In keeping with the theme, here are a few words from Mick Hocking, Vice President for Liverpool, Evolution and London studios, on where he thinks gaming will be in 2048. Mick is largely responsible for the creation and development of such series as WipEout, MotorStorm and SingStar, and is well placed discuss where we have been and, crucially, where we are heading.

At gamescom you appeared as part of a panel looking at the shape of gaming in 2021. The latest WipEout game is set in 2048; what will gaming be like then?
Mick Hocking: Well the pace of change is already so fast. Just look at the advances from PSP to PS Vita. In just seven years we have added touch screens, cross play, next-gen graphics, dual analogue sticks. I mean seriously; that’s pretty incredible.

At gamescom I talked about the potential of mixing stereoscopic 3D with augmented reality. I can see a point where home headsets will become a real possibility. They’ll be lightweight, with high resolution screens and tracking sensors too. Possibly even these headsets’ screens will be transparent, so players can see the real world as well as augmented reality stereoscopic 3D at the same time. So you can have a fully immersive experience, a partially immersive one, or an augmented reality experience with this one device.

And what about portable gaming?
Mick Hocking: Well if we stick with the headset idea, I see no reason why once such technology became established in the home, it couldn’t be modified for portable use. I was playing Heavy Rain recently and thought that the AR technology that Norman Jayden uses to solve cases could be amazing if applied to gaming. Everyone who has played that game remembers the scene when he gets given that pokey office and uses the AR glasses to completely modify the way he sees the world around him. One minute he’s underwater, the next he’s on the surface of Mars, then he’s above the clouds in a stunning mountain vista. Imagine if, by wearing a set of similar glasses, or even some kind of contact lens you could completely transform wherever you are – on the bus, in the park, wherever – into a completely immersive and interactive game world.

What will 2048 bring in terms of software rather than hardware? What types of games will we be experiencing on the portable consoles of the future?
Mick Hocking: Well, I really hope that we’ll still be making WipEout games!

What I do think you’ll see are games that increasingly blur the lines between the gaming and real-world environments. PS Vita is already doing this in a few ways. The front and rear cameras are used to put game objects in a real world setting on-screen, Reality Fighters is a launch title that really shows off this capability. Also the “near” functionality allows you to collect virtual items by passing by real-world locations where PS Vita users are, or have been. Fast-forward 30 years and think back to the AR- style technology we discussed and imagine the possibilities. Even when not actively playing a game you could look around you and spot gaming items, characters, perhaps even entire ‘levels’ to interact with.

I see it this way: Thirty years ago when the only real handhelds were the Game & Watch kind, the kind of power and gaming experience that PS Vita is offering would have seemed impossible. In the future, technology is going to allow game designers to create experiences that are limited only by our imaginations.

Read on to get answers to your questions regarding PS Vita, covering everything from the specs of the state-of-the-art OLED screen to support of Bluetooth peripherals and more. And remember: Please leave your burning questions in the comments and we’ll address them in a future update.

General Questions

Q: When will PS Vita be available?
A: In North America, Latin America, and Europe, PS Vita launches on February 22nd, 2012. A limited-run First Edition Bundle launched on February 15th in the US. In Japan, PS Vita launched on December 17th.

Q: How much will PS Vita cost?
A: The Wi-Fi version will retail for $249, while the 3G/Wi-Fi version will retail for $299.

Q: How many software titles will be available at launch in the US?
A: PS Vita will launch with 26 games on its February 22nd launch date in the US, and every PS Vita system will be packed with six AR Play Cards. You can use these cards to play a selection of Augmented Reality mini games that will be available soon on PlayStation Store. You can watch videos showing off AR minigames Table Soccer, Fireworks and Cliff Diving in action.

Additionally, there will be a selection of 275 legacy PSP titles available to download from PlayStation Store at PS Vita’s launch and 117 PlayStation minis titles, with more legacy PSP and minis titles to come in the future. See the full list of currently supported PSP and minis titles here.

