Dutch retailer boycotts sale of PSP Go
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Sep 16th 2009 at 10:15AM } 
According to Eurogamer, Nedgame isn't the only no-Go retailer in Europe, with Eurogamer Spain also claiming to hear whispers from retailers refusing to sell the handheld. We've yet to hear of any North American retailers officially boycotting the system.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
leo @ Sep 16th 2009 10:18AM
Atleast you didn't write biggest since they are not the biggest retailer in that region, they only have 8 stores there
leo @ Sep 16th 2009 10:18AM
oh wait Eurogamer wrote biggest, what a suprise, or should I say how expected from them
JC Wonder @ Sep 16th 2009 1:53PM
Hey...can't say I know anything about the local area over there...but thought it'd be worth mentioning that, at least from what I read here, they didn't say "largest retailer." They actually said "largest specialized retailer."
Oh yes, big difference.
Taylor @ Sep 16th 2009 10:23AM
I hope more retailers boycott the sale of this and I surely hope no one buys it. An overpriced, dumbed-down system.
Space @ Sep 16th 2009 10:51AM
but it's a handheld, size is a huge selling point. People have been buying ipod nanos for years despite the hdd space/price ratio because it's smaller!
dgknight500 @ Sep 16th 2009 11:16AM
Size > Price
JC Wonder @ Sep 16th 2009 11:18AM
I really hate to say this...but think about it: retailers usually make just a few dollars off of hardware and less laughable profits off of the games, plus the traffic they bring.
In the case of the PSP GO, I would presume that retailers would actually make money off of the hardware, to justify them carrying it, hence the price increase. The fact that they won't be carrying any games for it to bring profits and traffic means that Sony needs to offer a substantially higher profit margin for retailers to want to carry it.
whylekat @ Sep 16th 2009 2:58PM
I agree with Taylor. It should be cheaper since it has no UMD and the manufacturing costs obviously decreased.
And people buy iPods & other apple products because society is dumb. Majority of people buying iPods don't research what else is out there. They fall for the hype and glammour of owning an iPod even tho there are far supior mp3 players available that have more/better features.
whylekat @ Sep 16th 2009 3:13PM
Well I don't care if anyone boycotts it. That's jus dumb.. But it is overpriced.
favian @ Sep 28th 2009 9:49AM
overpriced but definitely not dumbed down.
Taylor @ Sep 28th 2009 5:32PM
Not being able to read UMDs = extremely dumbed down.
nriveraexpress @ Sep 16th 2009 10:24AM
yea i heard about this and i dont blame em, i was gonna buy a GO but i dont wanna buy my old psp games again, plus it really is over priced
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 16th 2009 10:25AM
They can try and stall all they want. What it boils down to is they wont even get the little money off of that they would have gotten from selling it. Companies that do things like this wont be around after 10 years when we get towards more digital only systems.....
sure they would rather make more money off of repeat customers via UMD....fact is UMD wont be there forever(PSP2 maybe)....so when Sony DOES Phase it out what will they do then?? Not Carry the PSP2 at ALL and make NO money?? thats just dumb and lines them up destined to fail....I've said it before and I'll say it again....stores that make KILLINGS off of Resell of games & movies will be dead in a matter of years....and they will have no one to blame but themselves
I mean look at their reasons.....
- Sharply higher retail price, 249 euro instead of 169 euros.
- Only have to download games via Sony, this set (higher) prices and less choice. (Less Choice for now, but yes prices are higher)
- No possibility to swap games and / or sell. (Sorry but I dont care for trading or selling my games anyways)
- Never a cheap game scoring from budgetbak.(dunno what that is...lol)
- No possibility to import games.(ummm you can get games from signing up from Different PSN accounts, as long as they arent region locked)
- When selling the device your 'virtually' purchased games are almost worthless. (I'm not going to Sell my Handheld, and if I did it would be to get another one of which I can play my games on that one)
FNG @ Sep 16th 2009 10:32AM
retailers do not make money off selling the hardware. end of discussion. they are just trying to protect themselves.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 16th 2009 10:39AM
end product....they protect themselves into the ground...only putting a bandaid on a broken leg is what they are doin
Taylor @ Sep 16th 2009 11:07AM
Did you copy your comment straight from engadget? Anyways, the retailer's reasons are completely valid. I own a PSP (original) and have downloaded several games such as FFVII and Metal Gear Solid. What does the PSP Go do that my original PSP doesn't? At least my system plays the hundreds of already released/reduced priced games.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 16th 2009 11:33AM
yea Taylor I did...why retype all that??
