October 2, 2009

Ushering in the Digital Age: Sony Launches the PSPgo
By: Steven Hopper

Sony has taken a mighty leap into a future free of physical media. But is it enough?

A few months ago, I posted an article about a proposed PSP revision. Featuring a redesigned body and no UMD support, the device (which was then only doing the rounds of the rumor mill at the time) would be quite a change for the PSP line, but there were many questions that I felt needed to be answered.

Now flash to today, and the aforementioned device is not only a reality, but is now in stores for gamers to get their hands on the system, the PSPgo. The PSPgo does pretty much what the rumors stated it would; it does away with UMDs and instead relies on a strictly download model where games are downloaded to the system's memory via the PlayStation Network, and offers a much smaller slimmer design, making it a highly portable system on all fronts. Gone is the need to tote around easily damaged discs as the system offers enough on-board space to comfortably save more than a dozen games.

Sony's all digital device is a step in the right direction, but are PSP gamers in a walking mood?

However, some of the moves made by Sony leading up to and following the system's launch have reminded me of my previous concerns from several months back, and even confirmed my fears in a few regards. Not only is there no way of getting existing owners to play games that they invested in prior to the system, but the system is not nearly as cheap as many would hope, launching at a whopping 250 bucks, a solid 80 dollars less than the UMD-capable PSP-3000 (and for the record, only 50 dollars cheaper than a new PS3 Slim).

There has certainly been a firestorm of controversy surrounding the system in the weeks leading up to its release, thanks in no small part to its incentive programs, or lack thereof. While many current PSP owners rallied around the system at first due to statements made that had hinted at a "goodwill" program that would allow existing owners to upgrade to the system and get download vouchers for the UMD games that they've purchased, that idea has been thrown to the wayside, and North America will get no such program. Perhaps even more disheartening is that both the UK and Australia will receive three free game vouchers (chosen from a list of 17) if they have a previous PSP model and at least one UMD game. The fact that North America gets the shaft in this situation won't work wonders for the system's public image stateside.

While I can't speak for the hardware itself (my time with the system is limited to a few short moments months ago at E3 2009), the launch of the PSPgo ushered in some changes yesterday to the PSN storefront. Presenting several new downloadable offerings on the platform from a variety of different publishers, and including a mix of brand new high-profile titles like Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny and Gran Turismo, new PSP minis, and some older titles as well. While it's nice (and expected) that Sony would beef up the platform's PSP roster leading up to the PSPgo's launch, there are still some pricing issues. The pricing in the PSN is a mixed bag, as some games seem to sell for well under their UMD-based store-bought counterparts while others are much more than what you could find them in a store, used or new, for that matter.

Not shown: empty wallet

It's pretty safe to assume what Sony was going for when they created this system. After seeing Apple's success with their App Store and games on their platform, Sony probably wanted to take them on. It makes perfect sense; Apple's trying to hone in on the gaming market, something that Sony is quite familiar with, so why not try to beat them at their own game? However, the problem with that is the people aren't buying the iPhone or iPod Touch because they want a gaming system. They want an all-in-one device that gives them the freedom to run a variety of apps, play music, movies, and also games. Granted, the PSPgo also plays movies and music pretty well, but when people think PSP, they think of a gaming experience above all else, and that's just not want the average iPod Touch consumer has at the forefront of their minds when it comes to dropping some hard-earned cash on techie-goodness. And considering the hefty price points for both devices, it's definitely food for thought.

Still, in spite of these concerns, it's hard to write the PSPgo off. Sony is making a pretty ballsy move with the system. Being the first hardware creator to jump into the digital-only fray is a huge move, and a step towards what we can expect in the future of gaming, and the PSPgo is definitely an important one. However, Sony has a long road ahead for the PSPgo, and a lot of work to do to make the system a viable one for hardcore gamers.

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