Sony America scraps UMD-to-PSP Go conversion plans
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Sep 25th 2009 at 12:21PM } 
That's quite a blow to the base of American PSP owners with large libraries of UMD titles looking to upgrade to a PSP Go -- a blow significantly worsened by the European "PSP Go Rewards" initiative, which grants three free games to PSP Go purchasers who register for the promotion using an older PSP model. This same promotion will not be coming to the US. "SCEA region will not offer a UMD rewards program at this time," due to the fact that the company has a "dual-platform strategy," an SCEA spokesperson has explained to IndustryGamers.
Ironically enough, we have a "we'd rather not purchase our PSP games again to play them on a new version of your handheld" strategy going for us. It's working out pretty well so far.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Sep 25th 2009 12:22PM
EPIC FAIL.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 25th 2009 12:40PM
C'mon, it was a stupid/flawed idea to begin with. It's like trying to trade in your Disney VHS collection for DVD versions. No one wants your fucking VHS version of Goof Troop Season 1.
Taylor @ Sep 25th 2009 12:41PM
I hate to say it, but I enjoy seeing the PSP Go news. It makes me very interested to see how bad it does. I'm usually supportive of Sony, but not with the PSP Go. Maybe I'm just against the future of downloadable games, but the way Sony has been handling this is all wrong.
I'm sure it will have a strong launch due to ebayers, but after that, this system should do nothing but fail.
Night Elve @ Sep 25th 2009 1:11PM
Taylor.
I completely agree with you and I think I've made my point in many occasions regarding the future of downloadable games.
I just like to have a physical collections of my games and not depend if the service will be available in the future.
Anyway the PSP Go is a complete failure, I mean removing the UMD drive was a big mistake, I'm not going to get it and know that my current collection is useless as I can't play them in the Go.
David Black @ Sep 25th 2009 1:12PM
I really don't see what the big deal is. Sony is clearly aiming the go at these folks:
1. People who don't have a PSP.
2. People who have a PSP and 1-3 games.
3. Rich Dumb F*cks.
For those of us who actually own several UMD based games or movies, upgrading to the go doesn't make a lick of sense. However, Sony doesn't care about that because despite them selling 53M PSPs there are a hell of a lot of folks who fall into the above mentioned categories.
A lot of the commentors complaining here are acting like basement cat is whispering in your ear that your soul belongs to him if you don't upgrade to a PSP go.
Space @ Sep 25th 2009 1:49PM
these comments are hilarious.
six months ago Sony was offering the PSP 3000 and no one was complaining...well some were complaining about UMD being an "epic fail."
now Sony is still offering the PSP3000 and they've added the OPTION of the PSPgo and people completely lose their shit.
offday @ Sep 25th 2009 2:00PM
I like Goof Troop...
johnnynumber5 @ Sep 25th 2009 2:11PM
Yeah it is pretty hilarious that the people who never had any intention of getting a GO in the first place are the ones screaming epic fail. Seriously, if you have a UMD based PSP then how does this effect you in the slightest? Can you really blame Sony for not wanting to take millions of old UMDs?
It's like those people who said they didn't want a Blu-Ray player because they would have to re-buy all their movies on BR. No one is making anyone buy anything all over again. You have options if you want a GO and own an older PSP.
Option 1 - Get a GO and a regular PSP and buy the new games in digital form.
Option 2 - Sell your old PSP and old games and upgrade your collection to all digital.
Option 3 - Keep your old PSP and don't get a GO.
I'll still bet anyone that the PSP GO sales are going to be out of this world through the holiday season. People love the new shit and especially the GO which is more portable and sexy than the original PSP and the DSi.
Personally, I want one of these and a PS3 Slim *badly* but I won't be getting a GO for $250 ahead of a new Slim for $299. That much is for damn sure.
Lars @ Sep 25th 2009 2:37PM
Captain Planet has a fair point.
And I always thought that rumored service was too good to be true --I'd believe it when I see it. I could see them doing it for some first party titles, but beyond that, they really can't just dole out digital copies of someone else's content.
The service that they ARE offering is actually better IMO anyways. Because I can choose 3 free games that I haven't played before.
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Sep 25th 2009 2:42PM
"It's like those people who said they didn't want a Blu-Ray player because they would have to re-buy all their movies on BR. No one is making anyone buy anything all over again. You have options if you want a GO and own an older PSP."
It's nothing like that. My Blu-Ray player CAN play all my old movies. The PSP GO can't play all my old games. So how exactly is that the same?
Jimbotron @ Sep 25th 2009 2:51PM
You should be downvoted just for using the stupid, old, tired, idiotic phrase "Epic Fail". Why people think this sounds intelligent or cool is beyond me.
