The launch of Sony’s new PSP Go portable gaming system has been confirmed for October 1st.

Pictures of the device were leaked all over the internet in May 2009, but now a launch date for the US and Europe has been announced by the developer.

The new device has been designed with a sliding screen for compact portability without compromising screen size.

Sony has packed the new machine with 16GB of onboard memory storage in addition to a compact Memorystick Micro.

This will no doubt please current Sony PSP owners, who have had to make do with purchasing the memory card separately.

Underneath the screen, there is the standard D-pad, face buttons and analogue nub that were a feature on the first PSP.

Sony have also made Bluetooth connectivity and WiFi available on this latest device.

Meanwhile, according to Pocket Gamer, Sony’s LittleBigPlanet will be released as a handheld version for the PSP and will involve some crossover with the PS3 version of the game.

The availability of Assassin’s Creed 2 on the PlayStation PSP is set to boost the popularity of the game, claims Ubisoft.

Speaking in a conference call earlier this week, the games developer’s executive director Alan Corre said that the company expects to make 15 per cent more sales than the original.

He said: "Our previous guidance suggested it was going to sell less units than the first title.

"Most of this performance actually comes from the addition of one platform, the PSP, of which Assassin’s Creed was not released in the past. Half of this performance is done with guaranteed bundles."

It comes after the games developer announced last month that it is planning to develop a video game based on the adventures of the classic cartoon character Asterix.

The game is set to be released in October 2009 and will be created specifically for the Nintendo DS.

Social networking tool Raptr has launched new instant messaging software to improve gamer interaction.

It updates a players’ status with the game they happen to be playing at the time on other social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, reports the Associated Press.

The new tool is compatible with a broad range of platforms, such as the Xbox 360 and recognises 32,000 games.

Speaking to the news agency, chief executive of Raptr Dennis Fong said: "Most people prefer to play with friends … but finding friends and playing with them is hard.

"Your friends are everywhere, and they play games on a lot of different platforms."

The social networking tool is compatible with AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk, Facebook and Xbox Live.

It also allows gamers to share and compare gaming achievements. Microsoft and Sony already provide their own integrated network communication tools through their Xbox Live and PlayStation Network areas.

Sony were not likely to reduce the price of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console this year because of "financial issues", it has been suggested.

Those waiting for a lower price console may have to content themselves with bids on MadBid.com or second-hand offerings to get a cut-down price.

Speaking to Eurogamer, vice-president of Epic Games Mark Rein indicated that Sony had a "difficult year" and so a price reduction would not have been good for the company.

He explained: "The truth is Sony has had a difficult year and I think they had to do what they had to do to try to be profitable.

"Lowering the price of the console would probably have made their situation worse. They will get around to it in their own good time."

He was commenting on recent comments by Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick in which he warned that he may pull future titles from the PS3 unless Sony drop the price.

Co-chief operating officer at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Jim Ryan told Emirates Business that sales of the PS3 have been strong across Africa and the Middle East.