With the recent announcement of the PSPgo, owners of the earlier PSP models are left with a dilemma if whether or not to “upgrade” to the new model. Especially when many people have just picked up a new PSP recently. I haven’t seen the recent NPD sales charts for the current PSP, but I would be left wondering why anyone would actually be purchasing a PSP right now and not waiting for the new PSPgo.
Is the PSPgo even worth upgrading to? Sony seems to think so and even though they say, “they will be continuing to support the older models with UMD, etc”. That doesn’t seem to be on the same minds of many developers now a days. That includes Sony themselves with titles like “Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! What Did I Do To Deserve This?” releasing through digital download only on the PSN store. We saw this already when Patapon 2 was released exclusively through the PSN store in May. Sony simply said it was ”a one time test case.”
Sounds like a marketing ploy to get us to continue to buy the current PSP version, while they roll out the new PSPgo and then hit us with a “PSN store only” wave of games. Granted a large collection of games may still see the light of day with UMD and you can still access the PSN store and download these exclusive’s on your current PSP, but let’s be real… Formatting a game or movie onto UMD is expensive compared to selling the content through the PSN store. If they honestly had plans to continue support with UMD and wanted the new PSPgo to be backwards compatible with your UMD collection they would already have details on that since the debut announcement of the PSPgo.
The thought that Sony has yet to release an actual contender to the iPhone yet is simply shocking to me. Oh, theres rumors of that still in production to this day and I honestly think they will release an actual “PSPhone”, or at least give us some news about it at some point. Sony says the PSPgo is competing with the iPhone, but I see it more as a contender to the iPod touch. For the simple fact that it doesn’t have a phone service. The PSP has had service to skype for a feeling similar to a phone but let’s be real again, it’s not the same.
Sony Entertainment needs to work along with Sony Erickson and a phone service provider to really work on an actual “iPhone killer”. If they ever do… you’re still left wondering if they could ever actually defeat the iPhone. Much like the Next-Gen console war, which Sony is losing due in part to the 360′s release a year earlier, it would feel like Sony is yet again too late to actually defeat the Apple giant; as the iPhone has a large consumer base behind it.
If a PSPhone, were to come out, it would have to truly re-invent the phone industry and the gaming industry as well. Any Sony PSP released like an iPhone copy or simply a PSP with phone service, would be a disaster for Sony. They wouldn’t have a chance in bringing down the iPhone (much like other phones at this moment), but I’m sure Sony would come up with another marketing ploy saying, “the PSPhone has a Ten Year life cycle” or something to get you to get it. Don’t get me wrong, it will sell and probably sell very well and be a decent device, but will it be worth it compared to the iPhone?
Who knows… maybe they could re-invent or offer something new to the phone and gaming industry. You may not think much of PSN right now but it has grown tremendously in just 2 short years. I would go as far as saying PSN offers the same as XboxLive if not more, despite the lack of friends on your friends list. That is thankfully starting to change thanks to successful games like Killzone 2 and Little Big Planet. Which have helped boost most Ps3 owner’s friend’s list quite a bit. Sony even has plans to incorporate PSN into other devices including TV’s and other Sony products. They have already incorporated the XMB into new Bravia TV sets as well as Internet Video Link to stream HD video directly to your set over the ‘net.’ You can even access your PS3 through Sony’s Aino mobile phone.
Finally, we have new rumors of an actual “PSP2″ in production.
According to Kotaku:
Reports of a PSP2 has surfaced thanks to Eurogamer’s Spanish outpost reckon they’re in possession of some specs for an all-new PlayStation Portable. The Specs show it could output games on the same level as the original Xbox, and is built around a newer version of Imagination Technology’s PowerVR SGX543MP, which in its improved state would be a quad core chip. It’s claimed this thing would be able to run Open GL 2.0 and, somehow, DirectX 10.
