Sony upset with third-party PSP support News

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.

"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.

whats he on about?

i'm loving my recent renaissance with my PSP, FF Tactics, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Worms, Exit, Patapon, i keep buying games they are so damn cheap and they are all tons of fun!

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?

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.

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.

cry me a river

@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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

I keep thinking a PSP would be nice but there has never been a killer reason to get one for me.

It also costs too much for a handheld for me.

"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.

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!!

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

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

Right analogue stick? Online service?

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.

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.

At least Sony execs are still talking about the PSP, which bodes well for them sticking with it and trying to make the best of it for the time being, last thing Sony need right now is to try and release new hardware - hope one of those new games planned for 2009 will be something from SCEE, reviving one of the countless Psynogsis classics. *drools*

Plenty of good games on the machine for gamers, but breaking out into the mainstream might remain elusive, I suspect if they want third part support have to make deals with publishers for it, not having a game like Monster Hunter 2G and Phantasy Star Portable even being released in the West when it sold so well in Japan hardly encourages original development in the West - need to get them out here with full support - make the most of the successes, how well they sold in Japan and how they can finance new development if gamers pay for them.

I think they need to address the issue of piracy more directly, explain why stealing PSP games harms the development of new games, and how PSP owners are ultimately shooting themselves in the foot for doing it.

Crucially they have to integrate the machine with PSN features present and forthcoming on the PS3, Play TV and such like for UMDs, and of course get the portable using the store, for new games such as No Gravity (is that due out this year or next?) and putting far more PS1 titles up on there and pestering third parties until they do as well, oi Square Enix, can we finally play Xenogears - pretty please!

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.

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.

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.

'Cos 1st party support was freakin' awesome.

"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.

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.

"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...

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




Oh wait....

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

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

"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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

(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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

At least you are honest about your obvious Sony hate.

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*

"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."

@gimo you could always try the following:

Lumines
Mercury
Crush
Patapon
Fading Shadows not to mention Kula World and Jumping Flash from the PSN store.

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?

PSP always struck me as a little ill conceived.. Optical discs for a handheld may have made sense to the Sony marketing execs who thought they could sell us lots of films on yet another format, but they certainly don't make much sense where quick loading and long battery times are preferable. The PSP tried to be a portable media player, mp3 player and games console.. the DS just concentrated on being a great portable console, which is why it won in the end.

@ 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.