E3: Sony's Koller: PSP Go out this autumn

By Tom Bramwell Published 30 May, 2009

43 percent lighter, 3.8-inch screen.

Sony's PSP Go will be released this autumn and is 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000 with a 3.8-inch screen, according to marketing man John Koller.

In a full version of the prematurely-posted Qore segment that outed the PSP Go, which Eurogamer has obtained, Koller talks up the device's features but doesn't mention a price.

"It's a 3.8-inch screen, it's 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000, 16 gigs flash memory, Bluetooth support and all digital content so the UMD drive goes away so it's going to be something a lot of consumers like - download straight to a hard drive," he tells viewers.

"There's games like Gran Turismo that are being announced at E3, and LittleBigPlanet that's been announced before, and Jak & Daxter and there's even a new Metal Gear Solid coming, so all those games will be available..."

"Integration with PSP is very important to us. And it works just like PSP-3000... A lot of people like to be able to take their content from PS3 with them on the go."

He also says "it's coming this fall", which is autumn in old money. But no word on price yet. Sony's conference at 7pm BST / 8pm CET on Tuesday would be the best bet for that, we expect.

Check out our PSP Go photo gallery to see what it looks like in high resolution.

Last word though to Qore host Veronica Belmont: "This device in particular has been very cloaked in secrecy for the last few months." Yeeeeeah.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (86) 3 years ago

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

  • david78 #1 3 years ago

    It doesn't really matter when it was announced anyway. I get the impression E3 isn't going to be like Christmas Day again like it used to be - there's just too many announcements.

  • Solvalou #2 3 years ago

    A smaller screen?? Aww shucks. I hope the pixel resolution stays the same at least...?

  • HermitArcader #3 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • Ryze #4 3 years ago

    DUH - why would you use an HDD for 16Gb??

    Too slow! Surely it's flash...? No?

    PSP NO.
    Edited by 2 at 30/05/09 @ 21:23

  • Zomoniac #5 3 years ago

    'Announcing' Gran Turismo? How can they announce something they announced five years ago?

  • Solvalou #6 3 years ago

    Huh HDD? No flash? It sounds worse and worse any minute...

  • Arwin #7 3 years ago

    It's flash allright ...

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #8 3 years ago

    " 'Announcing' Gran Turismo? How can they announce something they announced five years ago?"

    To be fair, they said it was a PSP launch title, but they didn't say which PSP.

  • alpha-0ne #9 3 years ago

    No dual analogue controls = fail

  • HermitArcader #10 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • Solvalou #11 3 years ago

    4.3 inch screen was sexy - it feels bad to "upgrade" to a smaller screen. Game with much text will have near to unreadable fonts (FFT). UMD movies will look less spectacular... It's like passing from an Advance SP to a GBA Micro.

  • Twin_snakes #12 3 years ago

    It dosen't have a UMD drive so how would you be able to watch the movies to see if their less spectacular.

  • Solvalou #13 3 years ago

    I suppose UMD movies will be available for download just like games...

  • DFawkes #14 3 years ago

    Smaller screen? As long as it's the same resolution and better it'll work I suppose, like the Game Boy Micro as Solvalou said. I loved the clarity of that tiny screen :) But text might suffer.

    Still want one though.

  • NotSoSlim #15 3 years ago

    Alway something to moan about....developers will love it which means more games for consumers

  • ejikeanyanwu #16 3 years ago

    STILL having just one analogue stick on a console that's being sold separately to the PSP-3000 is a fail, adding Bluetooth is a plus, smaller screen is another fail, you know what would be another plus? if we could see this at the Eurogamer Expo 09..

  • dsmx #17 3 years ago

    it's only half an inch smaller than the current screen guys it's not that much really, presumably they're keeping the resolution the same to maintain compatibility with current psp games stop worry that you won't be able to read it.

    Also why do people want a second analogue stick that would only make the problem of sub standard ps2-psp ports even worse. By getting rid of the 2 stick it stops games companies doing easy ports and actually make games tailored for the system.

  • Bloodhunter #18 3 years ago

    its flash you idiots.

    i never bought a psp before, this seems like a good incentive, i love the design

  • wantafanta #19 3 years ago

    am i the only one that thinks it looks rubbish?

