Lunchtime Discussion: PSP – What Next?
How would you save the PSP?Published 22/01/2010 at 12:00 by Raen
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Today’s discussion, courtesy of nofi, may seem a little short but he asks a good question. Where does the PSP need to Go (poor pun intended) next to survive till the year 3000 (again very poor pun intended).
The Go, by all accounts, hasn’t sold well and even in Japan where Sony expected high adoption figures the sales have been disappointing. Many see the Go as a step back, despite its advantages (better screen, tethering, Bluetooth) and the price hasn’t helped either – it’s probably about £50-£75 too expensive given that the core technology is actually quite old now.
So, where next? Naturally there’s rumours of a PSP 2 and all kinds of talk on the new portable’s graphical grunt (potentially, at least) but what would you like to see on the next PlayStation Portable? Has the lack of a UMD drive put you off a Go, and if so, would you call for a return to a physical media format on the next model and what would you like to see incorporated? Touch screen? Camera? Motion control?
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
djhsecondnature | 22/01/2010 12:02
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I want a PSPGo but not for the price. Should be around £120.
SpikeyMikey23 | 22/01/2010 12:05
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im quite happy with my psp2000, picking up umds for cheap on ebay and shopto, also some good games coming soon, new final fantasy, kingdom hearts etc, i like to physically hold the games i buy, then make sweet sweet……….. uh nothing!
cam the man | 22/01/2010 14:04
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I’m sticking with my slim until PSP2 is released.
If it is.
BrendanCalls | 22/01/2010 12:13
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc - YOHIMBÉ!!!
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I have had 2 seperate incarnations of the PSP and both were interesting for about a month. I now have an iPhone and the PSP cannot compare to it in anyway. For gaming the iPhone walks all over the PSP. I dont want MGS on a handheld, I want tetris or the like. Sony should just pack up the PSP and go home, its rubbish compared to what is out on the market today.
superjag86 | 22/01/2010 12:16
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I respectfully disagree
kevatron400 | 22/01/2010 12:20
Don't call him Kevatron400.
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I would like to hear a counter-argument, if you’ve got time.
ScottW-1976 | 22/01/2010 12:30
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If all you want from a handheld is the occasional blast on a fairly simple game then I’m sure that the Apples offerings fit the bill. If your looking for a bit of depth and a more console like experience then its PSP all the way. I always used to play my PSP when I used the train to get to work and games like Syphon Filter and MGS were fantastic ways to pass the time. Ols school puzzlers, platformers etc arent what I’m looking for when gaming, whether sat at home or on the move.
BLAGGER | 22/01/2010 13:40
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Me too the PSP is a great console – great games, great applications (Comic Reader etc) and no fucker phones me whilst I’m playing it
3shirts | 22/01/2010 12:22
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See thats an interesting standpoint. iPhone does have some fun games but it cannot compare to the PSP for ‘proper’ games. Little Big Planet PSP or Gran Turismo Mobile are well out of the league of the iPhone, however lots of people want small, accessible, casual games with really simple control which is what the appstore is filled with.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 14:30
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But decent games often get lost and struggle much like the wii as everyone jumps on the band wagon trying to make a quick buck. The price means people can take risks but on a psp I never usually have to take any.
shields_t | 22/01/2010 12:16
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I’m happy with my 3000, but a go with a faster umd drive than currently exists on the 1/2/3000 models would probably convince me to part with some reddies.
3shirts | 22/01/2010 12:18
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The Go was too expensive. The price put off newcomers and the lack of real innovation made it way too expensive to justify as a replacement for those of us with functioning older PSP.
I just got a Nexus One which is a smartphone with a 1Ghz processor. I know its not a comparable device but when you consider that it’s a phone with a processor more than 3 times faster than the PSP you have to start questioning if it’s time to move on to totally new hardware for Sony.
I think what people want in a handheld has changed a lot over the last couple of years and to really get big sales they need a PSP2 which ticks the boxes for casual gamers (touchscreen, accessible games, accelerometer etc) as well as those of us that want a ‘proper’ console on the move.
