UMD is definitely dying, says David Perry

By Dan Pearson Published 3 March, 2009

Calls Sony out on digital download-only PSP.

Games industry veteran David Perry has said he's sure the next iteration of the PSP won't feature a UMD drive, whatever Sony might say.

Sony has shown support for the proprietary format in recent weeks, announcing big name titles for PSP like LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm and Assassin's Creed.

However, rumours have been spreading like the clap in a submarine that the UMD format will be dropped for the PSP 4000. That's certainly what our sources have been saying, amongst others.

Perry has been stoking the fire via his Twitter account, and provoking Sony's John Koller into denying any such console is in development. Funnily enough, Koller also declined to deny that UMD will be dropped.

Now Perry has called on him to do just that, stating, "John Koller is publicly questioning my post about PSP 2... So I confirmed with top PSP 2 developers. John, state that PSP 2 will have UMD."

Rumours are also flying that the new PSP will be unveiled at this year's E3, so either John or Dave could end up eating a big fat slice of humble pie come June.

Perry has been pushing for a digital download only model for the new system, something which could certainly fit with the reissuing of Sony's PlayStation back catalogue. He's also keen to put a fatal dent in the used game market, something which he sees as inherently damaging for the industry. Let's hope that there are some suitably dingy bike sheds behind the LA Convention centre for the boys to kiss and make up behind.

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About Dan Pearson

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Comments (46) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Hunam #1 3 years ago

    Seems to me like Dave Perry is sticking his nose into other peoples business instead of making his profitable.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #2 3 years ago

    He seems to have an agenda with all this troll baiting behaviour but, that being said, I am really interested to see what Sony are up to with the PSP.

    I don't like the used game market - companies make an absolute killing from reselling boxed software at near retail price. That kind of money grabbing action is despicable in my opinion. However, I do like nice boxed games on my shelve so would not be in favour of a download model of games distribution.

  • wayneh #3 3 years ago

    rumours have been spreading like the clap in a submarine

    Why would the 'clap' spread in a submarine?

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #4 3 years ago

    Even tho what hes claiming could probably be true, he does seem to be like rabid dog about getting sony to admit it. I think he has a bet on at ladbrokes and he needs confirmation before the end of april.

  • CallousB #5 3 years ago

    The problem with dropping the UMD is it pretty much removes any presence the machine would have in game stores.

  • LazyDan #6 3 years ago

    Why can't there be an optional 'both' model? Where I can buy things digitally, but then opt to pay a little more to get the digi-download, but also at the same time have a box/backup disc sent to me?

    I like digital downloads, but I don't like the feeling that one day the company could go out of business or decide to not let me play/re-download the game again for whatever reason. I also don't like the idea of needing internet access to receive and play games - therefore I would like some form of offline option, so if my internet goes down or I'm sent to a desert island with just my laptop and some discs, I can still play.

  • penhalion #7 3 years ago

    Excuse me is this about PSP 2 or PSP 4000?

    It seems to me that there are two seperate arguments going on here. One is that UMD will be dropped for PSP 2, which is obvious really and the other is that a version of the PSP called the 4000 is being released later this year.

    I'm still calling BS on any version of the current PSP dropping compatibility with the existing PSP line (including UMD) but, wouldn't put money on a PSP 2 having anything short of a memory card slot. The only issue I see for such a device, would be that you can't guarantee everyone can have download access to get the software for it and how do you store your software, when media sticks are of limited capacity. It would be a nonsense to have to routinely download your games collection in order to play it. That's also the fastest way to create a pirates paradise as they only need crack the download protocols to load absolutely anything onto the device!


    I'm going to be checkling very closely whether this is some really elabourate early april fools joke.

  • RobertFoster #8 3 years ago

    The thing I hate about digital distribution is the cost of downloads. Unlike retail, where prices can vary from shop to shop, if you can only download from one place (Steam, Sony, MS) the prices remain higher for longer.

  • jonthepymm #9 3 years ago

    "Seems to me like Dave Perry is sticking his nose into other peoples business instead of making his profitable."

    Yes, he should certainly make his own nose profitable first.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #10 3 years ago

    I think if it went digital download they would keep store precense with download machines in stores, where you just stick your memory card in or connect your psp via a usb.

  • LittleSacky #11 3 years ago

    Perry seems to be forgetting that Sony probably would deny that they have a PSP2 in developement. The Main reason being that they probably have their own well thought out plan as to when they to actually announce it, particually as it would significantly affect the sales of the current one.

  • mingster #12 3 years ago

    So if you have an 8mb memory card...
    What happens after you've filled it up?
    Do you copy it off to a hard drive to free up space for new games?
    This means you need a PC/Hard drive as well as your PSP.
    Or do you have to just buy more memory cards at £10 a pop?
    How do they lock the game to just your PSP..?
    Cos if its a digital file you can bet your arse that someone will work out how to change the encryption or crack it to work on a different PSP.

