Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Cross-Play feature allows Vita to be used as X-ray goggles

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time will make use of Sony's new Cross-Play feature, which will allow players to continue playing the game on the go through Vita where they left off on PS3 - and vice versa. But according to Glen Egan, president and CEO of Sanzaru Games, there's more to the tech than just cloud saves.

Thieves in Time will contain an array of items to collect as players jaunt across time and space. Challenges will need to be met, Sly masks and costumes will need to be collected. Some of the items will be a bit difficult to find, but thanks to Cross-Play, PS Vita can be used as set of X-ray goggles.

Players can use the handheld to "look into Sly’s universe" in order to help track items down by pointing Vita at the TV screen and pressing the button. This will cause the system to "lock onto the image and the X-ray overlay will pop up and highlight all of the hidden treasures in orange throughout the world."

The player will then tap on the front screen to display a pointer in the PS3 game which will show them where to look for the collectibles.

Augmented Reality can also be used to to help collect the vast array of tapestries, paintings, mosaics and other ancient artworks scattered through the game. Players can use Vita to snap a picture of the items to "collect" them and earn more money.

During gamescom, Sony announced that those who purchase Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time for PS3 will be able to download the PS Vita version from the PS Network at no additional cost.

You can check out new screenshots of the game here.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time will release in March 2013.