Christ-ian @ Sep 25th 2009 3:07PM
Wow.... So I'm not supportive of the PSP-hacking community in terms of ripping UMD-based games for piracy, but jesus christ this is Sony basically DARING the Go to get hacked right out the gate.
mahouneko @ Sep 25th 2009 3:25PM
Instead of thinking of "OMFG! SONY FUCKED ME OVER!" Let's flip the chessboard around for a moment.
See, the biggest concern is this:
What happens to your UMDs once you're done with converting it for the Go?
Consider case 1: Person A buys a Go and converts all his games into a format that the Go can play. Person A then SELLS his entire UMD collection to GameStop. GameStop puts those games in the USED GAMES pile where Person B buys it. And then you have the cycle repeat itself several more times. In fact, people will be flooding GameStop with all of this USED GAMES bullshit that will definitely be abused even more.
Consider case 2: Person A turns in his entire UMD collection to a trade-in program, but so do 20-30 million other people. Now you have a logistics nightmare and still no way to guarantee that those UMDs didn't come from GameStop's USED GAMES pile.
Bottom line is, a UMD Conversion program doesn't benefit the games developers at all. That said, the PSPGo isn't aimed at the existing PSP user base. Instead, the PSP Go is going to build its foundation on an entirely different user base: one that strictly prefers digital distribution.
Matt @ Sep 25th 2009 4:45PM
My girlfriend and I don't own PSPs, which has us trying to decide which device to buy... the PSP-3000 may be $170, but it's still about $70 for a 16GB memory stick on NewEgg, which will bring the price to $240 or so.
The fact you couldn't transfer old UMDs to the device simply is't affecting us, since we don't havy any old UMDs, however one thing bugs us.
The only way you can get games for the PSP Go is by purchasing them from the PSN Store.
Anybody else looked at the PSN Store lately? There's NOTHING on that fucking store in terms of software, some 65 games (ten MAYBE fifteen of them worth playing) for the PSP on there, with NOTHING being recent. What the HELL am I supposed to do with my PSP Go when I get it, play fucking Lumines? This isn't 2005.
The only explanation could be that Sony is waiting and intends to have a huge release of titles on October 1, to coincide with the launch of the system. If that's the case, fucking SAY SOMETHING so I'm not 100% discouraged by your company's retardation tactics, and instead only merely 95% discouraged.
That or Sony is fucking retarded.
Either one of those explanation is possible at this point, to be honest. Nothing like having a potential consumer ready and waiting to spend $540 on your shit, and then tell them nothing about the shit they're ready to spend money on.
Idiots, all of them.
sk8monroe81 (PSN--XBL) @ Sep 25th 2009 5:11PM
i was going to write the exact same 2 words.
thanks, im not the only one who thinks so..
Sarge @ Sep 25th 2009 5:23PM
As an owner of a PSP Slim, how does this ever make sense? At least with the DSi, you have the option to upgrade while maintaining your previous set of carts. This, however, forces one to buy the games all over again. I've got 25 or so UMDs, so this whole "put a UMD in and redeem for 3 games" makes no sense.
You know, this wouldn't necessarily be that bad if they had most of the library available on the store with decent prices. But that's not the case, and as such, going with a Go makes absolutely no sense, even to someone looking to purchase a new PSP. Besides, you can make your own 16GB memory stick by getting a CR-5400 adapter and two 8GB MicroSDs. Works like a charm, and should only run around $40.
As for this whole "used games business", I should be able to resell my games if want to. Just like my car or pretty much anything else I buy. Digital downloads get into some iffy territory. Do I really even own the game? Or do I just own the rights to play my game, to eventually be revoked should a company go under, or the platform no longer be supported? Give me a physical copy any day.
mahouneko @ Sep 25th 2009 7:15PM
@Sarge:
You are certainly free to resell your UMD games if you want. But you will need to keep in mind that if you do so, the developers that you like won't be making any more money off of GameStop's USED GAMES sales. You're not the only one who has 25 UMD titles for the PSP and the PSP Go simply isn't being marketed towards users like us.
Like you, I also prefer to have physical copies for my games out of sheer habit. The problem I see with the Go right now is that the back-end system that supports this isn't as well developed as I'd like, but Sony has to start somewhere with this and the Go is that platform.
You have to remember that this generation is the first time that Sony has gone online with digital retail and networks. Valve's Steam distribution network itself had problems of its own when it first launched as did Microsoft's Xbox Live network.
