Sony to maintain 'pricing parity' for downloadable PSP games
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 23rd 2009 at 12:00AM } 
While the PlayStation Store is simply offering games at normal retail price, many retailers engage in price wars to gain the loyalty (and dollars) of consumers. Unfortunately, owners of the digital-only PSP Go will never be able to benefit from actual retail pricing, as SCEA's Eric Lempel told Destructoid that "we have pricing parity right now, and it is part of our strategy."
In Japan, PSN downloads have been customarily slightly cheaper than retail equivalents. Unfortunately, Lempel isn't open to the idea. "We'd like to keep it that way, keep a level playing field, and again, there's not that much more to say on that topic." We'll see if Sony changes its tune should consumers end up not paying $250 for a system that only plays what they see as overpriced games.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GewurztraminerX @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:05AM
I thought this was joystiq, not failblog
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:10AM
This isn't going to end well..
REIGN x 777 @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:43AM
Honestly. I just don't see why Sony just can't seem to get it. Other than it's size, the PSP Go has literally no appeal, and the little it does have is diminishing every day
GewurztraminerX @ Sep 23rd 2009 8:18AM
That's what I said! Albeit, in apparently untranslatable derogatory meme form....
meh.
Creating illogical sentences to irritate the Internet Grammar Teachers @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:35AM
Sony has to please the retailers since they sale their hardware.
If PSN prices were dirt cheap, retailers would be threatened & would likely remove the PSPgo from their shelves.
I like to think of the PSPgo as the premium model for the Richie Rich's of the world.
aaronharmon_04 @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:56AM
Sony just cannot seam to hit the nail on the head. They are not the same company they were when the PS2 came out. I will bet every tiny detail has to be approved by board members, none of whom know the first thing about games or more importantly gamers.
I love my PSP, but I will not be downgrading to the PSPBlow
[ArchiGamer] [Painstakingly Written Before A Live Audience] @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:07AM
Fail..
MystileArmor @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:08AM
Incredibly bad move... I don't get it. I could get the whole "razor" concept, if the PSP Go was priced ridiculously low, but that doesn't seem to apply either.
Nate Addison @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:10AM
I'm sure plenty people will bite on GO! I remember the line when I paid $300 on launch day for my PSP 1000, and I remember being more than happy at the time in doing it. I've since learned my lesson and will not ever partake in the PSP GO!
tkAshur @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:56PM
However, that was when the PSP was a brand spankin new hardware, this however is the same old thing. Its got bluetooth, it slides up and down, and might have some apps. The cons? The screen is smaller, it was one port tv, usb, and charging(umm...limited tv time basically, unless its a double cable where I can charge and play on tv) and worst of all it is not compatible with my UMDs. If the UMD trade in program became a reality then that still wouldn't really cover the costs.
Kevadu @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:11AM
I doubt this policy was Sony's idea. I strongly suspect it's the result of negotiations with retail stores who are desperately trying to stay relevant, but are still needed to sell the actual PSP Go hardware.
David Black @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:51AM
Thanks for being a voice of reason Kevadu. You hit the nail on the head here. If Sony were to undercut retailers by charging less for games on the PSN, retailers would simply refuse to carry the PSP go and might also vastly restrict shelf space for UMD games since they would be less attractive to sell as well.
aristokrat @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:25PM
I bet Amazon would happily be the sole retailer of the PSP Go. They do not have a shelf space problem, and they'd probably love to get some new customers to see how easy it is to shop online. Sony could spend all the money they save by not widely distributing the Go on a massive advertising campaign.
Ridgecity @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:11AM
considering Sony already mentioned they are getting a few more bucks from early adopters with the PSP Go, why not raise the price to these people? The UMD is probably not going to sell that much.
In my opinion, it should be cheaper, as it is in Japan or Steam.
BPMOmega [XBL, PSN, Steam] @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:13AM
This is why I don't look forward to a digital download-only future: prices. I do not think it's right to pay full retail price for what is, essentially, a lesser version of a game. Sure, the data's all the same... but there's no disc/cartridge, no box, no print manual, and no possible extra goodies for special editions and/or preorders.