The full list of launch-day PS Vita titles is as follows:

SCEA Launch-Day Titles
Escape Plan (PSN Only)
Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
Hustle Kings (PSN Only)
Little Deviants
ModNation Racers: Road Trip
Super Stardust Delta (PSN only)
UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss
wipEout 2048

Third-Party Publisher Launch-Day Titles
Army Corps of Hell by Square Enix, Inc.
Asphalt Injection by Ubisoft, Inc.
BEN10 GALACTIC RACING by D3 Publisher of America
Blazblue: Continuum Shift EXTEND by Aksys Games Localization, Inc.
Dungeon Hunter Alliance by Ubisoft, Inc.
Dynasty Warriors Next by Tecmo Koei America Corporation
F1 2011 by Codemasters
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer by Electronic Arts, Inc.
Lumines Electronic Symphony by Ubisoft, Inc.
Michael Jackson The Experience Ubisoft, Inc.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus by Tecmo Koei America Corporation
Plants vs Zombies by Sony Online Entertainment LLC
Rayman Origins by Ubisoft, Inc.
Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen by Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Tales of Space: Mutant Blobs (PSN Only) by Drinkbox Studios
Touch My Katamari by Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 by Capcom Entertainment, Inc.
Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition by Sega of America

Worldwide, there are more than 70 PS Vita games currently in development. What’s more, some of the most popular third-party franchises in gaming will appear on PS Vita, including Assassin’s Creed, BioShock, Call of Duty, and Mortal Kombat.

Q: What will software pricing look like?
A: Pricing for PS Vita software ranges from $9.99-$49.99 (MSRP) and will be available for purchase at retail locations as well as downloadable on the PlayStation Store.

Q: Does the First Edition Bundle come with a digital or physical copy of Little Deviants?
A: The First Edition Bundle includes a copy of Little Deviants on a physical PS Vita game card.

Q: What accessories will PS Vita launch with in the US?
A: PS Vita will launch with a wide array of accessories. For gamers looking for a complete solution, a Starter Kit with Memory Card will be available for $39.99 (MSRP), which includes a 4GB Memory Card, Pocket Pouch, Protective Film, Game Card Case, Headphones, and Cleaning Cloth. Standalone Memory Cards will start at $19.99 (MSRP), providing plenty of options for storing games and save data, videos, music, photos and more.

The full list of upcoming PS Vita accessories is as follows:

Product Name Starter Kit with Memory Card 4 GB Memory Card 8 GB Memory Card 16 GB Memory Card 32 GB Memory Card In-Ear Headset Carrying Case Travel Pouch Protective Film (2 pack) Card Case Cradle AC Adaptor Car Adaptor USB Cable Portable Charger

Release Date February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 February 15, 2012 Spring 2012

MSRP $39.99 $19.99 $29.99 $59.99 $99.99 $19.99 $19.99 $19.99 $9.99 $5.99 $19.99 $14.99 $14.99 $14.99 $49.99

Q: What wireless 3G plans will be available for the 3G/Wi-Fi model of PS Vita?
A: The AT&T Data Connect plans are month-by-month and are not contract based, and all plans include complimentary AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot access in the United States. There are two plan choices:

Q: What are the advantages of choosing the 3G/Wi-Fi model of PS Vita? What will I get with it that I can’t get with the Wi-Fi model?
A: With access to AT&T Broadband Network you can game with real-time connection, immediately socialize with your gaming community through news feeds, multiplayer game sessions, and compete for in-game achievements (Trophies). You can also stay up-to-date with continuous LiveArea news feeds, and cross-game text messaging with Party. 3G connectivity also benefits social apps such as Facebook, Twitter, foursquare, Skype and more, all optimized specifically for PS Vita.

PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi model also includes GPS for the most accurate geo-location reading, giving you an advantage when using “near” in that you can interact when you’re away from a Wi-Fi hotspot, whether you’re scooping up new track parts for ModNation Racers or accepting a new lap-time challenge in WipEout 2048.

