The highly reputable research company, Nielsen, did a big study in 2009 looking at how teens use media. And it was a real “reality check” as they found that most of the beliefs out there are actually wrong!

For example, teens watch more TV now than ever (and have not abandoned it for the internet, mobiles or game platforms!). In contrast, they watch LESS online videos than adults do (actually spend a whopping 35% LESS time doing that than 25-34 year olds, for example).

But it is the findings regarding game play that the Bitfood team were wanting to check out. Nielsen found, for example, that:

* Teens play video games, but are as excited about play-along music games and car-racing games as they are about violent ones: Just two of their top five most-anticipated games since 2005 are rated “Mature.”

* Video consumption, led by TV viewing, is the centerpiece of teen media consumption.

Console gaming comes in third “in a day in the life of” the average teenager in the US. These are averages, tho, and we are betting that game players actually spend more time using their consoles than these figures would suggest - but averaged out over all teens that figure goes down a lot.

* The myth is that teen gamers spend all their time playing “Mature” shooter games But in reality just two of the top five “most anticipated” games among teens since 2005 were rated Mature (Halo 3, and Grand Theft Auto IV)

* Teens account for just 23% of the console audience and less than 10% of PC game minutes.

* 83% of teens have at least one console in their home.

What do ya think? Does this describe teen use as you see it? We want to hear your view on these results (For example, the last 12 months has seen a massive increase in the involvement of females in the gaming world - Nielsen are suggesting the Wii has played a big role in broadening the population of those playing games. But we suspect that the increasing use of mobile game platforms in education has had a big impact as well)

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What with the massive drop-off in the sale of PSP game hardware still continuing, and the massive pressure being put on the traditional mobile game platforms by the explosion of free and cheap games on the iPhone, its great to see that Sony is not giving up without a fight!

And in one exciting new direction they are clearly thinking outside the box…er PSP - literally!! Its early days yet, but the release last year of Invizimals and the release last week of Second Sight, signal perhaps, that Sony is prepared to take the PSP into the 21st century - and to a place that iPhones cannot go?

Both Invizimals and Second Sight make use of the PSP Cam to add an extra dimension to the game or learning experience. The camera is used to input extra information to the PSP which then is used to either add extra characters to the game or generate extra video or 3D experiences for students.

Now whilst neither the game nor the edu-tool are particularly exciting for most PSP gamers (and in fact are not even available for PSP gamers in the USA) they may signal new directions for PSP games.

Adding credibility to this observation is the patent filed by Sony where the PSP is used to operate a remote car using a camera on the car - which, like the above two “games” then inputs that info to the PSP. In the patent, apparently, it actually describes the purpose as:

a user may control the car… so as to spy on their friends… then upload the stored video images to a website.”

The point is that Sony is clearly experimenting with ways to take our gaming experiences interactive with the real world. And once they take this step - the opportunities for developing dramatic new game experiences are endless.

In other words we think (hope?) that these recent moves from Sony signal that completely new game experiences are about to be developed.

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The Bitfood team have researched and written on this topic before. In fact we did several posts on the need for Sony to take a new look at the changes taking place in the “typical” gamer profile. One of these changes is the % of females playing games -  which has risen massively (if you are interested, the most up-to-date study can be found here) In fact, over 50% of PSP owners are female!

We began to push for new games to suit these new demographics early in 2009. But has Sony been listening?

To answer this, we decided to have a look at the games due for release over the next few months. ING usually have a good (but not, usually, complete)  list of upcoming PSP games. Their list shows some 40 games are due out over the next 6 months. So we decided to put together a quiz based on their list to see what you have the hots for! Your answers will show us whether Sony (or other game developers) have yet noticed that their buyer market has significantly changed!

Girls answer this quiz:

Guys answer this quiz:

Taking a look through the list, we suspect that the game developers are still behind the times and are ignoringboth the growing female population of players AND the fact that a lot of older players have joined the ranks of PSP gamers!

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* Been wanting to unlock the Precursor Orb secrets for the  latest PSP game in the Jak and Daxter series? Just out  - you can now get the cheats guide for this game.

*  Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron on PSP Cheats and Hints

* Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days (PSP) Cheats & Unlockables  (pretty good as the game is yet to be released!)

* Final Fantasy Tactics: War of Lions  – PSP Cheats plus, on the same site, the recently published cheats for Daxter

* Not quite so “hot” but still worth getting are the GTA  Chinatown Wars cheats for psp:

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Digital access codes for more than 200 Play Station Network games and game-related content for PSP (and PS3) entertainment systems, have now been made available from Amazon.

