UK game retailer breaks official PSP release date
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Aug 28th 2005 at 11:00AM }
Activision PSP launch titles and UMD movies have been sighted on the shelves of a central London Virgin Megastore ahead of the official European September 1st release date of the PSP. The trio of Activision launch titles including Spider-Man 2, Tony Hawk's Underground Remix and Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade were sitting alongside UMD movie Old Boy, so it's possible that Sony hasn't been strict enough in giving retailers instructions on when to start selling. Personally, I think retailers in the UK should rebel against Sony and just start selling them whenever. UK users have had to wait long enough for the console (which will probably be identical to US/Japanese models). The system of releasing consoles in Japan, then America and finally Europe is tired and pointless. That's one area where Microsoft will be innovating with a global release of the Xbox 360. In other news, Sony has confirmed that the Oxford Street HMV will be open past midnight on the 31st August so insomniac gamers can go pick up a PSP, finally.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PINION CORPORATION @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
And it would also be why the PSP has such a terrible games range - Europe pumps out tons quality games. I question Sony's commitment to Europe and Australia with this insult of a 6 months late PSP.
Shashwat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
At times like these i really feel sorry for people living in europe like me. At the same time i feel angry at SONY for not releasing the PSP earlier. I myself got a JAP PSP frm china during the summer hols. To me it jus makes no sense. They should have released it in Europe and US simultaneously. At least that way us europeans dont feel left behind.
Anyways...ill be enjoying my PSP while other people stay up all night to but a overpriced PSP at 250 quid or 250 when they can get a JAP version (1.5) for 180 (70 cheaper = approx 90$ cheaper) in Asia.
SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
If I remember correctly, Sony promised the "innovation" of a "world-wide" launch with the PSP. Maybe we ought to wait until Microsoft delivers.
Then again, only Nintendo launches anything in China making other companies' "world-wide" claims awfully ironic.
semi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
i'm thinking about wating another 15 days after release in UK and ordering the white psp from lik-sang/yesasia sorta places..
steve @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
If I ever decide to get a PSP - it wont be from Europe. Even now with the launch date so close, why would I want to pay, like Shashwat said, an extra 70 when I can import it cheaper?
I've really gone off Sony because of this delay. It'll be a long time before I consider getting a PS3/PSP...
.bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
How is a simultaneous world wide launch an "innovation"? Other products (games, movies, music, etc) have done this before...
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
For consoles, it's a pretty big thing.
The PS3, Revolution, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Playstation, Sega Saturn, N64, Dreamcast all released in Japan first, then USA, then Europe.
The Xbox 360 is the first major console to release simultaneously across all three land masses.
Also, which major games, movies and music do you mean? A lot of major releases still do staged roll-outs. E.g. Halo 2 released a few weeks after the USA in the EU. Nearly every major film studio stages it's rollouts of films.
So, I'm pretty sure that this is innovative rolling out such a major product at the same time across all three territories.
-g- @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Yes, and that is why I am getting the 360 :D
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
agreed w/ g
Mark Freeman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
I'm in the UK and have gone through the whole, "I want one ... " .. "Now I don't want one.." .. "I hate Sony for making me wait this long... but I still want one..." .. to "Now I really don't want one because Sony have made me wait this long and after reading every little bit of information on PSPs it seems like they are on the decline *just* as we are getting ours!" ..
So, basically, there you have it. I am sick and tired of waiting and will certainly not be buying during the release week - and I am sure I can then hold off buying one completely. I'm just so bored of the whole PSP thing now, it seems old-hat.
K_G @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Yeah, a global launch is a great way to mess it up for everyone at the same time. ALPHA VERSIONS FOR EVERYONE!
There's nothing innovative about this at all. It's not like other companies couldn't have done this is past, rather they were simply wise enough not to do it. The fact that MS is so committed to simple marketing gimmick vs trying actually doing a launch well tells me volumes about their own dedication to their consumers and their opinion of the device (we need to get this out everywhere early because it's really a turd compared to the P3)
Launch econ 101
X is the finite number of units that can be produced between manufacturing start date and launch date
Single region launch
Sell X units at Y marketing expense with Z PR coverage per region
World launch (assuming product is correctly distributed-which is unlikely-ie not too many in one region and too few in another)
Sell .8X units at 3Y marketing with 1/3 Z PR coverage per region- BBBBBill cant be in three places at once.
But then again, they only have to ship about 1000 units to Japan, given the Xboxs previous performance there.