Minis are a great step in the right direction but add some touchscreen control and Sony would quickly regain some market share
seedaripper1973 | 22/01/2010 12:21
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Just bloody stick another anologue stick on it and ill buy the bastard, simple as that.
I can not for the life of me,understand why sony decided against a second anologue nub on the PSP?? its caused nothing but problems for devs porting games over (especially FPSs)..sort it sony, oh and perhaps a touchscreen would be nice, and sixaxis functionality…that is all.
3shirts | 22/01/2010 12:24
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Compatibility with all PSPs was the sticking point for the GO. It could have had a faster processor, another analogue nub etc but then you’d be in this world where some games wouldn’t work on the new/old one and people would be annoyed about it. Thats why I think the Go was a dumb idea when they should just have gone straight to a totally new console.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 12:28
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The Go was purely to prepare the way for a download only psp2
seedaripper1973 | 22/01/2010 12:33
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Well that is what i meant, support the psp as long as they want (the GO was a bit daft IMO) and focus on getting the PSP2 outta the gates, with a frigging second nub!!! and the other bits and bobs (including a faster processor)
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 12:44
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The only 2 things I care about with a psp2 is a 2nd analogue nub, backwards compatibility and no touchscreen (I hate them with a passion)
Watchful | 22/01/2010 12:26
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Good idea. A ’tilt’ sensor should definitely be added.
Bladesteel | 23/01/2010 11:20
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Sorry, but tilt on the PSP sounds like a really bad idea to me.
1. How many new PS3 actually use the motion sensor? I can’t think of any games (that I’ve bought) that used it after the novelty wore off and it wasn’t a selling point any longer.
2. Tilting the controller on the PS3 still leaves the screen on the same place. Playing a game on the PSP, requiring tilting of the console, would be annoying if the lighting is less than ideal, or in cramped spaces (thing train, bus or plane)
cc_star | 23/01/2010 11:40
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Its all about widening the appeal.
The PSP currently appeals to a very specific set of people whereas the iPhone/iPod Touch (I’m sure the next version will be more gaming friendly) & importantly the DS have much wider appeal.
Of course tilt controls won’t have to be used in the next portable Killzone, GT or any other gamers game, but it will leave the door open for developers to make more accessible games for younger or older non-gamers hopefully selling more units, and more units sold should mean more developer support.
bajere | 22/01/2010 16:47
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yep, another stick is needed IMO…scrap the GO, and just release a new unit. We have had the PS1,2 and 3. so why not have the PSP1 and PSP2, make any old games (1 thumb stick games) work on the new system for BC, and all new games work on PSP2. just like the change from PS1 (no sticks) to PS2 (with sticks).
Watchful | 22/01/2010 12:24
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PSP2 in a PSPgo form factor, with dual analogue sticks and 32GB of internal storage. Ditch the Memory Stick format for Micro SD. Have two Micro SD ports. One for a large capacity Micro SD card (32GB coming soon) to serve as the memory expansion to the internal storage. The second port is for the games bought at retail that come on low-capacity Micro SD cards. I’d probably pay £200 or so for one of those.
The PSPgo as it stands needs to drop in price to match the PSP-3000 (or rumoured 4000 if that comes out at the same price point this summer) so that it becomes a viable alternative. If the question becomes do you spend £120 on a PSP that’ll play UMD games or go for the smaller pocket-friendly one with built in storage for the same price instead, the PSPgo stands a chance. While the question is do you spend £120 for the PSP or closer to £200 for the PSPgo the ‘go isn’t going anywhere.
ScottW-1976 | 22/01/2010 12:25
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2 well positioned and designed analog stick to allow games to be controlled correctly are a must. Touchscreen could be interesting if well implemented. DL only games need some competition in providers to ensure that we can get decent deals and not only have to rely on SCEE’s pricing structure.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 12:26
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1. Make Uncharted, Blue Toad Murder Files, Modnation Racers and other PS3 exclusives for PSP and PS1 collections on UMD.
