Atari's Bonnell states PSP could hit $500
Highest on-record Portable PlayStation estimate to date…
Speaking to CNN Money lately, Atari chief Bruno Bonnell made a surprisingly high estimate at the roof-price of Sony Computer Entertainment's looming PSP portable gaming unit, claiming that the device could hit $500 at retail.
When asked about the possible price of the PSP he said, "$500 to start would be my guess," an estimate far higher than recent on-record stabs.
Bonnell, in an attempt to clarify his and Atari's thinking went on, "Yeah, it's cool. It's nice, like a nice car. But we have no idea if the PSP's pricing is going to be $250, $350 or $500."
He then made some controversial musings about the quality and reliability of the PSP. In an outspoken moment, Bonnell stated, "What about the breakable aspects of it? If it breaks, can you bring it back and get another for free? What about the movie strategy? The wireless strategy? The MP3 downloading? We don't know. What about connectivity issues? We don't know. What about the video output? We do not know," he told CNN, voicing the concerns of many who have had access to the machine.
The Atari chief then moved on to voice some of the frustration much of the development and publishing industries are experiencing in dealing with SCE's PSP information release process. Speaking specifically about the costings associated with PSP support, Bonnell said, "Development costs? From one cent to $50 million. I have no idea. I mean, it may be that Pong would be cool on the PSP. Pong doesn't cost us anything. We're Atari and we have Pong! Let's make it!"
Indeed, Bonnell's comments mirror mutterings from across the gaming spectrum, with developers - and especially those focussed on current-generation portable gaming - unsure what is expected of them, and exactly what they can expect in return.
Expect everything PSP, right here, as it breaks.
When asked about the possible price of the PSP he said, "$500 to start would be my guess," an estimate far higher than recent on-record stabs.
Bonnell, in an attempt to clarify his and Atari's thinking went on, "Yeah, it's cool. It's nice, like a nice car. But we have no idea if the PSP's pricing is going to be $250, $350 or $500."
He then made some controversial musings about the quality and reliability of the PSP. In an outspoken moment, Bonnell stated, "What about the breakable aspects of it? If it breaks, can you bring it back and get another for free? What about the movie strategy? The wireless strategy? The MP3 downloading? We don't know. What about connectivity issues? We don't know. What about the video output? We do not know," he told CNN, voicing the concerns of many who have had access to the machine.
The Atari chief then moved on to voice some of the frustration much of the development and publishing industries are experiencing in dealing with SCE's PSP information release process. Speaking specifically about the costings associated with PSP support, Bonnell said, "Development costs? From one cent to $50 million. I have no idea. I mean, it may be that Pong would be cool on the PSP. Pong doesn't cost us anything. We're Atari and we have Pong! Let's make it!"
Indeed, Bonnell's comments mirror mutterings from across the gaming spectrum, with developers - and especially those focussed on current-generation portable gaming - unsure what is expected of them, and exactly what they can expect in return.
Expect everything PSP, right here, as it breaks.
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Comments
Deviluck 14 Jun 2004 12:52
1/7
this news is a week old and is bogus anyway.
Joji 14 Jun 2004 14:44
2/7
I think his concerns are valid though, and the same ones I've asked myself. If you by a cheap portable cd player and it fooks up, it's easy to return or replace altogether because they are really cheap. The prospect of owning a PSP fill me with excitement on one hand and fear off breakage and it staying at home a lot in the other hand. This would defeat the object of it being portable in the first place. The pure beauty of the GBASP is it's simplicity, and durability of withstanding damage. This is something that all GBs have had and is often overlooked, and I'm sure DS will continue that tradition.
I know 500 bucks is probably an estimate, but it's still a lot of money, even in pounds. If it's anywhere over 200 quid it's too much money to pay for a hand held, and then be expected to buy accessories and games for it. So how about some estimated maths for PSP launch day. (I'm gonna say roughly 200q) 200 quid = PSP, 3x games @ 40 quid = 120 quid, 1x memory stick = 20-30 quid, 1x back up battery =10-20 quid. These are only estimated prices, but it's already too much money. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.
I know 500 bucks is probably an estimate, but it's still a lot of money, even in pounds. If it's anywhere over 200 quid it's too much money to pay for a hand held, and then be expected to buy accessories and games for it. So how about some estimated maths for PSP launch day. (I'm gonna say roughly 200q) 200 quid = PSP, 3x games @ 40 quid = 120 quid, 1x memory stick = 20-30 quid, 1x back up battery =10-20 quid. These are only estimated prices, but it's already too much money. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.
