Sony took the time to inject a little humour into a recent Game Developer's Conference session last week, as it said that the PSP's UMD format is "alive and well."
The comments were made during a presentation to inform indie developers about the nature of its PlayStation Network platform. When asked about the PSP's fortunes, the company said it doesn't have any plans to abandon UMD, offering releases on the disc format in tandem with digital distribution.
Of course, UMD is alive, but whether it's 'well' or not is rather debatable. Still, in Japan, the handheld's physical media is king with the 3000 model regularly topping weekly hardware charts.
The digital-only PSP Go on the other hand, fails to move more than 2,000 units a week. The Go has been met with similar apathy around the world, so it makes sense for Sony to keep UMD in play.
Sony also announced lifetime sales of the handheld at the session. 60 million PSPs have been sold worldwide since its 2005 launch, with US totals at 17 million units.
Source: IGN
The comments were made during a presentation to inform indie developers about the nature of its PlayStation Network platform. When asked about the PSP's fortunes, the company said it doesn't have any plans to abandon UMD, offering releases on the disc format in tandem with digital distribution.
Of course, UMD is alive, but whether it's 'well' or not is rather debatable. Still, in Japan, the handheld's physical media is king with the 3000 model regularly topping weekly hardware charts.
The digital-only PSP Go on the other hand, fails to move more than 2,000 units a week. The Go has been met with similar apathy around the world, so it makes sense for Sony to keep UMD in play.
Sony also announced lifetime sales of the handheld at the session. 60 million PSPs have been sold worldwide since its 2005 launch, with US totals at 17 million units.
Source: IGN
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
deleted 15 Mar 2010 13:07
1/7
The PSP GO must show that Digital Delivery isn't quite there as a primary Source of distribution, while you and me make like the idea it looks like the majority doesn't, and looks like physical media is here to stay, at least for the next generation.
Daz 15 Mar 2010 13:19
2/7
you, maybe, me on the other hand prefers physical media anyday
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Tone 15 Mar 2010 15:53
3/7
I underastand why digital delivery is doing so poor, as a psp owner the UMD's are far cheaper and if your done with the game you can at least get a few quid back by selling it. the digital copies dont give that freedom to sell off or buy second hand [I'm a cheap skate :D] I sort of like the digital delivery system, but teh prices tehy chareg is not really competitive compared to umd prices...
irritant 15 Mar 2010 16:16
4/7
Plus you have to take into account that many PSP owners were already playing their games in digital delivery format before the PSP go was even announced. And those prices were competitive.
bertybassett 15 Mar 2010 16:50
5/7
Sony need to understand that digial MUST be cheaper or they will fail. Look at the way apple have come in and are now a real threat to Sony and Ninetndo.
Sony get some balls and reduce the price of the digital stuff, honestly its cheaper to produce so why should I pay more for it?
Sony get some balls and reduce the price of the digital stuff, honestly its cheaper to produce so why should I pay more for it?
mty97EI 15 Mar 2010 17:03
6/7
I currently am dieing for a PSP since LBP and GT came out, but i can't justify spending 250 so drop the price and i will get a psp go although i do have a psp 1000 i havent bought a game in over 2 years and have played the hell out of the games i have, i just dont want to spend 50 dollars on a larger memory card knowing that my PSP go will kaput soon i already have pixels going i theink i counted 7 already. But i did get a good 5 years out of it so can't complain
Tamikaze 15 Mar 2010 20:11
7/7
@bertybassett
How? In what way are Apple a threat?
Anyways, how does Digital cost more than UMD? i thought it would be cheaper and would save in manufacturing costs, but i guess i was wrong. Personally i think the handheld market is ridiculous, the market doesn't really move to something new and exciting unless Nintendo says so.
Look at the way apple have come in and are now a real threat to Sony and Nintendo
How? In what way are Apple a threat?
Anyways, how does Digital cost more than UMD? i thought it would be cheaper and would save in manufacturing costs, but i guess i was wrong. Personally i think the handheld market is ridiculous, the market doesn't really move to something new and exciting unless Nintendo says so.