  • Gaol #20 3 years ago

    I don't think it looks that great either.

  • ejikeanyanwu #21 3 years ago

    it DOES look somewhat iffy, especially the slide-out..

  • quantumsheep #22 3 years ago

    So how would I transfer all my games on UMD to this unit?

  • Maledictus010 #23 3 years ago

    me not like. i have more than 40 games on UMD, how's that gonna work? will they keep selling the "old" psp? and a smaller screen, what idiot thought that one up? i'm perplexed. how can sony just say 'thanks early adopters and fans, your currrent stuff is now worthless, buy everything again. whoohahahaha'. i hope later details will make me feel better about this, but sofar it's very depressing.

  • bad09 #24 3 years ago

    "It dosen't have a UMD drive so how would you be able to watch the movies to see if their less spectacular. "

    For the love of god please don't tell you buy UMD for your PSP movies.

    Butt ugly revamp, made me hug my 2000!
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 00:47

  • ReapingAngel #25 3 years ago

    For crying out loud!!!
    An all new Metal Gear solid game??? I don't know whether I should be surprised by this (as the teaser Kojima site pretty much conformed it) or feel sad by it (this is NOT Kojima would have wanted a new Metal Gear solid game to be announced).

    But all in all, 16 internal flash drive is good, but what about all the UMDs I have. Sony has really screwed me over with this.

  • TurboBailey #26 3 years ago

    Gran Turismo you say??

    MMMMMM

  • quantumsheep #27 3 years ago

    Not being able to use my UMD games is putting me off this completely.

    Indeed, the only way I'd buy one without feeling dumb is if the firmware is hacked and I can load all my games onto the flash drive (along with EMUs of course).

    So again, Sony is making the legitimate experience worse than the illegal one. Good job there.

  • Maledictus010 #28 3 years ago

    There's actually another much overlooked issue here.
    From this design you could surmise that sony wants to get rid of the UMD format. That means that game distribution as we know it disappears and PSP games won't be available anymore through retailers. Not having to print UMD disks (or manuals) the distribution of games should become more cost effective, but you can count on the fact that prices won't come down. So same prices for less (i like having a printed manual). In fact, if games will be available through PSN only prices will go up. Currently just about all games on PSN are more expensive than their UMD counterparts, some (older) games going at twice the retail price on PSN. I think that if Sony handles all game sales, things won't look good for us paying customers. And that's without mentioning the horribly low amount of content and games on the euro PSN store. I for one am worried.
    O, and goodbye import. Want to play that one particular japanese RPG that wasn't released in europe because they thought we wouldn't like it? Tough.
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 01:26

  • Benno #29 3 years ago

    good for pirating shit though

  • daz_john_smith #30 3 years ago

    It doesn't sound like a good start to rebooting the PSP, and why no touch screen?

    Seems like a very, very lazy update.

    I was interested in replacing my iPod with one of these but not anymore, it is just a PSP4000, but ultimately not as good as the PSP3000
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 02:49

  • El-Dev #31 3 years ago

    50m PSP>30m 360 EPIC SONY FAIL...hold on...

  • daz_john_smith #32 3 years ago

    El-Dev
    What's the attach rate for games purchases on PSP?

  • BOFH_UK #33 3 years ago

    Couple of thoughts:

    1) If it is indeed all digital that's a VERY brave move by Sony as it means a massively reduced presence in high street retailers. It's one thing for the likes of, uh, us to see a single rack of PSP Go's and know the game library is delivered digitaly but what about parents buying these for their kids? Wouldn't it look a LOT like a dying platform?

    2) 16gb isn't enough. Yes, I know it's got a memory stick slot (at least I assume that's what the hole is for) but for a device that has pretty large game files AND is pitched as a media player 16gb won't scratch the surface. Compare to what may actually be the closest match hardware wise - the iPod Touch. Currently at 32Gb and probably going up to 64 around the time when the Go is actually realised. Okay, you can expand that with memory sticks but it's another cost to pay and as far as I know Memory Sticks only go up to 16gb and they cost about £100...

  • YourMessageHere #34 3 years ago

    "Dual analogue would make it an entirely new machine, pointless in a design update as it means the 50 million existing PSP users cannot play the games designed for dual analogue control."

