PS Vita Can be Used as PS4 Controller, According to Yoshida

Game Rant

By GR Staff

Published Jul 29, 2013

After weeks of speculation following the PS4 reveal at E3, Sony President Shuhei Yoshida confirms the PS Vita can be used as a controller and second screen for the upcoming console... but there's a catch.

In the months leading up to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launch this holiday season, speculation continues to make its way through fan groups and news sites alike. Each system was put on display during E3 in June, with plenty of features discussed, and more teased for the future. Among the new technology announced for the PS4, Remote Play is one of the more interesting features, allowing players to stream gameplay to the PS Vita. That's not all however, as the handheld system is reportedly fully capable of acting as a secondary controller for the PS4.

Answering a fan question on Twitter, Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the existence of this functionality. According to the Sony President of Worldwide Studios, the availability of this feature is directly dependent on game developers, who can choose to include it or not. The additional support required for this feature could become a thorn in the side of both fans and developers, who may not want to take extra time ensuring this specific functionality in a cross-platform release.

[HTML1]

Of course, it is yet unknown exactly what will be involved in making this happen, or what games could benefit from the kind of gameplay a Vita screen can provide. The PS4 controller is already equipped with a touch-sensitive pad on the front face, but few demonstrations of this technology have been made available. If Sony can pull off technology like Remote Play - which was originally intended for the PS3, but failed to work properly - their next-generation console will gain a serious advantage over Xbox One.

Taking advantage of the kind of gameplay technology Nintendo has created with the Wii U could also draw hardcore gamers and current PlayStation fans, without being too radical. The PS4 controller has done this to some extent, but expanding this idea to the Vita could be the kick both it and the PS4 need to get ahead of the competition.

What do you think, Ranters? Does the possibility of playing PS4 games via the PS Vita entice you, or are you skeptical? Could Vita touchscreen gameplay put Sony ahead of Microsoft and its new Xbox One / Kinect duo, or is it too similar to the Wii U? Let us know in the comments!

Follow me on Twitter @superkyol.

Source: Shuhei Yoshida