And with the games coming from only ONE vendor (the hardware manufacturer's online store), there's zero price competition. And all three of the console manufacturers have been rather reluctant to sale pricing (well... MS does seem to do that from time to time... but I don't think Nintendo or Sony have).
At least with PC digital distribution, good deals are quite often through Steam, GOG, etc...
Not THAT Matt @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:55AM
I didn't initially mind the PSP Go's pricetag - heck, my girlfriend and I have ours pre-ordered - but in finding out that not only can we not use existing UMD games with the PSP Go (essentially having to buy them again) and then finding out that there are pretty much NO GAMES ON THE PSN STORE to begin with, it basically kills the notion of the PSP Go even being useful.
Why has a game that came out TWO WEEKS AGO not been put on this online store yet, when the system that you'd download it onto is coming out in a week?!
I'm not a fan of carrying around multiple UMDs and the load times associated with them, but Sony come on, you're literally shooting the sales of your new system in the foot.
Unless I wake up on October 1st to find a new article detailing in-depth Sony's plans for both getting content from pre-existing UMD's onto the PSP Go, but also detailing the roll-out of the ENTIRE recent PSP UMD library onto the PSN Store, then not only are they losing a PSP Go sale, but at this point they'll be losing two PSP-3000 sales as well.
What percentage of Sony's management AREN'T idiots, at this point?
dgknight500 @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:06AM
Well, NISA is going to have all of their older PSP games available on the PSN on October 1st, so I would assume that other publishes would as well. I'm expecting a massive update...
Courtney @ Sep 23rd 2009 2:01AM
PSN has had a few sales, I've picked up Eden and The Last Guy both on sale. They're about as frequent as the Live sales, but seem to have had better selections.
Also, they have bundles now.
But I totally agree that the console digital sales definitely lack the competitiveness of retail outlets, and that can only hurt the consumer in the long run.
Vcize @ Sep 23rd 2009 9:26AM
Really, even Steam's sales suck. Fallout 3 is still priced at $49.99 on Steam, but you can find the disc based version of it for less than 20 bucks.
Digital distribution is exciting, but the prices it brings with it or not. I mean, Amazon was basically selling ODST for around 25 bucks on RELEASE DAY (if you count the free gift cards you get with it, which let's be reasonable here, Amazon gift cards are basically cash). A digital version of ODST would probably still cost more than that 3 years from now, especially if XBL games on demand are any indication.
Zoinks @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:03PM
If you think Steam's sales suck you haven't been paying attention.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/steams-holiday-sale-boasts-10-75-off-everything/
I will agree that the pricing on most of the download services is crazy sometimes. Especially on LIVE, they think 25% off some obscure DLC is a "sale." I mean come on, at least go 50% off.
Solace @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:20AM
who the fuck is going to pay for over priced PSP games? Take for example GTA China Town Wars which is listed for $40 while on the DS it was $35 and on the iPhone I can guarantee it will be less than half of that. PSP games are already over priced at $40 and that is why prices go down so quick for them
shadow763 @ Sep 23rd 2009 2:14AM
Exactly why I would never buy a PSP. Being locked into overpriced digital downloads is BS. I personally picked up Patapon 2 for my PSP at Target on sale for 16 bucks. I even saw it later on knocked down to 10. If they are going to do download only titles, they need to at least do what they did with Patapon 2, so we can still take advantage of retail pricing which is leaps and bounds better then the no discount MSRP pricing we are seeing currently on PSN.
brettjr @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:22AM
You know what I have been on the fence about getting the psp Go for so long. It would be so nice and convenient to have all my games on my PSP making trying to lug around a bunch a UMDs obsolete but this was the final nail, I'm not getting it. So not only are PSP Go players not getting any price break but as we less then 2 weeks away from the PSP Go launch the PSN has virtually less then 1/25 of the PSP games up???? I read the PS Blog and someone asked some one involved with Disgaea 2 if they had plans on bringing it to the PSN cause he wanted to stick to only download games and their replay was not until a while from now???? WTF? So more price, more wait too? And not a single word or anything been elaborated on how they are going to get previous purchased UMDs onto the PSP Go yet. Oh and I don't have to mention how stupid the $250 price point is.