2. Drop the price of the GO to Under £150 and announce the PSP2 when released will be download only and not include a UMD drive. PSP downloads will work on PSP2.
3. In store trade-in system for Go owners to swap UMDs for download version (possibly for a small fee of £1 or £2 per game – big discount for bulk trade ins).
4. Do an exlusivity deal with Level 5 for future Professor Layton games and other big 3rd Party DS developers.
5. Add as much cross over of chacarters like Ratchet, Sackboy etc… into games like Modnation racers.
6. Announce No PSP2 for at least 2 years
7. Release Apps Store, TV tuner plus iplayer accessibilty when tethered to mobile and downloads to psps from iplayer allowed
7. 2 years time release PSP2 with 2nd analogue stick, 32gb hard drive, memory stick and SD slots, no touchscreen but 3D included in games as standard – no glasses required.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 13:15
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I forget; between 1 & 2: Release a firmware update with massively improved media functionality so it can be used like most other mp3 players and add divx support.
And add a decent camera and microphone to the psp2.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 14:31
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And trophy support – it could make the biggest impact on sales if you could add psp trophies to your ps3 ones.
PoisonedMonkey | 22/01/2010 12:28
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I went through a spell of barely touching my PSP, but recently I’ve barely been able to leave it alone. I’ve picked up some older games cheap such as Loco Roco and Patapon, fantastic original games that seem to be lasting ages. But also LBP, Gran Turismo, FM2010 and some of the minis have been really good too.
It went through a bit of a lull, but I think just like the PS3 is picking up a head of steam the PSP is starting to grow a bit too.
As for the Go, the lack of UMD drive will stop people picking up 2nd hand games on the cheap, which is what Sony wanted but won’t give people a reason to buy it.
DeathByNumbers | 22/01/2010 12:32
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The whole thing had no real reason for people to upgrade; upgrade now and stop playing all your current PSP games. And the free game offer for people updating didn’t make sense, as as far as I know you still needed the old psp, you know the one you traded in towards the cost of the GO, to make it work – Log on with GO download a theme then Log in with your old PSP? what? did they ever change that? lmao
cc_star | 22/01/2010 12:51
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The PSP2 (proper) needs to feature a touch screen and accelerometer – this will help the machine connect with non-core gamers that the PSP is currently missing out on
It also needs a second analogue stick, so as to appeal to hardcore gamers
There we go a machine that will appeal to everyone, and developers can make any game for, whether it be a 59p mini (about £2.99 in Sony currency) or a full £34.99 AAA blockbuster.
they also need to get on board the gaming-phone hybrid because, iPhone is great for gaming, and a future Apple releases will be even more suitable for that purpose and it well known that WinMo7 will be Zune branded and will mark Microsofts’s entry to the mobile gaming space – what better way to get your equipment into million of peoples hands than by having another company subsidise it for you? (The Sony Aino etc… doesn’t count because they’re unreliable pieces of crap)
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 13:12
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The problem of the iphone is that its such a jack of all trades its also a master of bugger all. The iphone is too small and lacking in buttons to be a decent games machine; its sound quality is subpar compared to most other brands of mp3 player. Camera is rubbish. No memory slot. If I had a choice of touchscreen or buttons I’d have buttons everytime.
