With all the recent talk about the PSP2’s upcoming reveal and Quarter 4 release date, it’s worth taking a step back and looking at how we’re actually going to get our games onto the device.
Naturally, the PSP2 is highly likely to run off the very same PlayStation Network Store as the current PlayStation Portable (and, indeed, the PS3) although with, we assume, a separate top-level category for the new device. Backwards compatibility is almost a given, we’re hoping, and whilst we’re not expecting any fancy new trickery to be part of the deal when playing older games like Ghost of Sparta, it wouldn’t be unexpected to be able to work through Kratos’ latest adventure on the PSP2.
But that just answers the easy question: games will be delivered via the PSN, but what about physical media?
With reports surfacing overnight and this morning that the PSP2 will also feature the ability to play games that aren’t just bought on the store, we’re pretty safe suggesting that the rather ill-fated UMD format is out of the window, replaced with, we’re guessing, a memory card format – presumably SD cards, or one of Sony’s own proprietary formats like the PSPgo can use.
Thus, whilst we’re more than happy downloading games from the Store, we’re also expecting to be able to walk into GAME and pick up a little card with a cute picture on too.
Let’s hope Sony reveal all soon, and it’s all good when they do.
cam the man
When there were rumours last year that the PSP2 would be download only I mentioned, on this very site, that they should release software on SD cards, memory sticks or similar.
Glad to see Sony listening to me!
Juelz345
None of this is coming from Sony.
“we’re guessing, a memory card format – presumably SD cards,”
It’s all speculation.
HowieFeltersnatch
Why would the PSP2 use SD cards when the PSPgo already uses M2 cards which are far superior?
Juelz345
If they use any standard memory card, then piracy is almost a guarantee.
The best bet would be a fully digital device with a dedicated store. Apple has proven that it can work. While i’m sure some people we put off at first, if they wanted the device then they’d give in at some point. Digital distribution just seems like a no brainer for portable devices.
Developers would be more inclined to develop games for a console that has a lower risk of piracy, while not having to worry about the second hand market eating into their profit.
SpikeyMikey23
wonder how small the boxes will be to house an sd card? ds sized or you reckon they’ll go even smaller?
colmshan1990
Full size boxes.
Have you seen what they use for PSN cards?
gazzagb
I’d of thought it would have been Memory Stick Pro-Duo or a Sony memory card at least…
chris_huh
I’ve been thinking/hoping they would put in two sd card slots. one for you to add extra storage the (probably) 16gb onboard, and the other to put games into. microsd would be too small for games as they need a way to put the name on it. so probably fullsize sd, and since sony has started to move away from memorycards in their phones and cameras, maybe its be the same with the psp2.
the expandable memory could be microsd though.
they might need a propriety card for the games to prevent piracy, but that might increase the cost.