I'm sorry I thought Sony learned some important lessons with the PS3 about listening to the consumer and pricing it fairly to succeed but then they go ahead and make the same mistake with a new, old PSP? *sigh* Oh well the PSP Go would be nice I'll eventually pick it up when it doesn't boost any PSP sales so they drop the PSP Go price down and start imitating whoever is doing it better then them. So much money lossed Sony...
aristokrat @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:17PM
I don't see any good reason for their being a delay on PSN release. It's the exact same data, making slightly repackaged. I'm sure there's a program in the dev tools package that does the conversion in one click. It's not like it has to ported or anything, and this can't be any harder than installing games to my 360 HD, which takes very little time and then runs perfectly (exceptions, I know).
Blue_Falcon @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:27AM
I was rather looking forward to buying the system with the intention of supporting a download-only system, but I find it hard to keep interest when they basically say they're going to be charging higher than what's at retail. What a damn waste.
darthschrader @ Sep 23rd 2009 2:56AM
Love the PSP but it's criminal to charge more than retail! Should be HALF the price for downloadable. C'mon SONY, it's better for the environment, be green!
Freakwincy42 @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:34AM
guys, pass me another nail, please. we're almost done with this coffin.
Tyger @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:35AM
It's like the Xbox 360 games on demand, those prices are really high. At least you have the option to buy it in a store.
I guess if you're willing to pay $250 for a download only system, paying $5 more for a game won't bother you THAT much.
Lurkero @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:38AM
Sony has a clear initiative to NOT make money off PSPgo. I don't even care about it at this point, I'll just get a larger memory stick
Bebe @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:28AM
Sony is just simply encouraging piracy at this point.
People like you will get a larger Memory stick to stick games inside. Is that simple.
Faceman @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:43AM
Don't support the Go! It's like injecting nanomachines into your own body hooking you up to the Sonys of the Patriots. Heh, yea I JUST beat MGS4.
Temidien @ Sep 23rd 2009 8:59AM
As a self-proclaimed MGS fanboy, I found myself snickering at the awkward nerdiness of your comment.
Kinsey @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:55AM
Why is everyone surprised the download version will be the same price as the retail version.
I'd be extremely surprised if they said the PS Store games would be cheaper than the disc counterparts. Of course the retailers wouldn't be happy.
But you never know they still might do the odd sales like they do for PS3 games in the Store.
linebeginstoblur @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:57AM
If you buy a UMD, you're probably paying less, and you own a disc and don't have to worry about shady DRM.
I'm glad I went ahead and upgraded to a 3000 instead of "upgrading" to a Go. And those are heavy quotes there. This is great, usually, it's me feeling bad that I was impatient, and finally, I can feel good about it.
Shogan @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:57AM
Don't like tis Download Only system on the 360 or the PSP Go. If this is the future, Gaming won't be a big part in mine. I LIKE having the box, a manual, and a physical media. For smaller Xbox Live Arcade titles, and a couple of DSi things, I don't mind.
Plastic Rat @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:06AM
^This, exactly.
If this is where gaming is going, I'll be getting a different hobby.
I want my physical media that I OWN and that can't be taken away from me at a moment's notice based on a service provider's whim.
Taylor @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:06AM
Agreed. I will still call myself a gamer in the future, but I will just play the thousands of games in physical form from our past. Nothing wrong with that I guess. I just need to get used to the concept that I may not be playing "new" games in the future.
NotBrandonCrane @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:02AM
Ok, I like how the author is basically saying, "If you shop around you can probably find it cheaper some where." Yeah, duh, just about anything is like that. The fact is that none of the downloadable games are over MSRP so it's not like sony is screwing you over. In fact most of them seem to be below MSRP, you can't just take a few games that are $5 dollars cheaper from various stores and say "see, they're ripping you off", prices are going to vary all over the place. Wild Arms XF is $45 on Amazon but it's $30 cheaper on PSN, that's a $15 savings on one game. I'll agree with you the system is way over priced but the games are reasonable when compared to MSRP and MOST stores also you have the convenience of just downloading it instead of driving to a store and buying it.
dgknight500 @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:09AM
That's true for the older games, but not necessarily true for the newer ones. Motorstorm: Artic Edge has been announced to be $40 on the PSN store when it comes out... I'm expecting all new games will be as well...
