Sony promises "best year ever" for PSP

By Games Industry.biz Published 16 April, 2009

Big franchises to reinvigorate handheld.

Sony is preparing to hit us with more major videogame franchises as it continues its renewed focus on the PSP format.

While industry rumour has centred on hardware revisions for the handheld, Sony itself is concentrating on new software, with heavyweight brands promised to be revealed for the PSP in the coming months.

"There's a lot of software coming. We're really focused on software, and I don't think that's a big surprise given that it's going to be the best software year the PSP has ever had, there's no doubt," said John Koller, director of hardware marketing for SCEA, in an exclusive interview published today.

"You can think of some of the major franchises on console that would come over to PSP and people are going to be very excited."

In February Sony unveiled a batch of new titles to help the PSP combat market pressure from Nintendo's new DSi and Apple's iPhone, including new LittleBigPlanet and MotorStorm games from internal studios, and third-party support from the likes Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed and EA's Rock Band.

"The fruits of the labour are pouring out this year, and we've been talking about it a lot, but we've only mentioned about the first half of the line-up," said Koller. "There's another half to maybe three quarters that we're going to be announcing in the months leading up to E3. There's a lot of big franchises to come."

Sony is confidently taking control of the PSP's direction, letting publishing partners know what doesn't sell following consumer feedback.

"They haven't demanded as much new IP, they have demanded larger franchise games that are unique for PSP, and they don't want ports," revealed Koller.

"And they want to be able to find these games because of a lack of marketing behind many of the PSP titles. If you can't find games on the shelf, and consumers don't know they exist, it's hard for them to sell,2 he said, repeating previous admissions by Sony that it had under-supported the format in the past.

And Koller is bullish on the PSPs success this year, noting that in 2008 the format enjoyed its most successful 12 months despite a thin portfolio of titles.

"Last year was the best sales year for PSP, and that was with a limited software line-up. How high is high when we have a much better software line-up for this year?"

The full interview with John Koller, where he discusses new PSP hardware, the uptake of digital downloads and the continued support for UMD, can be read here.

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Comments (45) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • myiagros #1 3 years ago

    read where???

  • LHH #2 3 years ago

    Not going to be the best year for PS3 then lol

  • MisterCraig #3 3 years ago

    Haha, yeah.

    When can we expect the best PS3 year Sony?

    And don't tell us it's already past!

  • Eraysor #4 3 years ago

    The best game on my PSP is Quake, which was released for PC 13 years ago. These new releases don't look like they'll change anything.

  • Ranger_Ryu #5 3 years ago

    Funny cause I can only think of buying 1 PSP game for sure this year Dynasty Warriors:Strikeforce (maybe it'll change with some new announcements but that's all so far this year for me on PSP)

  • Progguitarist #6 3 years ago

    Think I might pick one up for LBP PSP.

  • Widge #7 3 years ago

    Devil May Cry is apparently cancelled... which is no loss since I never knew it was going to be ported!
    FFXIII Agito is looking properly interesting from what I saw on IGN.

  • LazyDan #8 3 years ago

    It could be entirely mediocre and still be the best year ever for the PSP, let's be honest.

  • Widge #9 3 years ago

    They need to have a title that can replicate the success the PSP had in Japan. Monster Hunter blatantly doesn't cut it over here. Not sure what can achieve that. Well, it needs to be a title that can't be hacked or has something within it that ensures people have to buy the game, not just rip it off. I bet the likes of God Of War and Crisis Core have been thoroughly enjoyed for free by many.

  • Whatsfor #10 3 years ago

    De ja vu

  • GamesConnoisseur #11 3 years ago

    Starting proper...when?????

    Sony seem to have problem focusing on one platform and perhaps they should have tried to support three at same time, PS2, PSP and PS3?

    I felt that had they dedicated marketing and strategy for one platform then we would have see better result by now, I prefer them to focus on PS3 and PSP seemed to me a wasted battle. Still not going to bedrudge any AAA titles appearing on PSP as I will certainly get them!

  • CallousB #12 3 years ago

    Seems a risky strategy for the western market IMO.
    A reinvigorated PSP is as likely to take focus and sales away from the PS3 as much as anything else.

  • windflaw #13 3 years ago

    Spinoff games from existing big franchises? Why, Sony, why?

    Handhelds need unique games to give them their own unique identity and image - just look at Tetris on the Game Boy, Phoenix Wright on the DS and Pokemon and Advance Wars on both. I reckon the PSP needs more games like Loco Roco, Papaton, Lumines, etc.

  • darc #14 3 years ago

    "You can think of some of the major franchises on console that would come over to PSP..."

