Japanese developers comment on NGP

With the introduction of the Sony NGP, it's inevitable that the people who will be working on the system's software, the game developers and publishers, will be giving their two cents on the handheld device.

Famitsu managed to get a few comments from prolific developers and producers in Japan about the future system (translated by Andriasang). Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase (Final Fantasy XIII) said that he was intrigued by the system's 3G capability making it able to stay connected to the Internet. He hopes to make a role-playing game that uses the system's online compatibility and 3G features. Price-wise, he wishes that the device would cost less than a PlayStation 3.

Capcom producer Jun Takeuchi said as soon as he checked out the system and its analog controls he felt the NGP was designed to be a complete gaming system. He added that a 30,000 yen price tag (US$366) could be hugely beneficial.

Developers seem keen on the upcoming device.

Yakuza series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi felt that the NGP looked to have a good range of specs and had the potential to deliver what gamers want from a new game console. He added that the 3G and wireless functionalities could build up a big community around the device and change the game industry. While work on the developers' side will increase, he believes that it's worth the sacrifice if it all works to heat things up in the video game market.

Level-5 president Akihiro Hino said that the NGP's highlight is the system's network functionality. The NGP will make buying games online via the Internet more of a mainstream activity. On price point, he expects the system to sell at 29,800 yen but hopes that the price will be around 20,000 yen (US$244) since the 3DS has already come out in Japan.

Grasshopper Manufacture president Suda 51 (who is also developing Shadows of the Damned) pointed out the importance of the system's network connectivity. He is also keeping watch on the system's spread in overseas markets and its compatibility with the Unreal Engine. If he were going to make a game on the system, he would make a punk-themed network game. He also wishes for a price point of below 30,000 yen (US$366).

The NGP will be out in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2011.