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
K_G, come and live in Europe for a bit and get an idea of what it feels like to have to wait on average 6 months longer for movies, games, consoles, dvds and gadgets. I'd rather they had a short term shortage of consoles than do some stupid protracted waiting game.
How can you defend the tactic of delaying game releases? Isn't one short marketing campaign better than three or more spread out over a year? You can't for a second think that Sony and every other game publisher isn't in it for the marketing and money.
In fact, I don't give a damn why Microsoft is doing a simultaneous release, as long as they do it and set an example to the industry.
Mark Freeman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
KG, .. your also forgetting that the PSP is also in very very short supply as it is here in Europe; and thats with a 6 month delay as it is! So after waiting this long, people who want one on the day of release (1st Sept) are going to have to act urgently.
I phoned a number of stores up and all had said they were sold out (to pre: orders) -- I asked a manager from one large store that are getting stock (but do not do pre-orders) and are not a dedicated 'game' store, just how many units were coming in. After checking I was told "five units are coming in.. so if you want one you'll have to come at 8am and probably fight off a number of kids who'll be queuing up too"
FIVE UNITS on DAY ONE after SIX MONTH WAIT? -- don't you get it, we in Europe are treated very badly! It's refreshing to see Microsoft come in and at the very least give is some respect.
BraveQuail @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
I have noticed the same thing happening in Poland. I have seen the PSP on sale at a few big stores here (empik, saturn) along with a few games such as twisted metal: head on and spiderman 2. The PSP is selling for 1100zl which is $333. I was really suprised seeing it here since Poland definatly isn't used to seeing games consoles coming out straight away. Games are selling for 179.90zl which is $55. Well it will be interesting in what sony has too say about this
IanC @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
If i get a PSP im getting a Japanese one. Im pissed off with SCEE and how they are acting.
jay @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
how is it that the PSP takes 6 months longer to come out here, yet the DS manages everything on time with short continent release intervals and still sells more?
Theres a huge list of people i know who wanted a PSP... got bored of waiting so got a DS instead, or got bored and don't plan to get any.
big mistake Sony :(
K_G @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
I won't disagree the UK/Europe get shafted (and I think that Sony is taking too long with the PSP for the UK and then hosing y'all with the price) but the US is usually 6 months behind most Japan releases, many of which I'm more interested in than anything EA might be putting out first in the US. I've had the PSP since April and only a handful of titles beyond the launch titles have been released here in the US (although wipeout pure has kept me happy for quite a while).
As for the plus of world wide marketing, I'd point out marketing effort spent to create demand that can't be fulfilled is 'usually" money wasted ( say usually,because Nintendo has made this an bit of an art form although I think they don't spend all that much at launch...they let the shortage build the hype for them...MS in contrast, seems to be dedicated to spend a ton of money to push the 360 even though it may be a hard item to find (and why do I think 80% of the kits will be the Premium version to force buyers spend more when the core kits sell out). So while a global launch may be more "fair", I'd suggest that it just triples the chance of every market being shortchanged. And it not like MS can order developers to have every game ready/localized for every market on launch day either. So you might have the hardware, but beyond first party MS games, you'll still likely be waiting for games.
getluv @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
i'm sorry, but i think it has come down to patience. Seriously all you US users were pissed off about waiting a week longer than expected for 2.0. You have no patience. And movies and DVDS are always a problem. I have to wait 4-5 months to see some movies after they already have been out in the U.S. We live in different markets, Sony weren't making to many PSPs and had shipping problems remember. And as you Yanks have realised that all the good games are coming out this fall.
Sony did have to wait on game publishers to hurry up and finish making their games, because some of the launch titles were obviously rushed. So i think it doesn't matter. So shut up and move on you pack of losers.
Simon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Admittedly I'm pretty annoyed about Europe having such a long wait for the PSP, but I preordered mine months ago and I've managed to survived the delay. You can count on me being down there on Sept 1st picking up my unit.
PINION CORPORATION @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
And that is why, Simon, you are a fool. You are saying to Sony "Oh, its okay to treat us like s**t, we will still support you and love you, even though you are selling a 6 month old (more compared to Japan) console FOR MORE THAN WHAT THE YANKS PAID FOR IT 6 MONTHS AGO!!!" Where, just where, is the justice here?
I've been through the
"I want one ... " .. "Now I don't want one.." .. "I hate Sony for making me wait this long... but I still want one..." to finally "I hope Microsoft makes one."
Theres no way I am getting a PSP now, not until Sony shows us a bit of respect.
