Reeves: Sony needs to release PSP2

I believe PSP to be a very fun gaming platform that inherits all of the Sony's typical problems: "weird" disk formats (with the subsequent discontinued production of UMD movies), heavy restrictions to the users as opposed to those cracking the system (legit users like me had to wait much longer and then pay for old PS1 games)... and most of all I think they should get rid of memory sticks: they are fast but very expensive if compared to SD, and there's no released Linux driver, making it a PSP/camera-dependent support if you want to backup your data, although you might have an integrated reader on your PC (yes, I'm a Linux user).
Support for various audio formats was nice, and I hope a wider support for videos will be taken into consideration. All this before a touch screen, that wouldn't add too much to the platform imo.

Posted:2 years ago

So, does the PSP2 need to have cartridges/UMDs (PSPgo fail) , touch and 3D to be able to compete?

Posted:2 years ago

Heavy restrictions to the user as opposed to those who have a cracked version of the console is not a Sony problem, that`s the same on all consoles/iPhone.

As for PSP2 hard to say what it should have, frankly I would not need touchscreen or 3D, but 2 analog sticks that would be great.

Posted:2 years ago

I'd say I can afford to buy an SD every 1-4 games I buy to store them, while leaving support for old UMDs is more of a constraint... Unless they pull out a device to "rip" them legally: I'd hate losing games I already bought, especially those I loved (that doesn't mean I'm willing to buy them again just because the disc format is changing).
As of the touch screen - I agree, playing wipeout or tekken with fingers might feel awkward... not to mention I like to keep my screen shiny :) We will see.

Posted:2 years ago

I think if Sony want to remain competitive in the handheld market that they do need to get a PSP2 launched relatively quickly, but at the same time I hope they're learned lessons from the PSP (and particularly PSPgo) about the hardware and more importantly, the software.

I think it would be a mistake to go in at a high price point again, and I think they need to ensure that a raft of both in-house and third-party developers are busy making unique software. Unique being the key word, as I've always felt one of the problems with the PSP was that it was too busy trying to ape its home console brethren, and not concerned enough with games more suited to a portable format.

Posted:2 years ago

Regarding back compatability for UMD, there's one easy solution I can think of. Give retailers a pod they can put in their stores that PSP / PSPGo / PSP2 owners can plug their handheld device into and download games directly onto it from the pod via the PSN Store, using either their PSN store credit (if they have any) or a credit card (if not). This keeps retailers on side by bringing people into their store and giving them a cut of any sales, and makes it easier for people to buy games even if they aren't comfortable setting up Wi-fi connections or hooking up their PSP to a PC.

But also include a UMD drive in the pod that you can slot any games you already own into. The drive checks the disc ID to see what game it is. If it's available on the PSN store it gives you the option to swap your disc (which then vanishes into a secure hopper inside the pod) for a credit to download that game from the PSN store and use it on any device registered to your PSN account (just like any other PSN purchase). If it's not available it gives you an option to trade in the disc for credit on your PSN account. This allows a simple one-for-one trade-in scheme for existing PSP owners so they're not discouraged from upgrading if they already have a large library of games.

I'll expect a cheque in the post, Sony. ;)

Edited 1 times. Last edit by John Bye on 18th June 2010 4:09pm

Posted:2 years ago

"The PSP2 has not been officially acknowledged by Sony, but reports are suggesting the system will be a "technological monster", with one of the main features of the system a touch screen interface."

Wow, a touch screen interface? Nintendo appears to be 3 steps ahead of them..

Posted:2 years ago

It's about time .....

Posted:2 years ago

I don't know, but personally I'm not impressed with the 3DS, it's just yet another DS revision, and personally I don't like the DS at all with it's little screens..
The formfactor of the PSP is a great one, especially for grownups with normal sized hands (the PSPGo on the otherhand is made for little hands, I can't use it without hurting my wrists), but IMHO it should at least have a bigger screen as the current PSP (also a problem with the Go, a smaller screen as the PSP? which moron at sony came up with that)..
I'll just wait and see what Sony will release as their new handheld, I won't be buying any soon anyway..

Posted:2 years ago

Don`t worry the 3DS XL will be released a year after the 3DS is released. :)

Nintendo must have taken product lessons from Apple and the iPhone.

Posted:2 years ago

Sony should have learnt that price point is the most important issue - that can be reflected in their Move pricing. I think in the past they were too confident about the PS brand and thought that they could charge anything and people will still buy them. The cruel sales fact was that it was not the case as people have more options they won't buy expensive Sony products. The surge in PS3 sales after slim came out with a price point much lower than the original is a good example.

As for PSP itself, it is more than ever difficult to place itself in the market with iPod Touch / iPhone and DS and the future 3DS flooding the market. If PSP provides a touch screen interface, it will be just criticised as an iPhone clone with Sony brand. How are they going to tackle and open up a new market is really an issue. UMD as a format is not a problem but the pricing as usual is, same for the whole memory stick issue.

Hopefully Sony has now learnt that the strength of the Sony brand name and PS brand names are not that strong and will redeem their past mistakes.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Haven Tso on 19th June 2010 12:56am

Posted:2 years ago

The only way I could handle losing UMD support (if that's the case with the next psp) and thus my entire PSP game library is if the next PSP is a totally next gen device. If its just another GO type console I just cant see anyone upgrading and basically binning their PSP game library which is what seems to have happened with the Go!

Some kind of serious distinction needs to be made between PSP1 and PSP2 if they want to truly ditch UMD or at least aid us moving on from the format.

Posted:2 years ago

The main issue is, what benefit or function would be included in the PSP2, that would appeal to the portable gamer. At the moment, I cannot see any further reason to obtain another portable device....(not to mention the potential perceived expensive price point)

Posted:2 years ago