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PSP Go launch generates 'platform' sales boost
Without disclosing actual sales figures, Sony has found a way to trumpet last week's launch of the PSP Go: In its first three days at retail (October 1–3), North American PSP platform sales soared by 300 percent over the previous week's figures. Again, we don't yet know the numbers -- but that's not even the most important part of the equation.Read it again: PSP platform sales soared by 300 percent. Whether the Go tanks or not, it's got the PSP brand on consumers' wish lists again. "With several blockbuster games launching digitally and on UMD in the coming weeks -- from LittleBigPlanet to Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines -- we expect this momentum to continue and look forward to a strong holiday season for both the PSP Go and PSP-3000," SCEA corp. comm. director Patrick Seybold told Gamasutra.The PSP Go currently retails for around $250, and its most compelling trait could be that it highlights what a great deal the only $169.99 PSP-3000 model is -- it plays all the same games, after all; from Minis to full-game downloadables.
PSP Go launch inspires three-fold sales increase for platform
Like it or not, the PSP Go is loose in the wild, sashaying around with neither physical media nor respect for sensible price-points. Nevertheless, it has generated a rather sizeable boost in interest for the PSP platform as a whole, with Sony saying that sales for all PSPs are up 300 percent over the week before the console launched. It's easy to see why, given the buzz surrounding the new iteration of the hardware as well as the hugely anticipated Gran Turismo finally coming to fruition. What we don't know is how many of those new sales were of the Go and how many were of the existing PSP-3000, a stat that would have shown whether indeed the "aspirational" new system would inspire some to just go ahead and buy the old system instead. We know which we would choose, how about you?[Via gamesindustry.biz]
Independent UK retailer boss expects PSP Go to 'fail miserably'
The managing director of Chips, the UK's largest independent game store chain, doesn't see a bright future for Sony's new PSP Go. In fact, during a little pow-wow with GI.biz, Don McCabe said, "I'm 99.9 per cent sure it's going to fail miserably, in which case it's going to put back other potential people coming into that digital space." Wow, that's a lot of certainty! McCabe doesn't point to any one thing about the new handheld as a deterrent for potential customers (examples: price; no UMD; crazy cable accessories), but seems adamant that the system isn't destined to "go anywhere." Of course, this comes in stark contrast to Sony's opinion that PSP Go sales are meeting expectations. If both end up being correct, those must have been some weirdly low expectations.
Here's that second PSP analog stick you wanted
Tim Magoolaghan is quite the modder and has made a Frankensteinian PSP. Aside from the second analog nub he slapped on this custom PSP-2000, he's also added a built-in camera, 32GB of Flash memory (eliminating the UMD slot) and a dedicated charging port that allows USB charging no matter what the handheld is currently doing. In the video interview where he shows off his creation (video past the break), there's also some emulation stuff going on due to the custom firmware, but we don't condone that kind of thing.Tim's whole motivation behind this custom PSP is that he wants to show consumers the older model can do wonderful things that the new PSP Go cannot. He says Sony's new device isn't very consumer friendly and while we think he has something there, it's overshadowed by the fact that he's sitting next to the most annoying woman on the planet. [Thanks, Robin!]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXVII: PXP-2000 aspires to little more than playing NES games, a host of video formats
If we were tickled by how quickly the PSP Go was hacked, we must say that we're surprised at how long it took for this bad boy to get KIRFed. And as most shanzai manufacturers do, they packed as many features into this portable as they could: 4.3-inch display (compared to the PSP Go's 3.8-incher), all kinds of retro gaming support (including NES/Famicom, Gameboy / Gameboy Color, SNES, SFC), a camera of some sort, FM radio, microSD card slot (the device's only form of storage), TV out, and generous video codes: RM, RMVB, AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, MPEG, MPE, MP4, DAT, and MOV. Not exactly "aspirational" at $84, but we'll take it nonetheless. %Gallery-74802% [Via PMP Today]
