PlayStationFirst is the Academic Development and Partnership Programme for Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) designed to inspire innovation across the suite of PlayStation platforms. It establishes partnerships with University courses at the cutting edge of video game technology, game development, computer science and research, and aids SCE's overall goal of supporting Indie developers and established studios by fostering the next generation of PlayStation savvy developers.
PlayStationFirst Academic Development Programme is to make PlayStation 4 (PS4) dev kits available as a follow on licensing programme to University members registered on the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) dev kit programme.
PlayStationFirst is now actively seeking ‘Expression of Interests’ from Universities interested in the Academic Dev Kit Programme and PS Vita game development. PS Vita is the system that is most closely integrated with PS4 and an essential part of the connected experience to create and innovate on PlayStation platforms. Interested parties are invited to email PlayStationFirst via the enquiry email: applications@ps-edu.scedev.net
Dr Maria Stukoff, Head of Academic Development for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe explains, “The next generation of Indie developers are now in education, and PlayStationFirst is at the forefront of enabling students to gain future-fit skills for PlayStation console development by providing access to real professional tools”.
Mick Hocking, Vice President Studio Group at London and Evolution Studios continues, "PlayStation 4 is setting the pace for global Indie development, we are very excited that through PlayStationFirst we are able to offer registered Universities access to PlayStation 4 for the next generation of soon-to-be Indie developers! Now is the time for new talent to get skilled up on PS Vita and explore the future of PlayStation game development."
Paul Holman, Vice President of SCEE R&D adds that, “Since the dawn of PlayStation, SCE has provided opportunities for Universities to gain access to the full professional SDK and tools. Providing access to the PS4 SDK is a natural step for us, especially when building upon the complementary skills provided by experience of PS Vita development. I'm confident that these initiatives will be benefiting both students who gain access to these resources as well as the game studios across the world which these students will ultimately join.”
The PlayStationFirst Academic Development and Partnership Programme is designed to champion the highest quality of University game courses and offers platform specific licences for academic development covering: PlayStation 3 (PS3), PSP (PlayStation Portable), PlayStation Vita, as well as software agreements for Move.me and PlayStation Mobile (PSM).
