When Sony lifted the lid on PS Vita's name at its E3 press blitz, it was clear the console would come with a social focus, even if no-one was quite sure just what form that focus would take.
At the time, PS Vita's social tools appeared to be split between 'Party Room' an Xbox Live style service and Near, which looked to deliver a "dedicated social connection platform" designed to link players with one another.
In the latest expose detailed by TechCrunch, however, much of that seems to have gone out of the window.
The social trinity
Now the handheld's social efforts have been split three ways.
Near's remit has been scaled back somewhat, functioning as a tool to leave presents in set places for either specific people or a game's entire audience, including in-game items and challenges.
The Party platform looks to have remained largely intact, offering a cross-game voice chat system that runs in the background of play, aside from during team-based titles.
Finally, LiveArea now appears to act as PS Vita's social hub. The platform will deliver notifications, new downloadable content and updates for titles and, it's speculated, game promotions.
Even with this new info, however, it's hard to pin down exactly how all three elements will interact with each other, suggesting PS Vita's social toolset is still very much a work in progress.
[source: TechCrunch]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
Jun 2nd, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E14 -Supercell's Squad Busters goes global and why Steam does discoverability better than mobile
News
May 31st, 2024
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
May 31st, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
Games Mental Health Summit 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Dev Play Conference 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Gotland Game Conference 2024 | Nordic | Jun 3rd |
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |
Guerrilla Collective 2024 | North America | Jun 6th |
Angles 24 Freeplay Conference | Australasia | Jun 6th |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
PitchYaGame Live 2024 | Jun 7th |