WipeOut Pulse Announced (PSP)

[Gorvi]

The next game in Sony's futuristic racing franchise is heading to the PSP according to Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74611).
Sony has announced that a new WipEout game for PSP will be released this September, courtesy of our old pals Studio Liverpool.

WipEout Pulse promises 24 new, reversible circuits to race around in new ships shooting people with new weapons while listening to new licensed music, including songs by Mason, Loco Dice and Stanton Warriors.

In addition to the obvious new tracks, the game will finally offer online as well as local multiplayer. Downloadable content in the form of extra tracks, music, and ships will also be back from the first PSP entry in the series.

Another new addition is the Mag Strip :
More impressive, Sony reckons, will be in the introduction of a new track element called the "Mag-Strip" - this will lock ships to the surface of the track temporarily, allowing level designers to include things like loops, vertical drops and 90-degree angled sections to mess with your head.

The game will feature a total of seven play modes, including a training mode for those new to the WipeOut series to help them come to terms with the fricion-less WipeOut style of racing.

WipeOut Pure on the PSP was one of the games that convinced me to pick up Sony's portable in the first place. I can't wait to get my hands on this one, especially for the online play!

[pseudopseudo]

The first Wipeout was awesome, and should've really taken advantage of online play. It's awesome to see that this one will have it.

It finally seems like Sony's seeing the light with the PSP and utilizing the infrastructure online mode. They can only do right to have that in as many games as possible, if you ask me.

[Kamalot]

I loved me some Wipeout on the original PS1.

Apparently, Sony admits to having been distracted by the PS3 (http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/03/26/sony-admits-focus-on-ps3-finally-going-back-to-psp/). They are now promising more support for the PSP, now that the PS3 has lots of great software. This game may be a direct result of that. I welcome more great PSP titles like Wipeout.

[pseudopseudo]

Apparently, Sony admits to having been distracted by the PS3 (http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/03/26/sony-admits-focus-on-ps3-finally-going-back-to-psp/). They are now promising more support for the PSP, now that the PS3 has lots of great software. This game may be a direct result of that. I welcome more great PSP titles like Wipeout.
I'd say using the word "lots" is slightly overexaggerated, but I catch your point. :D

And if that IS the case, this should be a better time than ever to have a PSP. I was wondering the other day if they're ever going to work on PS3/PSP functionality that'll be similar to how the GBA and Gamecube connected. Like if you played sports games, you could pick plays using the screen on your PSP, RPG's where parts of the game are played on the PSP screen... little stuff like that. That's what I'd like to see.

[Kamalot]

And if that IS the case, this should be a better time than ever to have a PSP.I'd alter that slightly to state that when the fruits of the refocused effort are available, and reviewed, that it might be a better time to own a PSP. Until then, this is simply an announcement of intention. Hopefully, this new Wipeout game will rock though.

I was wondering the other day if they're ever going to work on PS3/PSP functionality that'll be similar to how the GBA and Gamecube connected. Like if you played sports games, you could pick plays using the screen on your PSP, RPG's where parts of the game are played on the PSP screen... little stuff like that. That's what I'd like to see.Personally, having already lived through this with the GBA, there isn't too much to see. Of all the connectivity hype, there are only 4 instances out of the entire GameCube's life that I can think of that were enjoyable.

Pac Man VS.
Crystal Chronicles
Zelda: 4 Swords
Pokemon Coliseum

Each of those would have been better as a standalone handheld game, with the exception of Pokemon, since it was essentially a big 3D arena to play your handheld battles in.

Connectivity was nothing more than a sham of an excuse for people to buy extra crap from Nintendo. I hope Sony avoids the whole issue altogether.

[Khash]

Finally, there'll be scope for personalisation and showing off, with the option to store your own music (MP3s) on a Memory Stick and listen along while you play, while a Photo Mode will allow you to take shots of your ship and post them online.
Well, I'm sold.

[Metal Jesus]

Wipeout on the PSP was AWESOME. I will definitely buy this.

[bapenguin]

I picked up my PSP for Wipeout as well. Looking forward to this for sure.

[pseudopseudo]

Connectivity was nothing more than a sham of an excuse for people to buy extra crap from Nintendo. I hope Sony avoids the whole issue altogether.
Fair enough. I guess I still fall under the hope that connectivity CAN be done right, and consistently so. Putting those hopes on any one company is a bit of a stretch, but I think Sony could maybe pull it off.

