UK outlets debate merits of download-centric redesign; New model will be announced at E3 early next month
The next PSP might not be unveiled for another two weeks, but retailers are already debating the merits of the device.
Sources have confirmed to MCV that the next iteration of the PlayStation Portable, which will feature a cosmetic facelift and ditches the UMD disc format, will form a key part of the format holder’s press conference at E3 on June 2nd.
Games for the device, which sports a new compact ‘slide open’ design that conceals the controls under the screen when not in use, will be primarily available through the Store on the PlayStation Network.
MCV also understands that select developers and publishers have already been briefed on the device.
Speaking in an interview published today, Sony's European studio boss Michael Denny reiterated that the platform holder is planning to introduce new IP to the device later this year.
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He said: “We are looking for new and innovative PSP titles all the time. We already have downloadable content on the platform and are encouraging more of that as well. It’s the same as we have done on PS3.”
But leading games retailers are already asking questions about what that strategy might mean for them.
Online independent ShopTo told MCV that it is wary of a download service becoming the main way to supply games to the device.
“I do not see why a retailer should push users towards going to an official site to download a game,” said the site’s Igor Cipoletta. “There’s the risk that next time they’ll go directly to them again, unless Sony and the publishers are going to run an affiliate programme for the retailers.”
But bricks and mortar retailers are nevertheless optimistic about any upgrade to the device.
Should the device properly eschew software sales at retail, Asda’s Jon Biggs added, retailers will have to carefully examine how to position the device: “It would certainly need careful consideration to understand the viability of a hardware platform as a retail proposition without the ability to bring consumers back to the store for software.”
But a level-headed GAME says it is keen to work with Sony and keep watching and learning what consumers want when in comes to digital distribution – and it isn't worried about digital sales harming its business just yet.
“We recognise that digital distribution will be part of the way consumers shop in future – we will just work very closely with the hardware manufacturers and the publishers as we do today and look at the ways in which we can ensure that we are driving the best value from our marketplace going forward," said CEO Lisa Morgan
She added: “Regardless of all of these things that are evolving in terms of distribution streams, customers will tell us the way in which they want to shop.
“Today, customers predominantly want to shop in our stores and a growing number want ecommerce.”
Comments
Not a big problem for big retailers
Well I dont think its a big problem for major retailers, if not nobody would be selling the iPod touch, which they are only one way to put new contents on it and that is by buying from the AppStore which Apple own and control. They just need to work out some deals with the retailers that make them make some reasonable money on selling the devices itself. I dunno what is the margin that retailers have on the iPod touch, Sony need to offer something similar to what Apple does.
psp go
downloadable games?
o please the psn is far to slow.
it took me 4 hours to download the infamous demo.
it took me 70 minutes to download the bionic commando patch.
70 minutes to download 18MB imagine how long it would take to dowload`a psp game.
why should i wait several hours waste my download usage when i can take a 5 minute drive down to EB and buy the game.
5 minute drive or several hour wait plus download usage wasted wich one would you choose.
if my laptop can download 58MB in less than 3 minutes WTF does my ps3 take so long to download a 18MB file.
well atleast now i understand why you have to pay for xbox live, as the sony fanboys allways say you get what you pay for.
How slow?
4 HOURS? my good sir i don't know what connection you have byt it takes me 30 mins MAX to download a 500 mb demo, if the connection is slow.
Don't blame the service for a slow connection or download. + Can depend on the amount of traffic in your local area.
psp go
i agree with man who sed he could go to a shop quiker than the download,
and i agree, with everyone pushing for dlc, i think its rubish.
it has its merits, but its crap basically.
i want a disk
i want a box with nice artwork, damn i want a mother F*****
compact disk, i dont want an inferior mp3,
compresion is so out of date, with massive terabyte hard drives goin for cheap, who cares about the file size difference.
peopel say dlc is good, ...its not
not until the whole world has broadband, ur fone gets chipped into your brain from birth, its the year 2050, and there no shops....
then il buy dlc...mothr ***** dlc.
il never buy it. principal.
psp go
you obviously dident read my whole comment.
IF i can download a 58MB file in less than 3 minutes how can it be my internet connection.
heres another one for ya today i downloaded the red faction gurilla SP demo.
guess how long it took 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM explain that.
psp go
off my laptop forgot to put that in.
ive got ADSL2+ BTW so its not my connection speed its sonys shitty servers.
PSP Go
Would there be any means to transfer currently owned UMDs onto a memory stick? If not, i think i'm out.
i'd love the redesigned PSP, but i want to be able to play the games i already have on it. I've just bought Resistance Retribution (great game) so i don't want to have to buy it again on download.
I generally don't mind the download option, as long as i don't forgo my current purchases.
@name - i think there must be a problem with you PS3 connection, my download speeds seem to be far faster.
RIP Discs...
In the future I think disc will be done away with so it'll be all downloads. By cutting out stores, games will be cheaper. If anyone thinks otherwise, you're living in the clouds...
psp go
can you flip it up like a sidekick
shpieman is living in the clouds
Gary - I must be living in the clouds. Games companies will not use downloads as an excuse to make games cheaper, they will use downloads as an excuse to make more profit from the same price point (see GT:Prologue on the PSN Store - I actually saw it cheaper at ShopTo than on PSN) and it will also allow them to control the prices too. If discs disappear, shops like Game and Tesco won't be able to massively reduce the price of the latest release at Christmas to attract business in. There will be no need to attract business in as the PSN will be the only place to purchase. It's a grim outlook, I'm afraid.
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