Joystiq

Report: Sony stops PSP Go production

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST

A blog post translated by Andriasang says production of the PSP Go is over. This adds to mounting evidence that the final days of the PSP Go are upon us -- you know, if anyone actually buys the remaining stock. Eurogamer received a very awkward non-denial from Sony Europe when it followed up on the new information, and MCV notes there are no more PSP Go handhelds heading to UK retail.

Amazon updated the PSP Go's product page several weeks ago, saying it had been "discontinued by manufacturer." When we contacted Sony of America for clarification, a representative stated, "We are going to continue to make shipments of PSPgo." We've contacted Sony again to find out if it has finished shipping those previously mentioned PSP Go units, and whether it plans to make more.

Report: Sony stops PSP Go production originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai: Price 'perhaps' an issue with PSP Go

Justin McElroy — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In what can only be described as a triumph of understatement, PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai has admitted to MCV that the $250 pricing could "perhaps" be blamed for the PSP Go's unimpressive sales thus far. "I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue. Because of the cost reductions we've been able to do over the years, the traditional PSP has benefited. But the PSP Go is a completely different design, so the cost trend is different." To put it another way, when Sony took out the part that makes it play all the PSP games you already own, it made it very expensive. Or to put it even simpler: They only hit you because they love you so much.

If Sony really wanted to capture the situation, it'd make an ad where Kevin Butler puts a PSP Go in a slingshot, fires it out a window at a passing explosion and says, "Win some, lose some, I guess." We understand why this level of corporate honesty is not an option, but can we at least get something better than "perhaps"? Like ... say ... a price cut?

Kaz Hirai: Price 'perhaps' an issue with PSP Go originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New PSP Go owners to receive a free copy of LittleBigPlanet or Assassin's Creed

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST

This should make the PSP Go's price tag a bit easier to swallow. From now until March 21, new North American PSP Go owners that add a PlayStation Network to their systems will be eligible to receive a free game from the PlayStation Store: either Assassin's Creed Bloodlines or LittleBigPlanet PSP. After the registration process, SCEA will e-mail a special code that enables the free download.

The promotion is similar to one launched by Sony Europe a few months ago. Unsurprisingly, early adopters are feeling left in the cold. DevilDawg90 commented on the PlayStation.Blog: "This is unfair to people like me who picked up the PSPGo day one. I had to pay 40 for LBP PSP! I have been supporting Sony and this is just a slap in face."

Unfortunately DevilDawg, that's generally how technology works; it gets cheaper over time. In fact, the PSP Go is approaching affordable when considering the $50 discount Amazon.com is offering on it. At $200 with a free game, it's almost -- dare we say it? -- a good deal.

New PSP Go owners to receive a free copy of LittleBigPlanet or Assassin's Creed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go save $40 on the PSP Go at Amazon.com

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST

PSP Go has entered the "almost worth it" zone. While we're enamored with the system's smaller design, it's hard to ignore that it plays far less games than the PSP-3000 and costs much more.

Thankfully, online retailer amazon.com has discounted the white handheld to $209.99 -- $40 off the standard MSRP. At this price, the PSP Go costs approximately the same as a PSP-3000 and a 16GB Memory Stick. Considering Amazon's hefty cut, we wonder: will Sony announce an official price drop of the PSP Go some time soon?

[Thanks Goldenchild!]

Go save $40 on the PSP Go at Amazon.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go stop-motion disassembly is entrancing

Justin McElroy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST

The stop motion PSP Go disassembly video after the break from TechRestore is that rare item that works on three different levels. If you're a fan, it's interesting to see how the system's all put together. If you're us, you get a grim satisfaction seeing one torn apart. If you're among the people who smoke, or people who drink, it looks like the system's taking itself apart, which should keep you busy for a few hours.

Also, all stop-motion disassemblies should be set to this music in the future. That is all.

Continue reading PSP Go stop-motion disassembly is entrancing

PSP Go stop-motion disassembly is entrancing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DJ Max Fever heats up PSN today

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:45:00 EST

DJ Max Fever is being re-released on PSP today via the PlayStation Network. The Korean music game has been a hit amongst hardcore rhythm enthusiasts, but it's been a rather difficult game to find outside of import shops and specialty retailers. The game's re-release on the PlayStation Store should introduce it to a whole new audience.

With gameplay similar to Beatmania, DJ Max Fever should help fill the void left by the termination of Rock Band Unplugged DLC. Good news for PSP Go owners: Fever will include 60 songs from the get-go, with no need to buy the game piecemeal.

We'll be giving away ten copies of the game on our Facebook page later today, when the PlayStation Store update goes live. Make sure you become a fan so you can get a chance to win. Official rules apply.

DJ Max Fever heats up PSN today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LocoRoco Midnight Carnival coming to PSP in Japan

Justin McElroy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:55:00 EST

"Midnight Carnival" is more than just the name of our favorite Rock/Metal/Glam band from Sugarland, Texas. It's also, according to Famitsu by way of IGN, the subtitle of a new LocoRoco game available for download only on the PSP this November in Japan (the same day the PSP Go arrives there). Details are scarce, but you can expect a new "Boing" move and more difficult stages with an action focus.

Though LocoRoco Midnight Carnival hasn't yet been announced in North America, we have to imagine it's a safe bet. It's not as if there's a whole lot of localization to be done for singing balls of goo, right?

LocoRoco Midnight Carnival coming to PSP in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go processor more than 40% faster than original

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST

The PSP Go isn't just smaller than the original PSP series -- it's more powerful. In fact, it features a processor that's more than 40% faster than the original. The original PSP (1000-3000) series include a processor capable of reaching 333MHz speeds. FCC documents reveal that the PSP Go (N1001) includes a processor that can go up to 480MHz.

