Following the release of concept images, Sony decided to give developers some insight into the inner workings of its upcoming PSP handheld game's console. The information reveals a powerful engine under the hood with one major flaw.
The presentation of the hardware specs of the PSP was made in order for developers to get a better understanding of the platform they will be creating content for. The first reaction by most was awe at the available processing and graphics power which is, at least up to PS2 standards.
The one objection which many developers have raised has to do with the system's limited memory which at its current 8 Mb figure is only a quarter of the PS2's 32 Mb. According to developers the limited memory would mean that the process of creating a game would become more complicated as they would have to find alternative ways of limiting the required memory, such as streaming more data of the game disc.
Apparently Sony is considering increasing the available memory but that has probably more to do with administrative decisions and economic models rather than with developer needs.
A sign that Sony are giving the matter some serious thought however, comes from the fact that they have not yet released any development kits, not even to the largest developers many of which are using PC emulation kits since games are already well under way for the system.
Whatever the decision it is unlikely that this little hiccup will delay the PSP, which is expected to make its first public appearance at the E3 exhibition in May.