Q: Do all PS Vita users have to sign up with a cell phone provider?
A: No. Users can enjoy either model of PS Vita using only Wi-Fi functionality.

Q: What is “near”?
A: “near” is PS Vita’s integrated social networking app that enables you to check in to real-life locations and pick up or leave gifts for other gamers to find and use in their games. You can also locate and connect with your PlayStation Network friends and other gamers nearby for ad-hoc communication and multiplayer sessions, whether you set up lap-time challenges in WipEout 2048 or trade costumes with a competitor in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3. Using “near,” you can also see which games are the most popular and highest rated by fellow gamers near your location, which can help you locate new and interesting games..

”near” can calculate your location using a Wi-Fi location service; the 3G/Wi-Fi model includes GPS technology, which enables you to be the first to find valuable game gifts by logging into “near” via 3G with more precision…and no need to wait for a Wi-Fi hot spot!

Q: Do you need 3G network connection to enjoy “near”?
A: No. PS Vita users can enjoy “near” using Wi-Fi, but a 3G connection is preferred in order to maximize “near”’s capability. By using a 3G connection, users will be able to obtain more information and encounter new players in real time via “near”. Think of it as a geo-social gaming network that taps into your location, wherever you might be.

Q: What kinds of “gifts” can you give and receive using “near”?
A: ”near” enables PS Vita owners to access virtual game-related items that other users are sharing by checking in at geographic locations that other PS Vita users have also visited. The virtual items can come in many forms: new character costumes, weapons, and treasures, just to name a few. Sharing these items between users adds a unique dimension to the portable gaming experience on PS Vita while enhancing the social connectivity among the PS Vita community.

Q: What is “LiveArea”?
A: Every PS Vita game features a space called “LiveArea” where you can access new game information from Sony Computer Entertainment and third-party developers and publishers via PlayStation Network. You’ll also be able to view an “Activity” log that includes your PSN Friends, which is constantly updated with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game, which in turn can trigger active real-time communication and gameplay among users.

Q: What is “Party”?
A: “Party” brings the flexibility and power of cross-game chat or text chat to PS Vita’s online gaming, and it’s available even when users are playing different games or using different applications such as the Internet browser . Users who are chatting together can also seamlessly join an online game to play together, making it easy to hop into a quick match of Unit 13 or wipEout 2048. You’ll also be able to bookmark your favorite groups so you can easily reconnect with them later. Combined with near, a powerful geo-social gaming network, Party will give PS Vita owners more options to interact, communicate, and compete than ever before.

Q: What system software will come pre-loaded on the final retail version of PS Vita in North America?
A: PS Vita comes pre-installed with Welcome Park, “near,” “Party,” Trophies, Friends, PlayStation Store, Remote Play, Video player, Music player, Photos and Camera, Group Messaging, and Content Manager.

Q: What is PS Vita’s battery life?
A: Officially, PS Vita is rated at approximately 3 to 5 hours of gaming, 5 hours of video playback, and 9 hours of music playback. Recharging the battery from 0 percent will take approximately 2.5 hours.

From a gaming perspective, you’ll notice that the most graphically intense games such as UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss are slightly more demanding on battery life, while simpler games such as Escape Plan are less demanding. To further maximize battery life, you can employ measures such as reducing the screen’s brightness or deactivating Wi-Fi. By and large, PlayStation employees who have used PS Vita extensively in the real world have praised the unit’s battery life – if you pick up PS Vita on day one, be sure to let us know what your experiences are.

Technical Specifications

Q: I’ve heard that PS Vita uses OLED display technology. How does it work? What are the benefits of OLED? Why is it superior to traditional LCD-based displays?
A: OLED technology is the most cutting-edge display technology on the market, boasting higher contrast and brighter color than LCD-based displays found in other devices. This next-generation display technology makes PS Vita games look dazzlingly bright.