I think the key would be to create gaming experiences where the connectivity isn't a necessity, but would definitely make the game more fun. However, not SO much fun as to where you feel you should just play the entire game on the handheld.

It's a thin, thin line, but I'm sure SOME developer out there could figure it out.

[Gorvi]

I'd alter that slightly to state that when the fruits of the refocused effort are available, and reviewed, that it might be a better time to own a PSP. Until then, this is simply an announcement of intention. Hopefully, this new Wipeout game will rock though.
While I understand you being skeptical, there's enough coming on the PSP now that I'm very happy with what's coming this year : Castlevania, Final Fantasy Tactics, FF7 Crisis Core, WipeOut, Pursuit Force 2, Jeanne d'Arc, Oblivion, etc.....

Connectivity was nothing more than a sham of an excuse for people to buy extra crap from Nintendo. I hope Sony avoids the whole issue altogether.

I agree with this 100%. It sounds great in theory, but it just doesn't work that well when you actually do it.

[Kamalot]

While I understand you being skeptical, there's enough coming on the PSP now that I'm very happy with what's coming this year : Castlevania, Final Fantasy Tactics, FF7 Crisis Core, WipeOut, Pursuit Force 2, Jeanne d'Arc, Oblivion, etc.....That's it though. I'm skeptical. A lot of these sound good on paper, but I'll wait for the final releases. Stuttering load times really turn me off to otherwise decent games. Not trying to poo-poo them. Personally, I think PSP is overdue for a revision. If a system came out that fixed lot of the issues like loading times, battery life and controls, I'd consider picking up one again.
I agree with this 100%. It sounds great in theory, but it just doesn't work that well when you actually do it.Yeah. Build games that I want to play on their own, not games that require I have some additional stuff that my friends probably don't have. The thing is, when Nintendo tried to push connectivity, they had the #1 handheld in the market to leverage and it still flopped. Everyone is the wiser. If Sony starts to push connectivity, they will end up looking quite lame with their 2nd place handheld and 3rd place home console. Plus, everyone is the wiser now having watched Nintendo flop on it.

[Torgo]

Definite buy for me

[Khash]

If Sony starts to push connectivity, they will end up looking quite lame with their 2nd place handheld and 3rd place home console. Plus, everyone is the wiser now having watched Nintendo flop on it.
I agree to some degree. Having gameplay that relies heavily on multiple devices that cost hundreds of dollors is far too extreme. Also I think it would be in all our best interests(including Sonys) to have access to PSP downloadable games without a PS3. I feel connectivity for non-game related purposes is still welcome, however. I'd love to be able to access my PS3 hard drive from any hotspot using my PSP.

Speaking of connectivity, weren't we supposed to be able to download DS demos on our Wii?

And yea, day one purchase of WipEout Pulse confirmed.

[Gorvi]

Speaking of connectivity, weren't we supposed to be able to download DS demos on our Wii?
I've said it before, but if you could transfer VC purchases from the Wii to the DS, I'd buy a Wii in a heartbeat for that alone.

[Khash]

I've said it before, but if you could transfer VC purchases from the Wii to the DS, I'd buy a Wii in a heartbeat for that alone.
If you can find one ;)

The Wii is more well hidden than the A-Team.

[beefyjr]

Wipeout Pure was an amazing game. The only fault I can find with it is the lack of online play, something that will be fixed in the next version. They supported the fuck out of it after release as well, with a ton of maps, some ships and skins. Feature-wise, this one sounds even better, so I'm definitely looking forward to this.

The problem with the PSP isn't the hardware, it's that Sony really did get distracted by the PS3. They launched the system and then like a month later they started hyping the shit out of the PS3 and left the PSP to collect dust. If Sony had been releasing games like Wipeout Pure — which is a great looking- and playing game built to take advantage of the hardware and has zero control or loading issues — on a regular basis, the PSP would be doing a lot better than it is now. Not that it's doing poorly (only in comparison to the DS), but Sony had the opportunity to carve a huge chunk of the market out for themselves and then just dropped the ball.

[wezlypipz]

Anyone here ever play Crash 'N Burn for the 3DO? That game needs to be updated and ported to the PSP. That game rocked!

[TempestBlayze]

I love wipeout, but this sounds like it is trying to be F-Zero, and I like F-Zero more!

I hope this turns out well.

[Rommel]

I loved Wipeout Pure, but thought it desperately needed more tracks than what it shipped with.

