We've already heard from Nintendo's Satoru Iwata on Apple's most recent handheld (spoilers: he doesn't care about it), but the Wall Street Journal recently asked Sony's John Koller how his company's reacting to the device. Rather than outright dismissing it like the Nintendo prez, though, he said he's looking to the iPad for boosted PSP sales. Seriously.
"Apple's entrance into the portable gaming space has been a net positive for Sony ... when people want a deeper, richer console, they start playing on a PSP." In fairness, it's part of Koller's job to rep Sony in these situations, but it's not exactly impossible to argue with his logic in this case -- as the WSJ points out, sales of the PSP have "nearly tripled" since June 2007 (when the iPhone first launched). This would normally be the point where we point out other mitigating factors in year-over-year sales increases (say, games like God of War: Chains of Olympus and GTA: Chinatown Wars coming out, or a new console iteration being released), but we'll leave the comments section below to handle that.
Reader Comments (99)
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 7:50PM ch3burashka said
I don't think that the iPad and PSP are directly comparable, and the comsumer Venn Diagrams don't overlap enough to warrant Mr. Koller's opinion. iPad consumers would technically be netbook-consumers, not portable-gaming-console consumers.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 7:55PM (Unverified) said
Didn't sony say something similar with the wii/360 or ds? Either way, that little prediction didn't really work very well for them.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 7:58PM (Unverified) said
Given that Sony is expected to report a 1.1 billion dollar profit in February, along with the PlayStation division returning to profitability...there's definitely something at work there.
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Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:01PM (Unverified) said
Yeah and it took them nearly 4 years to do it, which is what I was referring to. Pretty sure they said that when they were on their crazy talk binge in 2006 or so.
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Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:10PM (Unverified) said
They said it about the Wii, in a semi-comparable fashion. There disposition was that people would buy the Wii and the PS3 as their "real console." Their prediction was correct, people did pick up a "real console" with their Wii, it just wasn't the PS3.
....I am a PS3 fanboy for the record.
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....I am a PS3 fanboy for the record.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:17PM medeasin said
I have to agree with Sony on this one. When I got my iPhone a couple years ago, I would never have considered a portable gaming device. I got it to use as an internet/email/phone/camera/plus device. But the games on it are so ... lacking, that I seriously thought about getting a PSP for the first time.
Then the iPad came out, and after reading about it, now I really want a PSP. If only it had a phone function too.
Then the iPad came out, and after reading about it, now I really want a PSP. If only it had a phone function too.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:25PM (Unverified) said
You'd have to hold it sideways...do you know the last device that tried that?
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 12:04AM (Unverified) said
I think the PSP Go could serve as a really nice segue into a PSP phone... With the slider closed it has a very similar form factor to the most modern touchscreen smartphones. Now imagine if that screen were a touchscreen, and maybe if it were a dual-slider (gaming pad on one side, keyboard on the other, while still managing to keep it thin), with the openness of the PSP platform and the amount of media it already supports, I think Sony could have a real ace up its sleeve.
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Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:35PM Suichimo said
Chinatown Wars certainly didn't help sell the PSP. It sold worse there than it did on the DS.
Lets see, talking world wide, what huge game helped the PSP beat out the DS for a few months. Oh yeah, Monster Hunter.
I highly doubt Sony is going to get any boost that could be attributed to people "graduating" from the iPad.
Lets see, talking world wide, what huge game helped the PSP beat out the DS for a few months. Oh yeah, Monster Hunter.
I highly doubt Sony is going to get any boost that could be attributed to people "graduating" from the iPad.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 8:49PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
I see zero competition between the iPhone/iPod touch/iPod touch XL and the PSP or DS. The former is a multimedia/internet device that also plays games, and the latter are game systems that also play media and browse the net.
If you're buying the iPhone, IPod touch, or iPad for video games... you're going to be sorely disappointed. It plays games, sure, but very few on the same level as most of DS or PSP's games. The iDevices do gaming as an afterthought, and could never be a replacement or competition for the actual gaming systems.
Yes, there's a few overlaps between them (GTA and Phoenix Wright, for example), but many games on DS or PSP would be downright unplayable on the iDevices.
As a PR guy, Koller does what he's supposed to do. But he's still talking out of his ass.
If you're buying the iPhone, IPod touch, or iPad for video games... you're going to be sorely disappointed. It plays games, sure, but very few on the same level as most of DS or PSP's games. The iDevices do gaming as an afterthought, and could never be a replacement or competition for the actual gaming systems.
Yes, there's a few overlaps between them (GTA and Phoenix Wright, for example), but many games on DS or PSP would be downright unplayable on the iDevices.
As a PR guy, Koller does what he's supposed to do. But he's still talking out of his ass.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:06PM rahmenxnoodles69 said
Exactly, Sony..
