And the PsP is Sucking Too

[Gadfly2317]

There's been a lot of developer smack talk about the PsP recently, but this one really stood out. . the CEO of Climax calling for Sony to get its act togather before developers start to abandon the platform. This portion really stood out:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21229

"To be honest and frank about it we worry about the future of the PSP," said Jeffery.

"In terms of sales of the actual units, it's not doing so great. The DS is going gangbusters, the sales volumes are going up exponentially. But the PSP worrys us, because we're sitting here thinking about what Sony is going to do to get the platform back on track and we're not hearing much from them."

It's unfortunate really, to see how bad Sony is effing up its Ps3 launch and that the PsP is stagnating. Partially, my evil side likes seeing a big bully corporation sucking, but really, as a gamer, this is bad. I really like the PsP, and as much as I've praised the innovation and gameplay of the DS vs. the traditional graphics-whoring of the PsP. . . I think the PsP is a great system that has just barely cracked its potential. . .it's just recently started being the system I game on most.

That's probably the biggest sign its doomed :(

[Renzatic Gear]

It's a huge crying shame how Sony has mismanaged the system. Take game demos for instance. Sony releases hundreds of them for trade shows, yet for us, we're thrown a couple as bait for a firmware upgrade. Throughout the entire PSP's year long lifespan, there's been like...what...8 demos released altogether? It's stupid.

[T.Tashi]

The PSP has been out for almost 2 years now. I did receive a handful of umd demos (one which was a beta test) but no more than literally 3 or 4.

Pursuit Force
Socom
Soccer
and maybe one more, I'm not sure

As far as I'm concerned, movies, TV shows, demos, emulated games, all that stuff should be available online. I don't think it needs a redesign, though Sony could do that. But an online downloading strategy? Extremely lacking, for too long now.

[shogun]

I moved into another apartment mid-august. This week, I realized I had no idea where my PSP was...either the thing was lost in a box somewhere or vanished during the move. My brief search in the closet proved fruitful, but even then, I never bothered to play it.

Sony's philosophy for the PSP seems to be that all gamers want from their portable is a watered-down console experience. Maybe that "does it" for some people, but as someone whose PSP rarely strays 100 feet from the nearest TV, the system is almost completely irrelevant. Why would I play a broken, one-analog stick "Me and my Katamari", when I have access to two superior versions? Why would I play a mediocre GTA when I can nab "San Andreas" for half the price? Most of the best games on PSP are pale shadows of PS2 fare that distinguish themselves only through inflated price tags.

I own both a Gamcube and a Dreamcast...both systems were considered "failures" on some level, but I found enough worthwhile games to play that I never once regretted owning them. I'm willing to drive a half hour to search for where I thought I dropped my copy of Kirby's Canvas Curse...but possibility that I might have lost my two-hundred dollar PSP wasn't enough to make me stand up and look around my room until I started looking for ways I could finance a Wii.

For me anyways...that speaks volumes of how little I care for the thing.

[Gadfly2317]

Sony's philosophy for the PSP seems to be that all gamers want from their portable is a watered-down console experience. Maybe that "does it" for some people, but as someone whose PSP rarely strays 100 feet from the nearest TV, the system is almost completely irrelevant. Why would I play a broken, one-analog stick "Me and my Katamari", when I have access to two superior versions? Why would I play a mediocre GTA when I can nab "San Andreas" for half the price? Most of the best games on PSP are pale shadows of PS2 fare that distinguish themselves only through inflated price tags.

This has been true, but recent games like Every Extend Extra, Loco Roco, and Lumines II are among the best handheld games of the year. The system needs to continue to get this kind of original content, but they've also never found a "killer app" and the PsP continues to lack as well in games with depth. . . good adventure or RPG. There's already, what, like 10 DS games that have sold over a million copies?

Also, Field Commander was, despite its strong points and decent graphics, a totally weak rip-off of the Nintendo hit Advance Wars. Some solid turn-based strategy would rock the PsP. If necessary, sony needs to pony up some cash, or other incentives, to get Square to bring on the FF Tactics, and Nippon Icci to bring over either an original title or something from its impressive tactical RPG library. These game or so well suited to handheld gaming (and have proven lucrative as hell on GBA/DS) that I just don't understand why they aren't there on the PsP.