    How are these 50 million people going to play games designed for this, which none of them own yet? It's not as if PSP-Go games will be on UMDs, so they're hardly going to be able to play them on an existing PSP. Not having a UMD drive already makes it impossible for anyone to play games they already own. Conversely, adding another analogue thingy does not in any way preclude people from playing existing PSP games that they download on it, and simply not using the right analogue. This seems like trying to argue that the PS2 was a bad idea as it stopped PS1 owners from playing PS2 games.

    This thing is like PSP1.5 - it's not actually a new machine on a fundamental level, but it still demands a new format for its games. I think most people (me included) were hoping for either a more radical departure from the PSP as it is, in the sense of giving it the whole range of PS pad controls (or a touch screen, since that's fashionable at present), or were hoping for a PSP but smaller, retaining the UMD drive. I suppose where I see the worst of both worlds some people might see the best, this is the kind of design move that is brave to some and foolhardy to others.

    "Also why do people want a second analogue stick that would only make the problem of sub standard ps2-psp ports even worse. By getting rid of the 2 stick it stops games companies doing easy ports and actually make games tailored for the system."

    Ports of PS2 games do not necessarily need to be substandard. One of the reasons I wanted a PSP in the first place was that I never had a PS or a PS2, since I don't have a TV, and there's plenty of games on the PS2 that are still great to this day. I was anticipating the availability of far more ports, sold cheap online via PSN, from much closer to launch, to be honest. I want to play PS2 games on the PSP, but thanks to the cruddy control limitations and Sony being all mouth and no trousers where it comes to their legendary long console lifespans, this isn't really possible.

  • Jonathan_Fakenham #35 3 years ago

    Figure this. Why is the "playstation/home" button on the front while the rest of the buttons are hidden? What would be the purpose of that, clicking the menu, and having nothing to navigate it with.

    I say, it's touch sensitive.

  • Ryze #36 3 years ago

    More compromised, uncomfortable controls.

    More standing still and holding a button to move the camera. No chance I'd buy a full price game for this in 2009 while it's still crippled.

    I'd like to see the announcement of an accelerometer and touchscreen, but I wont hold my breath.

    PSP NO
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 09:34

  • Genji #37 3 years ago

    There's something about it that looks a bit off. Not exactly sure what though.

  • jbs #38 3 years ago

    Isn't the analogue stick a bit too close to the buttons?

  • Chufty #39 3 years ago

    They havent said anything about your catalogue of UMD games yet, so don't slag Sony off before they have.

    Besides, if you already have a PSP, you realise it's not necessary to get another one? I still have my fat old PSP1, and I love its size, weight and the fact that it's pink.

    No pink PSP Go, no sale.
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 09:54

  • bad09 #40 3 years ago

    Apparently the screen isn't that much smaller. For those that don't already know PSP now is 4.3" so 3.8" isn't that much of a reduction. I'm not a fan of the move but lets be honest, it's not pocket friendly is it?

    Still can't get over that analogue nub though, maybe it should come with a handle, it's like the old N64 controller FFS with the stick right in the middle!

    There's a lot of reasons not to buy one for me. Sorry Sony but ultimately even if you give me the GTA's free (with Tekken 6 coming to PSP the only games I still have on the stick I want to keep TBH), it's still official firmware Sony and I use my own PS1. At least it's not replacing the 2000/3000, that means UMD will still be in retail and I don't have to be fleeced on PSN pricing (RRP LOL) when a game I want actually comes along and I can buy it cheaply then sell it on after dumping on my 2000

    One thing that may prick my interest though (if holding one in person can prove to me the analogue actually works and especially if it's hacked), how's the speakers? the biggest flaw for me (apart from official firmware) in the PSP is it's quiet sound.


  • Tomo #41 3 years ago

    Looks absolutely terrible. Looks really uncomfortable too, but I'll have to use the thing before I can really judge it on that.

  • drumbaby #42 3 years ago

    This looks great, but I'm looking forward to the Monster Hunter Freedom Unite bundle more.

  • drumbaby #43 3 years ago

    "El-Dev
    What's the attach rate for games purchases on PSP? "

    Daz, what's the hardware failure rate on 360s?

  • dominalien #44 3 years ago

    Smaller screen, smaller resolution, what are we going to do?

