October 2, 2009
Ushering in the Digital Age: Sony
Launches the PSPgo
By: Steven Hopper
Sony has taken a mighty leap into
a future free of physical media. But is it enough?
A few months ago, I posted an
article about a proposed PSP revision. Featuring a redesigned body and no UMD
support, the device (which was then only doing the rounds of the rumor mill at
the time) would be quite a change for the PSP line, but there were many
questions that I felt needed to be answered.
Now flash to today, and the
aforementioned device is not only a reality, but is now in stores for gamers to
get their hands on the system, the PSPgo. The PSPgo does pretty much what the
rumors stated it would; it does away with UMDs and instead relies on a strictly
download model where games are downloaded to the system’s memory via the
PlayStation Network, and offers a much smaller slimmer design, making it a highly
portable system on all fronts. Gone is the need to tote around easily damaged
discs as the system offers enough on-board space to comfortably save more than a
dozen games.
Sony’s all digital device is a step in the right
direction, but are PSP gamers in a walking mood?
However, some of the moves made by
Sony leading up to and following the system’s launch have reminded me of my
previous concerns from several months back, and even confirmed my fears in a few
regards. Not only is there no way of getting existing owners to play games that
they invested in prior to the system, but the system is not nearly as cheap as
many would hope, launching at a whopping 250 bucks, a solid 80 dollars less than
the UMD-capable PSP-3000 (and for the record, only 50 dollars cheaper than a new
PS3 Slim).
There has certainly been a firestorm
of controversy surrounding the system in the weeks leading up to its release,
thanks in no small part to its incentive programs, or lack thereof. While many
current PSP owners rallied around the system at first due to statements made
that had hinted at a "goodwill" program that would allow existing owners to
upgrade to the system and get download vouchers for the UMD games that they’ve
purchased, that idea has been thrown to the wayside, and North America will get
no such program. Perhaps even more disheartening is that both the UK and
Australia will receive three free game vouchers (chosen from a list of 17) if
they have a previous PSP model and at least one UMD game. The fact that North
America gets the shaft in this situation won’t work wonders for the system’s
public image stateside.
While I can’t speak for the hardware
itself (my time with the system is limited to a few short moments months ago at
E3 2009), the launch of the PSPgo ushered in some changes yesterday to the PSN
storefront. Presenting several new downloadable offerings on the platform from a
variety of different publishers, and including a mix of brand new high-profile
titles like Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny and Gran Turismo, new PSP minis, and
some older titles as well. While it’s nice (and expected) that Sony would beef up
the platform’s PSP roster leading up to the PSPgo’s launch, there are still some
pricing issues. The pricing in the PSN is a mixed bag, as some games seem to
sell for well under their UMD-based store-bought counterparts while others are
much more than what you could find them in a store, used or new, for that
matter.
Not shown: empty wallet
It’s pretty safe to assume what Sony
was going for when they created this system. After seeing Apple’s success with
their App Store and games on their platform, Sony probably wanted to take them
on. It makes perfect sense; Apple’s trying to hone in on the gaming market,
something that Sony is quite familiar with, so why not try to beat them at their
own game? However, the problem with that is the people aren’t buying the iPhone
or iPod Touch because they want a gaming system. They want an all-in-one device
that gives them the freedom to run a variety of apps, play music, movies, and
also games. Granted, the PSPgo also plays movies and music pretty well, but when
people think PSP, they think of a gaming experience above all else, and that’s
just not want the average iPod Touch consumer has at the forefront of their
minds when it comes to dropping some hard-earned cash on techie-goodness. And
considering the hefty price points for both devices, it’s definitely food for
thought.
Still, in spite of these concerns,
it’s hard to write the PSPgo off. Sony is making a pretty ballsy move with the
system. Being the first hardware creator to jump into the digital-only fray is a
huge move, and a step towards what we can expect in the future of gaming, and
the PSPgo is definitely an important one. However, Sony has a long
road ahead for the PSPgo, and a lot of work to do to make the system a viable
one for hardcore gamers.