[Khash]

I loved Wipeout Pure, but thought it desperately needed more tracks than what it shipped with.
I guess it's a good thing they had all those free map packs, eh?

[lockwoodx]

I miss the music in the whipeout series more than the game play.

[Kamalot]

I miss the music in the whipeout series more than the game play.
I think I have the soundtrack for Wipeout XL somewhere in MP3 format.

[Rommel]

The free map packs off the webpage that was broken for months. I am personally against releasing a game for sale and only making it acceptable value wise (Tracks for a racing game, levels for a platformer, maps for a shooter) after the buyer has made his or her purchase. After all, remember Mechwarrior for the XBox? It had a nice "Download more on XBox Live!" selling point on the cover. Some selling point. "Pay for our subscription service and there is more content, for free!" Of course, the fact that the content took months and months to ever appear is another symptom in most cases of this strategy, if ever.

[pseudopseudo]

The free map packs off the webpage that was broken for months. I am personally against releasing a game for sale and only making it acceptable value wise (Tracks for a racing game, levels for a platformer, maps for a shooter) after the buyer has made his or her purchase. After all, remember Mechwarrior for the XBox? It had a nice "Download more on XBox Live!" selling point on the cover. Some selling point. "Pay for our subscription service and there is more content, for free!" Of course, the fact that the content took months and months to ever appear is another symptom in most cases of this strategy, if ever.
You're forgetting that for Wipeout there was no subscription needed, and the content was actually released in a pretty timely fashion.

I thought the game was worth it even before the extra content came out. When it did, I thought of it as a bonus more than anything. (It didn't hurt that you could hijack the web download section and use it as a browser before that functionality actually showed up via a firmware patch. :) )

[Kamalot]

You're forgetting that for Wipeout there was no subscription needed, and the content was actually released in a pretty timely fashion.

I thought the game was worth it even before the extra content came out. When it did, I thought of it as a bonus more than anything. (It didn't hurt that you could hijack the web download section and use it as a browser before that functionality actually showed up via a firmware patch. :) )
The maps were designed as part of the original game, and then pulled out and given away as free downloads. It was a means to get people downloading things, buying memory sticks, and adding perceived value.

Before someone comes along and asks, "how do you know they were made with the game and not made afterwards" I'll explain.

Prior to the game launching, there was an announcement of the extra content that would be released over the next few months. At the time of this announcement, they gave the size of the packs. That means, the content was done. They even knew the file size.

This isn't the case of something like Crackdown, where they are making additional content based on what people are doing with the game (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/crackdown-updates-include-new-multiplayer-modes-gang-reset-op/). The map packs and extra vehicles for Wipeout were nothing more than a marketing stunt, and extra files for the end user to manage on their memory stick.

There is no 'added value' for the download packs for Wipeout Pure. That value is something you already paid for, but now you have to go download and copy onto the memory stick, content that should have been on the disc.

[Gorvi]

Kam, I don't see anything wrong with what they did with it. If they would have charged, I'd be complaining right along with you. But it was free content that made an already very complete game that much bigger. I'll take that any day.

[mister_slim]

Personally, having already lived through this with the GBA, there isn't too much to see. Of all the connectivity hype, there are only 4 instances out of the entire GameCube's life that I can think of that were enjoyable.

Pac Man VS.
Crystal Chronicles
Zelda: 4 Swords
Pokemon Coliseum
Rayman 3 also had some great connectivity features, though it was done in the smart way, the only way connectivity really works: As a bonus for players who had the equipment. Same thing with the PS2 games that optionally supported the EyeToy. Hopefully the trend towards making these kind of features an optional addition to a complete game will continue. Personally I'm wondering how the Wii Crystal Chronicles will turn out. A DS Four Swords would also be nice.

[Aero Leviathan]

Kam, I don't see anything wrong with what they did with it. If they would have charged, I'd be complaining right along with you. But it was free content that made an already very complete game that much bigger. I'll take that any day.
Wow, I guess The Marketing really does work on some people.

It did not make the game any bigger at all, because it would have been the same size whether the content was on the disc or on the web site.

What it does do is make already annoying load times even more absurd once you have all of the packs, because it has to scan and verify all the memory stick content every time the game starts. Ugh.

I also remember an interview around the time of launch, where one developer let slip that all of the downloadable content was already complete. The interviewer didn't even notice, as they were apparently too busy hyping.

I still love Wipeout, though. I even liked Fusion. So it's not like I can stay away.