Sony upset with third-party PSP support

By Robert Purchese Published 12 September, 2008

"Really, really disappointing", says Yoshida.

Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida is disappointed at the lack of third-party support for the PSP.

He pointed to first-party games such as God of War: Chains of Olympus, Buzz! Brain Bender and Resistance Retribution as examples of strong, existing IP that had been manipulated for PSP - something he's disappointed third-parties are not emulating.

"What we'd like to see more is for third-parties also - there is so much great IP that they have," Yoshida told IGN.

"It's really, really disappointing, and it's a lost opportunity for the third-parties. They should look at what the PSP can do for their titles and the potential for the business that their IP has."

Yoshida promised Sony has "many more" unannounced PSP games planned for next year, and said leading by example was the best way to get third-parties involved.

Capcom's Japanese Monster Hunter phenomena was used as an example, whereby developers and publishers could visibly see groups of friends playing the game in public places.

Perhaps the PSP-3000, with its brighter, more colourful screen, will prompt more activity when it launches here in mid-October.

The first PSP-3000 bundle will arrive in the UK on 17th October and cost GBP 149.99. Contents, bizarrely, are yet to be confirmed.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (56) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • Oh-Bollox #1 3 years ago

    I dunno, been on a right turn-based gaming jag with the PSP. I don't see it as lacking games, even discounting the, er, homebrew stuff.

  • kangarootoo #2 3 years ago

    "I thought most PSP owners pirated games"

    Most users don't pirate, just like most users don't import. Its just a vocal minority that give that impression.

  • GamesConnoisseur #3 3 years ago

    Piracy on PSP is a booming third party business!

    Now Sony know how Sega and Nintendo felt previous gens with all the attention going elsewhere but least way Sony still have a very successful PS2 and continually improving market share for PS3.

    I do believe the potential of games on PSP is not yet fully exploited, some great titles worthy of gamers but DS getting all the attention. Real question is there a business for devs/pubs to focus on PSP?

  • Widge #4 3 years ago

    Be interesting to see how the new, more locked down PSP effects the hacking scene. Right up until firmware 3, it was getting harder to exploit until DA found a way in round GTA:LCS.... then just as that got locked down, the big one dropped which was pandora's battery. Now you have the cpu not running any unsigned code, be interesting to see how this one pans out.

    The more locked down the system is, the better it is for the PSP. Personally, I don't really give a fig about homebrew, I only really care about the PSOne emu side of things (one of the best things to come out of the exploit). I would rather the system gets locked down, and become more attractive to devs, than having the ability to slap on my own custom icons.

  • Eraysor #5 3 years ago

    The only reason I use my PSP is for homebrew. It doesn't really have any other interesting features save for being a portable PS1. At least DS games are more than just ports.

    And I have never understood why Capcom has always put the multiplayer-centric Monster Hunter series on consoles with poor online functionality or no easy way to chat to other players, because it would sell far more if it was on Xbox Live or PSN.

  • Fernando #6 3 years ago

    cry me a river

  • DrDamn #7 3 years ago

    @EvilFoxHound
    I doubt Sony see it as that tragic. It's sold massive numbers in terms of hardware - which surely they must be making a tidy profit on by now?

    As for it's rival - inferior in some technical matters but superior in others. It's not a simple case of compare the specs.

  • bionutz #8 3 years ago

    well it's a lot opportunity alright... for Sony. Maybe they should have thought with their heads when designing moving parts in a console supposed to be on the move. too bad, but hey, for a first time product is not so bad, at least it has better count of sold units than the Xbox :).
    The move to prevent importers to bring it here was what made Sony in eyes unpopular - what is that for behaviour in a free market economy? Sony was cool... until they brought the corporate bullshit right there in front of the gamers. Japanese probably don't know the whole story.

  • Dafridge #9 3 years ago

    PSP only sells software in Japan.

    There is such a high risk that a game will not recoup that its not currently worth it.

    @Kangarootoo
    you are wrong its not just a vocal minority artificially hyping the sizoe of the hacking community. The attach rate simply does not lie people are not buying those psp's to watch UMD's are they?

  • BiscuitBase #10 3 years ago

    The PSP failed because it's not portable enough and because there aren't enough games that you can turn on for a 15 minute session while on the bus. And thems the facts.

  • Pulsar_t #11 3 years ago

    The PSP is so lacking without the homebrew. Sony should have embraced homebrew on their own, rather than waiting for the system to be hacked (an eventuality, true).. I don't think Sony are going to learn many lessons from this one. Well maybe one or two :p Not too bad for a first effort though. I hope they focus on mobility more for their next iteration.