and I own a PSP-3000 and I own only 3 UMD games....refuse to buy anymore UMDs regardless of them being cheaper by $5-10...hell I dont buy used games anyways....not to mention UMDs are USELESS when the case is done...so after the physical game is gone and beat the hell up then what?? Meanwhile 20 years from now I will still be able to play digitally downloaded games without fear of scratches or anything....
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 16th 2009 11:39AM
i don't know why, but i feel as if Aggie gets downvoted alot more then he should.
I always stress about opinions on this site and he isn't and exception... hes saying that HE finds it a better value to own a PSPgo because its is UMD-less. You may not think so but thats because its to your personal preference.
Though i do find it weird that you may want to play a 2009 game 20 years from now lol, basically its up to the individual to be the judge on whats best for him/her.
250 price tag, now thats a different story... maybe we can all agree on
Vidikron @ Sep 16th 2009 11:40AM
"Meanwhile 20 years from now I will still be able to play digitally downloaded games without fear of scratches or anything...."
Sure, if you back it up, never lose the data, and never lose the key that ties the game to the system... and you never lose the system it is tied to. If any of those happen you're stuck praying that Sony is still around and still offers the game for download.
Taylor @ Sep 16th 2009 11:48AM
I guess I just don't see why physical media is a bad thing. I still have an NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and Dreamcast, complete with dozens of games that I still play every now and then. Guess what, my NES still works fine. The games still work fine. They are 20 years old! I would venture to guess that they will last longer than certain digital media. What happens when a company's servers go down? What happens when your system gets a disk read error or a RRoD?
Maybe digital is the way of the future. Hell, I love my IPOD. But I think music and games/movies are entirely different categories.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 16th 2009 11:57AM
well yea $250 IS too high of a price...I would pay that much IF it was 32GBs at least....clearly I only paid alil over $30 for my 16GB MemStick....an why play a game from 2009 in 2020?? The same reason still play game from all those old classic systems....because we LOVE GAMES.....hell I still play old NES and SNES games...and will most likely still play PS1/PS2/PS3 games in about 20 years...
E.J. @ Sep 16th 2009 12:52PM
Why does everyone think that you'll have never-ending access to digital content you've purchased? As with any digital piece of content, your access only goes as far as the content provider gives.
Please wipe the disillusionment off your eyes. When you commit to digital content, you essentially give away some of your consumer rights.
Taylor @ Sep 16th 2009 1:10PM
I'll definately agree, Chris. If the PSP Go had a ton of memory as a factory default, or was at least included, this might be more of an option. But with the current gen systems, they are behind the curve when it comes to space. If they truly are going digital, at least make it to where we don't have to worry about space.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 16th 2009 1:30PM
I'm not saying it going to be there forEVER...even tho at one point and time when we get to the point it will be...their will be servers upon servers of stuff that will always be there until its brought down by a Nuke...seriously....
and dont think I'm exactly all for digital conent as I have over a thousand DVDs and 100+ Blu-ray movies.....I wont be comfortable with THOSE being phased out until I can get an Petabyte Server AND the movie industry releases the ENTIRE DVD/Blu-ray with Bonus features and all for the same price......and thats gonna be some time
Kamasama @ Sep 18th 2009 8:03PM
Unless this retailer deals with used games, I don't see the issue with not having to stock UMDs. I believe at least the larger titles will still be sold at stores via vouchers and then there's the PSN cards.
I've seen this said before, but is there really no margin on this premium product? The price would be more understandable if there were a decent amount, though obviously no more acceptable to consumers.
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 16th 2009 10:25AM
ok, so boycott it and make no money off it... you own a store, your job is to get goods and sell goods. Not not play judge.
and off topic, Happy Independence day to all my Mexican people, esta botella es para ustedes
Silicon Siren @ Sep 16th 2009 11:39AM
*looks at callender" Hrmmmmmm.... doesn't look like the word May.
