Comments on some new PSP information

[Anonymous]

http://www.gamespot.com/all/news/news_6030155.html

The main quote from this newsbite is the following:


some of the games on the universal media disc (UMD) could retail for anything up to 60 euros ($71), the majority of games would sell for between 20 and 30 euros ($24-35). According to Deering, movies on the UMD format will almost certainly cost a little less than DVDs, and music albums should retail for under 10 euros ($12).
UMD. Universal Media Disc. Proprietary Movie/Music format. BAD NEWS. Anybody remember who pioneered BetaMax? Anybody remember Minidisc brand commercial discs? This smacks of 'control'. I think this, along with the 'up to 60 euros ($71)' line could mean big trouble for Sony.

First of all. If sony tries to force a proprietary format on not us, but the rest of the corporate world, they are going to fall flat on their face, I think. Switching from VHS to DVD was an amazingly smooth transition considering, but introducing yet another format could hurt both music and movie markets.

I think this is an obvious attempt at roping in the rampant free media exchange that underprotected digital media (DVDs and CDs) have ushered in, and I think Sony's betting the bank that other companies will fall in line to support whatever security (probably memorygate) UMD has (For a small licensing fee of course). This I think is a bad idea because they won't find universal support.

Secondly, Sony is essentially competing with itself if it makes PSP games that cost as much as 70 Dollars (!!!). The PS line has always been about the older demographic, and the PSP is obviously going for that same market. If the games cost as much on the PSP as on the PS2/3, then who is Sony competing against? Certainly not the gameboy. I'd be willing to bet that there is also going to be a video out port on the thing, removing any 'portability'.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to the PSP, but I think Sony might be making a couple of mistakes, possibily thinking that because they have a successful console, they're going to have a successful portable de facto. What are everybody elses thougts?

[IntvGene]

Yea, I understand what you're saying... but, on the other hand, what format did you want them to use? Don't forget, there are some issues, like piracy that almost force companies to use proprietary formats these days. The wanted to have music and media available on the PSP, so they have to offer some sort of CD type audio. Don't forget that Sega used a proprietary format on the DC, although somewhat unsuccessfully b/c piracy is quite rampant. Nobody was accusing them of trying to take over the world.

The cost will be an issue, but I am sure that Sony realizes how big of a difference that will mean in sales. But, if people are willing to spend $30 on SNES ports, why won't they spend more on a new game!? (Cheapshot there, I know :) )

Anyway, I think a lot of this is speculation still, as a lot is still under wraps for the PSP. But, I enjoy speculating about their future, and although presented a different viewpoint, I was just playing Devil's advocate. And after seeing Sony's plans to unite your living room with the PSX, I am sure that they going to be keen to have control over a portable device that can play movies, music and games.

[Tritoch]

For a handheld, don't you need a smaller medium?

[Anonymous]

Yeah. I'm not concerned with UMD per se, I'm concerned with Sony's take on UMD. If I'm not mistaken the UMD media looks like a minidisc, which is fine, but I don't like the idea of sony releasing CDs on UMD format. It might be smart marketing on their part, but to me it's just one more thing I HAVE to buy instead of WANT to buy.

and, who really wants to buy ANOTHER copy of The matrix just so you can watch it on your PSP? I think what this really hints towards is the fact that the PSP won't allow you to copy your mp3s and divx files from your computer like everyone is thinking.