    On a sidenote, imagine how much those publishers could make if they backed an open-source platform like the GP2X. No draconian royalties ftw!

  • Triggerhappytel #12 3 years ago

    Sony has "many more" unannounced PSP games planned for next year

    I shall wait and see with interest how his interpretation of 'many' turns out - I would consider, say, seven or eight as-yet unannounced PSP games due in 2009 to be many, but remain sceptical there will be such a high number.

  • miiiguel #13 3 years ago

    "It's downfall was mainly piracy and poor marketing."
    Poor marketing indeed, it should be a gaming device not "bling" as it is used nowdays. Sony must become more pragmatic with its products, selling "way of life" is for Calvin Klein.

  • kobashi #14 3 years ago

    even in japan software stuggles to sell. Yeah Monster Hunter and PSO did well recently but if you look at the sales charts on a weekly basis there is not much else selling!!

  • Tomo #15 3 years ago

    It's because they're all making money producing games for the DS.

  • Ryze #16 3 years ago

    Too fucking bad, Sony. Next time make a gaming machine with decent controls instead of a UMD video player.

    Right analogue stick? Online service?

  • DUFFKING #17 3 years ago

    I got a PSP a few months ago. The retail games I do own are all very good (Worms Open Warfare 2, God of War, Space Invaders Extreme, Wipeout Pulse) but I really am glad I'm running custom firmware on it.

  • FladgeMangle #18 3 years ago

    Funny how people criticise the PSP for only having one analog stick. That's still 100% more stick fun than any other handheld.

    I love my PSP and have never regretted buying one. It just a shame that there are so many thieves out there - quite a lot within the dev community. Talk about shitting in your own back yard - which makes it less viable to devs than other systems. I mean come on, no Tomb Raider Underworld? that's sad.

    PS UMD movies are actually bloody good. Too expensive by a country mile and that's why they probably never caught on, but when you commute as much as I do they're pefect for lazy train-based entertainment.

  • HermitArcader #19 3 years ago

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

  • penhalion #20 3 years ago

    PSP is nice but, defies portable gaming. I know for instance that I've only ever taken mine with me a few times. I do tend to take the old ds with me alot though. Mainly because it closes and so can be safely shoved in a pocket on a whim. I'm always wary of scratching the PSP if I should ever pocket shove it.

  • FladgeMangle #21 3 years ago

    I disagree penhalion. I take my PSP everywhere. Admittedly, I carry the shame of having a man-bag with me and charge it up at both ends (oo-er missus).

    When we travel on long journeys, the miracle of "car-adaptor" keeps my children amused for however long it takes.

  • IneptPercy #22 3 years ago

    As others have mentioned I looked at the DS and PSP as I started getting the bus to work again, the DS was the easy choice, it closes so no worrys about braking it and there is games I can play for a 30 minutes.

  • belziah #23 3 years ago

    'Cos 1st party support was freakin' awesome.

  • Fodder #24 3 years ago

    "He pointed to first-party games such as God of War: Chains of Olympus"

    Did this do better in the rest of the world, then? In the UK, it was top of the PSP charts on the week of its release, but that only put it at 29 in the all formats. Two weeks later, it was out of the top 40 all together. If being number one on the PSP barely dents the all format charts, it's understandable that third parties aren't supporting it.

    It's a real shame, because it's a cracking bit of hardware, and I'd really love there to be more games for it. As it is, I think I play more Japanese PS1 PSN downloads on mine than I do actual PSP software. Well, other than Monster Hunter, that is. But that's more of a way of life than a game.

  • VMerken #25 3 years ago

    Mmm nah nah nah

    Scratching PSP is not an argument - there are plenty of scratchguards and cases to keep the bugger safe. The Slim'n'Lite is also quite portable, comparable to DS in weight. However, my S'n'L does have a flaw: the UMD player is easily disrupted and crashes the game in a heartbeat (if I as much as put the PSP down as you would put down a teacup on its saucer, the game's gone).

    For the rest, smooth sailing, and the titles I've got keep me happy while commuting 5h on avg every work day.

  • Les #26 3 years ago

    "Superb hardware with tons of potential, yet it was overshadowed by an inferior rival. Mainly due to poor marketing and high price."

    No, its problem was (and MS should have learned from this) that it wanted to be a PS2 while people already had one...

  • Skywise #27 3 years ago

    I bet they're all too busy making Wii games.




    Oh wait....

