Sony incorporated some variation of the XMB into both the PSP and PS3, but it’s missing from the NGP, replaced by an interface similar to other touch screen devices. While the touchscreen was a large part of the reason for the change, Sony Computer Entertainment worldwide studios president Shuhei Yoshida indicates there were other considerations.
“The other fundamental point was our desire to make this device very social network orientated: there are lots of fun games on Facebook, for example. We wanted to integrate the social networking factor, the potential for friends to join in, interact at any moment. We wanted the entire screen to be part of that experience. To do so, we thought it was important to let users keep track of their game even when they weren’t playing it – with the LiveArea, for example,” explained Yoshida.
Source: CVG