NotBrandonCrane @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:25AM
Yeah, but it's still the same price as a retailer though. They're not charging you $5 more than the retailer is charging so it's not ripping you off on the gaming prices.
NotBrandonCrane @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:37AM
Here's what I'm saying, I'm talking about the prices of the games and not the PSP Go. If you have a regular PSP I don't understand how you aren't happy about the PSP downloadable games, it's just another option out there for you. To get mad because every game on it isn't $5 cheaper than the lowest price of every retailer out there or cause their not matching the lowest price makes no sense. Some games will be cheaper on here, some will be more expensive, and some will be the same price. It's up to you if you want to download it or not.
Taylor @ Sep 23rd 2009 10:09AM
So you keep buying games at 'MSRP' prices. I will be smarter and will shop around. Let's meet up in a few years and see who is doing better...
jumpshot @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:28PM
The problem is that they aren't paying for anything that the retailer would pay for. Such as shelf space, their own cardboard promotions, gift cards with a game's character, TV adds, etc. Nor are they paying to have the UMDs created, boxed, manuals designed, printed, etc. AND skip the "middle man". Usually, this is done to pass along savings to the consumer. If there are no savings, they just end up pissing off their allies and potential buyers.
Now if you don't pay for all that, then why not charge less? They charge more because they find the price attractive. They've always been greedy bastards. But here, they are really working overtime to screw us over. /rant
Plastic Rat @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:04AM
Sony seems to bank on having a large supply of idiots to buy their stuff.
Soon as the idiots have been exhausted, they drop the price to a reasonable amount.
Watch this idiot's tune change 6 months down the line when the Go is simply sitting on store shelves gathering dust. Suddenly they'll be doing everything to drop the prices on PSN games.
lobotomies4free @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:25AM
there really needs to be a way to introduce competition back into the downloadable space on consoles. the way this goes sony will have NO incentive to EVER change our prices.
CaramelZappa @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:32AM
I really see the PSP Go as the Mylo 3. After all, the Mylo 2 was based on "psp technology" Not only does it look like the Mylo, but it's just about as useless and just as likely to fail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mylo_(Sony)
PSPisUnderrated @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:53AM
Im just a bit scepical about the situation of PSN store. I mean, if they plan to make the GO succesful, I think the PSN store shoul have pretty much all the games that you can buy as retail copies. If it will only have the crap-ass games the PSN has now, i dont see any reason to buy GO. And i dont feel any better about the situation of EU PSN store, compared to US and Japan store, its just utter crap with some random CarCombatExtreme2000 and stupid Buzz! games. Shouldnt sony start publishing more games, in the PSN like...daily? Or even weekly, to get enough content in the PSN store when the GO hits the shelves...i would forgive the high prices of the virtual versions if the PSN store had every PSP release there is! You think thats likely? It sounds a bit absurd, but i think thats the way it SHOULD be. Im not going to buy GO, but i see this as a chance to get better PSN store for PSP...and im really rooting for it.
Sony, please give us european people a DECENT PSP STORE!
Nobledevil @ Sep 23rd 2009 1:50AM
Despite the fact that I was hoping against hope that downloadable games would see a percentage decrease in price (like maybe 10-15%), if they did that any retailer carrying the PSPgo would rethink the decision to have that hardware in heir stores.
Oh well, I still have my old PSP, so i can choose whether to get a game as a physical copy or a download.
Space @ Sep 23rd 2009 8:30AM
yeah people do not realize that. It's all politics at this point.
Sahil @ Sep 23rd 2009 2:22AM
this is also one of the main reasons i'm sticking to my psp 3000, i can get games on a disc or download them if i want. At this rate though, it doesn't seem that i will download too many games you can buy on a disc. The only games i have on my memory stick are some PS1 classics, and PSN exclusives like beats and super stardust.