The release of firmware 5.00 has enabled direct access to the PlayStation Store from the PSP system. The incorporation of the Store shows a growing emphasis on the importance of digital distribution on Sony's handheld. While original games on the Store have been limited to just a handful of games (beats, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops), publishers have slowly been moving their entire UMD catalog onto the Store. For example, D3 Publisher has made Dead Head Fred, Puzzle Quest, and PQ2 all available on the Store.
By providing developers and publishers a way of making games without relying on retail or UMD, the Store gives companies a chance to make all new kinds of games on the system. The opportunity to sell smaller games directly to PSP owners at higher profit, with less chance of piracy, should look attractive to many. Hopefully, it won't be long until we start seeing new games coming from this endeavor.
[Via GameDaily]