Sony just doesn't seem to care; not about gaming. Which is weird since the hardware is supposedly not profitable, and the movies aren't selling. Why do they continue to run these dumb ass ads making it look like the PsP is a dating tool?

[T.Tashi]

This has been true, but recent games like Every Extend Extra, Loco Roco, and Lumines II are among the best handheld games of the year. The system needs to continue to get this kind of original content, but they've also never found a "killer app" and the PsP continues to lack as well in games with depth. . . good adventure or RPG. There's already, what, like 10 DS games that have sold over a million copies?

Also, Field Commander was, despite its strong points and decent graphics, a totally weak rip-off of the Nintendo hit Advance Wars. Some solid turn-based strategy would rock the PsP. If necessary, sony needs to pony up some cash, or other incentives, to get Square to bring on the FF Tactics, and Nippon Icci to bring over either an original title or something from its impressive tactical RPG library. These game or so well suited to handheld gaming (and have proven lucrative as hell on GBA/DS) that I just don't understand why they aren't there on the PsP.

Sony just doesn't seem to care; not about gaming. Which is weird since the hardware is supposedly not profitable, and the movies aren't selling. Why do they continue to run these dumb ass ads making it look like the PsP is a dating tool?

I can recommend Kingdom of Paradise. It's probably the best rpg experience on the PSP and I could rate it a great game. But I've played almost every rpg for the PSP and they range from good to crap. But certainly nothing exceptional, I'm sad to say.

I will say I thought Blade Dancer got a bad rap. It had a battle system I really enjoyed. Hated the cliff hanger ending tho.

[Mochan]

Shogun, like myself you are not the kind of person who needs a gaming portable. The point of the PSP is not to give you a watered down console experience, but rather to give you a watered-down console experience while you are out of the house travelling or slacking off in the office or what not.

If you don't do that stuff, then the PSP (or pretty much any portable) is not for you. EXCEPT -- maybe the DS, as even I am tempted to get a DS because it has some games that are not found anywhere else.

And these firmware upgrades, you know why Sony is pushing the firmware upgrades? Because that's how to combat piracy. A lot of the PSP hacks only work on older verions of firmware (as the newer firmwares were built to defeat these hacks). So they want everyone to upgrade their firmware so they can't pirate anymore.

[Gadfly2317]

Shogun, like myself you are not the kind of person who needs a gaming portable. The point of the PSP is not to give you a watered down console experience, but rather to give you a watered-down console experience while you are out of the house travelling or slacking off in the office or what not.

If you don't do that stuff, then the PSP (or pretty much any portable) is not for you. EXCEPT -- maybe the DS, as even I am tempted to get a DS because it has some games that are not found anywhere else.

Need, maybe not. But use. . . yes. Unless you live alone, or have multiple televisions, there are plenty of times where your spouse, roomate, whatever wants to watch tv and you want to game. The PsP and DS are great for those times.

And like you said, the type of gaming experience is very different on the DS. It's perfectly reasonable, imo, to sit on the couch with my DS while the nice TV sits unused. It's all about the games, and there are great ones on the DS worthy of play even if you never game while traveling. And lately, the PsP too.

[Mochan]

The "use the PSP while someone else uses the TV" doesn't apply to me as I am the master of my flat and I do what I want in my room with impunity. However I do see the convenience of gaming on the PSP or DS while say taking a crap or lounging otherwise not being in the gaming room.

[Gadfly2317]

The "use the PSP while someone else uses the TV" doesn't apply to me as I am the master of my flat and I do what I want in my room with impunity. However I do see the convenience of gaming on the PSP or DS while say taking a crap or lounging otherwise not being in the gaming room.

I had a sneaking suspicion you weren't getting any :wink:

You're better off reading while taking a crap anyway. Girly magazines in your case :D

[shogun]

Shogun, like myself you are not the kind of person who needs a gaming portable. The point of the PSP is not to give you a watered down console experience, but rather to give you a watered-down console experience while you are out of the house travelling or slacking off in the office or what not.

