In an interview with GameBusiness.jp, Sony product planning division leader Naoya Matsui has revealed that Sony had planned an UMD-less PSP since the launch of the handheld:
"We'd planned to release a PSP model without a UMD drive since the very beginning. But if we'd simply released the hardware, there wouldn't have been much for everyone to enjoy. We needed to prepare the right environment for it first - things like the transferral [sic] of content with the PS3 and PSN, and PC software to manage content like music and movies such as Media Go."
That certainly makes sense on the surface, with digital distribution evolving a lot since the PSP's release. Personally, I'm theoretically a fan of the PSPgo, but not for $250. A lot of it is going to depend on how expensive and complicated the process of moving from UMDs to downloads will be. Hopefully, Sony can figure out a relatively painless process.
On the other hand, Sony is known for saying one thing and then doing another. Remember when they didn't actually want rumble on the SIXAXIS, then released the DualShock 3? Remember when backwards compatibility was a big focus for the PS3 and then disappeared?
Besides, what will become of all of those UMD movies?! Do you believe Sony on this one?
Comments
Displaying 1–18 of 18
ZyloWolfBane
Then why didnt they wait the 4-5 years it took to make it before people spent money on....2 versions of a system that they had always planned on replacing from the start with a disc format that would also be eliminated?
I dont think anyone would have missed the PSP THAT much if they had just waited to release the PSP-Go from the start, then we would have also been saved from all the crappy titles the PSP has had.
IcemanMX
That is a load of bull. Do you honestly believe that Sony would still be making this statement if the UMD format would have taken off and become very profitable?
-M
Brian Leahy
@IcemanMX,
Excellent point. UMD's are just clunky. The load times alone hurt my enjoyment of the PSP more than anything else.
JohnnyBuku
Liar Liar Pants ON Fire!
Able
@Zylo
If they just went for downloads 4-5 years ago, how where ppl to store the games. Back then the cost for memory sticks where very expencive. The umd was a good way to store and play the games. Now that memroy cards are cheap and easy to get and the internet is fast enough now, Sony has a way to ween ppl over to the downloads. But the cool things is all the psp's can download games not just the psp go.
ZyloWolfBane
I mean yes the load times on alot of PSP titles were a bit extreme, but their excuse for having a "More Accessable" way to distribute their titles is a good enough reason to totally eliminate the UMD for Digital only.
It had nothing to do with lack of distribution or advertising, PSP had very few games that were quality enough to be worth owning a PSP for and to be worth the $39 price tag for a UMD, its like blaming the client for not liking a sub-par presentation.
Able
@iceman
To add to Brians responce, I rather have a psp with downloads then to carry around many umd's. A protable handheld should be portable, not a system where you have to carry along the disks.
The only reason ppl are hooked onto the umds now because its become the norm, but when ppl start downloading more and more content from the psn, then the downloads will be the norm, and the umds will be obsolete.
jamie543
plus digital distribution wasnt very big back then and today people still like having a "hard copy"
Sterling McGarvey
Sony's trying to compromise to please everyone, even if its spin is transparent (or the interview translation is inaccurate, or both).
People like us (and by "us" I mean, all of us who read gaming news on the Internet) are likely okay with the idea of digital distribution. After all, we're constantly connected and engaged.
On the other hand, there's a lot of rural America where broadband penetration isn't so awesome, and download speeds are a joke. PSP owners in those areas are probably better suited to buying games on UMD at their local Wal-Mart. I don't think Sony's going to turn its back on those customers or people who want a physical medium (parents who can't be arsed to care about the process of downloading a game for their kids' PSPs).
I think that's also Activision's current strategy for Guitar Hero. Why put out digital releases when your biggest consumer base is more willing to pay for a new disc instead of a trickling of downloads?
nighttrain32
the reason they didn't have umd-less psp is because back in late 04/early 05 there was no ps store. people are complaining about how this is crap but we all kno what happens to products that come before their time. there are still A LOT of people who don't know 1MB from 1GB so selling discs makes more sense than confusing your consumer. i have a phat psp so i'll be picking the go up to mod it.
BertSaxby
No. They had intended to make a lot of money on portable movies. It failed because the hardware was too limited and the format didn't make a lot of sense. Now that streaming is popular, it's now an unnecessary expense. It's a way for them to not call it a boondoggle.
kkotd
I really don't get these interviews that keep coming out... Tell all your people to shut up before that hole you dug yourselves in with the $250 price point gets deeper... GEEZE
DEwwIC8
lets just hope they are telling to the truth
ProjektX13
SHENANIGANS!!!!!!
Yonash
to those complaining about a mobile device needing to be mobile and not have to carry disks, explain to me every other handheld device out there, other than the DSi (which was JUST released, mind you). the DS, all Game Boys, Game Gear, whatever...every single mobile gaming device has game cartridges or cards or something, how is a UMD any different than that?
Beetlevegas
I have a easy question. Waht Came out first? PS3 or the PSP?
If any one can answer that?
poker909
I believe the idea came up, but the smart person who thought of it obviously was shot down.
Giga
i have no doubt that it was an option on the table but was turned down not because of lack of support but because they probably figured people wouldnt by games with out physical media but when iphone gaming became big they realized they where wrong
Displaying 1–18 of 18
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