The way I see it is that Sony has to start somewhere, even if it means stumbling around. All I can say about the Go at this point is "god speed". It'll need a lot of marketing support and corporate leadership/vision to pave its way in the digital market.
aristokrat @ Sep 25th 2009 8:05PM
16GB MS Pro Duo with Magic Gate Mark 2 sell for under $40 on eBay. They may be shipped from Hong Kong, but they're legit Sony products. I'm totally happy with mine, and very glad I didn't pay the needless mark-up imposed on flash memory.
sk8monroe81 (PSN--XBL) @ Sep 25th 2009 9:07PM
johnny-
um i really dont think the GO is going to sell very well this year, and you are 1 of the only people I have heard who thinks so.
the iphone was a huge success in part to the huge sucess of the previous ipod's, along with other things, like bringing so many things to 1 device in a simple fashion that we all can use.
u think skype has anything on real cell service?
u think the psp is already very popular?
'' people like new shit '' yes but they dont like overpriced new shit.
or new shit that is too expensive. that never floats well in a bad world economy.
and we cant blame them for not wanting to take them back, but why did they even talk about it and offer it in the first place ?? that is where they messed up.
if they never brought it up, it wouldn't have been thought of that much.
it just turned out that their accountant dept. probably told them - can you guys really afford to lose more money on a project that has previously already been losing sony corp. millions of dollars annually (psp).
and johnny we all have the right to our opinions, dont let them affect yours, and you better believe if the GO was more intruiging and wanted that more of us would be buying 1 even though we already have a psp.
the fact is that the GO
Matt @ Sep 26th 2009 12:50AM
For any interested, here's an update:
So my girlfriend and I after reading all the horrible coverage of the PSP Go, the lack of information on Sony's parts, and having called Sony six times (!) myself (four to their general information/tech support number and twice to their Sony Style number) and gotten nothing from their employees - we decided we weren't going to give in to this Go BS.
We went to Best Buy (in Green Bay, W) tonight and picked up a Rock Band Unleashed PSP bundle, a silver Rachet and Clank PSP bundle, a 4GB MS Pro Duo memory card, two $20 PSN Store cards, Crisis Core, Star Ocean and Star Wars: Unleashed for about $524 after tax.
For the price of two PSP Go's we picked up two PSP's, 4GB of memory for each (the Rock Band bundle comes with a 4GB), six games (including Echochrome) and School of Rock on the PSN Network, AND two $20 PSN Store cards.
The only discernable difference from what I gather is that downloading content from the PSN Store directly to the PSP seems like it is a lot slower on the PSP than the PSP Go purportedly offers - but that's what my laptop, the Media Go software, and a USB cable I already owned are there for.
Two sales lost because of you 100% complete lack of communication, trust in your customer and respect/courtesy.
FYI most of your phone reps are dicks, and if I were caught saying/doing half the things at MY call center job that they did, I'd be fired.
CJH @ Sep 26th 2009 7:41AM
Way to go, Matt! You really showed Sony by picking up 2 PSPs, and a crapload of accessories and games!
Quattro @ Sep 26th 2009 8:00AM
@mahouneko
Calm down Battler.
djSyndrome916 @ Sep 26th 2009 10:21AM
"hey may be shipped from Hong Kong, but they're legit Sony products."
No, they're not. The vast majority of Memory Stick Pro Duos on eBay (and Amazon Marketplace) are fake. And the counterfeiters are pretty good.
http://reviews.ebay.com/FAKE-Sony-Memory-Stick-Pro-Duo-MagicGate-Cards-Exposed_W0QQugidZ10000000001236041
knor @ Sep 26th 2009 3:16PM
on/off-topic: last night me and all of my friends were sitting around when this girl pulls out her slider phone. Everyone goes apeshit, saying that all slider phones break after x amount of time (where x is shorter than one would expect for a cell phone's lifetime).
It got me thinking, what happens when all of these people get PSPGO and their slider thing fucks up? Regardless of time passed, I'm sure Sony isn't going to do anything to replace these defective products after warranty.
Travis @ Sep 26th 2009 6:26PM
the only way to fix this is to own up to it. Sony needs to recall the PSP Go, give refunds and revert to the last UMD model, or one with a second analog stick. They'd get more respect by admitting they were wrong.
azuravian @ Sep 27th 2009 11:48AM
@johnnynumber5:
Your analogy comparing this to BluRay fails for two reasons. One, that was already mentioned by another poster, is that my BluRay player can still play my old DVDs, therefore I can throw away my old hardware and still retain my functionality. The 2nd, and even more important difference, is that bluray are a physical product and a better product (higher resolution). In the case of the PSP Go, the digital downloads are exactly the same data as the UMDs I already have, plus since they are digital reproduction cost is $0.
Jrinswand @ Sep 25th 2009 12:23PM
Good lord. I feel like I'm witnessing the launch of the PS3 all over again.
NaeemTHM @ Sep 25th 2009 12:27PM
So...PSP GO will be awesome in three years?
