Sony's handheld continues to drive profits to mega-publisher EA. According to Pocket Gamer, PSP games generated $258 million last fiscal year. In comparison, DS games only managed to generate $104 million. Similar figures were revealed last year, when EA admitted that they'd rather focus on Nintendo's handheld than Sony's, calling it a more "fun" system.

Although PSP sales make the largest portion of EA's handheld revenue, the company may spin the fact negatively. While $256 million is a sizable figure, it represents a 28 percent loss compared to last year. On the other hand, the DS platform seems to be gaining momentum for EA, as it has shot up 149 percent. We don't care too much about these numbers, though. As long as EA continues to make good, original games for our platform, PSP gamers have nothing to worry about.

Videogame creation is a combination of art and technical skill. It's easy to look at next-gen titles on Xbox 360 or PS3 and marvel at the miracle that is their existence, but many gamers ignore the difficulty and special challenges that come from making a portable game. There is a special art of reduction that comes from a developer trying to make a game that can be enjoyed on the go. To act as a sort of reminder of some of these challenges, I thought I'd highlight a few.

• Making a game that has substance, but can be played in quick intervals
• Having the graphics and gameplay at least partially compare to next-gen titles while being created on far inferior hardware
• Dealing with unruly memory restraints and small media to fit the entire title on
• Having controls work despite having less buttons and control elements than home systems
• Balancing amount of attempted loads so that the battery isn't taxed and yet load times aren't too long
• Ensuring color and lighting allow the game to easily be seen on a portable screen

Then of course there's all the regular challenges of making a game. Like I said, the issues listed aren't all of the issues that come into play, just some of the more common ones. Do you consider any of these elements when you play a game on a portable or is a game just a game to you no matter the circumstance?

One thing the PSP and Gamepark handhelds have in common is homebrew is very popular on both systems. But what separates the two is Gamepark actually encourages it, while Sony does everything in its power to stop it. And with that, Gamepark is set to release its third portable – the XGP kids – which looks like its design may have been inspired by the PSP.

However, the design is pretty much where most comparisons stop. The XGP kids, which stands for eXtreme Game Player kids, is set to retail for a measly $75 and will use two AA batteries.

Here are other specs:

• 140MHz ARM processor;
• A 2.2-inch, 220 x 176 LCD screen;
• 8MBs of RAM;
• 2MBs of flash memory;
• USB 1.1 file transfer support; and
  
• SD card slot

While the XGP kids will most certainly not compete with the PSP or DS in commercial software, it may be possible to see success with its homebrew support and low price tag.

(Via Engadget)

Today was a busy day for EA as they released a list of games heading our way, 10 of which would be releasing for our beloved PSP before the end of the year (excluding NFL Street 3). The titles, a majority of which are sports-related, should help strengthen the already great library of games the PSP has. These games include:

• Madden NFL 07
• NASCAR
• NBA Live 07
• NCAA Football 07
• NFL Street 3
• NHL 07
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
• The Godfather The Game
• Need for Speed Carbon
• Superman Returns: The Videogame

[Via PSP World]

Looks like Sony is starting to get the picture. Not a single person on this planet wants UMDs. So their solution is to start offering Memory Sticks with films preloaded. The film selection isn't that great in The Grudge, S.W.A.T., Hitch, and XXX: State of the Union, either. Still interested? Well, all you need to do is:

1. Buy the MSX-M1GSTEP or MSX-M2GSEP MemoryStick Entertainment Packs for $60 or $100, respectively at your local retailer.
2. Load up the enclosed DVD into your (Windows-only?) computer and select one of four previously-mentioned movies.
3. Use the enclosed code to unlock one (just one) of these movies, which can then be transferred to your PSP.
4. Figure out how to transfer your movie to the PSP without any included software to do so.
5. En...joy?

[Via Joystiq]

As if we needed any!

But in case you did, Gamespot has gotten their hands on the import copy of Tekken: Dark Resurrection, likely laughing their importing butts off thinking about how much fun they're having and how much we loathe them for being able to play the game.