Anyway the boycott is refreshing but a little more than stupid. These retailers should think about all the consumer buttrape they'll be dishing out selling those overpriced accessories.
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 16th 2009 11:43AM
Cinco De Mayo is the "battle of puebla" with the french.
16th of September is when the spanish tried, they also failed.
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 16th 2009 12:16PM
whoa, he prob didn't know. sorry if u got down voted bro
nick @ Sep 16th 2009 10:26AM
In one sense, it's a little silly. Retailers sell a lot of items where they do not make money off of back-end services, add-ons, etc. I can buy a GPS, a computer, a phone, a portable music player (and on an on) from one retailer and get services or software from another retailer or even direct from the manufacturer.
I think once you stop selling items, you head down the road to selling nothing at all and/or losing customers. Who says manufacturers can't sell direct.
Vidikron @ Sep 16th 2009 11:04AM
Sure, but you still might by software there. And often many electronics have higher margins than game console hardware. Plus, big stores like Best Buy sell thousands of electronics. So even if you buy an MP3 player there but no music, they're still selling thousands of items to other people. Software is the lifeblood of specialty gaming stores. Once that dries up they're going to find it hard to stay open. So it's not surprising that some are fighting the PSP Go.
nick @ Sep 16th 2009 11:49AM
I can appreciate the stand they're taking and I do have some issues with the way Sony is handling the PSP Go, but I don't think retailers can stop the adoption of digital distribution.
We saw music stores disappear. And I think someday book stores will disappear. And we may even see movie theaters dwindle in numbers if movie content is ever distributed to homes on the day of release.
Content is becoming more portable. It just makes sense to be able to distribute over the internet or wi-fi and in digital format. Bypassing the retailer could save costs (packaging, distribution, overhead) and improve the bottom line for the manufacturer. Perhaps the cost savings could be passed on to the consumer (Steam is a perfect example of that), although not all manfacturers reduce pricing for such offerings.... yet.
I've always believed games would some day be delivered electronically rather than on disc. It's not a question of if it will happen, but rather when will it happen. We're slowly seeing it happen already. And it probably won't occur overnight, but I'm sure it'll happen within the next 10 years.
But look at the iPhone. All content is distributed electronically, although you can buy gift cards in the store towards content. And the iPhone has a whole accessory market out there where you can pick up items at retail.
Anyway, boycotting the sale of hardware because you're not selling software, I think at best is pouting. They lose out on the sales completely not offering the hardware. And they put themselves in a situation of not having everything a consumer may want-- which means your customers may go elsewhere. Would most consumers shop at a store that selectively sold hardware?
Vidikron @ Sep 16th 2009 11:56AM
I agree that ultimately they can't stop this. As technology advances we often have casualties as business models change. But I can't really blame them for taking a stand. They're just trying to hold on as long as possible or maybe hoping a Sony will come up with a solution that will help them.
Echols8 @ Sep 16th 2009 10:30AM
I was in Gamestop the other day and asked when the PSP was coming out to test the two guys behind the counter. They acted as if they didn't know and had to look it up on the computer. Then they played it down bringing out a lot of cons of the system as if it was a scripted response. Makes you wonder!!!!
dnserror61 @ Sep 16th 2009 4:10PM
I work at gamestop, you have no idea what you are talking about. Several of my co-workers have already preordered a PSP go. They have never sent us any e-mails or store informers indicating that we should presure customers to buy the 3000 over the go. Shut the hell up.
calgaryalta @ Sep 16th 2009 4:40PM
After reading dnserror61 response, Echols8 comment just became more believable.
shadowhowl1900 @ Sep 16th 2009 10:34AM
ur loss, pretty sure if consumers wanted it, they would go to another store.
So much for your boycott
Maulok @ Sep 16th 2009 10:36AM
Boycotting the sale of PSPGo because it lacks UMD is like boycotting the sale of a computer because it lacks a floppy drive or 56k modem.
Dummy00001 @ Sep 16th 2009 11:23AM
Bad analogy. If somebody buys a PC from retail, there they can expect the people to come buy more software and H/W upgrades. PC both in hardware and software isn't closed - in stark contrast to consoles.
PSPGo as retailers are concerned is end of road. That's why they do not like it.
After buying PSP you come to them to buy more games. (Accessories are just cherry topping.)
