrades are good ones.

    Lets hope the PSP2, is BC.

  • amulbocus

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:27 pm GMT

    I got a ps3, but i just love the PSP. When im on holidays, the PSP is a livesaver, and you really appreciate how a small handheld can produce wonders with that small screen. On the plane the in flight entertainment broke, so i just watch movies on my PSP etc, i just love it. What ever happens, Sony need to plough money into the current PSP, or a new one which would have to be backwards compatible obviously.

  • EddisonPeters19

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    well if sony do release a psp2
    1.It should have 2 analog sticks(to this day i still dont understand why they only put one)
    2.it should be affordable,i think its one of the reasons why the psp had a very slow start was because it was a bit pricy for a handheld.
    3.it should be backwards compatable.
    4.a great glut of launch title games.
    5.it should be released in late 2010,im sorry but i just recently bought a psp 3000(which is awesome)
    6.it should have some touch screen capabilities but not too much.
    other than that if sony manage top pull it off it could be the most impressive handheld ever.personally i think the psp was an underrated console it was near perfect but didnt quite get there but the psp2 hopefully sony will nail it.

  • anik786

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:07 pm GMT

    I hope the psp2 gets another anologe stick

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:02 pm GMT

    barley any places have wi fi they need somthing to replace this

  • Viper_1989

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:42 pm GMT

    Gotta agree with Killzone_gamer. As long as i can play all my old PSP games on it then i'll be happy. Haven't played on mine in ages seen as how its in bits! Hopefully we might see some really cheap PSP 1000s. Fiver anyone?

  • chappy_man

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:27 pm GMT

    no more psp remakes, i bet there are so many people pissed off they had to buy the first one expecting and being promised things that in many cases havent seen actuallity yet even with the redesigns. Then you add massive amounts of games that tend to be underappreciative or bad ports to the psp. PSP in my own opinion needs a total revamp, turn it into the cell phone, camera, gps, and whatever else they planned to have it as originally. It could be a better gaming machine and phone hybrid than the iphone assuming sony had the interest to do it that way.


    I love my psp 1000, and the very few good games i have are great, but i really want sonny to do something to bring us gamers something more to smile about when we see yet another itteration selling for the 200 dollar price tag.

    I am more convinced that sony is planning a slimmer version of their ps3 over anything else, since that tends to be the process they go through for consoles.

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 12:08 pm GMT

    I can only hope that the PSP2 games will be compatible with the PSP1, as I won't be buying a PSP2. It'll probably have a second Analogue stick, which is really great (honestly, any sarcasm was accidental) but the PSP1 was neglected, as seen in my blog.

  • mikeyg756

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:35 am GMT

    I REALLY hope that its a brand new handheld and not another "milking" technique. Sony usually do that, and nintendo have just done it AGAIN to the DS.....

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 11:13 am GMT

    2 Things should be added to the next-gen PSP... (1) A second analog stick (2) Touch Screen capabilities.

    (1) - everyone has been clamoring for a second analog since PSP-1000. Extra shoulder buttons aren't a big deal and would make the system too bulky.

    (2) - iPhone, iPod Touch, DS, HP TouchSmart... Touch is in. Sony needs to have touch capabilities to keep up.

  • howardorr

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:54 am GMT

    I agree that two analogue sticks would be a must in any new PSP model, as well as improved battery life. The rest works well enough.

  • totaleklypse

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:52 am GMT

    optical interface. all i can say =)

  • Jonesy914

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:35 am GMT

    @webdoom

    Totally agree with you, but i've seen some good games that appear to be emerging on the psp. I've got me eye on games like Resistance Retribution, FFXIII Agito, Littlebigplanet and Devil May Cry. I hope the last two make it.

  • tig1979

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:34 am GMT

    PSP2 would have to have better games library, better graphically would be nice although not neccessary, dual analogue sticks is a must, would be nice to be able to play FPS beauty's on the go like CoD etc with dual stick. The homebrew scene has shown what the std PSP is capable of with Emu's etc, c'mon Sony let's have a PSP that is worthy of the hype, pee's me off because the PSP is a good bit of kit, they just need to support it and sort it out

  • ---AnDrE---

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:33 am GMT

    webdoom, psp2 would probably have 2 analog sticks, that will mean fps's and fps's are the best and most popular types of games also many other thing will be done sony willl realise there mistakes and work on them

  • anik786

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:23 am GMT

    PSP2 is a much better idea than making stupid upgrades

  • webdoom

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 10:16 am GMT

    whats the point in making a psp2 when there are not that many good games for the psp1? make games for the psp1 that are good then possibly make a psp2

  • -starman-

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 9:55 am GMT

    Mystery Lobster: With a retail price of one hundred billion dollars, I imagine?

  • TeabagChampion

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 9:39 am GMT

    When I got my Xbox 360, Microsoft announced that they were going to come out with the Elite 2 months later. Than when I bought the PS3, they came out with the 80HD. This really sucks for me.

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