Talkman

{{Infobox video game | developer = [[Sony Computer Entertainment Japan]] | publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] | platforms = [[PlayStation Portable]] | title = Talkman | genre = [[Edutainment]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | released = {{vgrelease|JP|November 17, 2005|NA|August 5, 2008}} }}

'''''Talkman''''' is an [[edutainment]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation Portable]]. It utilizes voice-activated [[Machine translation|translation software]] that operates in four languages, [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[English language|English]], [[Korean language|Korean]], and [[Mandarin Chinese]]. The name "Talkman" is a reference to [[Sony]]'s [[Walkman]] line of portable audio products. It was released in Japan on November 17, 2005, and in America on August 5, 2008 (via the [[PlayStation Store]]), as ''Talkman Travel''. In America, however, instead of receiving all the languages included in the Japanese version in one package, single-language packs are available for $2.99 each. Available packs are: Paris (French), Rome (Italian), and Tokyo (Japanese).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=2005-09-20 |title=TalkMan |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/p-talkman-psp |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=February 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217192441/https://www.eurogamer.net/p-talkman-psp |url-status=live }}</ref>

The software is designed for travelers and entertainment, mostly containing [[slang]] and useful travel phrases. While originally sold in and designed for the [[Japan]]ese market for Japanese users, its translation function operates between all four languages. In Japan, the software has proven popular with the middle-aged female demographic due to an interest in South Korean products, and Korean-language soap operas and movies; and as a fun English education aid for children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uranaka |first=Taiga |date=February 3, 2006 |title=New games bring more people to video consoles |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/02/03/business/new-games-bring-more-people-to-video-consoles/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-date=October 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241025080907/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/02/03/business/new-games-bring-more-people-to-video-consoles/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Outside of pure translations, ''Talkman'' also lets players play games to test their fluency of a language. The program comes with a [[USB]] [[microphone]] included. This microphone draws power through two gold-colored contacts on the top of the PSP, one on each side of the mini-USB port. This is uncommon due to the ability for most USB products to draw power through USB. These proprietary contacts are similar to the gold-colored contacts on the bottom-right of the device, which are used for charging.

'''Note:''' The [[Chotto Shot]] (aka "Go!Cam") has a built-in microphone that also can be used with the ''Talkman'' program. Furthermore, the [[PlayStation_Portable#PSP-3000|PSP-3000]] model and [[PlayStation_Portable#PSP_Go_(N1000)|PSP Go]] have built-in microphones that work with this application, without the need for any external attachments.

==''Talkman Euro''== Following the success of the Asian version of ''Talkman'', a version designed for translating European languages was developed and released on June 16, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Talkman-PSP/dp/B000FH8Z2S/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1333947684&sr=1-1|title=Talkman|publisher=|accessdate=18 October 2016|via=Amazon}}</ref> ''Talkman Euro'' is available in two versions. The Japanese version contains support for English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese, while the Chinese version contains support for Traditional Chinese instead of Japanese. The differences on the packaging (the Japanese flag as opposed to a flag with the word "mie" in Chinese) are minimal and hard to notice.

==''Talkman'' UMD-only package== ''Talkman'' is also released as a UMD-only package, so users who already have the USB mic or camera can choose to purchase this standalone version. The Sony PSP Headset and the built-in microphone on later model PSPs have also been confirmed to work with ''Talkman''.

==References== <references />

==External links== *[https://archive.today/20130102183441/http://uk.gamespot.com/psp/puzzle/talkman/review.html?q= Talkman GameSpot review of European version] *[http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/TalkMan/review.asp?c=1221 Pocket Gamer review of European version] *[http://enjoyrelaxstudio.co.uk/Sony-TalkMan Talkman Official site]

[[Category:2005 video games]] [[Category:Japan Studio games]] [[Category:Machine translation]] [[Category:PlayStation Portable games]] [[Category:PlayStation Portable-only games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]