It's unclear what the added processor power will be used for. It may be necessary for PSP Go-specific features, like in-game XMB. But will it be used in more traditional gaming applications? If so, could we possibly see PSP Go-exclusive games? Perhaps. Nintendo has released a very small number of applications exclusively for the upgraded DSi, which also features a much beefier processor than its predecessor so there's portable precedence.

Update: Sony says the 480MHz was referring to the USB.

[Via Sony Insider]

PSP Go processor more than 40% faster than original originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SCEE: PSP Go takes advantage of early adopter 'premium'

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST

Michael Pachter retracted one of the most correct statements he's ever made: the PSP Go is a "rip off" for consumers. The PSP Go takes away the expensive-to-manufacture UMD drive and replaces it with cheap flash memory -- and yet it still costs more than the current PSP-3000. Fun fact: You can buy a standard PSP and 16GB Memory Stick Duo Pro right now for less than a PSP Go.

Sure, the new form factor looks nice, but Sony should have no manufacturing costs to pass down to the consumer. MCV asked SCEE's Andrew House if R&D or retailer markups were the reason behind PSP Go's high price. "Those aren't the factors," House admitted. "When you introduce a new piece of hardware you have the opportunity to say there is a certain premium that is associated with it, and we took that into account."

Essentially, House is admitting you can charge more for technology when it's new. It's unsurprising, but it certainly leaves a bad taste knowing Sony can easily charge less for the PSP Go. Perhaps Sony will follow the iPhone's footsteps and suddenly drop the price of the PSP weeks after early adopters pay their "premium" price.

SCEE: PSP Go takes advantage of early adopter 'premium' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go to have same battery life as standard PSP

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST

You'd think that by removing the battery-draining UMD drive, the new PSP Go would have an improved battery life over its predecessors. That doesn't appear to be the case, as the European PlayStation.Blog notes "the battery life is equivalent with the current models." According to the site, that means "approximately 3 to 6 hours for gameplay and approximately 3 to 5 hours for playing back videos."

The smaller system obviously contains a smaller battery, but we're still surprised Sony hasn't managed to engineer better battery tech for the upcoming handheld. Seems like those that want the most juice out of a PSP will want to stick with the 2000 series, equipped with the extended life battery.

[Via Shacknews]

Go to have same battery life as standard PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter apologizes for comments about PSP Go's rip-off price

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST

Michael Pachter has stated he "sincerely" regrets commenting that Sony is ripping off consumers with the PSP Go's $250 price point. In an interview with IndustryGamers, Pachter takes the opportunity at the end to say that he doesn't believe Sony is doing anything nefarious and has "the right to price its products at a point that they think is competitive." He states the company is pricing the handheld to be competitive with the iPod Touch and that the PSP Go "arguably has much more value than the Apple product."

Hmm, as much as we respect Present Pachter's opinion, Past Pachter was a little more on the ball with the consumer's perspective of the PSP Go's pricing. Past Pachter noted, "The $169 PSP-3000 is a profitable device -- the disc assembly, for a UMD, costs more than 16 gigs of flash does. So this new device doesn't cost them as much as the PSP-3000 and they jack the price up $80?" It seems Past Pachter was viewing the product through consumer eyes, while Present Pachter is in business mode and wearing the glasses of the Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter.

Gallery: PSP Go

Pachter apologizes for comments about PSP Go's rip-off price originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A 'majority' of back catalog PSP games available to download Oct. 1, all first party titles thereafter

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

Sony has confirmed that "just about" every PSP game releasing after October 1 -- the release date of the PSPgo -- would be available for download. PlayStation Blog's Jeff Rubenstein stated on Sunday (via Destructoid) that he couldn't speak about the availability of third party titles at that time.

We followed up with Rubenstein today and he told us, "The majority of back catalog PSP games will be made available for download around the launch of the PSPgo." We made sure to ask if he was speaking strictly about first-party titles and he told us he meant "the majority overall."

So, as of October 1: A "majority" of past PSP titles will be available for download.
After October 1: All first party titles will release as downloads on the PlayStation Network.

Gallery: PSP Go

A 'majority' of back catalog PSP games available to download Oct. 1, all first party titles thereafter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go revealed in June issue of Qore [update]

Xav de Matos — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:30:00 EST

Update: A video from the June issue of Qore is now available on YouTube (and after the jump). In the video, Qore host Veronica Belmont discusses the new PSP Go handheld with Sony's John Koller who mentions the handheld (which features 16GB of internal storage, a memory slot for expandable memory and bluetooth) will not replace the current PSP-3000 -- they will coexist.

According to Koller, new titles will be revealed for the platform at E3, specifically: a new Metal Gear Solid and Jak & Daxter. Also, expect Sony's E3 briefing to mention Jak & Daxter PSP (announced previously) and Gran Turismo PSP -- which has been known since the birth of the platform. Get those bingo cards out, kids!

Original Article: According to images grabbed by the Gaming Console Network, PS3's virtual magazine (Qore) made its latest issue available early and revealed the (long-rumored) PSP revision. As rumors and mockups theorized, the PSP Go in the images features no UMD drive and a sliding screen. It also features a single (and poorly positioned) analog stick. Adding fuel to the fire, PlayStation LifeStyle has posted an image it states is of the actual retail packaging for the soon-to-be announced handheld iteration -- and both designs match.

~~As we have not been able to spot the images on Qore our self, we're calling this rumor~~. It appears, with the video, PSP Go is all but confirmed. Only a few days until we find out if the madness is true.

Gallery: PSP Go

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Via GameTrailers Forum. Image Credit: Eurogamer]

Continue reading PSP Go revealed in June issue of Qore [update]

PSP Go revealed in June issue of Qore [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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