Q: What are the specs of the OLED screen?
A: PS Vita’s OLED screen measures 5 inches, with a resolution of 960×544 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) and a color depth of approximately 16,770,000 colors.

Q: Is a memory card required for game play?
A: You will need a memory card for those games that require game saves or have downloadable content. You will also need a memory card in order to take photos or videos using PS Vita’s integrated cameras.

Q: Does PS Vita support Bluetooth headsets or Bluetooth headphones?
A: Commercially available headphones/headsets supporting A2DP, HSP and AVRCP can be used on PS Vita, however they may function differently depending on the device’s specifications. Stereo Bluetooth is also supported, an important feature for users of Bluetooth headphones.

Q: Can you use a commercially available Bluetooth keyboard or mouse? Can you connect the PS3 wireless controller to PS Vita like PSPgo?
A: No. You won’t be able to connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse or a PS3 DualShock 3 wireless controller with PS Vita.

Q: Can you access the Internet by connecting PS Vita to a Bluetooth-supported cell phone?
A: No.

Q: What video and audio formats will PS Vita support?
A: PS Vita supports a wide array of audio files, including: MP3 (MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 3), MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC), and WAVE (Linear PCM). Video formats supported include: MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC) and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC). Image and photo formats supported include JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, and PNG.

Q: Do you have any plans to introduce a video output cable? Will PS Vita have HDMI output?
A: No, PS Vita does not have a video output feature.

Q: Can you take out the battery from the system?
A: No. PS Vita’s rear touchscreen requires the use of an internal embedded battery.

Q: Is there a possibility of certain PS3 games using PS Vita as a second screen or peripheral at some point in the future?
A: Remote Play on PS Vita will allow you to see and control your PS3 from your PS Vita; we’ll have further details to share in the future.

Q: What colors will be available for the North American launch?
A: Crystal Black will be available for launch.

Other Questions

Q: What does the name “PS Vita” mean?
A: “Vita,” which means “Life” in Latin, was chosen as the name for PlayStation’s next-generation portable entertainment system because it enables rich gaming and social connectivity within a real-world context.

Q: What was the hardware design concept behind PS Vita?
A: While succeeding the basic design philosophy of PSP, PS Vita’s “Super Oval Design” form factor was designed to ensure the system fits comfortably in users’ hands. Another key goal was the introduction of dual analog sticks – a first for a portable gaming device – which will enable a much wider range of game experiences such as shooters, action games, and fighting games.

Q: How do you buy PS Vita games?
A: You can download PS Vita games and other content from PlayStation Store to a PS Vita memory card, or buy a physical PS Vita Card at retailers.

Q: If you buy download content for PS Vita, up to how many systems can you copy it to?
A: Users can activate two portable systems (either two PSPs, two PS Vitas, or one PSP and one PS Vita) to their PSN account.

Q: Will users be able to access PlayStation Store from both 3G and Wi-Fi?
A: PlayStation Store can be accessed from both 3G and Wi-Fi network connections, though you’ll want to reserve large downloads for a Wi-Fi connection.

Q: Will the PlayStation Plus service extend any benefits to PS Vita?
A: There are no details to share on PlayStation Plus support at this time.

Q: Will PlayStation Protection Plan be available for PS Vita?
A: Yes. PlayStation Protection Plan options are available for owners of PS Vita.

Q: Will PS Vita support Netflix, Hulu, Video Unlimited, or other video services?
A: Netflix will be heading to PS Vita in the US around the unit’s launch timeframe. Additional video content will be available to download on the PlayStation Store at launch in North America, but details on other video services have not yet been announced.

Q: Will YouTube support, Flash content, and specialized files like PDFs be viewable on PS Vita?
A: There are no details to share at this time.

Q: Can I take in-game screenshots on my PS Vita?
A: Yes. You can press the Start and PlayStation buttons together to instantly take a snapshot of your in-game exploits. You’ll find the game screenshot in your PS Vita’s photo gallery. You may not be able to take a snapshot of certain games or of certain parts of games.

