It’s important to not only have a powerful gaming console, but to make sure that it’s easy for developers to code for it. When the PS3 first launched, one of the biggest hurdles for developers was the new technology based on IBM’s powerful, yet complicated, cell processor. With the NGP using a new media format and many other new features, Sony doesn’t want to make the same mistake.
Sony Worldwide Studios boss, Shuhei Yoshida, stressed the importance of making sure the handheld is accessible to developers. Yoshida describes the company’s approach towards the NGP as “a return to the PS1 mentality.”
The NGP development team visited many developers and publishers globally with an early prototype of the hardware to get direct feedback. I also personally joined some of the meetings to discuss various aspects of NGP and the options we were looking at. The input of other developers outside of WWS (Worldwide Studios) has been essential for us to make final decisions on NGP. As a result of this, we went through many iterations of NGP. It reminded me of the early days of the original PlayStation, when we visited many developers and publishers to get feedback during the development of that product. It’s almost as if SCE has gone back to basics, which should be a good thing.
Sony’s willingness to listen to feedback may turn out to be a very successful move for them. We’ll see how strong the third party development for the NGP is when it launches later this year, but a huge list of developers have already pledged support.
[Source]