Think of the cost of turning a psp into a psp phone unless people are buying them on contracts. A pay as you go iphone is £350 – over £200 more than a psp. With people already complaining about £200 for a pspgo how do you think they’ll take £350 for a psp2 phone?
cc_star | 22/01/2010 13:17
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It’s be subsidised just like every other phone is, hence the fact a 3GS is £189
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 13:22
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That £189 is a contract though isn’t it; something that cuts out a large portion of the gaming audience? £189 is the price of a itouch
cc_star | 22/01/2010 13:49
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Well obviously its not for everyone its just an extra means of distributing the platform that they are not currently utilising which their competitors either are already, or are planning to do, meaning Sony will either need to compete or get out of the space and stop wasting everyone’s time with pointless hardware revisions designed at keeping the price artificially high
As a mobile device the PSP is seriously flawed, because there aren’t many games that are suitable for playing whilst mobile, as most of them require serious concentration and are better suited to home gaming, and if that’s the case its competing with the PS3
The iPhone will receive a proper hardware revision at some point or at the very least I Joypad style attachment, Android, Nokia’s Ovi platform and later this year WinMo7 (Zune phone) will be competing proper in the mobile space, and all the devices are easily powerful enough to compete – in fact the 3Gs is more powerful than the PSP (but is held back by Apples instance that developer don’t program the hardware directly but instead utilise an API which helps compatibility)
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 14:27
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Size will always be the issue. An add on for the iphone will make it bigger and it’ll suffer the same problems the psp does (ie it doesn’t fit in your pocket or you have to carry lots of accessories to play games). If they don’t make it bigger the screen will have be shrunk or it’ll be a slide phone like than psp or flip one like the DS.
The biggest problem I find with the game selection is trying to find which ones are decent and the lack of games to play when your on a 2 hour train ride (for similar) as the games are only good for 5 min bursts – personally i find the psp has a better mix.
For the £190 plus a contract an iphone costs you can get pspgo and one of the many decent phone which are free on a contract which have better cameras etc on them. At the moment you don’t buy an iphone for the games. The games are just an added extra like playing music on a psp is an added extra. Until the iphone/itouch has a valid button option is just isn’t a good gaming option.
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 15:06
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“Sony will either need to compete or get out of the space and stop wasting everyone’s time with pointless hardware revisions designed at keeping the price artificially high”
I would say exactly the same about Apple. Every year there add small revisions and redesigns to their whole range just to keep the price at a certain level. If they want to compete in the games market make a games machine.
If Sony really want to compete at a micro game level they just need a add a good flash player to the xmb where you can download free flash games straight off the net which anyone could write.
cc_star | 22/01/2010 15:25
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And yet all the time millions more iPhones are being sold – and the PSP is practically a stagnant platform which no one knows what to do with, least of all Sony
To use your iPhone analogy, the PSP is a jack of all trades and master of non
It lacks mass market gaming appeal by not having ultra accessible features like the DS’s touch screen, or the iPhone/iPod Touch’s accelerometers. It lacks media features which make it a good photo/movie/music player, the DigiComics is a good addition but too niche to influence sales, and hardcore comic fans want comics not digital representations
Developers either don’t support the machine or only make half-hearted attempts games, fear of piracy is rampant. The promise of last year, AC: Bloodlines, MotorStorm, GTPSP etc… has all but dried up and normal service has resumed.
Digital distribution of games is a barren wasteland and stinks of half-heartedness and broken promises
Yes I like my PSP, but it stinks of missed opportunity to me. My iPhone is the exact opposite, fulfilling every role (except hardcore gaming admirably)
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 17:14
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To say the games have dried up this is a bit premature being only 3 weeks in and the like of Army of two, Dante’s inferno etc.. out early this year. With MGS, Res Evil and more to come.
As a portable home console I’d say it is a master. The likes of Little Big Plant, Motorstorm, Football Manager, Echochrome, Jak & Daxter, Pixel Junk Monsters, God of War, Ratchet and Clank are some of the best home console franchises working on a portable device.
There are millions more iphones being sold but they are primarily a phone and mp3 player rather than a games machine. Established publishers and devlopers are struggling to make money off it or they’re making utter crap like the MGS game (a prime example of something not even in the same league as its psp counterpart).
For me the iphone is an over priced gimmick which is more of a fashion accesory than anything else with each model out of date almost as soon as you buy it. Something thats claiming to be any form of games machine without a single killer game needs serious work.
