PSP Download Service to launch with PS3

by Ross Miller { Sep 5th 2006 at 5:25PM }

The PSP download service will work via the PlayStation 3 and Wi-Fi enabled PCs, according to Izumi Kawanishi, head of platform development for Sony of Japan. In an interview with NikkeiBP, Kawanishi said the download service, which will offer original PlayStation games and movies, will launch simultaneously with the PlayStation 3.

Now that we know a time frame, some details on pricing would be nice. Conceptually, the ability download retro Sony games is brilliant, but it has to come at the right cost. Sales of UMD movies has skyrocketed in Japan on account of the low price Warner Bros. is selling its films ($9), but the high prices prior to that caused many film studios to simply give up on the proprietary format.

[via Games Industry]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ml @ Sep 5th 2006 5:42PM

http://psp.ign.com/articles/730/730124p1.html

Lekko @ Sep 5th 2006 5:47PM

I was figuring that you'd have to have a PS3 to rip PS1 games to the PSP, because of formatting and piracy and all. If they had a program on the PC to rip games, what's to keep people from sharing PS1 games for free? At least the PS3 can detect a genuine PS1 disc and give you rights to it. I just hope that there is a way to let the system rip games, and not re-buy them.

But knowing Sony.... if they can charge you for it, they will.

leojsoap @ Sep 5th 2006 5:54PM

But, Sony, Th' doctor says I'm only allowed to sell my blood once a month, since I start feeling weird once I drive county to county to donate blood for cash.

You guys may have to wait a few months before I can buy a PS3, HDMI cabels, games, and controllers, as well as online content for my PSP.

My donated kidney can only pay for so much, guys. :(

tactics @ Sep 5th 2006 5:58PM

heh... i'd be really surprised if they'd let you rip your old discs. either way, downloading movies and ps1 games to psp is the way to go. if they'd done this from the start, i think they'd find themselves in a different situation right now.

i don't even have a psp, but if i did, i think i'd pay up to $20.00 for my favorite ps1 games; final fantasy tactics, symphony of the night, dragon warrior 7, wipeout, etc... it's 2 gens back. i would definately pay $20.00 for some of my favorite n64 games on nintendo's virtual console.
to me, they'd be worth it. i wonder if anyone else would pay that much, though?

-"superfan" tactics.

Belcho @ Sep 5th 2006 6:02PM

Pay $20 for 2 gen old content? No way. Half that and I'll think about it.
I'm just glad that you don't have to have a PS3 to get stuff on your PSP. It will be many years before I get a PS3.

Davidv @ Sep 5th 2006 6:17PM

From the IGN article:

But you may not need a PS3 in order to download PS1 content to your PSP. Asked what means you'll have to download content, Kawanishi said, "There will be three: through the PS3, through the PC, or direct download to the PSP via wireless LAN. Our fundamental stance is to use an open network, so PC-based downloads will be possible. And not only that, but we believe things like download through cell phones are also a possibility. We don't plan on placing limits on the network."

Joe @ Sep 5th 2006 6:27PM

does anyone think they will make you buy a ps3 to use this feature, cuz I have a psp but theres no way I'm buying a ps3

soma @ Sep 5th 2006 6:49PM

Playing these amazing games on a handheld? Soooo cool.

SOTN, FFTactics, FFVII, Star Ocean 2, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Wipeout XL, PaRappa, Jetmoto, RE2, GT2, Vagrant Story, Rally Cross, MGS, Xenogears, Suikoden II, Chrono Cross, Intelligent Cube...okay I'll stop.

epobirs @ Sep 5th 2006 6:53PM

#2

I can think of several measures they can take to prevent the files from being spread arounnd.

First, the download could be tied by a deeply encrypted internal ID code to a single PSP. It won't matter how many copies of the file exist if it can only be used with a single PSP.

Second, the PC application could keep the downloaded data sealed away from access by users. It'll be there and a determined hacker will be able to figure some things out but it will be very hard for typical users to know what is happening other than what the application reports. If they're good about it, the application will also be smart enough to deal with interrupted downloads with minimal data loss and restart the download later.

In general, expect something like iTunes for managing your downloads and getting them on the PSP, rather than just drag and dropping files from the desktop.

potato @ Sep 5th 2006 6:54PM

indeed soma, . . . indeed

darryl @ Sep 5th 2006 7:02PM

This is awesome news regardless of how much negative spin you try to lube it up with.

striderhayasa @ Sep 5th 2006 7:44PM

5 bucks for the majority of the PS library and 10 bucks tops for elite games (FF, Castlevania,) There is no way I'm paying 10 bucks or more for the run of the mill PS1 games from 10 years back.

Lekko @ Sep 5th 2006 7:09PM

I figured it would be a download-only service.. Which is a bit of a shame/joy to me. I have a great PS1 collection, and I don't want to have to buy it all over again to play it on the go. On the other hand, there are some PS1 games you just can't find anywhere.

Playing games off memorystick certainly is the way to go. I was just wishfully thinking there would be a way to put in a PS1 game you already own, the PS3 would verify that it is genuine, and you could have that one game for free via download or rip. That shouldn't be too hard since you'd still need to have a original disc. To date no commercial burners can create the 'bad blocks' that consoles use to verify genuine discs. You've always needed a modded system to play burnt copies. The PS3 is already going to be B/C to PS1, so you know it can read those discs, it's just a matter of allowing it.

The opposite debate is that you could probably share a disc among others with PS3s, and give your friends a copy of a game you own. While that is a concern, I'm not sure how valid it really is because how many PS1 game collectors are there, and how many of them share their games? *shrugs*. Still probably won't be able to rip them.

Either give me that, or really cheap pricing. It should be able to compete with a used PS1 game price (>$5) unless it is a very very rare game.

ninja @ Sep 5th 2006 7:50PM

The magic number ($)?

5.00

Any higher, you're pushing it. All procedes collected from a huge majority of these games should be all profit - if not, there is a problem somewhere. It better be an updated (graphics/sound) version of the game if it will cost any more than combo meal at McDs.

Xel @ Sep 5th 2006 7:52PM

Can't wait for these games to be cracked, but I will pay for FFVII.

soma @ Sep 5th 2006 7:57PM

I wouldn't doubt the price of these games to be around $15. You see higher prices than that of some XBLA games, and there have been reports of the Virtual Console games easily being above $5. But since the PS1 has so many good RPGs, I won't feel nearly as cheated for a 40 hour experience that has been labeled a classic.

George S. @ Sep 5th 2006 8:44PM

There are at least half a dozen PS1 games I would like to play on the PSP. . .

Vagrant Story.
Umihara kawase
Thrill Kill
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy 7-9
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Vib Ribbon
Parappa The Rapper
Tobal 2
Chrono Cross
Xenogears

etc
etc etc

Alfanomfg @ Sep 5th 2006 8:13PM

Soma- Do you (or anyone) really want to play Jetmoto?! Seriously I forgot all about that game. Maybe we can do some multiplayer 3Xtreme sometime.

Seriously though this is awesome. I think PS1 was Sony's best system. I've really been wanting to play that 3D Megaman game for so long. This and a price drop and I would totally pick up a PSP.

I wonder if I'd get screwed on OS X compatibility though.