If you don't do that stuff, then the PSP (or pretty much any portable) is not for you. EXCEPT -- maybe the DS, as even I am tempted to get a DS because it has some games that are not found anywhere else.

I'll say this...out of all my systems (portable or not) my DS has been getting the most mileage of late. There really aren't any console-exclusive answers to games like Canvas Curse, New SMB, Advance Wars and the like. Much like the GBA, the DS provides the type of oldschool gameplay that really isn't getting much love on TV-anchored systems. Moreover, the addition of touch screen controls have added a whole slew of new gaming possibilities that haven't been explored yet on traditional consoles. DS really does stand alone as a console...not simply as a temporary methadone for the console smack-addict.

I'm starting to feel that the DS in some ways benefits from being somewhat underpowered graphically. Developers really don't have the option of attempting to recreate the console experience the way they do on PSP, and thus games need to distinguish themselves from the pack through fun-factor and innovation instead of graphics.

p.s.

The PSP would have infinitely more respect from me if I didn't have to choose between buying new games and downloading firmware that renders my emmulators neutered. I'm aware of Sony's extreme anality toward piracy, but they need to understand that the ability to play every game made for the NES, SNES, Genesis, Turbographix, GB, GBA, GameGear and god knows whatever other console I've forgotten *might possibily be an advantage over the DS they should stop trying to murder in the street.

[PapaSmurf]

The PSP would have infinitely more respect from me if I didn't have to choose between buying new games and downloading firmware that renders my emmulators neutered. I'm aware of Sony's extreme anality toward piracy, but they need to understand that the ability to play every game made for the NES, SNES, Genesis, Turbographix, GB, GBA, GameGear and god knows whatever other console I've forgotten *might possibily be an advantage over the DS they should stop trying to murder in the street.

I know where you're coming from being a fellow PSP owner, but one thing about the firmware upgrades is that you can revert back to old upgrades. I guess it could be considered a hassle but if I really want to play that new game I'll update the firmware and play it then when I want to play emulators I'll just downgrade again. Of course I haven't done this in a while so I don't know if it still works but eh.

Also in terms of the PSP, I still consider it the best investment I've made. I don't have an ipod, and being in the military for the time being I tend to travel alot. I was on the plane for thanksgiving and again I just don't know what I would do without the little bugger. I listened music for a portion of the flight, then I decided to watch a movie, and after that I did some gaming. That's the kind of versatality that I expect. Hell in Vegas airport they had free wifi, so then I was on the internet.

I know this post was about gaming, but the PSP/DS arguement is much like the PC/console arguement to me. I have a 2 gig stick (they 4 gig sticks out now...) and an extra battery for my PSP just because I know I'm going to be on long trips using my PSP to the max. Though just listening to music will get you up to 10-12 hours of battery, gaming is another story. However my point is, as a portable system, the PSP is definitely doing it's job bringing me good gaming on the road or flight and other things as well.

I guess if I wasn't traveling as much, I wouldn't use the PSP nearly as much, but then again that's what I bought it for. It's one of those things that is just nice to have. Despite this negativity toward the PSP, would you guys rather had just nintendo handhelds or the option of Sony or Nintendo products when which you carefully look at them, despite both being handhelds, they are aimed at significantly different crows.

Funny thing, I was gaming on my PSP on the plane and the guy next to me had his DS out. System wars at it's finest. That guy was a good 4-5 years older than me too.

[Gadfly2317]

Funny thing, I was gaming on my PSP on the plane and the guy next to me had his DS out. System wars at it's finest. That guy was a good 4-5 years older than me too.

It was probably me or Aylmer.

I always whip out my DS when someone is playing their PsP (or my PsP if they are playing DS.) I'm always up for a little "sys wars" in real life, too.

[Aylmer]

The PSP has a ton of potential, there's no doubt about that. The screen is large enough to view movies, and as long as I'm wishing, I think Sony is missing the boat in lots of ways, especially for business users. For instance, I think the PSP has awesome possibilities as a presentation device. For instance, most business meetings are between two people. Instead of lugging a laptop with Powerpoint, why not use a PSP? And a keyboard for the thing would be great too.

