PSP Go's Digital Games same price as UMD?

"While trying to defend the UMD and insisting on it's continued use Michael Ephraim (Sony Australia's Chief) states that the digital PSP Go's games will be based on the same price structure as the PSP 3000.

Now he could mean that they have a pricing structure similar to the one below and they will be following it with the PSP Go or they are simply going to market the games at the exact same price."

[Xbox Avatars Shoe]

What's wrong with that? It's basically the same thing except you don't have to lug a case of UMD's around (which is why I'm getting the PSP Go).

I was expecting the DD to be the same price as the UMDs. I guess you could argue that the DD should be cheaper since it doesn't cost money to make the copies but I 'd rather pay a little extra for the portability of a DD anyways. The original PSP (and slims) were always so un-pocket-friendly since the were sorta big and you had to lug around a case full of UMDs; you basically needed large cargo pants or a purse.

[N4Sony]

You lose the packaging cost and a bunch of overhead expenses. If it's the same price, the consumer is getting screwed.

[heihoosilver]

when SegaCD was shown, they said that the games gonna be cheaper because manufactoring of cartridges was very expensive. The price was the same and even if all the games for all platforms is DD, they will not charge less, it´s making the most profit that maters.

[Bnet343]

This is nothing new. Xbox Live and Steam and Sony have already been doing this via Live, Steam, PSN. You are paying for the convenience of the download.

[eagle21]

But I am sure there will be more "digital sales" on PSN than what you see in a brick and mortar store for UMD. This is not a problem, PSP games are mostly $20-39. Greatest hits titles are $20. I think the media just loves a reason to complain. The companies need to get PAID for the work they have done.

Off topic: And on youtube, all the PSP Go! videos are 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5 stars (with thousands of hits). Everyone is liking the undeniably awesome games line-up and the system is getting mostly positive feedback from gamers.

[Christopher]

The only way I'd have a problem with this is if the download service was on a limited number of times, similar to how on PSN you can download an item up to 5 times only. If it's unlimited downloads of the same programs, then I would consider it to be the exact same thing as UMDs, just with a free online locker for storing all of your games.

[harrisk954]

WTF? No company has charged less for digital distribution of media, why should Sony be criticized? I AGREE that digital downloaded media should be cheaper based upon the fact that there is a huge cost savings to the manufacturer/publisher (i.e., packaging, shipping, media costs, etc.). However, it BS that Sony should be expected to do with the PSP Go what other companies have not been asked to. Whether it is the movie industry digitally distributing movies, or e-books, or itunes/mp3 sites... or even Xbox Live an PSN... none of them are cheaper than buying physical media products... This is just another attempt to put a different standard on a Sony product.

[talltony]

So it should not be the same price. But if it is the same price as a UMD then sony will make mad dollars with the psp go. More profit on every system (less Parts and no UMD) More profit off every game sold for the same price as UMD through digital distribution.

[Seraphim]

that's my complaint with Digital Distribution. Of course, did you expect otherwise with the Go? As others have said, in digital distribution you eliminate a lot of expenses and in turn should save money by going digital.

In going w/ downloads you eliminate the actual disc, packaging, shipping expenses, bulk shipping packages, etc. Also labor in cut out of the process as well in eliminating all the employees who put their hands on the produced material. From manufacturing all the way to the retailers hands and everything in between. The savings should be passed on to the consumer. But that's not the way digital distribution works and that's my biggest problem with it. Well, of course I also like having an actual disc I can show/sell if I so desire...

[DarkArcani]

It covers the cost of the servers that the games are on, bandwidth, etc.

[wUTTer]

Like Kigmal said, your paying for convenience. Which I'm fine with. PSPGo day one purchase.

[Rowsdower]

steam routinely sells the digital copy of a game for less, and that is on day one. just saying your statement:

WTF? No company has charged less for digital distribution of media, why should Sony be criticized?

is untrue look into it.

Any company can be criticized when there are legit reasons to do so, we are gamers so we have a financial interest (in terms of our wallets) of what is acceptable and what is not. When a company in this case sony is saving money by not having the optical drive and selling dd games then it is only fair (in terms of fairness for the consumer) that the drop in production cost also lead to a drop is sale price.

i know life isnt fair, and if I dont like it then i shouldnt by it, but if the article is true I still think it is not fair.

[D4RkNIKON]

The prices will be the same.. I can put money on that fact, if they offered the games cheaper on PSN as downloads retail stores like Gamestop would kind of be getting the shaft there, but who really cares about gamestop. I could see Gamestop pulling an Activision and threatening to stop supporting the PSP Go in that case, but who knows.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

I thought DLC is supposed to be cheaper especially since how the publishers are talking about savings from packaging, shipping, stolen merchandises & etc....

