Sony launches PlayStation Mobile for Android (and Vita!)

As if the party weren’t crowded enough, folks, say hello to another app store. Last night, Sony launched their long-time-coming PlayStation Mobile service for “PlayStation Certified” Android devices and PlayStation Vita. In a newly launched section of their website branded with the moniker “Take Back Mobile Gaming,” the company has also gone on to explain the ethos behind PSM, and reveal the slate of available titles.

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As if the party weren’t crowded enough, folks, say hello to another app store. Last night, Sony launched their long-time-coming PlayStation Mobile service for “PlayStation Certified” Android devices and PlayStation Vita. In a newly launched section of their website branded with the moniker “Take Back Mobile Gaming,” the company has also gone on to explain the ethos behind PSM, and reveal the slate of available titles. 

Similar to the company’s marketing strategy with the PlayStation Vita, much of the language surrounding this new hub for bite-sized experiences focuses on commitment to blend the worlds of core and casual. “There’s no need to be ashamed of the mobile games you play,” starts Sony, as they formally introduce PSM, seemingly positioning it as a marketplace for which quality will be a higher priority than quantity. At a cursory glance, it seems like they’re off to a fine start. Indie darlings Super Crate Box and Twist Pilot headline a slate of games that range from action packed (Samurai Beatdown, Aqua Kitty) to more casual (Flick Hockey, Loot the Land)

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As confirmed in our previous coverage of PSM, any games purchased from the service – either on your phone, tablet, or Vita – will be accessible from any other device using the same login information on the PlayStation store. Accordingly, games will come with boy joystick and virtual schemes. The store which can be accessed on your PS Certified device by visiting http://playstation.com/pss/store/en.html, or following the download prompt in the case of certain tablets. On one hand, I can understand Sony’s desire to turn their store into more than a footnote in Google Play; with that said, the sooner they can reduce complication for users the better, as outside of the official announcement post, finding PSM doesn’t seem too easy right now. 

You shouldn’t throw stones if you live in a glass house; Sony’s vehement insistence that PSM represents a heretofore unexplored future of quality for mobile rings a little hollow when faced with some of the spectacular offerings on iOS. With that said, the more controlled ecosystem seems like an exciting prospect for developers previously gun-shy when it comes to Android, and the titles currently available all feel a degree more hand-curated than some of the dregs of the App Store. Also, I have to be honest: Super Crate Box feels spectacular with joysticks. 

Eli has loved mobile games since his dad showed him the magic of Game & Watch. He can't quite remember when he started loving puns.