Sony Ericsson rumored to have PSP Go-like Android 3.0 gaming phone

Gaming on Android just got a lot more serious. Engadget is reporting that Sony Ericsson is hard at work on the oft-rumored PSP phone, only it will come with Android 3.0 ("Gingerbread") and is described by those in the know as "a cross between the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go" (you can see their mockup above). This is quite surprising as they haven't even been able to launch a phone running 2.1 yet.

Sony is aiming for graphics power in the realm of the PSX or PSP. Considering we already have PS1 emulators running on Android, this is perfectly reasonable. To help out with the demands of mobile gaming, the gaming-specific controls would slide out like we are used to in landscape slider phones along with a "long touch pad" rather than the joystick nub that PSP owners would be familiar with.

Other specs for the phone are what you would expect from a high-end device: 3.7- or 4.1-inch screen, at least WVGA resolution (800x480), a non-final 5MP camera, and a 1 GHz Snapdragon CPU. It seems like Sony Ericsson will be putting a custom skin on the device, which we (sadly) have come to expect as of late. It also seems like Google is deeply involved with the device, and a special section of the Android Market will be created for titles that would require the added power and physical buttons on the phone. Other phones and devices might be able to see the games at some point "if their specs and button layouts meet requirements." Rumored games include members of the Modern Warfare (aka Call of Duty) and God of War franchises. 

Price and launch date are vague at best, with October being listed as the earliest possible. In addition, no mention was made of what carrier(s) the phone would arrive on or in what countries, so it is wide open at the moment. Still, this looks to be where Sony is aiming for their future mobile gaming efforts. As such, it should have a great backing from the gaming industry. So, who wants one? [Engadet]

Posted originally at Android Central

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AT&T Samsung Captivate benchmarks and graphics/gaming test

Let's not mince words here: The Samsung Galaxy S class of phones is powerful, both in raw processing and graphics. We've seen as much from the 1GHz Hummingbird processor every time we've used it, and we're seeing as much in our own benchmark tests.

But here's the thing about benchmarks -- they're fun to do, but end the end all they give you is a number. And we'd rather compare phones in actual real-world tests. And, of course, that means gaming!

So after the break, check out the Samsung Captivate as we put it up against the Motorola Droid X, HTC Evo 4G and Google Nexus One in a couple of benchmark tests -- and then a few laps of Asphalt 5.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Android Quick-App: Saint

When it comes to Android apps, we love zombies. And loud music. And the two are combined in the Smudgeware game called Saint ($1.99). It's kind of a reboot of the old Smash TV game. You've got dual thumb joysticks. The one on the left moves the Saint; the one on the right directs shooting toward Freddy Krueger-glad zombies and Hulk-looking, well, hulks. (And the joystick positions are configurable.) Guns, rockets, lasers -- basically anything you'd want for a few minutes of mindless gaming. And it's got killer background music thanks to Coldwater Tragedy (the developer's son's band). Anyhoo, give it a look-see after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Gaming on the Sprint Epic 4G

The Sprint Epic 4G brings a horizontal keyboard, and it brings some monster gaming power (as do all the other versions of the Galaxy S, of course). After the break, we take a look at the Asphalt racing game on the Epic 4G, which sports a six-axis gyroscope, which you can see in action.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Gaming on the Droid X

Sure, you could use the Motorola Droid X's 4.3-inch screen to be productive and all, but let's get down to what we really want: Games. Fast, smooth, immersive games. And in our demonstration at the Motorola event in New York, that's exactly what we saw. Don't worry so much about specs, just know this: That 1GHz processor and dedicated GPU scream. It's fast. Real fast. We'll show you after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

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How to: Play Quake III Arena on the Motorola Droid

Forget Flash. Who needs Farmville? Here's the only gaming anybody really cares about: Quake III on the Motorola Droid. And after the break, we show you how to do it and have video of the game in action.

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Quick App and contest: iCommando first-person shooter

Android 2.0+ If you've been looking to get your hands on a first-person shooter, iQapps has brought its iCommando: Operation Dark Haze game over to Android.

Gameplay is simple yet immersive. You're Maj. John McKenzie, a sniper in North Africa. Tilt the phone in the zoomed-out view to target the bad guys. Then zoom in and take them out. There are six levels, each with its own boss bad guy, and three difficulty levels.

The accelerometer action works well, though it may feel a little slow at times. The game plays at full-screen so you're focused on the action.

iCommando is available now in the Android Market for €1.49, or about $2.00 U.S. (Scan the QR code above or click on it in your Android browser.) But to help celebrate the launch, we're giving away five free copies of iCommando. All you have to do is head into the forums and let us know what you're looking for in a quality Android game. We'll pick five winners at random and give them the details via e-mail. Contest ends at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

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Google To Give A Free Nexus One Or Motorola Droid To GDC Attendees

One of the weaker points of the Android platform (especially when compared to the iPhone), is the lack of high quality games. Considering the hardware of the high-end Android devices (such as the Nexus One and Droid) is certainly capable of such games, it's really all a matter of getting enough developers behind Android as a gaming platform. So how do you spur gaming development for the Android Platform? Give away free Android phones!

Developers attending the Game Developers Conference on March 9th and 10th in San Francisco will be able to qualify for the free Android devices. According to Google, "attendees who register for All Access or Tutorials and Summits passes by the Early Bird deadline of February 4, 2010" will be eligible. We think it's a great move by Google and if you're attending GDC, feel free to take a look at what it takes to get your free Android phone!

[android developers blog]

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Android and gaming, Nexus One on AT&T, HTC Hero homescreen

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• The Palm Pre and iPhone can run some sweet games, so where are the quality Android games? In this thread discuss gaming and Android.
•  Many of you purchased the Nexus One, how many of you are using your new device on the AT&T network? How's it working for you so far?
• There is no doubt Nexus One owners will see an update sooner rather than later, what are some new features you would like to see included?
• Have you tricked out the home screen on your HTC Hero? Perhaps you are looking for some cool ideas, either way this is the thread for you: Show Your Homescreen!

 See you on the forums!

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