  • AusFreelancer #13 3 years ago

    I don't understand the fuss over UMD "dying". Fair enough it was used for movies....but that was shortlived. UMD is now basically a PSP game media, in such a way that DS carts are a DS game media.

    I'm with you penhalion, PSP 2 & 4000 are being thrown around like they are the same thing. WTF?

  • Toothball #14 3 years ago

    I've always liked my game collection, and take any opportunity I can to expand it. But I'm getting to the stage where I could adjust to some kind of digital malarkey, as I've been getting used to that with XBLA and Steam. My main concern with a UMD-less PSP is where that leaves me with the games I have bought already. They have release some as both UMD and downloads, but there's loads of games that don't have that option. And as I'd quite like to get such a PSP if any of the rumours about it transpire, I'm not sure whether buying UMD games now is that good an option if they're not going to be usable on newer hardware. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

  • mkreku #15 3 years ago

    Maybe they'll make the UMD-drive an external unit? Like a tiny external DVD-drive, connected by USB? Cuuuute :D

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #16 3 years ago

    @mingster

    Sony already has all that sorted as it currently does digital game downloads, they are locked to your system but you can back them up to your pc manually or using there itunes type software, copied it on to a friends system and it doesnt play or asks you to login to PSN to activate the new system.

    Downloading games is nothing new to PSP, it has a system that works pretty fucking well, except it has no background downloading currently. You can still download games on your PS3 or PC through the media manager tho if your desperate not to lock up your PSP while it downloads gigs.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #17 3 years ago

    The media manager software also lets you setup your music and videos and rss feeds on your PSP as well as access to the PSN store, game and game save managment, really is quite a nice piece of software.

    If your worried about people cracking the games and copying them to friends psps, too late, PSP piracy is rife, with all games already downloadable to play on your hacked firmware psp from the memory stick.

    I would like to say mines not hacked.

  • Zomoniac #18 3 years ago

    I don't understand the fuss over UMD "dying". Fair enough it was used for movies....but that was shortlived. UMD is now basically a PSP game media, in such a way that DS carts are a DS game media.

    Because even as a game medium people are fed up with it. It's optical and therefore slow, so to get decent performance out of PSP games they need to be transferred to a memory stick anyway, and there's a gaping, unprotected hole in the back where the laser reads the disc, so when being transported you either take the risk they'll get fucked by slinging them in a bag, or get cases for them which makes them so big and bulky as to negate their portability value.

    And re the DD-only idea, it would be a disaster. Given there's a Clancy game for PSP on the PSN store for £39.99, more than I've ever seen any PSP game go for ever in a shop, if they removed all competition then there's nothing to stop them charging prices like that across the board, plus they'd be committing suicide by removing themselves from the lucrative Christmas present market.

  • VicViper #19 3 years ago

    As long as there is a way for me to either rip my old games (no idea how this would even work now that I think about it) I want my collection to be useable on the new one and there is still a few games in the back catolouge I wouldn't mind getting.

  • steviepunk #20 3 years ago

    "Why can't there be an optional 'both' model? Where I can buy things digitally, but then opt to pay a little more to get the digi-download, but also at the same time have a box/backup disc sent to me?"

    I'd suspect there will be, the PSP-3000 will probably remain on sale when the PSP-4000 is out, and a firmware update for pre4000 PSPs will allow for the buying games online.


    "Excuse me is this about PSP 2 or PSP 4000? "

    They are possibly both the same thing, separated only by marketing and PR.
    the PSP-4000 would suggest a continuation of the PSP line and that Sony aren't abandoning current PSP users (though with no UMD support, I don't see how they can justify that),
    however,
    the PSP2 would indicate the device is a major upgrade from the current specification (though if the graphics and memory are not significantly better, then how can they justify it)

  • Aretak #21 3 years ago

    "And re the DD-only idea, it would be a disaster."

    Which, since it's Sony, means it'll be out in time for Christmas.

  • VandelayIndustries #22 3 years ago

    How about they release games in stores on modified Memory Sticks (similar to the DS Carts), as well as allowing digital downloads. Or would that be too expensive?

  • superjag86 #23 3 years ago

    Well if there's no way for me to play my rather large collection of PSP games I already own I really can't see me getting a UMD-less one. Even if it does turn out to be as sexy as that fan-made mock up that seems to be doing the rounds at the moment.

  • callum9999 #24 3 years ago

    The only way that would possibly work is if it allows you to rip from the UMD - unlikely.

    I'm no big fan of the UMD but it is a lot better (and cheaper) than digital distribution.