    Or you could, um, tell us. Just a wild, wacky thought.

  • dr_faulk #15 3 years ago

    What are we to say to this!? God. Reading the headline alone zaps my soul a little.

  • SlackMaster #16 3 years ago

    TBH any support from Sony for the PSP would be welcomed at this point. IMO pretty much since after the first year of launch things have been dire in terms of a steady stream of good games on PSP. Last year I honestly thought they'd given up on it, and even stores like game and Gamestation reduced it's shelf space dramatically.

  • b00n #17 3 years ago

    bah, just more sequels...

  • jonsaan #18 3 years ago

    MGS is usually to be found in CEX by the bucketload.

  • mingster #19 3 years ago

    i agree with windflaw...
    porting big budget console games isn't going to do the job.

    i t needs its own portfolio of games that make the system standout.

    puzzlers... strategies...anything
    just not more sequels of the big console releases..

  • holsty101 #20 3 years ago

    The interview's at GI.biz, here's the link

    http://ww w.gamesindustry.biz/articles/so...

  • SliderNL #21 3 years ago

    The similarities between the PSP and PS3 are striking, both are well-engineered, both overpriced and to expensive to make games for. And in case of the PSP it suffers greatly from Piracy. Sony won't admit this but for the most part the PSP is a dead platform (in the west at least).

  • Widge #22 3 years ago

    Has to be said, I'd love Motorstorm and LBP portable. If LBP let you portably make levels and export them to the PS3, that would be immense. Can't think of any games from those genres that are really represented on the platform.

    Still its mainline Sony franchises for its portable platform, having a go at them for that is like berating Nintendo for releasing a game about Zelda or Mario on the DS.

  • mingster #23 3 years ago

    Dump the UMD embrace digital download Sony.

  • Widge #24 3 years ago

    The piracy on PSP is the real killer, there have been enough worthy titles on the system to date, absolutely no reason to own any of them as it is so easy to get the stuff for free.

    They really need to sort out the firmware to get future titles locked down. Dunno how the CFW is doing at the moment. I believe the 3000 is unhackable as it stands, is that correct? Games still rip-off-able though for existing units?

  • raion #25 3 years ago

    2009 best year for psp? how about, late-2009 best trimester for the psp?
    most of them titles will be announced for november-december, and half of them are gonna be delayed into 2010, just you watch...

    me wants games naoo!

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #26 3 years ago

    "The piracy on PSP is the real killer, there have been enough worthy titles on the system to date, absolutely no reason to own any of them as it is so easy to get the stuff for free."

    Yeah, good point. After all, the DS is way easier to pirate than the PSP, and its software sales have been absolutely dreadful, haven't they?

    Oh. Wait.

    Fucking imbecile.

  • Widge #27 3 years ago

    Greater casual audience on DS = more people who can barely use a microwave let alone a torrent client.

    Now go have a coffee.

  • toy_brain #28 3 years ago

    "I reckon the PSP needs more games like Loco Roco, Papaton, Lumines, etc."

    Neither LocoRoco or Patapon have really found an audience outside of super-nichedom, and I'm not sure about Lumines (possibly benefited from being a launch game), so while the unique/quirky angle gets them cred among hardcore gamers, its not really translating into sales.
    I don't think its really a question of making games that suit portable play either. Monster Hunter doesn't suit portable play at all but still sells like crazy in Japan, Daxter and GoW are big sellers in the west but again, in no way make adjustments for being on a portable device.
    The PSP just needs good games with wide appeal that are unique to the platform.

    Oh, and a third Pursuit Force game would be nice. Man I really love that series.

  • canIdoyabombsforya #29 3 years ago

    "Dump the UMD embrace digital download Sony. "

    You've got to be kidding. Sony are already working on their next optical media scam.

  • drumbaby #30 3 years ago

    Onimusha Collection PSP?

    Uncharted PSP?

    Monster Hunter Tri PSP?

    Devil May Cry PSP?

    No? Well, not interested then :)

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #31 3 years ago

    "Greater casual audience on DS = more people who can barely use a microwave let alone a torrent client. "

    Wow, you're really an epic halfwit. DS piracy is so easy a five-year-old can do it. You don't even need a torrent client, there are countless websites offering direct-download ROM files, and you can get 200 games on a £10 flashcart setup. By comparison, the PSP requires extremely daunting and complex modification of the console firmware, use of torrents, and a large memory stick will do well to hold seven or eight typical games. And DS games hold their price well, rarely getting discounted by more than 30% even second-hand, whereas every Gamestation in the country is groaning under shelves of PSP games new and used going for £5.

    And yet despite all this, DS software still outsells PSP software by about 20 to 1. Piracy? You don't have the first clue what you're talking about, idiot child.

