PlayStation Vita can be used as a PS3 controller

At the Develop conference, Sony showed that the PlayStation Vita can also be used as a PlayStation 3 controller. Gamers can also exchange their save games for the Vita and PS3 and compete against each other in multiplayer.

Sony discussed at the Develop conference, several ways the PlayStation Vita can interact with the PlayStation 3. Phil Rogers, R&D manager at SCEE, called the Vita usable as a controller for the PlayStation 3, where games can, for example, use the touch capabilities on the front and back of the handheld. The images are rendered by the PlayStation 3 and streamed wirelessly to the Vita.

This functionality is not entirely new; Sony already showed at the E3 fair in 2006 how the screen of the PSP could be used as a rear-view mirror in the racing game Formula One Championship Edition. However, this functionality was removed before the game was released.

According to Rogers, Remote Play will return, which will allow the PlayStation 3 to be controlled remotely by a PSP or PlayStation Vita. Rogers also announced Continuation Play functionality, where save game data can be exchanged between the PS3 and Vita versions of a game. The synchronization is done by saving the save game to the PlayStation Network. Sony announced similar sharing options for remastered PSP games on the PlayStation 3.

Finally, Rogers showed that cross-platform multiplayer is possible between both consoles. This was demonstrated by connecting Wipeout 2048 on the Vita via PSN to a modified version of Wipeout HD on the PlayStation 3. According to Rogers, the pool game Hustle Kings will also receive support for cross-platform multiplayer.