According to Paul Ryder, vice president of consumer electronics for Amazon:

PlayStation Network games are an important addition and we plan to continue making it easier for customers to instantly enjoy new content as well as their favorite games from the comfort of their living rooms.

The new deal between PlayStation and Amazon means that we can purchase digital access codes for download via the Amazon Video Game Store as well as the PlayStationNetwork.

Is that a benefit to us? Well, if Amazon gives us better prices, or special deals, maybe! Plus it is handy that all the addons are in one place and easy to find.

Some of the games already on offer include - Flower(TM), PAIN, PixelJunk(TM) Eden, Wipeout Pure and classics like Twisted Metal®:Head-On.

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NIS America has announced (8 hours ago!) that it is re-releasing some of their PSP titles in conjunction with the launch of the PSPgo! And the PSP titles they are re-releasing will be 50% off for the whole of the next week!

The discount will only be for one week starting tomorrow (October 1st).  Price will range from$4.99 to $9.99 - so its a great deal. The PSP games on offer are:

• Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light
• Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
• Dragoneer’s Aria
• Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! What Did I Do to Deserve This?
• Mana Khemia: Student Alliance
• Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?

You can get them at the PlayStation Store tomorrow!

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Bitfood recently did a preview post on the Beaterator - a soon-to-be released game for the PSP.

Well, it hit the US stands today, and according to Rockstar Games (co-producers):

Beaterator for PSP system .. puts a world-class mixer at your fingertips - enabling easy, powerful and innovative creation. Featuring original music and a sound-kit which includes thousands of loops and sounds produced by Rockstar and multi-platinum producer and entertainer Timbaland exclusively for Beaterator.

Beaterator for PSP system will also be arriving on shelves on October 2nd, 2009 in Europe.

Timberland seems to pretty pleased with himself for producing this game for PSP:

Or maybe you just wanna see what the game looks like? Well, here is the Rockstar full length trailer:

The Bitfood team all agree with Timberland - this is a cool game dude!

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In a recent post we talked about the new PSP Minis that Sony are releasing on October 1st. There we previewed the PSP mini games that Icon will be releasing.

Today we have a quick update on the PSP Minis taken from the pre-Tokyo Games Show, earlier today - with some short demos for you to take a look at as well:

These are the Mini PSP games that EA will be showcasing at the Tokyo Games Show: Tetris and Sudoku.

I am a Tetrus fan so was keen to see the demo on show. Looks super cool.

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The Game Developers Conference (2009) is currently being held in Austin.

Why should we PSP players care? Well, this conference has a big section about careers in game development. The seminar has been set up for students or anyone interested in learning how to build a career in the video game industry. The seminar will be held tomorrow - Friday, September 18 - at 9:30am-5:30pm.

If you live in Texas, and think you have a future in game development, then definitely get yourself along to the seminar.For the game developers among you that can’t get to the day long seminar, check out the website for the event.

Some of the topics being covered include:

  * step by step, how to effectively market yourself to game companies (by the  hiring manager for Obsidian Entertainment). 

* How to grow once you have your foot in the game industry door (by Cecelia Harris (Rainbow Studios), Michael Nichols (THQ/Vigil Games), Lindsey McQueeney (38 Studios and Big Huge Games)

How to start out: Do you need to work for a big corporation? Or even a small indie studio? Or can you go it on your own? by Matt Scibilia (Critical Mass Interactive Inc)

The fact is that many passionate game players end up wanting to be part of the gaming industry. This conference is all about showing  how we can do that!

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Now that’s what we’re talkin about! Majesco Entertainment has partnered with Zumba Fitness to develop a dance/fitness video game!. Here is the news as posted on Majesco’s site:

This one-of-a-kind exercise program pairs Latin rhythms with red-hot international dance steps so you can have a blast as you party your way into shape. The first Zumba^® game will release holiday 2010. 

Zumba dance/fitness is hot, hot hot. Just check it out:

Now, the real question is - will Majesco develop the game for PSP?

Just looking at the past history of games they have developed, the chances are not good.  Their last PSP game was Blokus Portable: Steambot Championship and that was 18 months ago. All up they have only ever developed four PSP games. On the other hand they have developed 25 Wii games and dozens of DS games.

And the Wii platform is obviously compatible with a game so suited to interactive play.

But, but, but….

Firstly, Sony is obviously trying to bring girls on board as PSP fans. Their efforts so far have been pretty weak, so the Majesco/Zumba deal could be a marriage made in heaven for the PSP. What’s more, they  can offer cross-over play options with the PS3 to really maximize the interactive possibilities of such a game! They have done this with other games, and a dance game would be a great opportunity to do that again. (Against that, Majesco have not so far developed a game for the PS3).

The first game will not be released for another 12 months. We say, let Majesco know you want the game on PSP!!

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