If this is true and they are just planning another gaming machine similar to the original PSP then I will officially be left in shock at Sony for not reaching this product into the phone industry. My guess would have to be that the PSPgo is a product much like the iPod Touch, to test the release of a “PSPhone”. Sony better start moving quicker on decisions if they plan to stay ahead of the game.
Make sure to sound off below on what you think the future of the PSP should be.
The future of the PSP should look just like the past. A strong, „high end“ handeld gaming device, nothing more.
I don’t really understand why Sony even considers making a PSPhone. Hardcore gamers won’t really care about a phone function, and those people who like these kinds of things probably already own something like an iPhone.
Of course, my opinion is the opinion of a core gamer. I don’t care about extra gadgets, features what-so-ever, but let’s face it: The PSP is NOT a casual gaming device. Sure, Sony can release a PSPhone and probably make some people happy, but in the end of the day (HA, I can’t believe I wrote that … <.<) they are just going to screw over those who have been loyal to the PSP.
Also, without any real competition (since the DS and PSP are nothing alike), I don’t think that we will see a PSP2 too soon, simply because Sony doesn’t have to bother … and of course because of the PSPgo.
All we can do is hope that Sony somehow gets back on track, you know, like Microsoft announcing a handheld, that would be nice.
There needs to be a PSP2 that has the functionality of the PS3. It needs dual analog nubs, strong hardware, and great titles. That’s it. PSPs do a lot of what it needs to do, it just needs to be fully realized.
Get a great FPS on a PSP2 and mobile gamers will go absolutely insane.
Scenario: You and you friends have been coming over and doing online gaming sessions by bringing there consoles and fragging it up.
PSP2: If you have a badass FPS on the PSP2, everyone needs to just bring themselves, because a PSP2 fits in your pocket.
Scenario: You have a clan match, but you are a dunce and are currently eating at a KFC or something.
PSP2: Your clan match is on the PSP2′s signature FPS title and the restaurant you are in has free wifi. you turn on your PSP2, enter the game from the HD, and frag.
Scenario: You are really into PSP2′s signature FPS, and tell your friend all about it. Your friend wants a PSP2, but has been wondering about how good the FPS’s are.
PSP2: You pull the PSP2 out of your pocket and just fuckin’ show him the damn game.
Scenario: Microsoft announces it’s bringing the Halo franchise to it’s newly announced handheld gaming device.
PSP2: Ahead of the game, for once.
Is it really a silly thing to think that a hardcore FPS on a dual analog PSP would secure it in the hearts of the gamer? NO. Absolutely not. FPS is, was, and forever will be and definitive genre that will make or break a platform regardless of how many other great games there are in different genres.
You make a GREAT FPS that only you have and you are set. You are done. Continue to make new games, do all the things you are good at doing, and just cater to the FPS fans.
And just so it’s clear, I actually like RTS a lot better than FPS. But, FPS is still fun as Hell, and NONE of my friends play RTS.
Well, unfortunately, we know that Sony won’t be releasing a dual-analog PSP any time soon (much to my chagrin), mostly in part because they do not want people going out and by the “Lite” version of the PS3 for 200 or so instead of 400. That sucks. That means Remote Play will forever be handicapped.
Background: I’ve owned a Slim PS2, 2 PSPs (1000 and 2000, screw the 3000 and its messed up screen) and 1 PS3.
Releasing the PSPgo was sooooooo dumb. Who wants that? There are no advantages to the system sans digital download. It costs more and you get a smaller screen, and I KNOW that sliding screens break all the time… If they in fact want to compete with Apple, then they simply do not understand Apple’s marketing technique. Any fan knows Apple is releasing new iPods every fall, and rumors are that the new iPod touch is going to be waaaaayyy different than the old one. Sony is therefore competing with past products in about two months time, and not staying ahead of the curve- just like you mentioned.
So much potential, but Sony’s too greedy.
Can I just say that if a PSP came out that looked like this http://gamehunter.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/psp2_00.jpg, I would be first in line? That’s so hot!