    Along with the new PSP Go announced today Sony announces new, exciting technology to fit the same amount of pixels on a smaller, lower resolution screen. It's PanningToGo, the new revolutionary technology which saves kittens and neurons in your head. Whenever you want to play an older game designed for the previous, less efficient model, and, you wish to, e.g. see how much energy you have left when playing Resistance Retribution, you just press L, R, circle and right on the d-pad, and then you use the analogue nub to pan the screen to the lower right corner. It so easy, it works so well, there's even an option to pause the game while you're doing this, so you can quickly pan back to see how much health you have left before that Chimera gets you.

    Of course the resolution is going to be the same.

  • dominalien #45 3 years ago

    How are these 50 million people going to play games designed for this, which none of them own yet? It's not as if PSP-Go games will be on UMDs, so they're hardly going to be able to play them on an existing PSP.

    You're making no sense at all. Users of both new and old PSPs will download games from the PSStore. Just like they do right now.
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 11:13

  • neonemesis #46 3 years ago

    Doesn't interest me. I like my cases and manuals so downloadable gaming isn't something I'm interested in tbh. As long as the new Tekken and Soul Calibur still get the UMD treatment (and not just download-only) then I'll be happy.

  • richardiox #47 3 years ago

    Wow is this the same Gran Turismo Mobile that Sony "announced" in 2004 and even showed the UMD artwork for (lols)?
    The same GT:M that two of my friends brought their PSPs on release to play even though it was actually vapourware - suckered by the UMD and box art "shots".
    At least its finally coming...over 5 years late but still at least we now know it wasnt just another Sony "future-lie" to hook in consumers.

  • NotSoSlim #48 3 years ago

    So much moaning...personally dont mind digital downloads as no one realy complains about Iphone. Also people whining about UMD maybe wait until Sony say how they are going sort out the problem before slagging them off.

    Will get one of these

  • Mr_Dodger #49 3 years ago

    In a full version of the prematurely-posted Qore segment that outed the PSP Go, which Eurogamer has obtained

    Using the cyborg-ninja skills of searching YouTube like everyone else ;)

  • bad09 #50 3 years ago

    Oh those of you already moved to stick off UMD, I just read a post from Disc on the forums, apparently there is no pro duo support you need to re-invest in micro ones.

    Sony sure can keep the customers happy!
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 13:09

  • callum9999 #51 3 years ago

    I don't get why people keep moaning about a second analogue stick. On a controller yes, but I can't imagine using 2 sticks, pressing symbol and shoulder buttons and holding the console is particularly comfortable.

  • gandhimaster #52 3 years ago

    its been pretty much said before in different ways, but this thought came to mind for me...

    "Sony, either shit or get off the pot".

    what a load of rubbish, either redesign the psp completely and give customers/developers what they want (two sticks/touch screen/digital distribution WITHOUT excluding current owners etc etc etc (i know i know sony have not revealed what effect no UMD has on existing games, but on face value.....we're fucked!) ;-) or just dont bother changing it. All this time waiting for the redesign and its a half arsed nintendo copying "upgrade"....

    dear me.

  • HermitArcader #53 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • owl #54 3 years ago

    but the thing is, in the west anyway, the psp just isn't popular enough to warrant such an upgrade which changes almost nothing about why people are so apathetic towards it in the first place.

    and i say this as a quite content psp owner.

  • HermitArcader #55 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • #56 3 years ago

    If there is one feature that is sorely lacking for the PSP, something Ive learned just recently is the lack of infrastructure mode. This completely reinvents the old PSP via adhoc.

    Sony is seriously missing the party with this one little feature as it opens up games and depth.

  • jonsaan #57 3 years ago

    What do you mean daemonB. Lots of games have infrastructure mode. Do you mean have it as standard in all games?

    Or do you mean the Japanese store download that enables you to play ad hoc games over the web?
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/09 @ 15:08

  • owl #58 3 years ago

    I'll be happy if this redesigned machine results in more games for the PSP, I just hope with greater protection against pirates that have blighted games development.

    amen to that.

    i don't necessarily think that going totally download only would be a bad idea for a handheld (if they could somehow protect against piracy anway) tho i think it could be just a bit too divisive at the moment, give it a coupla' years.