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auzdafluff 14 Jun 2004 14:56
3/7
Joji wrote:
>I think his concerns are valid though, and the
>same ones I've asked myself. If you by a cheap
>portable cd player and it fooks up, it's easy to
>return or replace altogether because they are
>really cheap. The prospect of owning a PSP fill
>me with excitement on one hand and fear off
>breakage and it staying at home a lot in the
>other hand. This would defeat the object of it
>being portable in the first place. The pure
>beauty of the GBASP is it's simplicity, and
>durability of withstanding damage. This is
>something that all GBs have had and is often
>overlooked, and I'm sure DS will continue that
>tradition.
>
>I know 500 bucks is probably an estimate, but
>it's still a lot of money, even in pounds. If
>it's anywhere over 200 quid it's too much money
>to pay for a hand held, and then be expected to
>buy accessories and games for it. So how about
>some estimated maths for PSP launch day. (I'm
>gonna say roughly 200q) 200 quid = PSP, 3x games
>@ 40 quid = 120 quid, 1x memory stick = 20-30
>quid, 1x back up battery =10-20 quid. These are
>only estimated prices, but it's already too much
>money. Should be interesting to see how it turns
>out.
I agree with you, but the PSP will have a lithium ion battery built in and so there will be no such thing as a replacement or spare battery.
>I think his concerns are valid though, and the
>same ones I've asked myself. If you by a cheap
>portable cd player and it fooks up, it's easy to
>return or replace altogether because they are
>really cheap. The prospect of owning a PSP fill
>me with excitement on one hand and fear off
>breakage and it staying at home a lot in the
>other hand. This would defeat the object of it
>being portable in the first place. The pure
>beauty of the GBASP is it's simplicity, and
>durability of withstanding damage. This is
>something that all GBs have had and is often
>overlooked, and I'm sure DS will continue that
>tradition.
>
>I know 500 bucks is probably an estimate, but
>it's still a lot of money, even in pounds. If
>it's anywhere over 200 quid it's too much money
>to pay for a hand held, and then be expected to
>buy accessories and games for it. So how about
>some estimated maths for PSP launch day. (I'm
>gonna say roughly 200q) 200 quid = PSP, 3x games
>@ 40 quid = 120 quid, 1x memory stick = 20-30
>quid, 1x back up battery =10-20 quid. These are
>only estimated prices, but it's already too much
>money. Should be interesting to see how it turns
>out.
I agree with you, but the PSP will have a lithium ion battery built in and so there will be no such thing as a replacement or spare battery.
auzdafluff 14 Jun 2004 14:57
4/7
Sorry, double post
Joji 14 Jun 2004 15:05
5/7
I only said that because Im know Sony said something about a battery you can strap onto your wrist, to continue playing when the PSP battery dries up.
If you look around you'll find the info on it.
If you look around you'll find the info on it.
smagic 14 Jun 2004 15:26
6/7
Ben Furfie wrote:
>will have a lithium ion battery built in and so
>there will be no such thing as a replacement or
>spare battery.
Are you sure that its not removeable or do you mean something else ?
If you mean that literally then:
I very much doubt it as lithiums only have a life span of about 3 years max and then they start dying.
Or if you meant what i think you meant:
If the battery doesn't last very long then you would want a spare whether it was rechargeable or not.
It's like ppl say i wouldn't dare take it out of the house. I don't find it hard to imagine a trouble filled road for sony with reliabilty/durability with the psp as its a whole different ball game than home consoles there are different things to consider.
>will have a lithium ion battery built in and so
>there will be no such thing as a replacement or
>spare battery.
Are you sure that its not removeable or do you mean something else ?
If you mean that literally then:
I very much doubt it as lithiums only have a life span of about 3 years max and then they start dying.
Or if you meant what i think you meant:
If the battery doesn't last very long then you would want a spare whether it was rechargeable or not.
It's like ppl say i wouldn't dare take it out of the house. I don't find it hard to imagine a trouble filled road for sony with reliabilty/durability with the psp as its a whole different ball game than home consoles there are different things to consider.
SlickShot21 14 Jun 2004 18:45
7/7
Yeah and the product wouldnt be product of the decade if it only lasted 3 years...
Its a hell of a machine.
now it just needs to be affordable.
:)
Its a hell of a machine.
now it just needs to be affordable.
:)