Because anyone who would be dumb enough to buy something as pointless as the iPad would logically then logically graduate to the supreme pointless-ness of the PSP Go.
Because anyone who would be dumb enough to buy something as pointless as the iPad would logically then logically graduate to the supreme pointless-ness of the PSP Go.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:09PM Mr Khan said
You'd figure it would go the other way, given that handhelds are very accessibly priced, while the iPad is, well, not.
Though i suppose the iPad could be seen as a window to gaming, but only so much as the PC itself is.
Though i suppose the iPad could be seen as a window to gaming, but only so much as the PC itself is.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:12PM Ordeith said
Sure Sony, just like all the Wii users are flocking to the PS3 now.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:14PM (Unverified) said
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:17PM RobAccomando said
iPad users will graduate to a pad of paper and crayons
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 10:53AM ructus said
Just trying to be objective here, SJ said netbooks were basically cheap notebooks. What are netbooks anyways? They are mobile computers for browsing the internet. What else can they do? The hardware on a netbook is a watered down version of a notebook. The iPad doesn't want to be a netbook, of course it more or less is one, it does try to do a few things well:
- It looks like a pretty good e-book reader
- Neato photo frame/gallery device
- Sweet touch screen internet browser (but no Flash lols).
- Some casual gaming
- Long ass battery life
One thing that really sucks though, is it cannot do multi-tasking, which netbooks obviously can, but again since the hardware specs are so lame on netbooks, everything is slow anyways, no one would enjoy multi-tasking, but at least it can. Future versions of iPad will most likely support multi-tasking, but who knows when.
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- It looks like a pretty good e-book reader
- Neato photo frame/gallery device
- Sweet touch screen internet browser (but no Flash lols).
- Some casual gaming
- Long ass battery life
One thing that really sucks though, is it cannot do multi-tasking, which netbooks obviously can, but again since the hardware specs are so lame on netbooks, everything is slow anyways, no one would enjoy multi-tasking, but at least it can. Future versions of iPad will most likely support multi-tasking, but who knows when.
Posted: Feb 1st 2010 4:24AM ructus said
I suppose the question someone wanting a netbook like device needs to ask is, what would like to do mostly on the device, then just select the one that suits teh most.
Even though i will not be buying one, but the idea of an ebook reader that can also surf the web is mighty enticing.
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Even though i will not be buying one, but the idea of an ebook reader that can also surf the web is mighty enticing.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:22PM Tab said
I don't know why ipad is even thought of as being a contender for the gaming market. Most of the games are novelties like cell phone games. People who want real portable gaming will get a psp or a ds, so the only people that need to worry about ipad is amazon's kindle.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:47PM Dale P said
I own a DS, PSP and iPhone 3G. I may also end up with an iPad. I go where the games are.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:52PM Ricardo Dawkins said
Everyone with these portable devices will graduate to a netbook/notebook in the future....
ok?
ok?
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 9:55PM JasonGW said
Just like Gameboy gamers flocked to the PSP, right? Just like DS gamers have gotten sick of their platform and flocked to PSP, right? Just like gamecube gamers flocked to PS3, right?
I love Sony's bizarre thinking. It gives me endless hours of laughter :)
I love Sony's bizarre thinking. It gives me endless hours of laughter :)
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 10:03PM Adaran said
I think the iPad is more of a hybrid computer and gaming system. There is a lot more you can do with an iPad than a PSP. Sorry Sony. I love your PS3, but iPad is in a different category.
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 10:53PM armageddon said
Ipad users would sooner graduate to the DS/DSi then the psp!
Posted: Jan 30th 2010 11:50PM FredFredrickson said
The PSP is definitely better than the iPad, but this strikes me as quite a stupid thing to say when the DS is obviously more akin to the casual / touch experience iPad users might have.
But then, I don't yet expect the iPad to be a huge success, so I doubt either Sony or Nintendo needs to worry about whose device iPad users "graduate" to.
But then, I don't yet expect the iPad to be a huge success, so I doubt either Sony or Nintendo needs to worry about whose device iPad users "graduate" to.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 12:46AM neoXmahi said
I'm a HUGE Sony fan. Some might call me a FANBOY, but uh.... This statement isn't accurate. iPad consumers aren't gonna upgrade to a PSP. I'm sorry. Its not gonna happen. The PSP Go is far to expensive and can't do nearly the things the iPad can do. Internet search on the PSP isn't any good at all. With a touchable keyboard, the iPad makes searching the internet much easier. Sorry Sony, really, but I gotta go with Apple on this one. The PlayStation 3 is a solid piece of hardware. Keep focusing on that and continuing to get the rest of Sony Corp. to back the hardware more than it is. There's too much division.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 1:11AM pika2000 said
Graduate to the PSP? LOL. More like casual PSP owners upgrading to the iPod Touch instead of your overpriced PSP Go.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 4:52AM Chopper731 said
The iPod Touch is not an upgrade from the PSP for gaming. Lay off the Apple Kool-Aid.