  • Skywise #28 3 years ago

    Sony shouldn't complain however, Gran Turismo - their biggest IP (?) - still hasn't been released for PSP

  • David_Snakes #29 3 years ago

    3rd Party games don't sell on PSP, 3rd party developers don't develop for the PSP. It's quite simple.

  • Sevens #30 3 years ago

    "The PSP is one of the most tragic gaming stories of recent years, right next to the Dreamcast."

    Look at the sales numbers, drama queen.


    "3rd Party games don't sell on PSP, 3rd party developers don't develop for the PSP. It's quite simple"

    You quite simply are wrong. Search for Crisis Core.
    Edited by 1 at 13/09/08 @ 00:44

  • CaoSlayer #31 3 years ago

    The trouble of PSP and piracy is that you MUST pirate your system if you want to make some games playable.

    Of course this don't stops you to buy the game you have already installed in your memory stick.

  • RandomTerrain #32 3 years ago

    It's true, some people do like to stroke these fake dogs. Then give Molly a treat. Oh let's take Molly for a walk!
    Another treat?
    I saw my friend doing this on his DS.
    It's not a game! Get a bloody real dog! lol

    I wouldn't mind a bit more choice on the PSP, but am happy enough at the moment with FF Tactics. Then I will purchase Crisis Core.
    Both Third party games, wow!
    Edited by 1 at 13/09/08 @ 10:22

  • Widge #33 3 years ago

    Square are putting a huge amount of love in, which is nice. Crisis Core, FFT, now FFXIII agito, Kingdom Hearts, Dissidia. Top stuff!

    The PSP2 could come with a UMD in for all I care. I quite like the format. Yes I could convert movies but its a pain in the arse... and the resulting files while nice, are nowhere near as crisps a UMD film.

  • gimo80 #34 3 years ago

    I think the PSP has sold over 40 million worldwide - to be honest, that's pretty good going. If you compare it to the DS, then yes, it hasn't achieved as much mainstream success, but then Nintendo have been aiming at a much broader demographic and have succeeded in doing so.

    I wouldn't say the story of the PSP is 'tragic' in terms of sales, but I agree with you in terms of software. If only there were more games like Locoroco - there aren't enough games of this standard on the console, sadly. What is most tragic however is how badly it's doing in the UK - most of the shops in my area don't sell the PSP anymore, and have all made an extra shelf for the DS.

    The DS is far more portable though with much better games on it, so to be honest, I'm not complaining. Sony should have made better games for the damn console. Most of its games are on the PS2 anyway and, to be honest, those versions are far superior.

  • alpha-0ne #35 3 years ago

    Wow sony are simply arogant and clueless, this is coming from the people who sold the psp on the promise of GT PSP and what happens? nothing for years...joke

  • UncleLou #36 3 years ago

    Superb hardware with tons of potential, yet it was overshadowed by an inferior rival.

    A much superior rival, you mean. Unless you only look at the raw specs, and not what it's meant for - portability.


    Anyway, Sony have noone but themselves to blame. Would have snapped a PSP up long ago if they had released GT.

  • Beano #37 3 years ago

    Funny how people want the PSP to look like a failure.

    The machine sells well, have many good games (with more to come in 2008) and is a nice multi-purpose machine overall.

    Sure the DS is a greater success but that doesn't mean the PSP is a failure.

    Personally my DS is collecting dust (like my Wii) since no great games are coming out for it anymore - I hate "touch generation" (gimmick) games and bought it for the classic Nintendo franchises which is more or less dead on both Wii and DS.

    PSP on the other hand, I still use and there are games coming out for it which I like. Sure it would always be nice with more games.

  • AOFanboi #38 3 years ago

    <em>Scratching PSP is not an argument - there are plenty of scratchguards and cases to keep the bugger safe.</em>

    (cue Ace Attorney mode, including annoying typewriter sounds as the text ticks out)

    OBJECTION!

    Your honor, the witness is clearly contradicting himself.

    If scratching is not an argument...

    THEN WHY IS THERE A MARKET FOR SCRATCHGUARDS AND CASES?

    Clearly, scratcing is an issue.

    Would the witness like to amend his testimony?

  • RazorObsession #39 3 years ago

    PSP, for me at least, FAILS on a couple of points:

    MOST UNCOMFORTABLE HOLDING POSITION EVAR - after using it for any period of time my hands feel like they are going to seize up and drop off, due to the nature of holding it in your palm so newtons law cannot claim another victim, which is totally at odds with how your hand should be placed should you desire to do something as unreasonable as say, reach the fucking buttons. bought one of those control pad shaped cradles for it to sit in, and the experience was wonderful, until the flimsy clip arms that held the PSP in place snapped.