PSP O Rly? Modder adds camera, custom firmware to Slim, films own infomercial
Very rarely are we rendered speechless by a mod, but we have just seen a video that seriously blew our minds. It seems that someone called JoblessPunk DESIGNS has managed to imbue a PSP Slim with dual nubs (more on that in the video below), a second USB port for charging, a camera, custom firmware (for emulators and the like), and switched out the UMD for 32GB flash memory. But that's only the beginning: this gentleman is on a mission to single-handedly destroy the PSP Go by bringing his own vision of handheld gaming to the masses -- and to help him do just that he's put together one hell of an infomercial, complete with multiple camera angles, a vintage cable access set, and a truly mystifying soundtrack. See for yourself after the break. KK THANKS BYE[Thanks, Robin]
PSP Go already discounted in the UK
Oop. So much for the PSP Go's premium "aspirational" pricing -- several UK retailers have already discounted Sony's newest handheld to £199 ($319) after launch weekend. That's not a massive drop from the £224 ($358) MSRP, but it's still pretty notable, especially considering the PSP-3000 has an MSRP of £139 ($221). No wonder Sony thinks the Go will drive PSP-3000 purchases -- too bad it couldn't figure out a way to make the Go interesting enough to sell itself.
UK retailers already discounting PSP Go
Following the first weekend of PSP Go sales, at least four UK retailers are offering sale prices on the new handheld. Amazon.co.uk, Play, HMV and GAME have all discounted the device to £199.99, which – while still really expensive (it converts to around US $319) – is a significant drop from the MSRP of £224.99. While it's tempting to just write this off as the PSP Go bombing, we're guessing that the MSRP includes some room for retailer profit (unlike the standard price points for most consoles), and these stores are cutting the margins a bit in the interest of competitiveness. Of course, we don't know what the margin is for a Go, but we doubt all these companies would resort to a price drop so soon if they weren't still going to make a lot of money on the venture.
Video: PSP Go hacked, says 'hello world!'
As you'd expect, as soon as the PSP Go hit the shelves the homebrew community came out in force, looking to see which of its fave hacks and exploits might have made the trip from the original PSP to its UMD-less brethren. And here we are, with two videos posted by YouTube member Freeplay offering us tantalizing proof that indeed, at least one has. Of course, the whole thing is pretty rudimentary, the result of exploiting a known bug in an existing PSP game (which this particular hacker is remaining tight-lipped about rather than see Sony patch the thing). Karl B., who helped us to this one, provides a caveat: "It's user-mode only, meaning no flash modification, no piracy, no advanced custom themes, no plug-ins -- none of that." All the same, it does our inner geek a sliver of hope, doesn't it? Videos after the break. [Via PSP Updates, Exophase]
PSP Go scores its first mod job, a handful of white LEDs find a new purpose in life
Who knows what it is about the PSP that engenders such a loyal following of hackers -- both on the hardware and software side. Some of the hardware hacks we've seen are no doubt more impressive than others, but they're all united in a common disregard for warranties and for the most part a deep affection for LEDs. The first PSP Go mod we've seen, done up by roro3030 over at AcidMods, keeps things simple with some strategic, tasteful white LED placement. It's all internally powered and pretty seamless, and provides a nice jumping off point for a community that will be no-doubt eager to consume the PSP Go as a new challenge -- even if the rest of us are busy making frowny faces at that endlessly derided price tag. Video of the lit-up Go is after the break.
WRUP: PSP Go edition
-- Download this week's WRUP-- (Link not currently active, please wait until next week's PSN update -- no UMD available. Sorry, we can't convert previously purchased WRUP to digital version. This digitally distributed WRUP will also cost you more than finding a used UMD copy at your local game store. Please enjoy your PSP Go.)
TGS 2009: The Recap Post
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized! Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: (On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)
Siliconera breaks down PSP game prices: PSN vs. Amazon
Siliconera has gone through the effort of taking all the PlayStation Store's digitally distributed PSP game prices and comparing them to the current cost for a UMD hard copy through Amazon. The list is eye-opening, with the prices shifting -- sometimes dramatically -- between which retail outlet offers the better price. It should be noted that third-party retailers selling through Amazon, which are used for some of the prices in the list, can seriously skew results (especially with the shipping cost added). Sony had previously mentioned it seeks to maintain "pricing parity" between its digital and boxed titles. Go over to Siliconera to check out the full list. Oh, and if you'd like to see comparisons to retailers other than Amazon, why not offer your research services to them.
European PSN releases for October 1
We hope you've been regularly exercising your ocular muscles -- they'll need to be pretty beefy to make it through this weeks European PSN update. There's a smattering of stuff that's been added for the PS3, the most notable of which being Watchmen costumes in LittleBigPlanet, but the star of this week's show is the PSP Go. Check out the list after the jump for a full list of downloadable titles now available for the platform. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Sony's PSP Go available t-t-t-today junior!
It may not do UMDs, but it does fun, and it does it well. Just in case you've forgotten -- after all, it's not like anything really happened in September to mess with your memory -- today's the day to find Sony's PSP Go on store shelves. $249.99, you, your local retailer and some fancy digital content -- it's a date. Isn't it?
PSA: NIS America's PSP re-releases half price on PSN
As we reported earlier this month, NIS America is making several of its previously UMD-only PSP games available for download from the US PlayStation Store late tonight / early tomorrow morning to coincide with the launch of PSP Go. For a period of one week, Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness, Dragoneer's Aria, Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman!, Mana Khemia: Student Alliance and Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? will be available at 50% off their normal cost -- a welcome offer, given that many digital titles on the store are keeping pricing parity with their retail UMD equivalents.NIS is also asking visitors to the PlayStation Blog whether they want to see a UMD release of Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! by means of a poll that currently has the "ayes" and "nays" running nearly neck-and-neck.
PSN Thursday: All systems are PSP Go for a massive update
If a PSN Update could be a classified as a zombie invasion, consider this humble paragraph the red door keeping the horde at bay. Once you click past the break, be prepared for an update the likes of which you've never seen. It's big, it's scary and it's going to eat your brains ... in a good way. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
PSP firmware 6.10 is live and ready to Go
Version 6.10 of Sony's handheld's firmware announced earlier this evening is now ready for download. Hit the System Update option from the Settings section of your XMB, download, install and let us know what you think of the "mood music" SensMe whips up from your song library. Much to our disappointment, initial testing reveals that Sony didn't implement our "I just made an expensive impulse purchase" mood after all.
PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go
The PSP Go isn't even out yet and Sony's already dishing out the feature updates -- PSP firmware 6.10, announced today, allows the slider handheld to tether to your cellphone over Bluetooth for remote internet access. That's actually a pretty handy feature for a system that relies on network game distribution, don't you think? That's not all, however: all PSPs will get a new XMB feature called SensMe which can generate playlists based on "moods," and the PC-based MediaGo software is being updated as well. Not a bad haul -- we'll let you know when it goes live. SensMe video after the break. [Via Joystiq]
PSP firmware 6.10 coming 'soon,' introduces PSP Go cell phone tethering
PlayStation Network's Eric Lempel has just announced via the PlayStation Blog that PSP firmware version 6.10 -- which he dubs "a big update" -- will be available soon. The update will add a new feature, SensMe, to the system's XMB. This music player, announced at E3, can be used to generate playlists from songs stored on the system based on pre-defined "moods."The most substantial addition, however, will only work with the PSP Go. Using the Go's built-in Bluetooth networking, owners of the new system will be able to tether the device to their Bluetooth-capable mobile phones and use them as wireless modems for internet access beyond WiFi hotspots -- essentially wherever a cellular data network is available.An update to the free MediaGo software -- designed for transferring PS Store items and media to and from the PSP using a PC -- will be available for download tomorrow, October 1, according to Lempel. We'll update once PSP firmware v6.10 goes live. In the meantime, you can watch SensMe in action after the break.
