IT NEWS AND FUN :: SONY'S "VICIOUS" :: Videogame For App Store
SONY Computer Entertainment Europe's new partnership with games engine provider Vicious Cycle Software will make it easier for small developers to create downloadable games for the PlayStation Portable's Minis. The partnership, announced Tuesday, also highlights Sony's efforts to develop its own version of Apple's App Store with a community of independent developers. Game development is typically a time and cost-intensive process, so by building upon a preexisting games engine software, smaller developers can more quickly and cheaply create new titles. And while licensing the engine won't be free, Vicious Cycle Vice President Wayne Harvey says the company is "flexible" when it comes to pricing and willing to work with the budgets of smaller operations.
Like Apple, Sony will also approve or reject apps and share revenues with developers. But where the App Store is open to a wide variety of apps, Minis will focus exclusively on games. To get developers excited about the online store, however, Minis will have to first get more gamers excited. Not helping matters are the Sony PSP's relatively sluggish sales: About 50 million units have been purchased worldwide, half the number of Nintendo DS units sold. Another barrier to entry will be the new PSP Go's high starting retail price of $250. See Also: 'Halo 3' Drops Shock Troopers.