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 5:00AM pika2000 said
@tomlinson731: Yes, not if you're looking for gaming only. But did you even read my comment, or did you drink too much Sony koolaid? I said CASUAL PSP owners. For a casual person, having an iPod Touch, finding and downloading a game from the built-in App store is a much more seamless experience than the PSP. Considering the price of the PSP go, and that the iPod Touch does internet and music way better than the PSP, normal people would just get an iPod Touch.
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 1:18AM Bobulous said
However much I love Apple and Sony's stuff, I don't see how the iPad will drive PSP sales. An iPad is a multifunction touch-screen portable that will have a few decent games whereas the PSP is a dedicated portable console with lots of great games and is ok at some multifunction stuff. Completely different markets.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:31AM (Unverified) said
All this shit doesn't matter. The iPad will never compete in the handheld video game market. Shit it hardly does the job its made to do.
Everything is half ass with the iPad, just another way for Apple to make money.
Everything is half ass with the iPad, just another way for Apple to make money.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:40PM MysticMaven said
Jealous much? You anti-Apple zealots are ridiculous and it's sad how much time you spend writing how much you DON'T LIKE something. Do you actually think you are going to influences anyone else's purchasing decision?
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 3:13AM Stevehoff said
Not to say one way or the other, but I don't think Sony should bet on something failing and then people going to their system. They did it with the Wii. It's a rather dumb idea. I'm not a fan of the iPad, but I don't think they'll get a big boost from people who were thinking about it then going OH WAIT!! The Psp is... different? It's a poor man's marketing tool. They should focus on games rather than on crappy PR... which SOny seems to have an abundance of anyways...
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 3:51AM Hoops said
Um, wait. The PSP Go and Chinatown wars were both flops. Neither should be credited for significantly boosting Sony's Portable sales.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:06PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Actually the funny thing is that the GO has increased PSP 3000 sales. I agree with you on Chinatown Wars though as the game didn't sell well at all.
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 5:44AM qualitypoint said
But this poll
http://qualitypoint.blogspot.com/2010/01/will-apple-ipad-kill-amazon-kindle.html
indicates people expects a product from Gooogle as an alternative for both apple
ipad and Amazon Kindle.
http://qualitypoint.blogspot.com/2010/01/will-apple-ipad-kill-amazon-kindle.html
indicates people expects a product from Gooogle as an alternative for both apple
ipad and Amazon Kindle.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 9:53AM fortgriffen said
Seriously, no one is graduating to a PSP. lol
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 12:59PM acefondu said
Obviously the PSP is better than an iPad for gaming, but I don't see how consumers will "graduate" to a PSP from the more expensive iPad. That's more like realizing you screwed up buying an iPad for games when you could have paid much less for a better gaming experience.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:04PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
He's saying if you use the iPad for a lot of gaming you'll eventually want a richer experience and he thinks users will want a PSP for that richer experience. Thats what he means, I think.
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:37PM MysticMaven said
Funny, because I'm done the complete opposite. Started with a PSP, sold it. Then got a DS Lite, still have it but don't play it. Now I play game on my iPhone and will soon be playing them on the iPad.
It sound to me that Sony and Nintendo are more scared than anything.
It sound to me that Sony and Nintendo are more scared than anything.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 11:48PM (Unverified) said
Are you serious???? I think that Sony and Nintendo were waiting to see what sort of hardware this thing would have, especially to see if it would be able to compete with their choices for their next gen of hardware. As such, both companies were very unimpressed with what Apple had to offer. They are not scared, and according to the rumors reported by a wide variety of gaming websites, both Nintendo and Sony are ready to release their next generation of hardware by next year. Besides, why should Nintendo be scared? The DS has over a 100 million units already. The PSP has even sold more units compared to the iPhone at 56 million.
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Posted: Jan 31st 2010 2:43PM Scuffles said
I think their take on it is that the iPad does a proverbial shit ton of things (see "jack of all trades")..... it just doesn't really do any of them really well, so people are going to migrate to, or back to hardware that is more specific and offers a more precise experience.
For example the PSP can play movies but it does a fairly lousy job so most people don't regularly watch movies on their psp. I do from time to time but only on long flights where the PSP does a wonderful job of keeping me sane.
For example the PSP can play movies but it does a fairly lousy job so most people don't regularly watch movies on their psp. I do from time to time but only on long flights where the PSP does a wonderful job of keeping me sane.
Posted: Jan 31st 2010 3:27PM (Unverified) said
*Laughing My Ass Off*
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