The PlayStation Vita is going to come packed with applications to assist with social connectivity during your gaming experience. The main features I will discuss here are CrossPlay, LiveArea, Near, and Party.
CrossPlay – CrossPlay is the name for the cross-platform gameplay functionality between the PS Vita and the PS3, which allows for a number of different features depending on the game you are playing. It is probably one of the strongest features of the Vita. Some games such as Ruin will allow you to save your game on the Vita/PS3, then immediately continue from that save point on the other system. WipEout will utilise CrossPlay by allowing multiplayer between users on PS3 and Vita in the same races. LittleBigPlanet and ModNation Racers will allow you to share content between the two systems, for example you could create a track for ModNation using the touch screen capabilities of the Vita, then upload it and play it on your PS3.
LiveArea – LiveArea will give each game title it’s own interactive space which will provide the user with the latest news and information about that game, as well as provide an activity log displaying their friends latest accomplishments in that game such as unlocking levels and receiving trophies.
Near – Near utilises the GPS and location-based services to allow the user to see what other Vita owners in their vicinity are playing now, or have recently played.
Party – Party allows voice and text chat between players regardless of which games or applications they are using.
Games
Apparently over 80 games are in development for the Vita so far. Here are the names (mostly working titles) of the ones we know:
Bioshock
Pricing and release date
Sony have announced a really competitive price point with the Vita retailing in the US for $249 for the WiFi-only unit, and $299 for the 3G/WiFi unit. Although no price has been officially confirmed for Australia, EB Games are listing the WiFi-only Vita at AU$348.
No official release dates have been announced, however Sony are planning a “phased roll-out” across SCE regions beginning at the end of this year so mostly like late 2011 early 2012 release in Australia.
Let us know what you think about the PS Vita and the list of games, and what you are most looking forward to in the comments below.
