Sony has released official details on the device that is part PlayStation controller, part phone, and revealed when it’ll launch.
Early this week, Sony Ericsson finally announced the official details on Xperia Play, a new Android-based smartphone that features full-on gaming controls. It’s basically a PlayStation controller mixed with a phone, combined with access to Sony’s gaming content.
Xperia Play will be the first “PlayStation Certified” smartphone ever. The idea is to bring the “PlayStation experience” to a phone for the first time, and to change cellphone gaming for the better. Over 50 games will be available at launch, with third-parties working on titles such as Sims 3, Fifa, Dungeon Defenders, Assassin’s Creed, and Splinter Cell. Some games will include support for “anytime, anywhere” multiplayer. A PlayStation Network store is planned for launch toward the “end of 2011,” according to Sony’s Kazuo Hirai.
In addition to the capable gamepad, Xperia Play includes a 5.0 megapixel camera, a 4-inch multi-touch touchscreen, and 400 MB of internal memory with an 8GB microSD memory card for storing all those games. Battery life during gameplay will last up to 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Verizon will be the first carrier to offer the phone in the U.S. in spring 2011. Highlights of Xperia Play’s announcement can be watched below. Will it become something special or just a flash in the pan?
Update: Sony Ericsson also says that Xperia Play will come with many games pre-loaded for an “out-of-the-box” gaming experience, including Asphalt, Adrenaline 6, Bruce Lee, Star Battalion, The Sims 3, and Tetris.
Source: Gamasutra