Simon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
It's just a games console; a hunk of electronics and circuitry. I really don't care THAT much :/
michael @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Firstly, please stop your bitching, the reason for the delay is lack of units as it has been with all major consoles releases. Sony doesnt hate money, if they could have fesibly brought it to you sooner they would have so shut up.It's not like their fighting every tech war or something they only have to worry about the upcoming PS3 xbox war, the current ds psp war, and the lil blu ray hd war. I do feel your pain living in Australia, in fact you should mostly be pissed at teh price difference ,after 6 months they should be offereing a price reduction not a price increase. And after importing my psp i find out the umd movies here cost only 25 Au compared to importing it for like 49 dollars US not including shipping. But id only eva buy just 1 any way. The thing that sucks most is memory stick duo prices imo.
Any way in regards to the actual article, eb games here, and another store have had products on show with prices for weeks. They have forigen demo units to intice you to pre order. They know all the launch titles they are getting. This article doesnt seem to say that you can buy these games just like Australia where u can see the Box art of the umd movies and games for launch and a few coming out after launch.
teamonkey @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
PSP game boxes have been on the shelves for weeks, that doesn't mean there's anything inside them or that the store's selling them yet.
Besides, stock is very limited. Game stores are talking about "second wave pre-orders". At this stage if you order now you've got at least another 3-4 weeks after the official launch date before you'll get your hands on one. (Compare this to the DS launch where I just wandered into town on launch day and picked one off the shelves.)
Steven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Just in case some of u guys didn't realise, companies can only produce a limited amount of their product in a given period, so if the psp was released globally, it would have to be released on Septemer 1st everywhere if everyone who wanted to buy one could get one, because otherwise, they would run out.
Also, if there were any problems with the psp, they would be fixed by the time they get to us, hence version 2.0, with browser.
Finally, anyone who had to wait for the psp would end up with a better range of games to choose from, as well as plenty of reviews so that they dont end up buying games, and not liking them.
I'm not that fussed about getting the PSP late, because i'm getting it better than other parts of the world did.
vance @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
maybe it's a good thing Europe had such a delay. Now sensible users know about the all-hype-no-games stuff that's been reported lately, without having to be a test case like the other regions were.
Kevin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Personally, the delay for me has made me realize that I don't really want a PSP all that badly. I already have a PS2, and these six months have made me realize that Sony has no other plans for the PSP than shovelware and rehashed sequels, all of which won't be as good as the console versions.
semi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
"I've been through the
"I want one ... " .. "Now I don't want one.." .. "I hate Sony for making me wait this long... but I still want one..." "
same here...i still want one...:-|
i'm ordering a white psp from lik-sang tho
micky P @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Europe hasn't been shafted by the PSP delay. We were saved! Who would want to play a PSP anyway? It's just an underpowered PS2 , heavy and uncomfortable to hold up to your face for long periods of time to see all the detail on that high-resolution screen. The games are shallow and overpriced.
I imported a PSP, too. And I was sorely disappointed. I have a feeling lots of people will feel the same way but will make that initial purchase anyway, wooed by the huge screen and shiny graphics.
Oh! Oh! But you can re-purchase movies you already earn, and then buy a little stand to place the PSP on whilst you watch them! And you can play emulators which don't run anywhere near as smoothly or control anywhere near as nicely as on their original formats!
The PSP Is What It Is. An overpriced tech-gadget to show off to your friends then put back on the shelf to gather dust. I wish people would stop comparing it to the DS, which is a portable gaming machine.
Mo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
Surely it's underpriced? ie sold below cost.
I do take your point though - for what it is (ie primarily a HANDHELD or MOBILE gaming unit) it is way over-specced.
File this one under overambitious.
TurboGraffix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
MIcky P. Start working out a little bit, it's not THAT heavy, what is it like 2 pounds?
PINION CORPORATION @ Dec 18th 2005 9:41PM
I don't have a problem with the fact that it is
understocked. I have a problem with:
Europe were not allowed the handheld. Sony tried to
SUE Lik-Sang for importing PSPs to Europe. They
were desperate to keep the console out of the
territory.
The handheld is priced HIGHER than the Americans
paid 6 months ago or the Japanese paid 9 months ago.
So we basically have to pay for all the upgrades the
Americans got for free ages ago.
The European handheld is made in CHINA instead of the
Japanese and American Japan made PSP. They are made
quicker and cheaper, increasing the probability of faults
and dead pixels. And the warranty doesn't cover dead
pixels. Tough luck, eh? If you don't have them yet, you will.
Your PSP will more likely look like this
http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3515
All in all? We have to pay more for a 9 month old
cheap chinese handheld. It is all those which
annoys me - They have made it clear that we are of little priority.
_