    Thumbstick, slide switch thingy - the fact that there are not two sticks is a FAIL +1, but the real failure is that they have the one thumbstick on the same damn side as the D-pad, meaning i can only use one direction control at a time as opposed to two. had it been on the right side of the screen there would be infinitely more possibilities. majorly lost opportunity there for straight ports of a hell of a lot of action games and shooters, and any other IP that utilizes two stick dual controls. which would be most of them then.

    purchased two PSP's for link up GTA LCS on launch. now GTA 4 is here, one PSP has been traded for a DS that doesn't get put down, and the other has dead lines and gathers much dust.

    when sony announce the PSP 4000 with two sticks, and some view to ergonomic hand shaped design, i shall be first in line again.

  • Ryze #40 3 years ago

    Poor ergonomics - hand aching (worse than the Dual Shock)

    Power switch can be activated mid game due to location

    clicky L/R buttons

    Many PS1, PS2 port and PSP games are broken by default due to button config and missing controls

    No right analogue

    Many can't use the left analogue well and there's no alternative

    Left analogue is in the wrong location on the console

    No online service ala PSN

    No bluetooth for peripherals and mobile broadband

    No option to install games to memory stick without hacking the console

    No option of built in storage - tiny, fiddly, low capacity mem sticks or nothing.

    UMD movies should be playable via a PS3 or PC/Laptop thru USB

    PS2 peripherals should work with a TV-out enabled PSP thru the USB

    Gran Turismo should have been completed 3 years ago, with decent online play and an...

    ...online service featuring cross game friends lists, messaging and invites, accessible via a bluetooth connection and Sony Ericsson phone as well as through WiFi

    Where are the basic, directly downloadable pick up and play games like XBLA has? Braid on PSP would be a winner! Sony are idiots.

    Can the PS3 convert and transfer video content to the PSP via WiFi or USB yet? Why not?

    Web browser either needs improving or a PSP version of Opera needs to be developed. 3 years ago.

    All PSP marketing that I've seen has been a pathetic waste of money. Wind the clock back to 2005 and show people why to buy the console, then promote the games properly. Including Gran Turismo.

    To be honest, if done properly, there'd be no problem porting the best of the PS2's back catalogue to the PSP. Make them downloadable via the PSN on the PSP for extra credit.

    There's no wonder so many people hate Sony these days. edit: DUE TO THEIR OWN ACTIONS.
    Edited by 4 at 20/09/08 @ 09:06

  • gimo80 #41 3 years ago

    I agree with basically everything you just said, however I honestly think that constantly porting ps2 games is a bit of a no no. The fact of the matter is that only a handful of Playstation franchises have made a decent transition to the PSP (Tekken, Daxter, God Of War, etc), but then to be honest...

    I would rather be playing those games on the PS2. Thing is, while those games are technically great and still fun to play, the PSP offers nothing in th way of being a portable console to me - the DS on the other hand features games that can only be made for the console, and its interface is so easy to use.

    Another problem is that there weren't enough original games available for it. Locoroco was absolutely awesome..and that's all I can think of. THAT felt like a portable game to me - it was quirky and easy to play in short bursts, and that defines handheld gaming in my eyes. Games like Trauma Centre, Elite Beat Agents and Meteos are perfect for me on the DS as they're original, fast paced and easy to play. I personally prefer playing a game like Final Fantasy or God of War on the big screen than on the little screen.

    However, this is just my personal preference! I am sure people out there love playing a bit of Crisis Core or GTA on their PSP - but for me, it all seems a tad pointless.

  • MDL199 #42 3 years ago

    BiscuitBase
    12-Sep-08 17:34:03 The PSP failed because it's not portable enough and because there aren't enough games that you can turn on for a 15 minute session while on the bus. And thems the facts.



    Does anybody anywhere actually play any handheld system on a 15 minute bus ride? I've never seen anybody ever do it!

    Almost everyone i know mainly plays their PSP and DS at home and in my opinion 95% of games on both systems are not really suited to quick bursts of gameplay but it's only the PSP that gets kicked for it.

    Personally, I love the PSP more than any gaming system i've ever owned.
    Edited by 1 at 14/09/08 @ 13:41

  • Beano #43 3 years ago

    "There's no wonder so many people hate Sony these days."

    At least you are honest about your obvious Sony hate.

