By Lauren Arevalo and Robert Workman
Sony has hinted about bringing the PlayStation experience to mobile before, but the specifics for this project were only recently released. Last week, Sony detailed plans for enabling “second screen” functions that will be available for free on iOS and Android devices, competing with Microsoft’s SmartGlass and of course, the Wii U.
Some functions that the PlayStation 4 mobile app will have is the ability to download and purchase content on mobile, send text and voice messages through the app, invite friends to games, and watch recorded or live-streamed gameplay.
Of special importance to Sony is enabling smaller developers to use the platform to create their own apps, too. Larger game companies with more resources have benefited from being able to build their apps from the bottom up. Developers for the system can also look into more extensive “second screen” functionality for their games, similar to what they’ve done with the SmartGlass technology on the Xbox 360.
“There are many big publishers creating their own apps for their games, like Watch Dogs or Battlefield, and that’s great,” said Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida. “But smaller developers can use PlayStation App to connect to PlayStation 4 and load an application, like drawing software for example, so that you don’t have to download and install a specific app on your smartphone. It’s open for all PS4 developers to use.”
Source: GamesIndustry International
