Back in February, we heard that HTC might be getting PlayStation Certification on some of its phones. Today at E3, Sony announced that it will be opening up the PlayStation Mobile program, which was previously known as PlayStation Suite, to HTC. This means, among other things, that HTC phones that receive PS Certification will be able to play the host of classic PlayStation games available. Additionally, HTC devices will also have access to the third-party apps and games developed using the SDK.

It's hard to say whether this is bigger news for HTC or Sony. On the one hand, having not-quite-but-kind-of exclusive access to PlayStation games gives HTC a competitive edge over Samsung and Motorola and the other Android manufacturers. Which, of course, includes Sony, but clearly Sony's own phones haven't fared nearly as well in the market.

Of course, Sony gets its own set of advantages. Not just because the company will be able to keep milking its classic library of games for a while longer, but by opening the certification program up to third-party manufacturers, and especially one as high profile as HTC, the appeal for developers to make apps and games for PlayStation Mobile will only grow. PS Vita sales haven't exactly been stellar. As of March 2012, the company had only sold 1.8 million Vitas since launch, with sales dropping off rapidly. Even if just the One series of HTC devices were to join the program, Sony could easily more than double the number of compatible devices, which would make the platform even more attractive to developers.

So far it looks like the One series will be the initial inductees into the program. How many other existing phones will be added to the program or if only new devices will be eligible, how long it will take to certify the devices, or any of the other fun bits of info. The only thing we know for certain is that the future is gonna be just that much better than the present.

Sony Computer Entertainment Announces HTC As Part Of The PlayStation™Certified License Program PLAYSTATION®SUITE RENAMED "PLAYSTATION®MOBILE"

Further Proliferate The PlayStation® Experience Across Mobile Devices TOKYO, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced HTC Corporation (HTC) will join the PlayStation™Certified license program(*1). By collaborating with HTC, a global designer of smartphones and the world's first company to launch Android-powered devices, SCE aims to deliver the PlayStation® experience to even more users around the world. "HTC is focused on delivering innovative mobile experiences for people everywhere and SCE's immersive world of gaming will bring compelling entertainment to HTC One customers across the globe," said Kouji Kodera, Chief Product Officer, HTC Corporation. In addition to third party developers and publishers as well as a wide range of content developers who have agreed to develop content for PlayStation®Suite, SCE Worldwide Studios is developing attractive games. SCE is positioned to proliferate the world of PlayStation across mobile devices with the progress of content development and the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices. In conjunction with this development, SCE will rename PlayStation Suite to PlayStation®Mobile, and position it as a new platform. SCE will further accelerate the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices and continue to collaborate with content developers to drive the delivery of compelling entertainment experiences through PlayStation Mobile. About PlayStation®Mobile

PlayStation®Mobile marries fun, engaging PlayStation-style gaming with the convenience of PlayStation™Certified mobile devices and offers mobile users a superlative store navigation and purchase experience. It allows a wide range of developers to produce PlayStation-like game experiences in an easy, time-efficient development environment. PlayStation Mobile content is also compatible with PlayStation®Vita. (*1) The license program to expand PS Mobile, dedicated for portable hardware manufacturers. SCE will not only license logos but also provide necessary development support. As of June 5, 2012, the line-up of PlayStation™Certified devices include the HTC One series of smartphones, HTC One™ X, HTC One™ S, and HTC One™ V. Content developed with official version of PlayStation®Mobile SDK will be available on those devices later this year, also Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ acro, Xperia™ PLAY, Xperia™ acro HD, Xperia™ S, Xperia™ ion, Xperia™ acro S from Sony Mobile Communications AB, and "Sony Tablet" S and "Sony Tablet" P from Sony Corporation. Model name may vary by region. Sales model may vary by area.. Software Development Kit is a set of development tools and software libraries. Developers are able to obtain this SDK by signing a license agreement with SCE.

Source: PR Newswire