Q: There are three slots on the PS Vita, what are they for?
A: There is one slot is for PS Vita Cards, a slot for the SIM card (3G/Wi-Fi model only) and a slot for PS Vita’s removable media that stores save game files and downloaded content.

Q: Are PSP and PS3 user’s PSN accounts also available on PS Vita?
A: Yes. Your PSN account will be available on PS Vita once you log in, and will carry over your Trophy collection and user data to your PS Vita.

Q: Is PS Vita compatible with other PlayStation platform games like PS3, PS2, or PSP? Do you have any plan to support other PlayStation platforms in the future?
A: Users can play supported digital PSP titles and supported minis. In regard to PSone classics titles, we will announce further details when they are ready. PlayStation does not have plans to make PS Vita compatible with PS3 or PS2 titles at this point.

Q: I have UMD games for my PSP. Do I need to buy them again from PlayStation Store to play the same game on PS Vita?
A: Yes. PS Vita does not support UMD discs. Digital PSP games that were purchased via PlayStation Store will be available to download to PS Vita as long as they are included on the list of supported PSP titles. This list of legacy PSP titles will grow in time and we will confirm when new titles are added.

Q: PS Vita doesn’t support UMD but do you have any plan to introduce peripherals like “UMD readers” for PS Vita in North America?
A: Not at this time.

Q: Is PS Vita compatible with video content available on PlayStation Store?
A: Yes, PS Vita can play free and premium SD video content. If you purchased premium video content for your PSP, you will be able to access that content on your PS Vita by downloading it again via PlayStation Store.

Q: What are the privacy settings on “near”?
A: ”near” includes parental controls that automatically prevent the service from working based on the user’s age. Additionally, users can set privacy zones (i.e. their home, office, etc.) when they don’t want to be seen on the radar. There is also a setting to make certain games private, so you’ll retain full control over your public visibility.

Q: What is Augmented Reality?
A: Augmented Reality (AR) is a feature in certain games that allow you to insert elements of the real world into the game, whether it’s mapping your face onto a kung-fu champion in Reality Fighters or playing a digital game of soccer on your real-world coffee table with Table Soccer. PS Vita harnesses this technology using two cameras that were designed to excel at AR gameplay.

Q: Does PS Vita’s VGA camera take high-quality photos?
A: The key usage of PS Vita’s cameras is to support responsive gameplay and deliver experiences such as Augmented Reality (AR). We decided on the specifications with this in mind, and we specifically focused on frame rate and quality of video shooting.

Q: Will you add new features to PS Vita through the system software update like you are doing with PSP and PS3?
A: We will introduce new features, enhancements, and upgrades to PS Vita through system software updates.

The day is approaching for you to finally get your hands on PlayStation Vita! For some of you, that day is already here with the delivery of the First Edition Bundle. As we’ve discussed in several previous Blog posts, the connection between PS Vita and PS3 is one of the most compelling features that sets gaming on PS Vita apart. Because we want all of you early PS Vita owners to check out the cross-platform gameplay experience, we’re offering content on both platforms for one promotional price with two launch titles, Hustle Kings and WipEout 2048. Our friends at Capcom are also offering shared content for no additional cost with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

Here’s how it works:

• If you purchase Hustle Kings for PS Vita, you will get Hustle Kings on PS3 for free. If you already own Hustle Kings on PS3, you’ll be able to download the PS Vita version for free.
• If you purchase WipEout 2048, you will be able to download WipEout 2048’s DLC packs, WipEout HD and HD Fury for free when they launch on PS Vita later this spring (if you already own the PS3 versions)
• DLC purchased for the PS3 version of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 can be used on the PS Vita version for free (and vice versa).

