Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 4 - Jan. 10: Honeymoon's over edition

Man, I want that Kingdom Hearts PSP...

It's so freakin' sexy.

Sigh.

Damnit, that wasn't supposed to be a reply.

Oh well. I'll just ride your coat-tails, Dishwasher.

It makes more sense, i think. The Japanese are less receptive to digital distribution, a DD only platform was bound to underperform, even if its a version of the ridiculously popular (in Japan at least) PSP

The Japanese are less receptive towards DD? Interesting since their internet infrastructure is far superior to what we have here.

I can't prove it, but it just seems like something they would be up to. DD is more a PC thing, and the Japanese were never as big on PC gaming.

I have a theory about the PSPgo. No supporting evidence, really, but it kind of fits what we know. My theory is that Sony doesn't really care that much about the PSPgo's poor sales and does not really need to. Here's what I think is what happened:

1a. Developers complain to Sony about PSP piracy and demand a download-only device that can't be hacked (or at least not as easily as the PSP-x000).
1b. Retailers complain to Sony about poor sales and, since hardware sales have a very low profit margin, poor earnings from the PSP-x000.
2. Sony comes up with the concept of the PSPgo to address the above 2 complaints (download-only device powered by a sealed battery with a high MSRP but low wholesale cost).
3. Sony spends very little money on developing the PSPgo.
4. Sony spends very little money *making* each PSPgo, which is what enables the high retailer profit margin.
5a. Developers get what they asked for, though they're not that happy with the low sales thing.
5b. Retailers get what they asked for and are not too disappointed by the low sales thing, because each PSPgo sold gives them as much profit as, say, 5 PSP-3000s sold (I'm completely making up that number, FYI). Additionally, since the PSP-3000 is still on the market, consumers continue to buy UMD software, meaning the PSP line gives retailers 2 streams of profit.

So, Sony is not hurt much by poor sales of the PSPgo; it wasn't much R&D cost, doesn't lose them money per unit, and gains them goodwill from retailers. As for the developers' feelings, well, I don't have any ideas for that.

Killdash,

1b is still a point. Cost on the go for the company I work for is still 225.00, so retailers aren't exactly going to rake in the money on a high margin system. While it slightly higher than the $8.00 margin on a system like the Assassin's Creed PSP Bundle, it's still nothing large. Retailers do not sell game systems for the profit, but the bundling, by consumers, of the system with games when they make the sale. That's why there were so many retailers who were unhappy with carrying the PSP-Go when it launched. Sony's solution was to sell those game cards (where you buy the card and use the code on it to download the game on your PSP-Go) however those cards do not have the margin of their physical media counterparts...

Retailers got screwed on the PSP-Go, and if you don't have the support of the people selling your product, your product isn't going to get the sales.

@Mr Khan

I remember going over this in Japanese class. Japan is pretty much a "cash-based" society. Using credit cards or debit cards has this whole social stigma to it. That's why getting PSN cards in the stores was such a big deal. Sure, they could buy a PSN card, bring it home, then download the games, but that kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

There needs to be some other example of auditory congratulation, since a rim shot and 'YEAAAAAAH!" don't really fit.

How about just some applause?

*applause*

*slow clap*
....would that work?

I totally just read that as "applesauce"...

It was a long night...

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?#!@ you all.

I ?#!@ you too.

I just picked up that PSP, its beautiful. the patterns remind me of a sweater. Doubt they'll ever make a limited edition psp GO.

Yeah, but with out the UMD slot where will you put the crack?

So Sony needs Bill Cosby to promote the Go?

Tell that to the DS.

There have only been a couple of design only changed and the other redesigns at least changed something. There are so many pointless PSP designs.

yes, nintendo changes DS phat to smaller shape and brighter screen

BRILLIANT!!!

sony changes PSP1000 to smaller shape and brighter screen

USELESS!!!

Wow...I'm talking about the design,art,decal on the system not the renovations!

so...

http://www.nowinstock.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/red-mario-ds-lite.jpg

that's a great change compared to this?

i don't get what you are saying.

And how many of those exist.

I remember a:

GoW theme
Monster Hunter
Hana Montana
Madden
StarWars
Final Fantasy
KingDom Hearts
Crisis core.

If that is all it takes to raise up sales then Nintendo is playing their cards wrong.
(Luigi and Wario DS out soon)

You COULD make your own decals. Sankaku Complex has this PSP decal/skin gallery of roughly a hundred PSPs that have been personalized by people who printed onto a sticky photopaper or adhesive vinyl and then pasted it onto their PSP. Some of the decals are very impressive. The site, Sankaku Complex, itself is NSFW but the gallery is pretty impressive.

NSFW first two images:
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/01/11/ita-psp-gallery/

This one is all-ages and awesome:
http://img3.sankakustatic.com/wp-content/gallery/ero-misc-iv/ita-psp-custom-anime-fascia-009.jpg

Here's a very good IdolM@ster decal:
http://img2.sankakustatic.com/wp-content/gallery/ero-misc-iv/ita-psp-custom-anime-fascia-023.jpg

Ive heard that when certain REALLY big games come out,
they just declare it a national holiday.

Can anyone verify if there is/was any truth in these?

Given Microsoft's history of doing business, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft were the one that hired the assassins to off Miyamoto and Reggie.

Sony would try to buy them off and get them to come work for SCE.