Jrinswand @ Sep 25th 2009 12:31PM
No, probably not. I doubt that the PSP Go will ever live up to the legacy of the PSP. It's just as well, too, because I'm ready for a new generation of handhelds.
Quinton @ Sep 25th 2009 12:48PM
I think it's more like the Gameboy Micro launch.
"You know that DS or GBA SP you're playing on? Well it's garbage! Now you can play HALF the games that both of those systems can for twice the price of the SP!! Play only GBA games! SP can play GB, GBC AND GBA games and has multiplayer capabilities? You dont want any of that! The DS can play every game the Micro can plus Ds title? YOU DONT WANT THAT EITHER! YOU want CUSTOMIZABLE FUCKING FACEPLATES."
And not more the 2 sets of faceplates were ever released over here. There were even some models that only came with 1 faceplate.
Duke @ Sep 25th 2009 12:54PM
Oh course you were Halo Pony - that's all you like to think about.
Geist @ Sep 25th 2009 1:28PM
Except that the Micro sold very well and wasn't actually meant to replace anything? It was just a bit of a cash grab by Nintendo to appeal to the hipster crowd, and it worked.
Warlock @ Sep 25th 2009 2:28PM
Micro also wasn't as retardedly expensive as PSP Go.
Matt @ Sep 25th 2009 5:22PM
If I recall, the Micro was either $80 or $100 (I want to say $100) when the DS was.. $130?
Which, yeah, made the Micro retard expensive.
Still really cool, though!
liamario @ Sep 25th 2009 12:24PM
This handheld is going to fail epically. It's more expensive. The games are more expensive. Everything about it is more expensive while at the same time, the handheld is crippled in so many ways
David @ Sep 25th 2009 12:45PM
Uhm, I think I remember Sony saying the games will be cheaper..
devilsei @ Sep 25th 2009 12:59PM
Well it does depend on how they handle it David.
Since its exclusively digital, there's no physical copy of the game, and if for some reason you have to replace your memory stick cause its no longer working, how will they handle that? Will you have to pay for it again, or will they let you just download it for free?
Either way has some major flaws. I wont pay for a game again just because of a memory stick was broken. But if they let us download it again for free, whats to stop someone from just throwing in someone else's memory stick and downloading the same game onto that?
Microsoft already has to deal with that latter issue, some people (lets call them A) have been getting certain games off the market place for free because someone else (B) can just sign on their 360 and re-download a game B already bought, and A gets to play it without having to buy it.
Space @ Sep 25th 2009 2:06PM
you can re-download up to 5 times. That was sorted out in 2006.
I know because I have about 50+ games on my PS3 that I got from a friend's account
Ian @ Sep 25th 2009 2:17PM
They will probably handle it hte same way they handle shit now. You can download it as many times as you want, but it can only be on X number of PSPs based on them being registered with your PSN account.
Warlock @ Sep 25th 2009 2:34PM
When you consider you are paying *Sony's* price for the games, I would say they are most definately *not* cheaper. Keep in mind, you're losing out on things like sales and discounts - you're relying solely on Sony to set the price as opposed to several competing retail outlets who might lower a price to clear inventory or bring in customers over a competing store (all things that don't happen with digital medium).
Viney @ Sep 25th 2009 2:34PM
To clarify what Space said, you can actually "re-download" files from the PSN as many times as you want. However, you can only download those files on systems (up to 5 of them) registered to your account. If you hit your system limit though, you can always deactivate your account from a system in your account management menus on that system.
il_duce620 @ Sep 25th 2009 12:26PM
This doesn't sound very smart to me...
Phil @ Sep 25th 2009 1:42PM
Seriously! I don't know what SoA could do to make me want this thing less.
Ryan @ Sep 25th 2009 3:12PM
Could slap a big rainbow dildo on it...
Snipermike @ Sep 25th 2009 12:26PM
I love you sony and i'm gonna let you finish but this is going to be the biggest failure of all time...........of all time
acefondu @ Sep 25th 2009 1:50PM
I beat Links Awakening DX more times than any handheld game ever! Love that game. Only issue with the GBC was the screen size being so tiny.
Jimbotron @ Sep 25th 2009 2:58PM
You are such an idiot.
Wow! You're so clever to repeat something terribly retarded for the one billionth time! How do you come up with such clever things to say? Can you understand what I am saying, or do I need to speak sheep to you, since that is what you are?
Baaaaaa. Baaaa baaaa.
Snipermike @ Sep 25th 2009 3:56PM
Jimbo you sound fat
Aqua Victorian @ Sep 26th 2009 12:02AM
Okay that jokes kinda old now :/ ...
Joanna D @ Sep 25th 2009 12:26PM
Is everyone forgetting the Game Boy Color launch?