  • VMerken #44 3 years ago

    AOFanboi:(cue Ace Attorney mode, including annoying typewriter sounds as the text ticks out)

    OBJECTION!

    Your honor, the witness is clearly contradicting himself.

    If scratching is not an argument...

    THEN WHY IS THERE A MARKET FOR SCRATCHGUARDS AND CASES?

    Clearly, scratcing is an issue.

    Would the witness like to amend his testimony?

    OBJECTION!

    Prosecutor: "Please, your honour, do not let this mis-guided and abnormally spikey-haired fool put words into the mouth of the witness.

    The witness clearly stated, "argument", not "issue", hinting at earlier statements from some people using potential PSP scratching as an argument to prefering the Nintendo DS. He then continued to counter said argument by stating that effective anti-scratch measures are available for the PSP. Thus, his reasoning is not about the phenomenon of "scratching" itself, but "scratching being used as an argument". Isn't that right, witness?"

    Witness: "Yes, it is. Due to the presence of relatively cheap countermeasures, the PSP can be kept scratch-free. So, PSP scratching cannot be used as a definitive argument to take it over a DS."

    Prosecutor: "Hah! Another fool's foul, you foolish fool!"

    *Fool, err, Defence Attorney gets whipped*
    Edited by 1 at 14/09/08 @ 15:21

  • HermitArcader #45 3 years ago

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

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #46 3 years ago

    I think they need to address the issue of piracy more directly, explain why stealing PSP games harms the development of new games,

    I'm puzzled. How would saying "Not at all" change anything?

  • gimo80 #47 3 years ago

    @ Vertical Stand:

    Fair enough, but I've played Lumines on Xbox live and Mercury Meltdown on the Wii! Crush looks pretty interesting and so does Patapon, but the point I was making was that I don't feel the PSP has done itself justice as a portable console. It's just too fiddly and complex to use, whilst the DS has an extremely simple interface. Plus, the games have been translated really well to suit the console's needs. For example, Zelda on the DS feels like a proper portable game with its intuitive touch screen controls and pick up and play gameplay - GTA on the other hand feels like a mere PS2 port but done worse, so I would rather play those games on the big screen.

    I'll definitely try and play Crush sometime though, it actually seems like a genuinely innovative game.

    Edited by 1 at 14/09/08 @ 23:43

  • David_Snakes #48 3 years ago

    Sevems

    "You quite simply are wrong. Search for Crisis Core."

    OK, one game. That's it. A game that's also the prequel to the most popular JRPG ever, of course it's going to sell.

  • Ryze #49 3 years ago

    @Beano

    YES - due to THEIR ACTIONS.

    If any other company wastes my time and money with incomplete products or non existant services then I'll abandon them as well.

    Best way to treat them. They probably earned over £1000 from me during the PS2 era. That's more than I spent on shares in any company, or any investment - considering so much of it is royalties for Software purchased.

    In return, it's not too much to ask that their next wave of products move gaming forwards somewhat. However I've had to turn to the rivals to see real gaming progress.

    I'm glad that the PSP has a decent clock speed and screen, but it's swiss cheese full of missing services and unused features like the PS3.

    At least they're focussed on improving the PS3 as required.
    Edited by 1 at 15/09/08 @ 06:40

  • Ryze #50 3 years ago

    @gimo80

    If PS2 ports ran from mem stick / HDD, and the PSP had a right analogue and some ingenius method of using L2/R2, then I'd be playing ICO and Shadow of the Colossus all over the country and all over the planet.

    It's that simple.

  • O.Z #51 3 years ago

    @ BuckoA51

    Well said!

  • gimo80 #52 3 years ago

    I would rather play Ico with a big screen and surround sound to be quite honest.

  • Ranger101 #53 3 years ago

    @MDL199

    You need to get out more... there's always someone with a DS or PSP on the tube. Mainly young blokes with PSP's and a mix range of ages and sexes (well, 2) for the DS. A lot of people use their PSPs as MP3 players too.

  • HermitArcader #54 3 years ago

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

  • Ryze #55 3 years ago

    gimo80 = a bit gormless judging by his comments.

    Handhelds aren't there to replace regular consoles. They complement them - allowing one to play portable games away from home.

    Simple...enough...for...you?

  • gimo80 #56 3 years ago

    Yup, but if you properly read my previous posts, I validate my reasoning behind the PSP as a piece of actual hardware. I also state that 'this is just my opinion', so there's no need to get so offended.



    Edited by 1 at 17/09/08 @ 01:04