  • bad09 #32 3 years ago

    Hey Rev, while you have a point manners cost nothing in this world. I like the internet wars to, it's a giggle, but have some humour friend, not venom. Get laid, chill out, be nice to people (unless they REALLY ask for it).

    Channel that hatred to the fuckwits, selling us utter garbage this gen, kinda like Sony selling an official firmware PSP......

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #33 3 years ago

    "Channel that hatred to the fuckwits"

    That IS what I'm doing...

  • Goodfella #34 3 years ago

    Here's a good one. I work for a well known high street electrical retailer and it's not uncommon for kids with their parents to come in and ask for an R4 for their DS, aww bless.

  • bad09 #35 3 years ago

    "That IS what I'm doing... "

    Now come on play nice! Don't make me call your mother....

  • Widge #36 3 years ago

    +1 for Umberty displaying human conversation abilities.

    -1 for Campbell going for the primate route. And I'd expect better from you.

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #37 3 years ago

    "-1 for Campbell going for the primate route. And I'd expect better from you."

    You would? Why? I'm not exactly famed for my tolerance of complete muppets. If you don't want insulted, don't be a cretin.

  • bad09 #38 3 years ago

    /logs off, kneels and thanks which ever god/lord /moon high in Capricorn/arse wet drunk you all believe in that he is not Rev. Stuart Campbell, sleeps well.......

  • zedzee #39 3 years ago

    One quarter into this Sony-self-proclaimed "Year of the PSP", the ground is as arid and the barrel is as dry as ever.

    With little more than Resistance: Retribution showing up late '08/early '09, can Sony seriously cram all those promised titles into the next 2.5 quarters, before Christmas...?

    PS: EG, sort out your link you dumbos!

  • trubadman #40 3 years ago

    TBH any support from Sony for the PSP would be welcomed at this point. IMO pretty much since after the first year of launch things have been dire in terms of a steady stream of good games on PSP. Last year I honestly thought they'd given up on it, and even stores like game and Gamestation reduced it's shelf space dramatically.


    Exactly, totally agree with you here and it's a shame for a console that has been out for only 3 years and a bit. Don't forget that barely any good games were released after the PSP was on the market for about 18 months. TBH with you, support from games publishers was lost due to masses of people downloading games and not buying them. I know scores of people who have no UMD's and it's a bit shocking really (but the FW hacks have also got Sony some sales, so it's a bit of a catch 22.) OK, the PSP has sold 50 million, but it could so much better. It's got a lot of potential and i don't think it has been fully exploited yet. Look at the GTA games, they were released in the first and second year for the PSP, and Rockstar did a heck of a job, i'd go so far as to say that those games were on par with PS2 games. The main problem is that developers, are unconfident and weary in putting their 'eggs' in the PSP basket. The piracy thing has gone on for so long now, so i can't really see it being solved. Hopefully, some people start buying games, because without sales there will be no games. I have about 17 PSP games, and the last time i bought games for my PSP was July 2007.

  • butler` #41 3 years ago

    Port the FF series to PSP properly ffs to stop people having to resort to hacking the damn things

    FF7 is on it and afaik it can run 8, 9 and 10 hardwise and you'd sell a MILLION PSPs.

  • HiredMan #42 3 years ago

    I stopped reading after "Sony promises"

  • Ryze #43 3 years ago

    Too late! They've only had since 2004 to sort this out!

    @trubadman - the console's bee ouut since 2004 in JPN and 2005 in EU.

    I hope for a successful PSP so I don't sell it before the end of the year, but I've moved on now - and Sony have messed up badly again.

  • Ryze #44 3 years ago

    Too late! They've only had since 2004 to sort this out!

    @trubadman - the console's bee ouut since 2004 in JPN and 2005 in EU.

    I hope for a successful PSP so I don't sell it before the end of the year, but I've moved on now - and Sony have messed up badly again.

  • bad09 #45 3 years ago

    Well in all honesty PSP isn't a complete disaster. I do love mine for media (although remote play has developed a knack of not working at times for me), CF gave mine life with my own PS1 games and emulators and I do have a few PSP games (well...I only play GTA's or Tekken) saved on MS (thanks to CF again).

    I don't spend money on PSP gaming anymore (had a brief look yesterday though, still notihng) but hardware wise I couldn't sell mine, but I would think very hard about investing in new Sony handhelds - certainly never going back to official firmware on PSP.

    EDIT - Actually I am playing PSP, I dumped my Girlfriends TR : Anniversary for her (thanks again CF), so started that. That's OK.
    Edited by 2 at 17/04/09 @ 07:38