Sony PlayStation Suite brings gaming to Android

Sony has outed its new NGP next-generation portable, but the company is also paving the way for the XPERIA Play “PlayStation Phone” with the debut of PlayStation Suite. Promising a range of PlayStation titles to Android 2.3-based devices, the PS Suite will initially offer PSOne classic games, but also a game development environment for coders to create their own titles.

Those titles can then be licensed under the new PlayStation Certified program, and then distributed to the new PlayStation Store. Sony describes that as available directly on an Android device itself, which suggests it will be a new app store sitting alongside the Android Market. No official word on when it will launch exactly – Sony only says sometime in 2011 – but given we’re expecting the XPERIA Play to debut at MWC 2011 next month, we’re assuming sooner rather than later.

Press Release:

Sony Computer Entertainment to Unveil ‘PlayStation®Suite,’ Delivering the World of PlayStation® to Android™ Based Portable Devices

Simultaneously Launching “PlayStation®Certified” License Program to Provide PlayStation® Content and Development Support for Android™ Based Portable Devices

TOKYO, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled “PlayStation®Suite” (PS Suite), delivering the PlayStation® experience to Android™ based portable devices*(1). Through this entirely new initiative, users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history.

In the dramatically evolving and diversifying mobile market, the number of users who enjoy games casually on a variety of devices including mobile phones, smart-phones and tablet PCs, has been increasing significantly. By offering “PlayStation quality” content to this rapidly growing market, SCE will not only deliver the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users around the globe, but will also be able to offer game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to these devices.
In providing the PlayStation experience on Android based portable devices, SCE will commence a “PlayStation®Certified” license program for hardware manufacturers. Through this program, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support as well as logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of PlayStation quality experience across various devices.
On the software front, SCE plans to provide PS Suite content within this calendar year, starting with original PlayStation games*(2) (PS one® classics) that will allow users to enjoy “PlayStation quality” gameplay on their Android based portable devices. SCE also plans to open PlayStation®Store where users will be able to download content in an easy to use environment, directly via the Android based portable devices. Moreover, SCE will provide a new game development environment in an effort to ensure new and compelling content is delivered on PS Suite, which will also offer opportunities for a wider base of developers and publishers to further expand their business on various portable devices.
Newly developed content for PS Suite can also be enjoyed on the next generation portable entertainment system (codename: NGP), which SCE announced today. Users who have never experienced PlayStation content can get a taste of the PlayStation experience through PS Suite and from there, they can enjoy the ultimate portable entertainment experience that is only possible on NGP.
SCE will vigorously enhance the entertainment world, delivering the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users.
*(1) Android™ 2.3 or beyond is required.
*(2) PS one game console software title. We will announce the titles when ready.