After completing 2009 with redesigned hardware and several high-profile games (including Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge and LittleBigPlanet), the PSP platform is looking for another strong lineup to carry it until the end of another year. Sony's senior vice president of publisher relations, Rob Dyer, told Industry Gamers that third parties will provide a "very robust lineup" in 2010 -- albeit one that has to face a very old problem.
"I think we had a great lineup last year. The biggest problem that plagued PSP was piracy; we have not been able to slow that down," Dyer said. "We think we have some answers going forward, but we're not ready to talk about that publicly at this point. So we're working on fixing that, because that's been a big problem. Publishers, when they put out good games, are not getting the same sales results that they got a few years back. So piracy's been a big issue and we're working on that very diligently to bring about some solutions."
Some solutions include the PSP Go, which focuses on digitally acquired games (through the PlayStation Store, of course!) and -- as recently demonstrated by third-person shooter SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 -- a form of potentially consumer-unfriendly online activation. And while Sony appears pleased with the platform's longevity, six years is a long time to still be tinkering with anti-piracy experiments.
"We're into the sixth year now on the platform, and that's a long time for a handheld," Dyer noted. "I think given where we're at right now, we're doing very, very well. But yes, the business has had problems and I think it all stems, candidly, from the piracy."
Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 5:09PM Jawmuncher said
I just want to see more of Resident Evil Portable
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 5:30PM DeeZeee said
I really don't know what Sony is holding on for. It's time for a new handheld generation!!
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 5:36PM (Unverified) said
Psp2 I wanting something new with 2 analog sticks if Sony really listens to us they'll put 2
Add me psn Id: bs6268d
Add me psn Id: bs6268d
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 7:33PM Jacksons said
They know the PSP Go lacks appeal by looking at the Japan sales charts. It's a joke. An overpriced, under-featured joke. Not only did it slap every single person looking to upgrade in the face by not supporting UMDs in any way, shape or form, it's $50 less than a PS3! Ugh, I love the PSP. I own a ton of games for it and spend more time with it than any of my other systems. It has a lot of genres that you just don't see on home consoles anymore. But going exclusively digital halfway through the PSP's life-cycle? Why would anyone do that!?
*sigh* LittleBigPlanet PSP's $26.99 on newegg, go buy it.
*sigh* LittleBigPlanet PSP's $26.99 on newegg, go buy it.
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 8:12PM killerjuice said
How do people pirate games on the PSP? I know DS gets pirated with R4 and that you can get emulators on the PSP.
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 9:03PM (Unverified) said
I'm a huge fan of the system (yes i did buy a go). I have some good respect for the psp team and the system itself. To come this far against Nintendo is incredible. I hate it when people talk about its "death", I haven't seen any reason to abandon the system (there was a point however, when the psps lineup was stagnant, I think in 07 or 08) Especially Ign, they've been wanting the thing to die since 06! That site is like a campaign against the little guy. I hope the next DS doesn't catch my attention too much lol
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 9:06PM CaramelZappa said
Homebrew through the memory card reader, the same way you can get emulators on it. I've never kept up with the scene because I neither own a PSP or pirate, but I think I've read for some versions you need to buy a third party battery that helps you get past some sort of firmware security.
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 9:07PM CaramelZappa said
Reply fail, meant for Killer Juice.
Killer, take out the apostrophe in your name, it messes up the commenting system so no one can reply to you.
Reply
Killer, take out the apostrophe in your name, it messes up the commenting system so no one can reply to you.
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 9:20PM CaramelZappa said
Both the bluetooth and the 16gb of flash cost pennies to produce. At retail (which is well above and beyond what Sony gets for mass production) a 16gb microsd card is $40, and you can find bluetooth dongles for $2 easy. There is no reason for the GO to be $80 more than the 3000.
Posted: Feb 22nd 2010 9:54PM oboynesquick said
just a total failure.
no UMD? what about all my old games? give me some way of getting them on to the go!
no 3G? y would i take my psp on the go, the wifi is for gaming. but u cant use wifi everywhere like 3g.
psp go is last gen, its too expensive and it cant even compete with mobile phones.
sony make a new one with two joystiqs, better graphics, with trophies, 3G, app store and lower the price(s)!
sad thing is, psp has so many good games. but who in their right mind would buy a psp go when you can buy a PS3 for almost the same price?!
no UMD? what about all my old games? give me some way of getting them on to the go!
no 3G? y would i take my psp on the go, the wifi is for gaming. but u cant use wifi everywhere like 3g.
psp go is last gen, its too expensive and it cant even compete with mobile phones.
sony make a new one with two joystiqs, better graphics, with trophies, 3G, app store and lower the price(s)!
sad thing is, psp has so many good games. but who in their right mind would buy a psp go when you can buy a PS3 for almost the same price?!
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