So it's another update to Sony's portable gaming system now called the PS Vita. As mentioned in our previous post, having worked with and owned every incarnation of the PSP since it was launched, the PlayableGames team at ExperienceLab were keen to get our hands on one as soon as they were launched in the UK.
Having spent a few days with it the verdict is generally good. The hardware itself is up to Sony's high standards with the Vita feeling like a quality device from the moment that you get hold of it. The inclusion of two analog joysticks is a definite plus and feels like a real step forward. The OLED screen is gorgeous, showing vibrant colours, though the Vita's very short time before it goes into standby suggests that it may be quite a power drain. In fact it proved a bit irritating when we were downloading the inevitable firmware update as it kept on going to sleep halfway through the process.
It's Thursday night and I want to shoot some people. There I've said it, although its only by playing MAG Sony's new uber online shooter. However I can't and do you know why? Because Sony has decided to punish me because of where I live.
Now Sony is not normally known to decide who can and can't play their games dependent on where they live but I'm being punished as I only live close enough to a telephone exchange to get a 1MB broadband connection.
PlayableGames recently conducted research on how developers and publishers can design better mobile games that can be used where they are intended, on the move.
We used a range of the current best selling mobile devices and went walkabout, using them in a whole range of different locations, where and when the mood struck us. The key things we learn't were that tailoring a mobile game for short, snappy sessions was essential as we often snatched a few minutes when waiting for a bus or train and needed to quickly shut down the game as our transport arrived.
Our findings, which are available from the PlayableGames research page, cover a range of different aspects that are useful to consider when designing a mobile game including, touch screen and audio issues, the various control mechanisms, lighting, and what to do if your gaming device is a phone as well.
A new trend for mobile broadband has been the appearance of mobile WiFi routers or 'MiFi's' allowing the user to setup their own WiFI hub quickly for internet access via 3G. As many of our jobs here at ExperienceLab mean that we need to be out and about we decided that one of these MiFi's would be a useful addition to our technology arsenal.
Last weekend as I was browsing my local games shop I came across a copy of Operation Flashpoint : Dragon rising. Now I've never played any of the previous titles in the series before, so I bought a copy for my 360.
The case promised that the game would put you as close to war as you would ever want to get, and now that I've played it I can certainly agree with them. However if I was going to get close to war in my decidedly un-military trained self then it would help if I had a bit of assistance, especially as I'm placed in charge of three other men.
The first mission of the game placed me directly onto a very nicely rendered landscape with my 'squad', having been told to take out a target on the map. I spent a few seconds moving myself around, seeing what the world had to offer and then was ready for what they had to throw at me. Now the game is pretty realistic, too realistic some might argue especially as I spent the next 20 minutes walking to a target some distance away only to be killed at my first encounter with the enemy.
We've
all seen the news that big stores are driving small high street retailers out
of business, and I've often thought that high street retailers are an
important part of a towns’ financial well-being.
However
after visiting my local small electrical retailer I think I might have an idea
why so many of them are going out of business. Picture the scene, I'm on my
merry way home from one of those dastardly out of town electrical stores after a bit of a shopping spree when I realise that I've forgotten to
buy a small but essential audio connector. Never mind I think, I'll pop into my
local electrical retailer and pick one up; I've heard that they can do with my
business.
ExperienceLab is a UK-based experience design research agency. We are passionate about technology, but happen to think that people are the most important thing. This blog shares some of our insights and opinions, but if you want to find out more about us visit the ExperienceLab website