As far as games, there are some good ones, but I have to say, the graphics in Blade Dancer, Monster Hunter Freedom, and Dungeon Seige could all have been done by the same people. In PSP 3D games, there is no variety in imagery. In the 2D title Tales of Eternia, old school graphics were updated for the PSP screen to incredible standards.

So I'm thinking developers are indeed wondering what's up. Sony's plan to make the PS1 library available via the PS3 to play on the go via emulation on the PSP would not make me smile if I was a new title developer. There is a phenomenal number of awesome PS1 titles.

I like it, and I'll keep getting games for it, but then I'm a handheld gamer above all else.

In fact, I just picked up Yggdra Union for my GBA yesterday.

[Cuddly Knife]

That's funny Gad. I do the same thing.

:)

[Mochan]

I had a sneaking suspicion you weren't getting any

You're better off reading while taking a crap anyway. Girly magazines in your case


Hah!!! I am getting some... just that I do not have her living in my room with me! Girly magazines... mmmmm.....I took out an issue of cosmo and it said having sex burns you lots of calories. Now I don' t have to feel guilty!


As for the PSP for business use... it doesn't seem smart. How impressive are you in your coat and tie at a business presentation with a client/business partner, then you whip out a freaking portable game console? That shoots your credibility as a businessman right in the foot over there.

Not sure how many of you here are in managerial or account management-type positions but there are things you do when dealing with a client, and whipping out a PSP is not one of them. Unless this was an IGN Gamespot conference or some such.

Instead of the PSP you have far better tools at your disposal like a Dopod 900, HP Ipaq 6300, XDA Atom Stealth, Ericsson P990, Palm Treo, Blackberry, etc. These are real business tools and won't make you a laughing stock at the next board meeting.

[ilnadmy]

sony needs to pony up some cash, or other incentives, to get Square to bring on the FF Tactics

FF Tactics was just announced as coming to PSP.

[NEO-360]

Sony trying to beat Nintendo at their own game in the handheld dept. was a suicide mission from the word go. Most of the time when you pick up a videogame magazine you always saw a ton of GBA/ DS games that won game of the month honors many times over. That wasnt no accident. I mean the PSP is flashy and has nice graphics. But overall it just doesnt cut it.

So does this news surprise me? No. I cant believe that it took this long for reality to finally come to light on the PSP though. The PSP will never, ever hold a candle to the DS. Could this be a sign of whats to come with the PS3? I dunno.

If Sony is smart they better pull the plug on the PSP sometime in 2007. The PSP isnt doing well. Not because the console doesnt have the goods, its because the handheld dynamo isnt selling where it truly counts: The games!! And this is where the PS3 has to excel. Selling lots of hardware does mean something. But selling lots of software is the saving grace to any videogame console.:aureola:

[Gadfly2317]

FF Tactics was just announced as coming to PSP.

Crap. Now I'm definitely going to get fired for playing games at work.

That wasnt no accident. I mean the PSP is flashy and has nice graphics. But overall it just doesnt cut it.

If Sony is smart they better pull the plug on the PSP sometime in 2007. The PSP isnt doing well. Not because the console doesnt have the goods, its because the handheld dynamo isnt selling where it truly counts: The games!!

They shouldn't pull the plug, they should push the games more. More advertising. And keep pushing the system until its able to be sold for less. Why pull the plug in '07 when they'll probably be able to push the system down to $149?

One big problem the handhelds face is the gaming cycle right now will swing back to consoles for a bit. Last year was the "Year of the Handhelds. . . " with the DS pretty much carrying the industry; handhelds werer the only segment with growth. When theres a growth segment opportunity, it would be a stupid business decision to bail out on a product as great as the PsP. All it needs is a slimmed down redesign if technology allows, and to push this kick ass machine a little harder, as well as work a little harder to put out some more big titles. Final Fantasy Tactics is a good start; a worked over re-release of FFVII would be huge.

[NEO-360]

Crap. Now I'm definitely going to get fired for playing games at work.