  • TheDifficult3rdAlbum #25 3 years ago

    "rumours have been spreading like the clap in a submarine"

    ...And the prize for best phrase of the week is won already and it is still only Tuesday.

  • Petulant_Radish #26 3 years ago

    “Why would the 'clap' spread in a submarine?”

    Do you need diagrams?

  • Domovoi #27 3 years ago

    Does clap spread easily in a submarine? I've.. never been a submariner.

  • actionfitz #28 3 years ago

    "spreading like the clap in a submarine"

    lolol

  • Dizzy #29 3 years ago

    UMD died about 3 years ago.

    Sony would be rather stupid if they gave the next PSP UMD. Pity of course for the current PSP owners.... Sony will have to find a way around that.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #30 3 years ago

    @steviepunk

    Game have been available to download for over 4 months now at least, the PSN store patch was out along time ago.

  • Triggerhappytel #31 3 years ago

    If he's not the Dave Perry who used to frequent Gamesmaster then I don't care what he has to say.

  • sneetch #32 3 years ago

    "spreading like the clap in a submarine"

    Awesome.

    I no longer know what the article was about; that single phrase washed it out of my brain.

  • Linkified #33 3 years ago

    Even if the device won't use umd, there will be a umd drive for bc. And they stated around the time of psps launch in japan said they wouldn't launch a new version until they cleared minimum of 75 - 100m units sold worldwide. There at 55m now, and the fact is it takes about 3-4 years to develop a sdk if they started now and time to develop hardware if this David Perry who just makes free mmos in korea is to be believed the hardware is done so at the earliest its 2012-1013.

    I personally don't think there will be a psp 2.0 they'll just be increasing the version size and updating the hardware i.e psp 4000

  • youhavenomail #34 3 years ago

    I need boxes, man. And if the likes of Dave Perry are against the second-hand market, they better be as equally against charging £25 or more for PSP games in the future.

  • spud71 #35 3 years ago

    Dave Perry has lost the plot !! He is thinking of saving Acclaim with downloadable software. It might be the future that alot of companies are trying to force. But there is a lot of failures of MMO's because not everybody wants to download software. I for one love the old way of buying a game from a shop. It also keeps people in a job.

  • Dizzy #36 3 years ago

    Always nice when threads like this end up totally off topic and loaded with personal attacks. Apparently Dave Perry is a no good **** *** *** ** ** *********** b*s**s*s*****. He can't possible be right.

  • daz_john_smith #37 3 years ago

    I like the sound of this PSP 4000 but I'd probably only be getting one for LBP since I can neither afford or want to buy a PS3 just for one game. Without a UMD drive are all the games going to be download only? I don't like that idea of having to download all my games, it took me 5 days to get the Halo Wars demo

  • daz_john_smith #38 3 years ago

    How much are PSP (UMD) games currently to download on the PSP Store and what are the file sizes on average?
    I've checked the official site but without owning a PSP and downloadning some hefty sofwtare it seems that info is inaccessible. What a well designed site they have, thx Sony
    Edited by 1 at 03/03/09 @ 16:46

  • schnide #39 3 years ago

    In five years time I think it very unlikely you'll be able to walk into a store and buy games in a physical format. Having your game delivered in a box will seem stone-age - just in the same way that no-one buys CDs anymore, and we all saw that coming.

    *cue shuffled footsteps of several hundred music execs*

  • Feanor #40 3 years ago

    Only if game companies want to throw the millions of sales dollars from people without great broadband out the window.

  • BonzoBanana #41 3 years ago

    Yeah digital distribution is the future and its a crap future. I will resist. The only online game I've purchased is super stardust for the ps3 and it was a cheapy and well worth the money but thats as far as I'm going. I like resell value of games without that games become a lot more expensive.

  • Ryze #42 3 years ago

    @warzin

    I'd be in support of an optional wifi (mini - 8cm) Blu-Ray or UMD drive that sits in your bag or pocket. Cable connection optional.

  • curtlikesmeat #43 3 years ago

    Ahhh Dave Perry, I remember him wearing bandanas and leather jackets well past their sell by date on Gamesmaster.

    I also remember him totally fucking up a challenge on Mario 64 when it first came out and crying and bitching about it for ages whilst Dominic Diamond took the piss out of him haha.

    Whilst I'm on that train of thought, bring back Gamesmaster!!

  • hyperkineticninja #44 3 years ago

    I don't think its the Dave Perry from GM, its the Shiny boss, I dont think they are the same people are they?

  • Sunyavadin #45 3 years ago

    UMD was stillborn anyway.

    This counts as news now? Must be a pretty slow week.


    Also yes. Bring back Gamesmaster.
    Edited by 1 at 04/03/09 @ 12:53

  • itsfuzzy #46 3 years ago

    You dont say. Im in shock