As we’ve noted previously, WipEout 2048 owners on PS Vita will be able to race against WipEout HD owners on PS3 across four tracks beginning at launch, which is separate from this promotional pricing. Hustle Kings also offers turn-based multiplayer pool between PS Vita and PS3 at launch. And Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 offers the “Ultimate Controller,” an exclusive configuration in which you can use PS Vita as a controller to play the PS3 version of the game, complete with touchscreen special move selection. All of this cross-play functionality is among the unique, new ways to play that we are ushering in with PS Vita.

Let us know which games you are most excited about below, and be sure to check out the full list of launch titles here.

I also wanted to tell you a little about the ships that you’re going to get to play in the new game. Choosing the right ship couldn’t be more important. Take the wrong ship to the track, and you’re going to struggle. So here’s some insider information to help you make those all-important ship choices as you get started with Wipeout 2048.

Speed Ships are the F1 cars of anti-gravity racing. They’re sleek, delta-winged craft with minimal liveries. To look at, they’re the closest to the original, classic dart-shaped Wipeout ships. These ships are all about going fast, but to go fast, they need to be light. To shed weight, Speed Ships sacrifice bulkier components such as the extra defensive and offensive systems. Racing aside, Speed Ships are great for Time Trials and Speed laps.

Next up are our Agility Ships, and if Speed Ships are F1 cars, then Agility Ships are rally cars. These things are heavily liveried and have amazing handling. The increase in manoeuvrability is down to a second set of airbrakes, additional forward facing wings, and extra spoilers underneath to create more down-force. Agility Ships are the ideal choice for the serious Zone Mode pilot.

Fighters are exactly what you expect – combatants. These guys are tough, heavily armoured and pack a serious punch. Obviously, with all the extra weight they carry, they lose out on some speed and manoeuvrability, but that doesn’t matter, because their job is to destroy the opposition. If you’re going into a Combat event, it’s a no brainer that you’re gonna want to show up in one of these diamond-shaped destroyers.

The last class of ship is the Prototype Ship, but I’m not going to tell you anything about those. You can have fun experimenting with them.

I hope you enjoy the fast-paced, adrenaline rush of anti-gravity racing in this latest installment to the Wipeout franchise. In addition to these sleek ships, you’ll be racing along with the pumping soundtrack of 10 exclusive new tracks from some of today’s global dance music, including DeadMau5, The Chemical Brothers and Kraftwerk, that will be sure to keep you energized throughout the campaign.

Well, that’s all from me for now. I hope to see you online for some high-speed competition with Wipeout 2048’s eight-player online multiplayer mode. You can also race against Wipeout HD Fury players on the PS3 with the PS Vita’s Cross-Play feature. So heads-up PS3 owners! Be sure to download the new patch available today to enable Cross Play with the new Wipeout 2048 Vita title. As a reminder, Wipeout 2048 will require an Online Pass voucher code that is included with your copy of the game. You can redeem your code via the PlayStation Store icon on the home screen of your PS Vita.

Enjoy!

What did you think? Pretty cool, no? What’s really interesting about WipEout 2048 and the direction the team at Studio Liverpool took with it, is that it takes place in the not too distant future and serves as a precursor to the events that take place in the original WipEout on PS one. And because of that it differs from WipEout experiences in the past.

Races are now multi-tiered – one minute you’re barreling through the busy streets of Nova State City and the next you’re scrambling for first place up the side of a building. The world in which WipEout 2048 takes place in is grittier than what’s come before it simply because we’re entering into it when the sport is still at a nascent stage.

Teams are finding their feet, sponsorship is there – yet not as rife as it is in later seasons – and there is a lot of money at stake on the part of investors desperate for the sport to succeed and capture the world’s imagination. Not to mention competition from rival sports hankering after audience numbers and, in turn, capital. It’s raw; it’s real (ish) and its WipEout like you’ve never seen it before.

So, there you have it – a quick glance of the streets of Nova State City and motorsport metamorphosis in the year 2048 with Graeme and Lee. Let us know what you think of it in the comments, and in the meantime have a look at the clean version of the intro below presented just as it is in the final game, winging its way to you in a little over a month on PlayStation Vita.

