Trinigy, Firelight, Audiokinetic Confirm Support For Sony NGP

Three game development software companies on Friday confirmed their support of Sony Computer Entertainment's upcoming codenamed Next Generation Portable device. Eningen, Germany-based Trinigy said its Vision Game Engine will support Sony's upcoming handheld, due to launch by the end of the year. The engine is already available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, Windows-based browsers and soon, iOS. Trinigy said new features for the NGP version of the engine include an "optimized" character skinning system, and full support for NGP hardware features including touch controls, improved multithreading and an optimized renderer. The NGP has high-end features including 3G and wi-fi support (3G reportedly optional in some models), a five-inch multi-touch OLED display, a multi-touch pad on the back, dual analog sticks, flash card support for software, motion sensors, built-in GPS and a four-core CPU. Sony has yet to announce a price for the device, though one analyst expects at least a $299 price tag. Also confirming NGP support is Australian audio middleware firm Firelight Technologies, which said its FMOD audio suite is authorized for NGP development. Vision and Firelight in late November announced that FMOD would bundle with Trinigy's Vision Engine 8. Separately, Montreal's Audiokinetic said the NGP is the first first portable console supported by the company's Wwise audio solution, which is already available for NGP development.