Sony Computer Entertainment on Tuesday June 30, 2009 announced a new program under which the company will approve peripherals designed by third parties for various PlayStation game systems. The program will help Sony to ensure high quality of peripherals and potentially establish a new revenue stream. It basically means that if a peripheral manufacturer conforms to "Qualifying SCE Standard and Requirements".

The official license program will be available to peripheral manufacturers in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe/ PAL territories to further enhance the PlayStation peripheral and accessory line-ups and offer richer entertainment experience on the PlayStation platform, explained by Sony. I think this will improve the quality of PSP Peripherals and Accessories.

Entering into a licensing agreement with SCE will give manufacturers the TD (Technical Documentations) which needed to make products for PSP, PS3 and the PS2. Plus, when the product goes to market, it'll even get the spiffy "Official Licensed Product logo." So that everyone understand that these products are made under the licensed. I can't wait to see what third-party manufacturers come up with over the next few months. I think now PS lovers appreciate this step taken by Sony Computer Entertainment.

According to the Press Release:

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced the expansion of the “Official License Program” to peripheral manufacturers in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe/ PAL territories to further enhance the PlayStation peripheral and accessory line-ups and offer richer entertainment experience on the PlayStation platform.

By entering into a license agreement with SCE through this program, peripheral and accessory manufacturers will gain access to technical documentations necessary for designing and creating variety of licensed products for PlayStation platforms including PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Furthermore, SCE will provide “Official Licensed Product logo” to be used on product packages, proving that the peripherals and accessories have been designed for each respective PlayStation platform, qualifying SCE standards and requirements. Further details on the “Official License Program” are available on the official site (http://www.scei.co.jp/olp/index_e.html).

Through this program, SCE, with the help of third party companies, will continue to further expand the PSP (PlayStation Portable) including the newly announced PSPgo to become available this autumn, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 platforms and create a new world of computer entertainment that is only possible on PlayStation.