Like a gentle mother assuring her child that he can be whatever he wishes to be upon growing up, Gamespot soothes us by speaking of the game's astounding graphics and excellent control scheme, further cementing our maddening desire to purchase this game and, more than likely, call off from work for a day.

For Comic-Con 2006, Capcom will be on-hand, along with other companies, to sell their various wares including UMD movies. Also, the company plans on previewing select upcoming titles from their PSP lineup. These games include:

• Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded

• Capcom Puzzle World

• Power Stone Collection

• Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins

Any readers plan on attending the show in San Diego later this month?

Crave has been doing card games for awhile now, so it comes as no surprise that they have a new game in the works for the PSP. With a very reasonable budget price, World Championship Cards is not just limited to Poker and features 30 different varieties of classic card games including Bridge, Gin Rummy, Solitaire, Cribbage, Hearts, Spades, and Crazy 8's. The game will feature 8 player wireless ad hoc multiplayer gameplay with no word on whether players will be able to take the game online in infrastructure mode. No word on release, however the game will be on the cheap for only $19.99 US.

IGN has thrown up eight new Hot PXL screenshots, which in case you weren't in the know, is a game that, through a compilation of short and fast minigames, promises to bring something unique and fun to the platform. Much like Nintendo's Warioware series, Hot PXL hopes to enthrall players through quirky, highly-charismatic minigames and even though we did not get ahold of it during E3, are looking forward to its impending release.

In CollecTic, you're charged with doing something that no game has asked you to do before. You must get up and go. Go where, you ask? Wherever there are WiFi hotspots. See, that's the point of the game. You find these hotspots and they transfer into points. The inventor of this ingenious little game is Jonas Hielscher, whom came up with this as a project while attending Leiden University.

[Via Kotaku]

It appears the band Seether is not without love for the PSP (or rather their managers and label execs) as they've got a whole cornucopia of content available for the handheld powerhouse. The content, which are a handful of music videos, are available at the official site. Also, there you can enter to win a custom PSP pre-loaded with all kinds of cool Seether content.

Whether you like the band or not, this is a great idea to help promote Sony's handheld. Get more bands to offer videos or even road diaries, pre-formatted for the PSP, and you've got a powerful marketing tool for both sides. The custom PSP, we assume, will closely resemble the one pictured, with a grey finish and Seether logo stamped on the unit. The contest runs until August 4th and is only open to residents of the U.S. age 13 and older.

[Via QJ]

Chalk the tardiness of reporting this up to the holiday, but the final version of the 2.50/2.60 downgrader has been released to the eager PSP homebrew community, one who's strength already rivals that of your favorite super hero. Of course, it goes without saying that attempting to utilize this program is purely an "attempt at your own risk" endeavor. Also, it should be noted that certain PSPs will not be capable of utilizing this program, so make sure you read the instructions carefully before giving it a go.

Game Watch has recently posted up a plethora of screens for my everyone's most-anticipated fighting game on the PSP in Tekken Dark Resurrection. These screens, which showcase some of the game's menus for displaying world rankings in bowling and brawling, as well as some lengthy compositions of Armor King, Lili, and Dragunov in action, do not fail to excite.

I can't be the only person foaming at the mouth for this game, right?

Jason Anderson, director of research for the International Development Group (IDG) revealed his company's predictions for the future of console and handheld sales. In commenting on everyone's favorite handheld, Jason said that while the PSP has been, and looks to be for the immediate future, third place in terms of sales behind Nintendo's DS and GBA, the handheld looks like it will be reaching 14.4 million gamers in 2007 and 17.6 million by 2008.

Anderson also gauged the overall quality of games on each platform, using Game Rankings to compile average scores for each system's games. In this manner, the PSP blew away all other handhelds, and closely resembled the results seen for home consoles such as the PS2, Xbox and GameCube by maintaining an overall quality percentile just below 70.

In announcing handheld versions of the PC downloadable game Diner Dash, Eidos and PlayFirst are attempting to establish a unified front and achieve success in the handheld arena when they bring Flo, ex-convict waitress, to store shevles for eager gamers in 2007. Diner Dash, which can be found in various different versions throughout the internet, has players seating customers, clearing dishes, and taking orders in this restaurant simulation game.