Sony's gaming chief Kaz Hirai displays the new Sony PSP Go at the Sony E3 media briefing in Los Angeles, June 2, 2009.
(Fred Prouser/Reuters)Photos (1 of 1)
Sony steals a page from the Apple playbook; rolls out pint-sized PSP
By Matthew Shaer | 06.02.09
Today, Sony officially unveiled a new portable gaming system called the PSP Go, which executives said will be available this fall in the US and Japan. The device will be 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the current PSP 3000, according to Reuters, and feature 16 gigabytes of Flash memory, integrated Bluetooth, and an application allowing users to access the online PlayStation Store.
The price tag is expected to be $249.99.
Importantly, the Go ditches the disc drive that came previous PSP iterations – a move that could usher in a new era of digital distribution for Sony. PSP Go users will have to buy their new titles directly from the PlayStation store, streamlining the buying process and potentially cutting the local video game store out of the equation. The recent game Patapon 2 tested these waters by letting PSP owners download the title directly or buy a box from their local shop that contains a vochure code for the online store.
The device has dominated much of the buzz over the annual E3 festival, where each year developers trot out upcoming products. But many have wondered whether the PSP Go will be enough to bolster Sony’s sagging sales. “Like Nintendo’s done with the DSi, Sony is extending (and, it hopes, revitalizing) a portable platform that’s sold tens of millions of units worldwide,” writes CNET’s John P. Falcone. “Considering that this is an evolutionary product – the only real appeal is the smaller form factor – the high price is certainly going to be a barrier for those who already own and enjoy the existing PSP.”
Still, the PSP Go has a sleek, streamlined look, and the added features will likely be enough to buoy sales. Furthermore, much buzz today has centered on the unveiling of “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker,” a new chapter in the storied “Metal Gear” franchise – and one only available on the PSP.
Calling all developers
In other Sony news, the company said today that it would reduce the price of the Tool hardware, which allows would-be producers to create titles for the PSP. The price is dropping to $1500 – still not cheap, but enough of a bargain to attract new developers, Sony hopes. In recent months, Apple has experienced a good deal of success with its application store, which peddles the wares of thousands of amateur developers from all over the world.
Without directly mentioning Apple, a press release touts the lowered prices as a way to attract a “broader range of developers and publishers.” The release continues:
<< At E3, Nintendo pulls out its favorite weapon: nostalgia | MainSCE will aim to provide a development environment within this calendar year that will allow creators to develop more casual, exciting and attractive content to be made available for the ever growing PlayStation®Network users around the world by streamlining the process from license agreement to publishing for small, download exclusive software titles.
Comments
2. Alan Lee | 06.06.09
I am writing from Tokyo.
Here somebody said:
“All she wants to do with her mobile(cello) - is to call home and say,that she is waiting at the station(eki).”
Have you got my point?Roy?
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
1. HappyBeggar News » Sony steals a page from the Apple playbook; rolls out pint-sized PSP - Christian Science Monitor | 06.02.09
2. Sony steals a page from the Apple playbook; rolls out pint-sized PSP (The Christian Science Monitor) | 06.02.09
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. Roy | 06.03.09
Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nokia and Co. You are embarrassing yourselves with your lame frontal assaults on Apple. This is not rocket science. If you want to BEAT the iPhone- a phone with gaming and entertainment capabilities- make a game platform that has a phone ie. XPhone (Xbox, phone and Zune) or PSPhone. You already have the brands and huge game libraries to bury the iPhone and iPod. Sorry, Nokia, you’re screwed unless you can partner up with Nintendo and Creative Labs.