  • owl #59 3 years ago

    regardless, what's the point of redesigning something that no-one wants.

  • dryden555 #60 3 years ago

    The lack of _good_ games coming out for the PSP is a continuing issue for the platform unfortunately. I wouldnt rush out and get this if you already have a PSP.

  • owl #61 3 years ago

    . . . third biggest selling console . . . blah blah blah

    yes, i was being facetious but anyone who doesn't see that the psp is having problems is pretty much in denial. it's reached critical mass in terms of sales (caveat: in the west). there's nothing on the horizon in terms of games etc. without bringing anything new to the table the go is pandering to no-one. who is it for? i haven't a clue. what does it do differently? nothing much. what is the point? uh. . .

  • bad09 #62 3 years ago

    @ dryden555

    Well us fight fans have portable SC4 and Tekken6 to look forward at least and GT has just been (re)announced - for 2045 release I think.

    For me 3 new games on PSP is looking better than the turd couple of years its had TBH.

    I'm also hoping we will head San Andreas way eventually for some more stories. Hint, hint Rockstar....

  • Goodfella #63 3 years ago

    @ owl

    You could say the same about the DS, not a lot to shout about on the game front this year, imo. Thing is, your opinion isn't fact. Clearly lots of people like the PSP and lots of people WILL buy this new version.

    Sony are clearly focusing a lot more on software for the PSP and to say there is nothing on the horizon is nothing short of ignorant.

  • YourMessageHere #64 3 years ago

    "You're making no sense at all. Users of both new and old PSPs will download games from the PSStore. Just like they do right now."

    Really? I had no idea you could download full games for PSP legally right now. I got the WipEout Pure DLC and the LocoRoco and Killzone Liberation demos, and in the absence of further stuff I wanted, ignored the PSP shop thing, especially as it never used to load in Opera and the hoops one must jump through to make it actually give you things are far from simple. So far as I knew, all actual full PSP games were UMD up to this point, and the PSStore was just for PS3.

    (20 mins elapses as I go and look at it)

    OK, I looked at the PSStore. Most of the high profile stuff is UMD only. I see very few games for DL, none of which will sell systems, unless for some mysterious reason you see Numblast and International Athletics as must-have titles. Unless this selection gets a hell of a lot better damn fast I can't see this working out at all.

    EDIT: I should add that there's apparently no way to get the store to show me DL stuff only, it's a matter of clicking each thing. This is awkward and slow enough on my home PC and wired internet; I can only imagine how clumsy, glacial and offpissing this would be on an actual PSP using wireless. If this is what one has to do to get games for the PSP Go, It'll certainly fail.

    EDIT 2: No, wait, I need to install their drivers and bloatware to even look at the actual store. Now I remember, that was the other thing that made me ignore the PSN site. Great. No.
    Edited by 2 at 31/05/09 @ 19:07

  • stevetuck #65 3 years ago

    Someone better tell konami that their teaser has been foiled

  • owl #66 3 years ago

    goodfella,

    i don't wanna play the tired internet research game, but a quick look on gamespy tells me that more games are due out on the ds in june than there are for the psp the rest of the year (now, i don't know how reliable this site is, but it's got to count for something).

    and yes, lots of people own and like the psp and doubtless it'll be those same people who buy the go. which is why i think the whole thing is a bit pointless. it's an easy way for sony to keep the 'psp pot' buoyant without having to do much in the way of pushing the hardware forward and i don't think that should necessarily be rewarded.

    for the record, i have a psp. i have had a psp for nearly three years and i do like the thing. but in that whole time there has never been a constant reliable source of games. nothing i can see has persuaded me otherwise about the future and sony's three or four internally developed games just don't cut it. where is the locked-in third-party support?

    this seemed to be a sony problem across the ps3 too, throwing countless millions into killzone to have a pissing contest with halo whilst neglecting to nurture relationships with third-parties.

  • KrispyBacon #67 3 years ago

    I have found some real bargains for the PSP in the past. Guess that's finished now it's going digital.
    If I can't transfer my UMD's to a memory stick then I won't be happy.

  • Goodfella #68 3 years ago

    this seemed to be a sony problem across the ps3 too, throwing countless millions into killzone to have a pissing contest with halo whilst neglecting to nurture relationships with third-parties.

