According to three of Eurogamer’s sources, the next PlayStation Portable console has touch-sensitive controls…that are placed behind the screen. If you’ve ever played with the Motorola Backflip then you know what I’m talking about. If not, picture an electronics slab that’s mostly screen on the front, controlled by motions on the back of the device. Here’s the deal:
According to three separate development sources who have seen and used the new PSP, the screen is rich and detailed but the headline feature is the way games are controlled — by a touch-sensitive area on the back of the unit behind the screen.
One source told us he expects it to launch by the end of 2011, although another was less convinced, believing we won’t see anything for at least a couple of years. Sony has not specified when it will release a successor to the current platform.
It’s thought that Sony considered a disc-based storage solution for the new PSP, but has since decided against it following developer feedback. Flash media support, similar to the PSPgo, seems most likely.
Eurogamer has even more details on the system. The article is definitely worth supporting and checking out.
Are any of you down with controlling a handheld console by fingering it?!? *snicker*
I read this earlier on another site but i knew you would get to it eventually and wanted to actually comment here. I love fingering my devices but i don't know about fingering them near their crack. i like the one you reported last week that was an android phone and psp.
I played with a Backflip at the store. The touch controls on the back seemed like they would be awkward but the were very responsive. It felt a bit natural and makes plenty of sense with a gaming device. This way you aren't blocking the screen with your fingers while playing. And with the proposed slide-out screen there will be plenty of room to house and hide the touch pad.