They shouldn't pull the plug, they should push the games more. More advertising. And keep pushing the system until its able to be sold for less. Why pull the plug in '07 when they'll probably be able to push the system down to $149?

One big problem the handhelds face is the gaming cycle right now will swing back to consoles for a bit. Last year was the "Year of the Handhelds. . . " with the DS pretty much carrying the industry; handhelds werer the only segment with growth. When theres a growth segment opportunity, it would be a stupid business decision to bail out on a product as great as the PsP. All it needs is a slimmed down redesign if technology allows, and to push this kick ass machine a little harder, as well as work a little harder to put out some more big titles. Final Fantasy Tactics is a good start; a worked over re-release of FFVII would be huge.

Yes those things you mentioned could be difference makers in prolonging the lifespan of the PSP. However, at this point it would not be a stupid business decision to bail out on a product thats simply not doing so great.

Plus look what Sony did with those Hard drives that came out a year before the PS3 arrived? Totally abandoned it. Resident Evil: Outbreak 1 & 2 and Final Fantasy 11 were the only games that supported it.

But yet when the PS3 arrived two new hard drives were brought aboard for us to pay for. Dont you think it would have been smarter if they would've made those Hard drives an add-on for the PS3? Maybe.

So its not totally foreign for Sony to drop something like a hot potato if its not working. Would you rather them drop the PSP or the PS3? At this point its obvious that the DS is the king of the handheld market.

Yes Sony took a little chunk out of it with the PSP. But in the long run the PSP is doomed.Nintendo will eventually be the victor here.(they were never in any danger from the PSP anyway)

Taking the ball and going home would not be a bad thing for Sony to do with the PSP. A slimmed down PSP with more advertisement could make a difference. But then again what if it doesnt?

Thats more money going towards a money pit. Right now their main focus should be on the PS3 catching up to where the Wii and the 360 currently are in terms of hardware and software.:aureola:

[ilnadmy]

Why should they abandon the PSP when it's just now that the PSP is hitting its stride? Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops was just released, arguably the system's killer app. They're getting FF: Tactics, they've got some good platformers in Daxter and Ratchet and Clank, their online is taking off, and you've got great shooters and puzzlers already established. I'm actually considering getting a PSP to help me hold off on a PS3 purchase for a year or so. It's looking that good.

[Gadfly2317]

I'm actually considering getting a PSP to help me hold off on a PS3 purchase for a year or so. It's looking that good.

It really is a great system. Another benefit to gamers is competition in the market; Sony scared the crap out of Nintendo; I really believe that. And it lit a creative fire under their ass and brought us a DS loaded with incredible titles.

Sony has problems with the PsP, but they need to stick with it. It doesn't have to overtake the DS to still be a solid pillar in their game/multi-media entertainment arsenal.

PsP/Ps3 connectivity providing downloadble Ps1 software for the PsP is going to be superbly cool.

[NEO-360]

It really is a great system. Another benefit to gamers is competition in the market; Sony scared the crap out of Nintendo; I really believe that. And it lit a creative fire under their ass and brought us a DS loaded with incredible titles.

Sony has problems with the PsP, but they need to stick with it. It doesn't have to overtake the DS to still be a solid pillar in their game/multi-media entertainment arsenal.

PsP/Ps3 connectivity providing downloadble Ps1 software for the PsP is going to be superbly cool.

Look for the DS to put the final nail in the PSP's coffin sometime in 2007. Dont believe the hype of the PSP.:thumbsup:

[PapaSmurf]

PSP isn't going anywhere. I've never seen so much Sony hate in my life. With the good games hitting the PSP right now, and all the other apps Sony still release for it, like Location Free T.V. I don't think the PSP is going anywhere. You act like it's not making money. Just because it's not taking out Nintendo, doesn't mean it's not doing decent. Many of us on these boards own PSP's and I've got numerous friends with one. That's a considerable ammount more than can be said about the failed HDD you were talking about.

If sony stopped supporting the PSP, that would piss a whole lot of people off. That'd be even a worse business decision from a customer stand point because if they pulled the plug on that what's to stop them from cutting the PS3 lifespan short? This is one of the most retarded rants I've seen from you in a while.