    I don't know about that, it seems to me that Sony are doing very well with regards to their games line up for this year, and into the next.

  • Thunderbolt #69 3 years ago

    bad09,

    A 2045 release for GT: M sounds about right! ;)

  • Les #70 3 years ago

    Would like such a device very much as it will surely result in much improved batterly life (the main reason I often end up packing the DS(i) when on a trip). And please Sony, keep it compatible with the current A/C adaptor.

    Would be great if Sony would be so kind to make sure I can play my legal UMD games on it as well (e.g. by using the PS3 to 'rip' them and transfer them to the PSP memory) but I'm pretty sure they will expect me to buy those games again as DLC...

  • firefly #71 3 years ago

    Ignoring any misgivings I may or may not have about moving entirely to digital distribution. Has anybody at Sony really thought about how moving away from selling software as physical items might piss off retailers? The folks that Sony are ultimately counting on to get the new PSP into people's hands.

    I can't see why any store would want to put much effort into pushing the PSP Go when there's absolutely no software sales for them to look forward to. The best they can hope is to push a few accessory packs. When Christmas comes around and little Timmy's mum is in Game hoping to buy him a portable games console which are they going to steer him towards? The DSi complete with a random bundle of games (including a few very profitable pre-owned titles), or the PSP Go by itself?

  • GreyBeard #72 3 years ago

    @Firefly

    Its the same principle as why big music retailers like HMV sell mp3 players. You either buy into a slice of an emerging market and make some money, or ignore it completely and get nothing.

    Sony will also sweeten the pot most likely by allowing them to sell PSN vouchers or whatever, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

  • coolbritannia #73 3 years ago

    ahahaha, Goodfella, on the defensive about Sony, again? Consistency is key.

    New PSP is fail. Utterly pointless.

  • onyx_elite #74 3 years ago

    I'm amazed that loads have people have been put off it because it doesn't play UMDs. YOUR CURRENT PSP PLAYS UMDS!!! You're all acting like you're obliged to bin your existing PSP and buy the new one. Surely the new PSP is for 'non-psp owners'. No?

  • spookyzombie #75 3 years ago

    They'll need to get realistic with pricing PSN downloads in the future. £31.99 for End War is my favourite 'deal' at the moment.

  • Daikon #76 3 years ago

    Of course you won't be able to upload UMDs to this new PSP.

    Reasons:

    1. Can't have people borrowing/renting games and then upload them as if they owned the game.
    2. It's more profitable to sell a game AGAIN even though people bought it once already.

    Sony didn't allow people to play PSOne games that they already owned on PSP either.

  • cheekyjay #77 3 years ago

    Not a fan personally - I just think that the button placement makes no sense, unless Sony is attempting to encourage future developers away from analogue stick use in favour of D-Pad controls, but this would seem like an odd move to me, especially given the far larger install-base of the three previous models of the machine. It has a fairly cheap look to it, but perhaps that will be represented with the price (although current yen to GBP rates suggest otherwise).

    Interestingly, the now-officially confirmed alpha box-art does help lend some credence to the previously quahed rumours that the leaked PS3 Slim unit may in fact be real. I'm jumping to no conclusions myself, especially given the fact that the matte design breaks from product continuity (all recent sony products - including the bulk of the PSP Go - are glossy), and even more so the fact that the logo returns to the older PS2/PSP font, which all current branding and software box-art for the Playstation 3 has distanced itself from... Seems like an odd move from Sony if it is real....

    In credit of the argument that the PS3 Slim is in fact real one only need look at the box art. The similarities in box layout and design between the supposedly fake item and the real product are striking: from the Sony and PS logos in top left and right corners, to the coloured horizontal XMB 'wave' across the centre of the box, the PSN logo bottom right, and the hard-drive/flash-drive info on the far right...

    Guess only Tuesday can tell...

  • cheekyjay #78 3 years ago

    One major flaw in relying solely on digital distribution at this stage is that retailers are simply not going to endorse or heavily promote a hardware launch that encourages the practice of cutting them out of the loop (I think this business model is about 3 years too early, but clearly a good testing ground for Sony's plans with home consoles down the line). I have no doubt that DD is where the industry is headed, but not yet. From a consumer point of view this eats into second-hand resale value (as this won't exist any more), and more worryingly puts a monopoly on retail as Sony will be free to set their own prices.

