Mobile gamers will probably love the news that it appears as though a new set of PlayStation-certified mobile phones is on the horizon.
Currently, only the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY owns that distinction, but the HTC mobile phones, models yet unidentified, are due to be released in the latter half of 2012.
For those who don’t know the importance of the certification designation, only those devices approved by Sony PlayStation are allowed to import the PS games that we all know and love.
HTC is understandably and deservedly rejoicing in being the first non-Sony manufacturer to gain the certification. Mobile gamers are an avid and rabid market audience, and gamers spend money on games, gaming gadgets and mobile gaming apps to the tune of billions in spending each year. HTC can only gain from that exposure – providing their handset technology presents at least decent gaming platforms.
Sony announced the handset expansion initiative last year, but very little was done to bring certification to outside manufacturers. Kaz Hirai, the CEO-designate, states:
“It expands the PlayStation experience beyond the PSP border. It is the first cross-platform endeavour.”
Hirai was appointed to replace the outgoing CEO who also mentored him and tapped him for the top slot. Hirai is credited with the market expansion and profitability improvement of the company’s endeavours in the gaming industry.
HTC is hoping to capitalise on the popularity of mobile gaming and of the Sony PS games in particular, regaining a significant market share of the mobile industry they have previously lost.
HTC stock prices have registered an increase of 1.06 percent on the US market, good news after the price fall during the latter half of 2011. HTC’s share price took a nosedive after a series of patent lawsuit losses to Apple, and a declining sales trend across the globe.