PSP2 Hints: Sony Ramping Up Retro Downloads
Koller provides hints towards a disc-free future.
Sony's director of hardware marketing for the PSP, John Koller, has been talking about the future of PSP once again. Having not actually denied that PSP2 won't be coming sans UMD in his 'debate' with Acclaim's Dave Perry, he has now gone into what passes for detail regarding downloads for Sony's handheld.
One of the major reasons not the bring out a PSP that lacks a disc is, of course, from the consumer side, backwards compatibility. From the developer side, no disc also begs the question of how to get your game onto that console.
Digital download is the obvious answer to the latter. For the backwards compatibility issue, however, this requires older games to be converted. This in turn begs for demand. Koller is aware of the figures and states, "We know that 50 percent of our base, plus, is interested in downloadable games for pay, not for free, from the network. That’s something that needs to be acted on."
But surely this would only apply to first-party games? It's not as if SCEA is planning for a Wii Virtual Console-like situation via PSN?
Yes it is. Says Koller, "In general there’s a lot of discussion about [publishers'] back catalogues that will finally find its way to PlayStation Network in the back half of this year".
At the moment it appears that this maybe a concentration on PSOne games for download via PSN to be used on PlayStation 3. However, Koller also states, "PSOne is included, but everything is on the table.
"We look for some of those big hits from all of the past games in their history and look for ways we can bring them over. It’s not always easy. There’s obviously technical areas that need to be bridged. But when those are solved, consumers will see a wide variety of retro games and brand new games coming to PSN."
In which case, if Sony can get new and retro titles to PSN - the UMD drive becomes an unnecessary weight and expense. A PSP without a UMD drive would be a PSP2.
Of course, Koller is also talking about retro games for PS3... but we can't see Blu-ray being disentangled from that platform in the near future.
Let's hope that this doesn't spiral into becoming the gossiped about PSP-Phone though...
Source: MTV
One of the major reasons not the bring out a PSP that lacks a disc is, of course, from the consumer side, backwards compatibility. From the developer side, no disc also begs the question of how to get your game onto that console.
Digital download is the obvious answer to the latter. For the backwards compatibility issue, however, this requires older games to be converted. This in turn begs for demand. Koller is aware of the figures and states, "We know that 50 percent of our base, plus, is interested in downloadable games for pay, not for free, from the network. That’s something that needs to be acted on."
But surely this would only apply to first-party games? It's not as if SCEA is planning for a Wii Virtual Console-like situation via PSN?
Yes it is. Says Koller, "In general there’s a lot of discussion about [publishers'] back catalogues that will finally find its way to PlayStation Network in the back half of this year".
At the moment it appears that this maybe a concentration on PSOne games for download via PSN to be used on PlayStation 3. However, Koller also states, "PSOne is included, but everything is on the table.
"We look for some of those big hits from all of the past games in their history and look for ways we can bring them over. It’s not always easy. There’s obviously technical areas that need to be bridged. But when those are solved, consumers will see a wide variety of retro games and brand new games coming to PSN."
In which case, if Sony can get new and retro titles to PSN - the UMD drive becomes an unnecessary weight and expense. A PSP without a UMD drive would be a PSP2.
Of course, Koller is also talking about retro games for PS3... but we can't see Blu-ray being disentangled from that platform in the near future.
Let's hope that this doesn't spiral into becoming the gossiped about PSP-Phone though...
Source: MTV
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Comments
Joji 4 Mar 2009 12:42
1/1
Mmmm....a bit tasty, but I don't know. Previous attempts have been half hearted. And on top of that, official releases worry about localisation, whereas the guy in the street cares not and just wants to play the damn game. Why do they think so many people have modded the PSP.
I guess Sony are trying to moneytise the classic, that many PSP owners have been cleverly modding their PSP for ages for. While I encourage it, I've always felt Sony, Nintendo etc have always handled the mod situation with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.
So what would I like to see, if they go through with this. Old Mame 32 arcade ports and such, as well as stuff we saw on computers and consoles previously. I'd love to see the likes of Marvel VS Capcom 2 on my PSP, as we all know it could easily fit onto a memory card, and still maintain that whippet arcade speed and gameplay.
Also, if you are gonna sell me 15-20 year old titles, don't play the grasping damn Fagan about it, and give us a good fair deal. Say buy one get one half price/free or something. Don't be stupid on the prices either.
The biggest area that Sony could trump Nintendo's WVC, is by letting us download and play at home on console )PS3 or away on PSP. I'm so surprise Nintendo haven't done this yet, and if thy are not careful, Sony will. And when Sony start to listen to what we want again and respond instead of their corporate bs cockblocking, then I'll gladly give the kudos.
Also, a bit of advice Sony. If you do create a PSP2, make the bastard open source and region free, then their will be less modding, piracy and more creative aps like iPhone, who could easily steal your thunder.
I guess Sony are trying to moneytise the classic, that many PSP owners have been cleverly modding their PSP for ages for. While I encourage it, I've always felt Sony, Nintendo etc have always handled the mod situation with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.
So what would I like to see, if they go through with this. Old Mame 32 arcade ports and such, as well as stuff we saw on computers and consoles previously. I'd love to see the likes of Marvel VS Capcom 2 on my PSP, as we all know it could easily fit onto a memory card, and still maintain that whippet arcade speed and gameplay.
Also, if you are gonna sell me 15-20 year old titles, don't play the grasping damn Fagan about it, and give us a good fair deal. Say buy one get one half price/free or something. Don't be stupid on the prices either.
The biggest area that Sony could trump Nintendo's WVC, is by letting us download and play at home on console )PS3 or away on PSP. I'm so surprise Nintendo haven't done this yet, and if thy are not careful, Sony will. And when Sony start to listen to what we want again and respond instead of their corporate bs cockblocking, then I'll gladly give the kudos.
Also, a bit of advice Sony. If you do create a PSP2, make the bastard open source and region free, then their will be less modding, piracy and more creative aps like iPhone, who could easily steal your thunder.