If you owned a PSP you'd know that its great for everything. I listen to music and watch movies on mine more than I play games, though i do game alot on it too. With the PSP unlike every other console around here it isn't necessarily just about the games. If you owned a PSP you'd know that.

[NEO-360]

PSP isn't going anywhere. I've never seen so much Sony hate in my life. With the good games hitting the PSP right now, and all the other apps Sony still release for it, like Location Free T.V. I don't think the PSP is going anywhere. You act like it's not making money. Just because it's not taking out Nintendo, doesn't mean it's not doing decent. Many of us on these boards own PSP's and I've got numerous friends with one. That's a considerable ammount more than can be said about the failed HDD you were talking about.

If sony stopped supporting the PSP, that would piss a whole lot of people off. That'd be even a worse business decision from a customer stand point because if they pulled the plug on that what's to stop them from cutting the PS3 lifespan short? This is one of the most retarded rants I've seen from you in a while.

If you owned a PSP you'd know that its great for everything. I listen to music and watch movies on mine more than I play games, though i do game alot on it too. With the PSP unlike every other console around here it isn't necessarily just about the games. If you owned a PSP you'd know that.

If I want to play something that I can take with me thats sporting PS2 graphics I'll buy me a monitor for my PS2 console. I've played with a PSP before. Wasnt impressed. The PSP will be around for a little while. But within a year the PSP must meet its destiny. A place where the Dreamcast, NEO-GEO, CDI, 3DO,Sega Saturn, Sega CD,the Jaguar,and so many others has been banished too:The videogame abyss.

Yeah I could be wrong here. But as good as Nintendo has been with the DS I dont see Sony coming close to smelling the promise land with the PSP.:cool:

[PapaSmurf]

IBreaking: November Game Industry Sales Skyrocket 34%

The industry just got a huge boost this November as hardware sales and software sales were dramatically improved. At $1.7 billion, total industry sales were up an amazing 34 percent. Gears of War, Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy XII were top games for the month. Much more within. [Update: NPD's Anita Frazier tells us that the U.S. game industry could hit an all-time high in 2006!]

[Note: We have been politely asked to remove some data points from this article because the NPD has discovered errors in its historical data. This affects year-to-date references, install base numbers and the full-year outlook, which this article previously contained. We will replace the missing figures as soon as NPD updates us with the corrected data.]
As expected, The NPD Group has just released its video game sales data for the month of November, and what a month it was! Total industry sales came in at $1.7 billion, up 34 percent year-over-year. U.S. software sales climbed 15 percent to $804 million (with console software at $618 million and portable software at $185 million); hardware sales were way up, totaling $771 million (an increase of 69 percent); and accessories were up 19 percent, totaling $158 million.

All told, year-to-date the video game industry is tracking very well and will almost certainly set a new record when 2006 comes to a close.

Looking at how the new Sony and Nintendo consoles fared, the Wii sold through 476K units in the U.S. while the PS3 sold 197K units. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Xbox 360 (which is in far greater supply) sold 511K units. Interestingly, the PS2 managed to outsell the Xbox 360 yet again. In fact, so did the old Game Boy. The PS2 and Game Boy sold a respective 664K and 641K units. Sony's PSP managed to sell 412K units. But the real winner continues to be the Nintendo DS, which sold a whopping 918K units. It's as if we say this every month, but people really can't get enough of the dual-screen portable it seems.

On the software front, Gears of War took top honors, selling one million units and grossing sales of $61.5 million (including the collector's edition) for Microsoft. Following closely behind with 896K units was Square Enix's Final Fantasy XII, which raked in $49 million. In third place was Nintendo's Zelda: Twilight Princess with 412K units and $20.2 million. RedOctane/Activision also did quite well with Guitar Hero II which took fourth place, selling 356K units for a total of $28 million. Completing the top ten were WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 (THQ), Call of Duty 3 on 360 (Activision), Madden NFL 2007 on PS2 (EA), Need for Speed: Carbon on PS2 (EA), Nintendogs: Dalmation & Friends on DS (NOA) and Pokemon Ranger on DS (NOA).



