Mark Rein champions console-like NGP

Epic Games’ chief Mark Rein says the NGP will offer a ridiculously compelling” console experience to gamers.

Speaking to Eurogamer at GDC, he claimed the addition of dual analogue sticks will boost the PSP successor’s appeal to shooter fans and encourage people to play it for longer periods of time.

He said: I love console game experiences. I love, love, love playing Gears of War, Call of Duty, Borderlands – I just love those kinds of games. And you really need the DualShock type controls to do it effectively.

The NGP delivers it in spades. You really do want to play those kinds of games on it for sustained periods of time. Sat down on your couch, or in a hotel room, or somewhere you don’t have a big TV. It’s a fantastic experience.”

Rein went on to claim that the price – expected by some to be as high as $349 – would not deter potential buyers, adding that the presence of titles like Call of Duty means the NGP could sell like frickin’ crazy”.

He further argued that higher price points hasn’t prevented the iPad from achieving success.

Who would have thought iPad could survive?” he said. Everybody poo-pooed the idea of iPad and they’ve sold over 15 million of them. It’s an indispensable part of your life now.”