Starting next week, Vita Hill Social Clubs are opening in five of America’s great cities, and we’ll be holding grand opening meetups in all of them:

Tuesday, January 17th

Chicago (click here to RSVP)
1444 N. Milwaukee Ave
Your host: Jeff Rubenstein from PlayStation.Blog

Miami (click here to RSVP)
749 Washington, Miami Beach
Your host: Rey Gutierrez from PlayStation.Blog

New York City (click here to RSVP)
154 Stanton St.
Your host: Sid Shuman from PlayStation.Blog

Wednesday, January 18th

Atlanta (click here to RSVP)
800 Peachtree St.
Your host: Rey Gutierrez from PlayStation.Blog

Boston (click here to RSVP)
579 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
Your host: Sid Shuman from PlayStation.Blog

All meetups start at 5.30pm local time, ending at 8.30pm. Attendees will feast on free food and beverages, have unfettered access to a dozen PS Vita titles, and enter for chances to win PlayStation prizes. PlayStation.Blog’s design guru Rey Gutierrez even whipped up a special T-shirt for the occasion, which will go to the first 100 people to show up to each meetup. So, you know, don’t be late.

These new Social Clubs are opening in addition to the existing location in San Francisco. We’ll also be opening Social Clubs in Austin, TX and the L.A. area soon. Click here for all locations, addresses, and hours of operation.

Be sure to RSVP to let us know you’re coming (ATL BOS CHI MIA NYC). Hope to see you next week!

That’s why we’re going to be fanning out across the country to give loyal PlayStation fans the the opportunity to go hands on with the PS Vita months before launch, through a series of Vita Social Clubs. And for people in the San Francisco Bay Area, that opportunity comes knocking this Thursday with the grand opening of the Vita Hill Social Club. We’ll be bringing the food and the beverages, but most importantly, we’ll be bringing the Vitas. Dozens and dozens of them. Bring extra hands!

The Vita Hill Social Club will give you the opportunity to play tons of PS Vita games, including UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss, LittleBigPlanet, Little Deviants, WipEout 2048, ModNation Racers, Reality Fighters, and Hot Shots Golf in a relaxing setting. We’ll also be raffling off a few things… maybe even a PS Vita (correction: yes, we will).

Here’s what you need to know:

Date/Time
Thursday, Dec 1st, 2011 from 5:00 – 9:00pm Pacific Time

Location
Vita Hill Social Club
1694 Union Street (at Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94123

RSVP Here

Not in San Francisco? Don’t worry, we’ll be opening up PS Vita Social Clubs all around the US in the near future. We’re also set up in several malls across the country right now. We’re planning more meet-ups in January – many in cities we haven’t been to before – so stay tuned.

In the meantime, see you Thursday, San Francisco!

If there’s any game series that’s synonymous with PlayStation, it’s Wipeout. This fast-paced combat racer has appeared on every single PlayStation console, and now it’s preparing to make the jump to PS Vita with Wipeout 2048. We recently interviewed producer Michael Pulst, who gave us a tour of the new control options (front and rear touchscreen as well as motion controls), gameplay refinements, and multiplayer support between PS Vita and PS3. Read on for highlights from our interview.

PlayStation.Blog: What are longtime fans likely to notice first about Wipeout 2048 on PS Vita?
Michael Pulst, Assistant Producer: We’ve made the tracks a little bit wider. Wipeout has always been known for its intense, hardcore racing; in the past games, you were not only fighting the other players but you’re also fighting the track. It was so hardcore that it actually turned some people off. It was a barrier to entry, and the team recognized this. By making the tracks a bit wider, you’re able to concentrate more on the race and fighting off the other players.

But because Studio Liverpool has been making Wipeout for years and years, they understand its core gameplay extremely well. So even though it’s a little bit easier in terms of its difficulty curve, this is very much Wipeout to its core.

