We don't set PSP Minis price, says Sony

By Robert Purchese Published 8 October, 2009

Publishers and developers do.

Sony America's Eric Lempel has said pricing PSP Minis is a task for publishers and developers, not the platform holder.

They, therefore, are responsible for the disparate PSP Minis-to-iPhone prices. Our PSP Minis launch roundup looked at 13 titles, none of which came in much under £2.50/€3.

"As far as pricing goes, the publisher of the title sets the pricing," Lempel told Joystiq.

And, when asked whether price-tags can drop low enough to emulate the App Store, Lempel said, "Yes, absolutely."

"I think they have to carefully look at that, carefully price their content. Minis was intended to be something a little different and we wanted to see a lot of different types of content through Minis," he added.

"If it's not priced correctly, consumers may be turned off at the proposition and say, 'I'd rather just go for this kind of stuff instead of Minis.'"

Head over to that PSP Minis launch roundup for our thoughts on the initial baker's dozen.

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 (20) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #1 2 years ago

    well im not complaing 2 of the better games last week on minis were marked at £2.50, i cant even get a drink at the cinema for that.

  • mingster #2 2 years ago

    mini stuff should be £1.99 max

  • miiiguel #3 2 years ago

    I'm nor sure if it matters who sets the prices (of anything) too high.

  • mingster #4 2 years ago

    £2.50? I can't even get a handjob off a crack whore for that.

  • MaxiSleep #5 2 years ago

    The last V8 was 1.99 I think

  • Stoatboy #6 2 years ago

    "If it's not priced correctly, consumers may be turned off at the proposition...", said mouthpiece for company trying to sell the PSPgo at £250.

  • YobRenoops #7 2 years ago

    @xXBrombeerXx No they don't set any of the prices other than the SCEI ones. Check this:

    [link url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story =18520
    ]http://ww w.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_in...[/link]

    Key part for those who don't bother to click:

    "[Chris] Eden added that what differentiates PSN from the competition was pricing, as well. "We don't set or recommend prices, or have price slots," he said. "Sony just acts as a digital reseller, you're free to set your own prices."

    Unlike competing services, he continued, Sony doesn't slot releases into a schedule. Once a game has passed its final QA check, the content is uploaded to the network the following Thursday."
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 10:01

  • TheNinkyNonk #8 2 years ago

    IL 2 Sturmovik on PS Store for PSP: £31.99

    Same game on Amazon: £17.99 (with resale value)

    The industry thinking downloads are the future: priceless

  • lambtron #9 2 years ago

    Excellent move from Sony.

  • freakzilla #10 2 years ago

    I completely agree with Brombeer (why the "Xx"?), Sony still has control over how much they charge for their own games and they're even worse, some of the games that were released almost at launch are still going for £15 on the store.

  • timberwolf #11 2 years ago

    no, but you don't reduce the prices either.

  • freakzilla #12 2 years ago

    I think Sony are offering a significant profit margin to the retailers with the "Go!", why else would retailers discount a product that won't generate any future software sales? The profit margin is at least more than the PS3's £8/$8 (can't remember).

    Edit: I suppose I should point out that I still think its too expensive.
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 11:43

  • NotSoSlim #13 2 years ago

    The Sony games are decently priced imo

    Look at GT £21.99 or £17.99 on play.com, still more but not by much

  • dubdivision #14 2 years ago

    My hatred of apple is weakening, but my love of Playstation is getting tested. I am shocked that there were no release minis at less than £1 (even as a special offer), Then the press would have been entirely positive. EPIC FAIL!.

  • NotSoSlim #15 2 years ago

    @ justanotherdave

    I agree with you totally but compared to the EA gamesthe Sony games look like bargains!! They should be cheaper but also Sony could of charged £39.99 for there games but haven't

    I think the PSP2 will be digital only but maybe with redeem codes for games in stores

  • Moz #16 2 years ago

    @ justanotherdave:

    The problem at the moment is that Sony still have to keep the retailers sweet. They can't undercut them they're selling the games on PSN at RRP which is currently the right thing to do. You'd never get retailers to sell the GO if the games on PSN were cheaper as then PSP3000 would just stop selling as would phsicle copies of games. Which yes is the ultimate goal but Sony isn't ready to go there just yet.

    edit/ Back to the actual topic, are people seriously complaining about £2.50 for a game????? Espesially as i'm sure their all better then some of the rubbish you pay £5 for on most mobile phones!! Personally i'm happy for these devs to get a decent profit for their work. Hell it's less then you pay for a Starbucks or a beer! and far less then your average games mag!!!!
    Edited by 1 at 08/10/09 @ 14:33

  • davisorle #17 2 years ago

    "If it's not priced correctly, consumers may be turned off at the proposition and say, 'I'd rather just go for this kind of stuff instead of Minis.'"

    No shit Sherlock. Yet a whorehouse is more organised or is it just me? So Sony is "allowing" the higher pricing? aww how thoughtfull Sony is huh? Such a load of crap :)

  • superfurry #18 2 years ago

    Prinny! Can I be the Hero - £31.99 on the EU PSN Store, $9.99 on the US PSN Store.

  • des #19 2 years ago

    Oh really?So you get no money from them either...what a deal

  • NotSoSlim #20 2 years ago

    ''Prinny! Can I be the Hero - £31.99 on the EU PSN Store, $9.99 on the US PSN Store''

    That a offer the devs came to with Sony America. Mike on the Euro blog confirmed that and that the devs did not make that sort of offer for us Euro gamers, sony blam the devs