Would you stop supporting something selling not even 100k less than the xbox 360 monthly? I don't think so. Granted the DS is selling double the PSP, last time I checked selling 412k products in a month was definitely not a bad thing. It's kinda like the xbox vs PS2. MS jumped into the fight and started off slow at first, but it's gathering steam. It still hasn't bested the Sony beast but it's trying. Sony has done what they came into do. Tap into the handheld market that Nintendo had owned exclusively. Now we're getting even better games for the DS and PSP because of it. The PSP is here to stay at least until another version of it comes out.

[NEO-360]

Would you stop supporting something selling not even 100k less than the xbox 360 monthly? I don't think so. Granted the DS is selling double the PSP, last time I checked selling 412k products in a month was definitely not a bad thing. It's kinda like the xbox vs PS2. MS jumped into the fight and started off slow at first, but it's gathering steam. It still hasn't bested the Sony beast but it's trying. Sony has done what they came into do. Tap into the handheld market that Nintendo had owned exclusively. Now we're getting even better games for the DS and PSP because of it. The PSP is here to stay at least until another version of it comes out.

If the PSP makes it that far.:blush2:

[Renzatic Gear]

The PSP isn't exactly a failure, Neo. It's just not doing nearly as well as the DS.

If Sony were to do the worst and pull support for the PSP completely, it'd be like them screaming "IF I CAN'T BE FIRST THEN I'M TAKING MY STUFF AND GOING HOME". There's no reason for them to cut support, cuz last time I checked there are more than a few million PSPs in happy hands all around the world. All they need to do to secure their position is quit making it a PS2 portfest and release more exclusives like Daxter, Loco Roco, and Metal Gear PO.

Oh, and more demos would be nice too. And a PS3-free downloading service.

[NEO-360]

The PSP isn't exactly a failure, Neo. It's just not doing nearly as well as the DS.

If Sony were to do the worst and pull support for the PSP completely, it'd be like them screaming "IF I CAN'T BE FIRST THEN I'M TAKING MY STUFF AND GOING HOME". There's no reason for them to cut support, cuz last time I checked there are more than a few million PSPs in happy hands all around the world. All they need to do to secure their position is quit making it a PS2 portfest and release more exclusives like Daxter, Loco Roco, and Metal Gear PO.

Oh, and more demos would be nice too. And a PS3-free downloading service.

The PSP isnt exactly a failure. But its not exactly a huge success either. One year the PSP should be dead.

[PapaSmurf]

Well our opinions aren't going to change. You see the glass half empty, I see the glass half full. Nothing more needs to be said in this regard.

[trebor]

The actual unit sales of the PSP are only telling one side of the story. The software sales of the PSP are the true critical failure of the system, because PSP owners simply aren't buying games - they're watching movies (on memory card, NOT on UMD), listening to music, and downloading emulation software. That's what is going to cause the downfall of the system, not LTD sales.

As Gamecube owners know full well, you can have 20 million systems out there and if people aren't buying games, then the support will dry up. Frankly, I don't see how this will change for the PSP.

So, in essence the PSP's greatest assets will also be it's greatest downfalls - there is too much to do with the thing other than playing games. Which is exactly what people are doing - not gaming with the thing.

[Renzatic Gear]

Once again, Penny Arcade pulls one something revelant to our giant videogame arcade interactive industry! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/12/13)

oh ell oh ell!!

[Mochan]

Just wait til I sell SuperCards to all the DS owners in the US and Japan!

[NEO-360]

The actual unit sales of the PSP are only telling one side of the story. The software sales of the PSP are the true critical failure of the system, because PSP owners simply aren't buying games - they're watching movies (on memory card, NOT on UMD), listening to music, and downloading emulation software. That's what is going to cause the downfall of the system, not LTD sales.

As Gamecube owners know full well, you can have 20 million systems out there and if people aren't buying games, then the support will dry up. Frankly, I don't see how this will change for the PSP.

