Sony's new console in spotlight at Tokyo game show
Photo: AFP
Asia's biggest annual video game industry event got underway in Japan on Thursday, offering hardcore gamers their first chance to get their hands on Sony's next generation Vita console. Nearly 200 hardware and software makers gathered for the four-day Tokyo Game Show at the Makuhari Messe convention hall near the Japanese capital, with the growing clout of games for smartphones, tablets and social networks evident. As models dressed as game characters walked around the hall amid the clatter of electronic noise, the mood was far from the kind of Japanese restraint that followed the March 11 earthquake and tsunami six months ago. Nintendo did not take part in the annual event, but held its own showcase on Tuesday as it looks to revive sales of its struggling 3DS console that boasts three-dimensional images without users having to wear special glasses. But one of the big attractions was Sony's Vita console, which does not hit stores in Japan until December 17. Among the titles the new console boasts is Reality Fighters, in which players can create their own combat avatar. The game allows users to map their face using one of the Vita's two cameras, select from a range of body shapes and weapons and even use their current surroundings as the backdrop for the battle. The Vita is Sony's drive to push a vast library of content through its game consoles, smartphones and tablet computers amid competition from Apple's iTunes and App store and hardware rivals such as Nintendo. The PS Vita features a five-inch (12.7 cm) multi-touch OLED (organic light emitting diode) screen with a pad on the back for "touch, grab, trace, push and pull" finger motions. The handset also has front and rear facing cameras. Users will be able to use the device to watch videos, listen to music, connect to internet sites and social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The Vita's launch comes as both Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's gaming models are under increasing pressure from cheap smartphone games that can be quickly downloaded and played, and also social networks. Nintendo cut the price of its 3DS game console by up to 40 percent only six months after it launched due to weak sales. On Tuesday it announced some upgrades to the device, a new pink version targeted at women and 30 new game titles to help drive hardware sales. The Tokyo Game Show opens to the public from Saturday. Organisers expect up to 190,000 people to attend.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments