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Sony thinks its "aspirational" PSP Go might encourage an uptick in PSP-3000 purchases
We've heard plenty of arguments for high priced products before -- many of them from Sony, oddly enough -- but this has to one of the odder ones. Sony UK's Claire Blackhouse says that Sony was actually expecting a greater backlash from retailers than it got in regards to the PSP Go, and that many retailers are seeing the new launch as a way to get consumers into stores, at which point they'll realize they're too poor for a PSP Go and might end walking out with a PSP-3000 instead. Sadly, the logic sounds pretty sound, though Claire's own suggestions that some families might get a PSP Go for dad and PSP 3000s for the kids seems a little fantastical -- kinda hard for dad to rock those Hannah Montana UMDs, yeah Sony? [Via Joystiq]
Retailers pleased with PSP Go ... because it helps sell the PSP-3000
Despite word from a few European retailers that Sony's download-only handheld, the PSP Go, won't be sold in their stores, the company's UK product manager isn't afraid of poor sales. Even with no ability to read physical media (read as: nothing for retail to sell other than the console), and a £224.99 price point ($362.07 -- seriously), Sony's Claire Blackhouse says retailers are happy to have the new console in their stores. "We were very aware of concerns when we went into it and I actually expected a lot more negative responses than we actually got," Blackhouse told GamesIndustry.biz. "[The retailers] were really quite fine with it." Furthermore, she says that retailers see the console launch this week as a "way of getting people into the store," that those not able to afford the new hardware will "aspire to it" and "might buy the PSP 3000 instead." She even riffs on a PSP-ified family, where "dad might buy the PSP Go but the kids might get PSP 3000s." Sony's 180° marketing shift we've seen recently for the PSP 3000 certainly helps to serve as proof of the company's belief in this strategy. Only time will tell if it'll work.
Video hands-on: PSP Go
We've had our very own PSP Go for a little over a week now in preparation for the review of the system we posted earlier today. When we first got it in, we were limited to showing you a video of the unboxing -- accompanied by some upbeat jazz -- but today it's all fair game. We wanted to make a video to compliment our review by showing the system in action, sizing it up against other handhelds, taking a look at loading times and demoing some of its exclusive features. We believe the above video is that video. In fact, we know it is, because we've watched it about a dozen times. We hope you'll want to watch it just as many, but we'll understand if you want to keep it to, say, two or four viewings. (If only to appreciate the Garrison Keillor-esque cadence and model-caliber hands of its narrator.)
PSP Go found in the wild being sold ahead of October 1st launch date?
Feel free to feign surprise, but seeing how Sony handled the PlayStation 3 Slim's launch, we kind of expected this. According to an anonymous tipster, at least one Metro Atlanta-area Target store has the PSP Go in stock and is apparently already selling them to (presumably) eager customers. So much for that October 1st street date, but you're still gonna have to wait until then for all the new digital content. We've pinged Sony for more details. In the meantime, anyone else happen upon the new portable during their daily travels?
Review: PSP Go
Click for even bigger PSP, larger hand Announced just over four months ago, the PSP Go will hit store shelves worldwide this Thursday, October 1. By its very nature as a flash memory–based device -- and its incompatibility with already-owned UMD titles -- Sony's latest incarnation of the PlayStation Portable is leaping out of the gate with a considerable handicap. Early adopters, the devoted Sony and PSP fans, are going to find themselves wowed by the hardware, but a little unsure of what to do next.The Go is a wonderful gadget -- it's beautiful to look at, feels great to hold in your hands and certainly has the air of a high-end, tech lust–worthy device. There's just that aforementioned inability to play your existing games and a only-$50-less-than-a-PS3 price tag serving as Exhibit A; and B is the little angel on your shoulder who's saying you don't need to spend $250 on another PSP.%Gallery-73478%
Video: PSP Go torn down, owners counseled on warranty violation
Sure, most of you are interested in the playability and durability of your gaming devices -- that's why we do our extensive, award-winning reviews (for instance, our latest PSP Go review is quite a page-turner). But sometimes you just want to rip into a device and see the chips and the solder -- that's why we're grateful that the kids at iFixit have provided us with a complete tear-down guide, featuring step-by-step instructions and plenty of pretty pictures. Apparently, the Go owes its diminutive size to the fact that it eschews an internal metal framework altogether (instead relying on the external plastic shell to provide structural integrity). But don't take our word for it! Check out the full video below -- it's basically Hostel with a handheld gaming device.
PSP Go review
At last, Sony's other worst-kept secret, the UMD-less PSP Go, is working its way through retail channels this week. The device itself is a marked improvement, but of course that's not the whole story. In many ways antithetical to the hype surrounding the PlayStation 3 Slim, the debut of the Go has been marred by some pretty downtrodden decisions on Sony's part, most notably the $250 price tag, an utter lack of compatibility with any previous PSP accessories, and no UMD conversion program. Will newcomers flock to the system? Will veterans upgrade? Read on for our full impressions! %Gallery-74096%
Sony America abandons UMD-to-PSP Go "good will" program, offers 225 games at full retail price instead
You know that UMD-to-PSP Go conversion program? Ain't gonna happen. The "good will" program that would have provided free (or at least heavily discounted) digital copies of games already purchased on UMD discs has been scrapped. A spokesman for SCEA said, "We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time." Adding insult to injury, the PSP Go Rewards program offering 3 free games to European UMD owners will not be offered in the US. That's the bad news. The not so bad news is that 16,000 pieces of digital content will be available for the US PSP Go launch on October 1st. These include 225 downloadable games (full PSP titles, PSN exclusives, UMD legacy titles, and Minis), 2,300 films, and 13,300 television episodes. Still, not quite the "at least 300" digital games we were expecting. So US PSP owners, still planning to "upgrade?"Read -- UMD-to-PSP Go program scrappedRead -- 225 games at US launch
PSP Go to have 16,000 pieces of downloadable content at launch (including old stuff)
Okay, so the PSP Go won't have any upgrade incentive programs for owners of older generation PSPs -- at least there will be plenty of purchasing options for those who still decide to make the switch. According to a Sony memo recently received by IGN, the PSP Go will have 16,000 pieces of digital content available for PlayStation Store perusers from the day the device hits store shelves. (Well, store shelves located inside stores that haven't boycotted it.) Sony broke this number down, claiming that the Store will house 225 full downloadable games (including PSP titles, PSN-exclusives, UMD Legacy titles and PSP Minis), 2,300 movies and 13,300 television episodes by October 1. Sony highlighted Gran Turismo PSP, God of War: Chains of Olympus and Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny as a few notable day-one downloadables. Those who rely on visits to their nearest gaming retailer for social interaction can purchase download codes for a number of other titles, including Daxter and Secret Agent Clank. See, retailers? The folks at Sony hasn't left you completely out in the cold. You can stop giving them the stink-eye now.
Sony America scraps UMD-to-PSP Go conversion plans
Sony director of hardware marketing John Koller mentioned shortly after the E3 "reveal" of the PSP Go that the company was considering a "good will program," which would allow UMD owners to trade in their physical games for digital versions. However, yesterday at the Tokyo Game Show, an SCEA spokesperson told Kotaku, "We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time." That's quite a blow to the base of American PSP owners with large libraries of UMD titles looking to upgrade to a PSP Go -- a blow significantly worsened by the European "PSP Go Rewards" initiative, which grants three free games to PSP Go purchasers who register for the promotion using an older PSP model. This same promotion will not be coming to the US. "SCEA region will not offer a UMD rewards program at this time," due to the fact that the company has a "dual-platform strategy," an SCEA spokesperson has explained to IndustryGamers. Ironically enough, we have a "we'd rather not purchase our PSP games again to play them on a new version of your handheld" strategy going for us. It's working out pretty well so far.
PSP Go upgrade incentive rewards 3 free games to UMD owners
Sony has finally figured out how to incentivize the UMD-less PSP Go for those who possess a towering library of tangible titles for the original models of the device. The company recently announced the "PSP Go Rewards" program for European territories, which offers three free games to anyone who registers the flip-screened handheld before March 31, 2010. To access these titles, users must first connect their older PSP models (which must have a UMD in the drive) to the PlayStation Network, and activate the promotion. The full list of 17 titles, which users can choose their three free games from, is posted after the jump. No, Pocket Pool isn't on there. We know! It's like, what's the point, right? We've contacted Sony to see if the same promotion is coming to North America, and whether this unforgivable oversight will be fixed on its way over.
Stop and look at PSP Go's ridiculous Converter 'Cable'
Click to make fun of it. As we discovered at E3 earlier this year, the PSP Go isn't compatible with your current PSP accessories, including the rarely-used PSP camera. With Invizimals coming to the PSP next year, we wondered if PSP Go owners would miss out on the fun. The good news: Sony's figured out a solution. The bad news? It looks like the picture you see above."With the new Converter Cable Adaptor, PSPgo users will be able to utilize the existing peripherals for PSP," Sony announced at Tokyo Game Show today. Peripherals like the 1Seg Tuner and GPS Receiver will be able to fit in the Go's proprietary "Multi use connector." Looking at the picture, this "cable" will wrap around the system, letting PSP Go owners plug new devices atop the system. Considering it adds a significant amount of bulk to the system, doesn't this conversion defeat the portable aspect of the Go entirely?%Gallery-73857%
PSP Go Converter gives you a more well-rounded portable with support for last-gen's peripherals
Honestly, when we first heard the phrase "PSP Go Converter," we were really hoping it something to do with that UMD-to-digital good will program we heard about back at E3 -- but alas, it wasn't meant to be. Instead, the attachment lets you utilize accessories so far only compatible with last-gen PSPs, such as the 1Seg tuner, GPS receiver, and camera -- and if that's not your thing, we're sure it makes the device a tad more aerodynamic, as well. Sony also announced a number of other accessories, including a bluetooth stereo headset. Full press release and pics from the show floor just below. %Gallery-73862% Show full PR text SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES PERIPHERALS FOR PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE)GO Expands the Entertainment World of PSPgo with Attractive Peripheral and Accessory Line-up Tokyo, September 24, 2009 - Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) announced today that it will release Bluetooth® Stereo Head-set Receiver and Converter Cable Adaptor for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)go (PSP-N1000) on December 24, 2009, in Japan, at a recommended retail price of 4,980 yen and 1,980 yen (both including tax), respectively. These peripherals will also become available in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries and regions beginning January 2010*1. Bluetooth Stereo Head-set Receiver With a sleek design that matches perfectly with PSPgo, users will be able to enjoy a variety of entertainment content sounds comfortably through the Bluetooth wireless technology with the combination of commercially available head-phone and head-set. The Bluetooth Stereo Head-set Receiver pairs easily with PSPgo by simply holding the power button of the receiver, and operation buttons on the receiver will also enable users to instantly play, stop, pause, forward, rewind, and adjust the volume of music and videos. Additionally, the receiver can be paired with up to eight Bluetooth devices by using the Multi Pairing Feature. Converter Cable Adaptor With the new Converter Cable Adaptor*2, PSPgo users will be able to utilize the existing peripherals for PSP such as 1Seg Tuner*3, GPS Receiver and Camera designed for PSP-1000, 2000 and 3000 series on the PSPgo system that adopts Multi use connector. Additional peripherals and accessories will be released for PSPgo in conjunction with PSPgo launch in Japan to enhance its portability and convenience of users' use, including: AC Adaptor 2,100 yen (including tax) USB Cable 1,575 yen (including tax) AV Cable 2,200 yen (including tax) D-Terminal AV Cable 2,800 yen (including tax) Component AV Cable 3,000 yen (including tax) Cradle 4,800 yen (including tax) Accessory Pack 6,000 yen (including tax) Display Protection Film 800 yen (including tax) Privacy Film 1,000 yen (including tax) Pouch & Hand Strap (Black/White) 1,000 yen (including tax)/each PSPgo Pouch (Black/Grey) 1,600 yen (including tax)/each PSPgo Leather Case & Hand Strap 4,200 yen (including tax) Car Adaptor 1,980 yen (including tax) SCE will continue to further expand the PlayStation platforms with these new peripheral and accessory line-up with introducing the new PSP line-up, PSPgo.
Sony plans to keep PSP downloads at 'pricing parity,' whatever that means
Here's a great scenario for you, if you happen to be Sony's wallet: charge $250 for a handheld console without a physical game media option, and then charge on average $5 more for downloaded titles than they go for at retail, since you have zero competition in the download space. That seems to be SCEA's definition of "price parity" right now for the PSP, though in Japan downloadable titles have been on average slightly cheaper than their physical counterparts. Sure, it's rough on retailers if they have to compete with a lower-than-MSRP price coming straight Sony, but the likes of Amazon are already at below MSRP on plenty of titles, and we're not so sure consumers are going to take kindly to paying more for less (in the physical sense, anyway) after they already splurged hard on the PSP Go... not that they'll have much choice in the matter, outside of trying their luck at the old swap-a-roo. [Via Joystiq]
Sony to maintain 'pricing parity' for downloadable PSP games
Is it wrong to expect a downloadable game to be priced lower than its boxed retail equivalent? The cost of sending information through the intertubes seems much cheaper than packaging a plastic disc and shipping it halfway across the world. Yet somehow, WipEout Pulse costs $5 more on the PlayStation Store than on Amazon.com. This isn't an isolated case, though. Capcom Classics Collection Remixed is also $5 cheaper to buy at retail than as a download. Hot Shots Golf Open Tee 2 is $6 cheaper at Best Buy than via PSN.While the PlayStation Store is simply offering games at normal retail price, many retailers engage in price wars to gain the loyalty (and dollars) of consumers. Unfortunately, owners of the digital-only PSP Go will never be able to benefit from actual retail pricing, as SCEA's Eric Lempel told Destructoid that "we have pricing parity right now, and it is part of our strategy."In Japan, PSN downloads have been customarily slightly cheaper than retail equivalents. Unfortunately, Lempel isn't open to the idea. "We'd like to keep it that way, keep a level playing field, and again, there's not that much more to say on that topic." We'll see if Sony changes its tune should consumers end up not paying $250 for a system that only plays what they see as overpriced games.
PSP Go unboxing in video and pictures
Sony's been a tad bit impish lately with its rollout of new hardware. First it surprised us with a PS3 "Slim" on the very day it was announced -- today it hit us with a final retail PSP Go system just one night after we played a bunch of games on one at a preview event.So, we of course got the unboxing on video (and in pictures below) but there was one stipulation: We can't actually say anything about the final hardware until a week from Monday, so you'll just have to enjoy the schweet tunes we picked for your aural enjoyment as the unboxing (and our vocal silence) unfolds. %Gallery-73478%
PSP Go unboxing (update: with video!)
Sony's just handed us a shiny new, UMD-less PSP Go (or "PSPgo," depending on who you ask) to run our greasy fingers all over, and while we can't give you our impressions until later this month, we can let you live vicariously through us and our unboxing photos. Enjoy! Update: Now with video, after the break. %Gallery-73475%
PSP Go 'Pause Game' feature tested, deemed very handy
We've had a chance to test out the "Pause Game" function of the PSP Go, which was discovered yesterday by GameSpot UK. In the course of using a Go production unit last night, we tried the feature using two different games -- LocoRoco Midnight Carnival and Motorstorm: Arctic Edge -- and timed the process.Pressing the PlayStation button on the Go brings up two options: Pause Game and Quit Game. We made our LocoRoco jump into the air and pressed it, selected Pause Game, and within 10 seconds reached the XMB (after a progress bar appeared to indicate the saving of the game's current state).After selecting Pause Game, an icon appears under the Game section of the XMB -- it looks a bit like an egg and is labeled "Resume Game." We selected it and, 10 seconds later, were right back where we'd been, LocoRoco still mid-air. We had similar results with Arctic Edge, only we decided to use some of the system's functions, including the web browser, while the game was on hold. Again, a 10 second load and we were back, this time with a prompt to "press X to resume" the race.We asked Sony if this feature will eventually make its way to the standard PSP and were told by PlayStation Network's Eric Lempel that it's PSP Go-only. It's a really convenient feature from our testing and has a nice added benefit: The Go can be completely powered off and still retain the game state, unlike with the standard PSP's sleep function. We'll have a full review of the PSP Go soon.
PSP Go launches with interactive ESRB guide
The PSP Go may not be able to play UMD games, but it will be able to ... um, tell you more about ESRB ratings? SCEA is doing its part to educate consumers about the video games ratings board by including an ESRB app on each and every PSP Go system. Considering most of us are already familiar with the ratings system, this move is simply to target ignorant parents. "If you don't need it, you can delete it," SCEA's Jeff Rubenstein reminded readers of the PlayStation.blog.While this small gesture won't sell any systems, it is a good step in the right direction. If all future consoles come with more information about the ESRB, it further cements the organization's credibility, and avoids potentially messy government regulation (as evidenced by Australia's latest debacle). However, we're sure that many of you will join us in deleting the app from the system on day one.
PSP Go allows players to save and resume state
If you're a busy body with an infinitesimal attention span, Sony's added a feature to the PSP Go that should land squarely in your wheelhouse. First unveiled during a Gamespot UK unboxing of the new handheld (around the 10:00 mark), the Go allows players of any game to save their progress and perform other functions on the device. Upon returning to the game, you can instantly hop right back into whatever it was you were doing at the time of your save. In the aforementioned unboxing video, Gamespot UK's Guy Cocker saves his progress during a Motorstorm: Arctic Edge race in order to watch a trailer for Motorstorm: Arctic Edge. Rarely do we get urges to watch trailers for games we're currently playing -- but we suppose we've succumbed to stranger impulses before. %Gallery-64545%
