Sony rules out PSP 2

SCEE president David Reeves has told MCV that Sony currently has no plans for a ‘PSP2′.

The exec moved to debunk web reports which earlier this month claimed the firm had signed a memory chip deal for the device.

No, there are currently no plans for a PSP2. I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it – I think they have their hands full at the moment,” he remarked.

Reeves said that Sony is instead focusing on continually improving the current generation of the handheld format. As Nintendo has done with the DS, which has transitioned to the DS Lite and upcoming DSi handheld, Sony has released upgraded versions of the PSP, which have reduced its form factor and added technology like a built-in microphone.

We just launched the PSP-3000 so we are still focused on this generation of the platform,” said Reeves.

However, he admitted that despite continually improved hardware and firmware, gaming software has been the device’s achilles heel, as developers only have so much time to focus on the variety of competing platforms the current generation has brought with it.

The PSP is as successful in numbers as PS2 – it tracks its numbers in a cumulative basis,” he said.

Its weakness, however, is its software. And that’s because developers, when it comes to placing their bets, have to choose PS3 and 360, then Wii, then DS, maybe even PS2 before PSP. It’s the same at our internal studios, where the focus has been on PS3. They’ve also focused a lot on PS2 as well because we have to get the SingStars out for that format. So PSP games will come – they just take a while longer.”

Reeves added that Sony was looking to find new ways that would further stimulate the PSP market, having already successfully launched a dedicated PSP version of the PlayStation Store for downloadable titles.