“It lacks mass market gaming appeal”. With nearly 60million worldwide sales (I believe only the ds, ps1, ps2 and wii have sold more) it certainly has plenty of appeal. The wii is evidence of mass market appeal not necessarily being good for a console in the long term.
cc_star | 23/01/2010 11:47
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How many of those 50-60m are in active use… most people who bought a 1000 probably bought either 2 or 3000 as well, and the same for Go, which is one of the slowest selling pieces of tech kit ever.
I love all the games you mentioned, LBP is better than the PS3 version IMO & GoW: CoO is one of the best games ever made, easily as good as GoW1 & 2 – but for me those are better spent sat down when you can be distraction free and devote some serious time & effort to them and that is where I personally have the problem with the PSP – It’s a home console that happens to be portable, and most of its blockbuster games are suited for playing on a sofa.
cc_star | 22/01/2010 12:54
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One thing I forgot to add is: Remote Play
This is the jewel in the Sony crown, and has only been used in a couple of Blu-ray release game, but why not make all first party games Remote Play compatible and show the way for 3rd parties to do the same (who will be reluctant because of losing Software sales on the PSP platform – but giving how common piracy is this may save making a PSP version altogether
I recently played Lair and although the game was pretty far from great, the ability to play it via Remote Play was awesome
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 13:18
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Remote play needs massive improvement. Most routers (as in ones you personally can’t change settings on) tend to block it when you’re outside your house. I’m yet to get it working when tethering a mobile to it either. If it worked properly it would be fantastic; especially through mobile tethering.
cc_star | 22/01/2010 13:50
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Never had a problem with Remote Play or needed to do any configuring beyond the initial Sync
jimmy-google | 22/01/2010 14:34
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It works when I’m at home but I’ve never got it to work anywhere else which sucks. Though I can get on the ps store when I tether my go to my phone. Just remote play can never get past the logging in bit. It just sits there with a black screen
Kevling | 22/01/2010 13:27
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Slightly off-topic – does anyone else have the intermittent issue with Remote Play where it acts as though your last command is “stuck” – e.g. you press down (once), and it acts like you are pressing it down for about 10 seconds and you find yourself at the bottom of the XMB when you only wanted to go down one item. Happens in Remote Play games as well, so seems to be a problem with the wireless connection rather than a specific usage or application.
If it’s just me, then I’ll shut up and probably blame my router.
If it’s more commonplace, then this needs fixing!
Philbz | 22/01/2010 13:22
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I upgraded to the PSPgo from my PSP fat and I have no regrets in doing so. Strangely enough it was my iPhone that re-ignited my interest for portable gaming, but I found it frustrating to use for gaming.
The problem I have with the PSPgo is the price of some of the downloadable games from the PSN store. The pricing is all over the place, first party titles are priced quite reasonably but third party prices go up to weird prices like £31.99. Where the hell did they get that price from. They really need to standardise the prices. I think that a full price game on the store should be no more that £25. Older titles around £10-15 is fair I think. EA are one of the main culprits for this £31.99 price. It also puts people of when you get a game like GTA: China Town Wars selling for £31 on the store and then see it on Play.com discounted to £10.
The PSPgo is so obviously a testing ground for the PSP2 which will be download only. I think this year we will get an announcement about it and the price of the PSPgo will drop as Sony try to make this the base model before slowly phasing out the UMD model.
And how ill they get us to buy the PSP2 – by putting all the things they have been holding back on. Touchscreen, accelerometer 2 analogue sticks, etc.
mrfodder | 22/01/2010 13:39
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I adore my Go! I use it for games, video, music and comics. I always have all my content with my and it’s small enough to fit in my pocket. I agree to is too expensive both for hardware and games, but I find I get better value out of a downloaded game than a UMD because whenever I’m in the mood to play a particular game I already have it with me.
It was very much an experiment for Sony to see how the market took to a download only console only and it failed. I think the PSP2 to be successful will have to have a retail games option but UMD sucks, it’ll have to be ROM based.