PSB: Tell me about the tiered racetracks. How many paths are there on the tracks in Wipeout 2048?
MP: Not only do we have multiple vertical levels on some tracks, we have multiple track paths. In one of tracks, Sol, you’re racing down a skyscraper — it’s extremely fun. At one junction, you can either break to the left or the right; if you go left, you’ll get six speed pads before you reconnect with the main path. If you go to the right, you pick up items and weapons that might let you take out the racers who took the left path. So it adds a bigger strategy because you can choose your approach. If you suck at taking tight, twisty turns, you’ll learn to take alternate routes that tend to be less direct but offer speed pads or item pickups.

PSB: Have there been any tweaks to item pickups or weapon functionality?
MP: In previous Wipeout games, there was one item pickup pad that offered both offensive and defensive items. In 2048, the item pads are split up between offensive and defensive, so you can be a bit more strategic. If you’re in first place, you can focus on picking up items that are useful to you.

PSB: Wipeout 2048 uses almost all of PS Vita’s hardware functions. Tell us how 2048 taps into PS Vita’s hardware.
MP: For starters, we support the motion controls — you can tilt to the left or right to steer. I like steering this way at times, particularly in the cockpit camera view. The thing with motion controls is that they’re extremely accurate, which can be a double-edged sword at times. But I guarantee that by the time you take the third lap in the game, it’ll click.

We also support the rear touchscreen for acceleration, while the front touchscreen is used for firing and regaining ship energy. What’s great is that we support hybrid control schemes, so if you’d rather use the X button for acceleration, you can. You can use any combination of tilting, buttons, and touch to control the game. We don’t force you into one specific control scheme.

PSB: And how does PS Vita’s camera tie into the multiplayer mode?
MP: We support up to eight players online. When you begin the race on PS Vita, the game takes a photo of your face. At the end of the race, your face gets beamed to all the other players — kind of a glory moment!

PSB: Perhaps the most technically impressive feature is the crossplay support with the PS3 version of Wipeout HD Fury. What are my options in terms of crossplay?
MP: Not only will PS Vita players be able to play 2048 with other PS Vita players, they will be able to play Wipeout HD against PS3 players using Wipeout HD tracks and ships. And the number of PS Vitas and PS3s doesn’t matter for crossplay. It can be seven PS3s and one PS Vita, seven PS Vitas and one PS3, or any number in between.

There are so many people who own Wipeout HD, so you get immediate access to that community and you can experience tracks and a gameplay style that’s unique. When you’re playing Wipeout HD cross-play on PS Vita, you are able to use motion controls and touchscreen features as well, if you like.

The game focuses on the birth of Anti-grav racing and the Liverpool Studio team is keen to focus on how the architecture of the futuristic city shapes both look and gameplay. I caught up with Graeme Ankers and Stuart Tilley out in the sunshine between presentations.

It’s fantastic to see a new WipEout game on its way, particularly one that is looking to take the series in a new direction. We already know that it will support cross platform play allowing Vita and PS3 players to go head-to-head online and I’ve just learned that the soundtrack – a vital ingredient in the WipEout DNA – features new remixes of Underworld and Leftfield tracks from the original game, as well as a new track from Deadmau5.

Can’t wait!

As a fan of arcade racers and an evangelist for all things fast, my face melted off with a recent build of Wipeout (working title) specifically built from the ground up for NGP.

Game director Stu Tilley promises the biggest Wipeout experience to date; with 10 new tracks, 20 new ships, new game modes and weapons. My favorite feature and new to PlayStation, is cross-platform-gaming. Load up your copy of Wipeout HD Fury on your PS3 and you’ll be able to race up against seven NGP opponents in online multiplayer sessions. You can mix and match the number of PS3s and NGPs racers however you like, bringing the world of Wipeout seamlessly together with the power of PSN.

Learn more details in the video above, which also showcases how Tilley and his team took advantage of NGP’s touch technology, dual cameras and built-in six axis motion controls. Sure, the NGP may be the new kid in town, but it’s doing fantastic things with one of PlayStation’s legendary racers.