    I can see why this release is perhaps intended to curb piracy, but I think that what may happen down the line when the firmware is inevitably hacked, is that lack of competitive pricing, coupled with the machines own larger storage space, may actually ENCOURAGE piracy. Sony may have a pricing model that combats this, but if current PSN pricing is anything to go by, it seems unlikely.

  • Beano #79 3 years ago

    "One major flaw in relying solely on digital distribution at this stage is that retailers are simply not going to endorse or heavily promote a hardware launch that encourages the practice of cutting them out of the loop (I think this business model is about 3 years too early, but clearly a good testing ground for Sony's plans with home consoles down the line)."

    But they aren't - the PSP 3000 will stay on the market. The consumer have the choice.

  • FortysixterUK #80 3 years ago

    Download only content? So how do you get your current UMD based games playing on it ?

  • cam_guin #81 3 years ago

    to me, looks like an add-on for the PS3 to take your content with you...Blantantly this will be made to ferry all the content from the PSN (i.e. remove your streamed TV progs, downloads etc....) - nice idea, but I hope for some competitve pricing....high chances for PS3/PSPGO hardware bundles to get the base out...

  • PearOfAnguish #82 3 years ago

    Download-only means Sony get to rape you on pricing and it completely eliminates the second-hand market. This is the way it's all going to go eventually.

  • Skinme #83 3 years ago

    The design, in my eyes, is reminiscent of a PDA. I honestly think that the screen being touch sensitive is a given looking at the design. However, it seems superfluous as, if games are to be compatible with older hardware, they won't take advantage of the touch screen technology.

    I don't think it will be a download only service, like people have mentioned, zero presence in shops = no sale. We've not got 100% detail on specs yet so I'm expecting games to either come on read-only flash sticks or some other cartridge/stick medium. Just praying that Sony doesn't "invent" a new Sony exclusive medium like UMD, betamax, Digital Audo Tapes, MiniDiscs, SACD, etc....

    Overall I think this is a pointless exercise, mostly because I think previous PSP hardware is good enough for what the format can currently do. I honestly think they're better off spending time, money & resources on developing the software. Games like Daxter show how great this platform can be & that's 3 years old!

    Come on Sony! Where's the love for your current customers? The PSP is your first real foray into hand-held gaming, try not to piss off the people who will more than likely invest in the PSP2.

  • rommy667 #84 3 years ago

    Anyone who gets this has more $ than brains simple as that :)

  • dominalien #85 3 years ago

    OK, I looked at the PSStore. Most of the high profile stuff is UMD only. I see very few games for DL, none of which will sell systems, unless for some mysterious reason you see Numblast and International Athletics as must-have titles. Unless this selection gets a hell of a lot better damn fast I can't see this working out at all.

    As much as I'd like it to be otherwise, you're still not making any sense at all.

    The fact that there are no "system-seller" games on the PSStore has no bearing on the fact, that full games, previously UMD-only, ARE downloadable from it. Once PSP Go ships, all new games will HAVE TO be downloadable.

    I can't comment on how the store works on PC because I don't have Windows, but it's fine on the PSP and just as fine on the PS3.

    Your original point was: It's not as if PSP-Go games will be on UMDs, so they're hardly going to be able to play them on an existing PSP. Nothing you said after makes it any more true than "not true".

  • zedzee #86 3 years ago

    I just read on that leak Web site that the PSP-3000 will still be kept on the market (yeah, but for how long?!) Yesss, because there's NO WAY I'd buy that hideously designed "go" model.

    My only concern is the continued development of both UMD and downloadable versions of the upcoming games (GT, LBP etc.) I'm hoping that Sony/Developers will not do that thing whereby the "go" version of a game will have LOADS more in it (and DLC) that the poor old UMD version will lack...thus enticing people to 'upgrade' to PSP go.

    If that were to happen (and you heard it here first), it would make me not only NOT buy a PS3, but it would p*ss me off so much, that I'd sell my PSP-3000 and PS2 (yes, you heard, my beloved PS2 will also 'go' - if you'll pardon the phrase) and I'll fully convert to X360 and become an XBot!!!

    Over & Out!