The PSP Show #75 - Some Thoughts on the PSP in 2008
The PSP Show #75 - Some Thoughts on the PSP in 2008 (MP3 10.8 mb 15 minutes 42 seconds)
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Not a news and review show this week, but my thoughts on how Sony and the PSP are faring in 2008. From a strong start to the year with Wipeout Pulse, Patapon and God of War, they’ve kinda let the side down. There’s some good vibes coming from Sony on the second half of the year (there would be, naturally), but I remain to be convinced.
My thinking detailed in more depth in the show, is we need more regularity to the market, over a four week cycle, that goes something like this…
- Week 1: Release a big, flagship game.
- Week 2: Release something cute, around $5, on the Playstation online store
- Week 3: Release a second tier game, that’s quirky and fun, perhaps experimental.
- Week 4: Add a new service to the PSP, either via a firmware update, or a utility app via the store.
Listen to the show (or subscribe in iTunes), and feel free to leave your comments.
PS: Switched comments back on…
July 24th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Hi Ewan,
We met last year at the PMC in Ontario California [I mentioned my ex wife was from Scotland and was
in fact a 'Lawson' if that rings a bell].
Here you go.
You are correct on all points with the PSP being very active and then seemingly completely dry for
April-June. As a PS3 owner I can see another angle on where Sony was during Q2. If I recall correctly,
they released GTA4, then Metal Gear Solid 4 and now Qore and a new PS3 store front redesign.
4 big launches but not for the PSP, the PS3. That’s where their heads were for Q2.
They did add some PSP demos via the web store ’store.playstation.com’ and the PS3 store
where you can d/l the demo on the PS3, USB connect the PSP and load the demo to the PSP..
They just now are adding downloadable movies on the PS3 so their focus on the PSP has taken a back seat.
I think it’s just temporary as
they did announce that they are working on downloading demo’s directly on the PSP.
I know they had that before so I don’t understand why they are working on it again.
They need to rebuild the PSP store to mirror the PS3 store interface but with PSP content.
Right now in the US, if I access the PSP homepage on my PSP, it tells me
to go to store.playstation.com for current demo’s and the PSP specific site seems stale
as far as content. It sounds that they will fix that. As an IPod touch owner, buying music and apps
directly on the touch is a very nice feature. Sounds like Sony is heading that direction.
I like your 4 week plan, I don’t know that I would spend $60 a month but more like $20 depending on what
content is offered. My PSP time seems to be getting less and less but I am still determined to rescue the Princess in Patapon without setting her on fire.
You should consider buying a PS3, not to change the shows focus of the PSP, but the 2 are getting tightly
paired as a whole. For example, the PS3 has no RSS feed -but- plug in the PSP and you can
access those feeds on the PS3 via the PSP. Sony clearly is pushing the PS3 this summer as there is a new
MGS4 bundle and no more 40gig version, only 80gig. Hmmm, 80gig only so you can buy lots of movies perhaps?
That’s all I can think of for now. If you make it to Southern California, give me a shout,
I’ll buy you dinner and an Ale.
Take care,
Kevin
July 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hi Ewan,
You said in this episode that you didn’t think PSP had a good E3, I disagree. Sony announced the new movie store for the PS3, which then movies can be transfered to the PSP. Also, Go!View is now out, with great movies and TV shows.
Also, there are at least 3 killer titles Sony announced for the PSP; Resistance: Retribution, Patapon 2 and LocoRoco 2!
July 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
After posting here, I watched the Sony Press Conference at E3 on my PS3.
You can also view the presentation if you logon to your playstation store account.
There are 3 video’s and the 3rd is the one focused on the PSP. They are planning on releasing 130 titles over the next year on the PSP. Most of them are not ‘new’ titles but what caught my eye was the mention of Patapon2 and LocoRoco2 releases next year. Clearly from the presentation they are more focused on the PS3 and movie rentals now than the their focus on the PSP. I would hope they keep adding features to the PSP firmware as Ewan mantioned in show 75.
Check out the videos and we’ll have to wait and see if Sony’s promises hold true.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I agree with everything you’ve said. The only thing I think that halted the poduce of games, is Sony’s stubborness to cooperate with Homebrew (if there is even any), and the lack of ideas. The big brother of the PSP is taking all of the glory and Microsoft and Nintendo have all the other ideas and titles that are only for their own console.
But, what they should do is release more PSX games. I would love to see some of the older games for the PSP, heck, if they put some demos from the old games on the PSP, I would be satisfied.
I also agree with the extra Firmware features. Something I would love to see is the ability to instant message or even e-mail people. It would be hard to pull off but it would be worth it.
Also, your previous ideas about the Playstation Store upgrades, I posted on forums of Sony’s so at least your idea is being spread around more.
Can’t wait for your echochrome review. I hope the game will be worth it. What I want to see from this game is making your own levels, but I don’t see that happening. And I suspect the replay value to be dangerously low. Anywho though, you tell me in the next podcast.