So, in essence the PSP's greatest assets will also be it's greatest downfalls - there is too much to do with the thing other than playing games. Which is exactly what people are doing - not gaming with the thing.

This wonderful analogy could also be compared to the PS3 as well. Good post trebor. Finally, somebody that gets it from a business perspective. :thumbsup:

[PapaSmurf]

I've finally understand where I've been going wrong with my posts regarding the PSP. I mean it's all about the business of the consoles and there company.

I've always thought it was about how much fun or use you got out of it. So I guess with that in mind how many people here actually think the PSP is a crap device? Like I'm not talking about the Sony brand, or it's ability to push units, I'm just talking about the device itself. This could actually be started asanother thread me thinks, but oh well.

[trebor]

I've finally understand where I've been going wrong with my posts regarding the PSP. I mean it's all about the business of the consoles and there company.

I've always thought it was about how much fun or use you got out of it. So I guess with that in mind how many people here actually think the PSP is a crap device? Like I'm not talking about the Sony brand, or it's ability to push units, I'm just talking about the device itself. This could actually be started asanother thread me thinks, but oh well.

I don't think anybody here is denying that the PSP is a cool multimedia gadget, but as far as gaming machines go, it is pretty lame.

[Gadfly2317]

I don't think anybody here is denying that the PSP is a cool multimedia gadget, but as far as gaming machines go, it is pretty lame.

It definitely isn't the little bundle of innovative, high quality gaming joy that the DS Lite is.

But still, for the bus ride, the long flight, or just for those times when the spouse is watching a damned reality show you can't stand, the PsP doesn't just give you a brilliant wide screen with great graphics, it has a fair number of superb games:

Lumines I&II, Field Commander, Every Extend Extra, Gitaroo Man Lives, Pinball Hall of Fame, GTA series, Loco Roco, Mercury, Gradius Collection, Capcom Classics, Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, and the best handheld golf game (and hand held golf rules) Hot Shots Golf. And those are just the games I'm into. . .other people like Aylmer have other games they consider great on the system.

If you are a gadget head or a fan of handheld gaming, its definitely worth it, though at this point, anyone waiting might as well hold out just a bit longer. . .surely another price drop will happen soon.

[trebor]

It definitely isn't the little bundle of innovative, high quality gaming joy that the DS Lite is.

But still, for the bus ride, the long flight, or just for those times when the spouse is watching a damned reality show you can't stand, the PsP doesn't just give you a brilliant wide screen with great graphics, it has a fair number of superb games:

Lumines I&II, Field Commander, Every Extend Extra, Gitaroo Man Lives, Pinball Hall of Fame, GTA series, Loco Roco, Mercury, Gradius Collection, Capcom Classics, Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, and the best handheld golf game (and hand held golf rules) Hot Shots Golf. And those are just the games I'm into. . .other people like Aylmer have other games they consider great on the system.

If you are a gadget head or a fan of handheld gaming, its definitely worth it, though at this point, anyone waiting might as well hold out just a bit longer. . .surely another price drop will happen soon.

Well, to be fair, if the DS had a bunch of watered down, inferior Gamecube ports, it wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is. Only a couple of games you mentioned are truly unique to the PSP.

On the other hand, maybe that's what people want out of the PSP - a console-like system that they can play on the go.

[Gadfly2317]

Well, to be fair, if the DS had a bunch of watered down, inferior Gamecube ports, it wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is. Only a couple of games you mentioned are truly unique to the PSP.

On the other hand, maybe that's what people want out of the PSP - a console-like system that they can play on the go.

It's funny when you think back to how all the nintendo haters on the boards where saying that all we'd see on the DS was a bunch of first party N64 ports. WRONG.

The PsP definitely needs to get more original content like Loco and Lumines that is suited to handheld and to the PsP hardware specifically. At the same time, it's nice to have a blend of console style games being portable, and killer graphics original content like Loco. I'm mostly not into the console ports, but ports of some Ps1 games I missed out on like the original Final Fantasy Tactics is awesome, and the upcoming Dungeons and Dragons game looks to be an impressive title, a strategy RPG that is supposedly as close to the traditional dice-based non-video D&D as you can get.