After buying PSPGo you never come back to the retailer: games are sold by Sony directly and exclusively.
So what's the point for retailers to help Sony literally for free? As they are dying breed, it makes even more sense to concentrate on selling something what would prompt customers to come by again.
Emperor_Den_Den @ Sep 16th 2009 11:36AM
fuck all of the pspGO's flaws I WANNA FUCK GAMESTOP OVER
Maulok @ Sep 16th 2009 11:37AM
But Sony has pledged to keep selling the PSP in addition to the PSPGo, like how Nintendo kept DS and GBA going simultaneously. If anything, they should stock both models, all the appropriate accessories, and try stock lots of PSN cards and individual game voucher cards with the PSPGo. Guaranteed they would move more PSN cards than UMDs in the next year, as new releases for PSP on UMD format dry up and the format vanishes.
KaBob799 @ Sep 27th 2009 6:26PM
Nice of you to mention the GBA, notice how the GBA died out despite the original plan to continue releasing new Gameboys?
meist3r @ Sep 16th 2009 10:37AM
Wow so they complain that they will make less revenue if the sell the thing but not the games but their solution is to not make ANY revenue from the device at all. Good luck with that logic.
When was the last time a car dealer refused to sell me a car because he wouldn't be the one filling up the tank everytime?
Space @ Sep 16th 2009 11:06AM
I don't ever remember car dealers making money off of selling gas...
but I do remember the last time an oil tycoon blocked the development of the electric car, and alternative fuels.
Viney @ Sep 16th 2009 11:10AM
That's a stupid analogy. Car dealers turn a huge profit off of cars. It's the only way they stay in business. You want retailers to start marking up PSP prices the way car dealers do?
This is more like a struggling record store selling iTunes gift cards. You don't sell something that makes you next to nothing that only diverts all your business elsewhere. Yes they'll eventually need to adapt to the digital distribution model if they want to stay afloat in the future, but that doesn't mean taking it in the rear now and shooting themselves in the foot promoting somebody else's business model.
Vidikron @ Sep 16th 2009 11:13AM
Plus many dealers also run service centers and sell used cars that people traded in. Both represent big profits for dealerships.
meist3r @ Sep 16th 2009 11:17AM
@Space: Then you've never had a car in a contractors garage for "full service" I've never seen more expensive gas than on those bills. Granted I've mostly seen them on the bills for corporate cars that have a service contract but nonetheless. To alter analogy it's like a dealer refusing to sell you a car if you don't promise to get all his spare parts from him.
A store that sells games and systems needs to sell anything they can to stay in business. To not sell an upcoming console is just stupid to me. No matter how they do it their business will have impacts even more. At least they could sell some Go's and maybe lure customers back to buy something else too. Accessories maybe. But the way they're doing it now they'll go any place else anyhow.
Viney @ Sep 16th 2009 11:33AM
Again meist3r, you're wrong.
If you want to go the car dealer route then this would be like a dealer being forced to sell a car at extremely minimal profit. And said car would NEVER need new parts or repairs. It's not that it's a product that they wouldn't want to sell because you're not promising to buy parts from them in the future. It's a product that completely undermines their business and sets up a business model that completely leaves them out of the picture down the road.
You really don't understand what you're arguing. A business's future is much, much more important to said business than an extremely small percentage of it's profits.
Jason Statham (Has a ps3 now) @ Sep 16th 2009 11:39AM
"but their solution is to not make ANY revenue from the device at all. Good luck with that logic"
Actually that logic makes perfect sense. I mean if game stores were only selling psps, then maybe yeah you'd have a point. However even if they do boycott the pspgo, they are still making money on software sales from not only people with PspGos, but people buying ps3 games, 360 games, Wii games,etc. So it's easy to see why retailers wouldn't necessarily have a problem refusing to sell one product that won't give them anymore revenue.
Viney @ Sep 16th 2009 11:46AM
Exactly Jason, and to further your point:
By not selling the PSP Go, it leaves them more retail space and more resources to sell and promote stock that actually makes them money. Digital distribution may be the future, but there will always be a market for people that want physical copies of things. Promoting the sales of those items is a much wiser business decision than promoting the sales of a platform that is setting itself up to be your rival.