Instead this whole generation, we have been shafted by DLC. Not only by Sony, but by MS and Nintendo as well (to a lesser degree). I'm not a believer of DLC, as I found clearanced games all the time.

Recently I bought Prince of Persia for $15 at Target and not too long ago I picked up Ninja Blade for $20 (the game sucked @ss though).

The only games I have not been able to find discounted is usually Sony first party games. For some reason, Sony keeps keeping their prices. The only ones I remember seeing lately is R&C and GT5P. With DLC the incentive to lower prices for publishers are less likely. How often do you find sales on DLC stuff?

The rare instances I have seen discounts are with XBL Deal of the Week for Gold Members... That is it.

DLC is a rip-off and will continue to be so!!! At least with a hard copy, I can sell it and not be chained to their DRM stuff.

[SuperM]

They will probably be a little cheaper, but at the same time there will be more profit for the publishers. I think it will be a win win situation for everyone but the retailers

[CrayzeeCarl]

That's not how it works. You can download everything on PSN (except from the Video Store) an UNLIMITED number of times. You just can only use them on up to 5 activated consoles at a time. If you want to use it on a 6th system, you have to deactivate one.

[FamilyGuy]

Of course we would like it if they were cheaper than their physical counter-parts but that's not the way ANY media distributor has done it so far.

Sony would be leading the flock if they were to do something so generous but they would also slow the sales of UMD versions by doing so, as ALL Psps on the market can play these digital copies via their pro duo cards.

I wish they would ($5-$10 less) but I doubt it and we shouldn't of expected them to seeing as no one else has been expected to/complained about. I just hope that they DO have sales and reduce prices when titles get older, similar to what a brick-and-mortar store does.

All and all, Sony stands to make a substantial increase in profits once the system is released based on this and the cost of the system. If someone were looking for a PS3 price cut off-set well here is ANOTHER one.

[Raptors]

Im not defending sony but think of it logically. If they have DD cheaper than UMD's than kiss the UMD format completely goodbye. Why buy a UMD when you can download it? I understand not everyone has access to the internet but alot of ppl still prefer to have a "physical" format (See the Digital distribution argument versus Blu Ray). Now if DD is cheaper, and someone still prefers a UMD, I can see someone going DD as it is cheaper...they'll put their differences aside.

[DuneBuggy]

If its the same price,id just assume own a PHYSICAL copy for my PSP thank you.

[tonsoffun]

I totally agree, taking away the physical disc and charging the same amount is ripping the gamers off.

Downloadable media should always cost less as the overheads for this media is far less than the physical copy.

[kcdude]

Maybe they figure bandwidth cost money to, but I still think the downloads should be cheaper than the UMD's because they aren't tangible.

[koehler83]

If it was cheaper to download, retailers would be furious.

[Rowsdower]

go to steam, the digital downloads there are routinely cheaper than the physical copy, and I'm talking about on day one of release. so rationalize all you want but, a psp with no optical drive is more expensive than one with the optical drive, and no price difference between the dd copy of a game and its physical counterpart, that sucks. the company is saving tons of money here while denying folks the opportunity to sell the game back, some one is getting screwed in this scenario, guess who.

[DuneBuggy]

Im so glad I had a physical copy of Full Auto II to sell back.
It wasnt worth the UMD it was printed on.

I also like being able to loan my friend Lumines II.

[Polluted]

Okay, so Sony manages to save money on packaging and shipping, they don't have to split profits with brick and mortar retailers AND they effectively eliminate lost profits through used game sales. You guys don't see how it might be even a little unfair for them to charge the same price for downloads as UMDs?

I'm not saying we need to start some stupid "boycott Sony" campaign or run off and sign a ridiculous petition, but if you honestly can't see how this is screwing over the consumer in the slightest then you really gotta have some blinders on.

Of course until this rep. clarifies his statement we really don't know what exactly he meant anyway.

Edit: So basically what the guy right above me said.

[swiftshot93]

Not only that, but lowering the price would be an incentive for people to use digital downloads over owning the physical copies. That would sell PSPGO on it own.

No retaining the price may have something to do the Sony's relationships with major retailers, but this is still ripping off the consumer.

[Baka-akaB]

I agree with you , but then people should complain too about all three constructor equally ...

Aside from steam , everyone shaft the consumers with digital copies .

After all should some snes games cost that much on VC ? Even worse for big nintendo oldies ?

Should each sega genesis game cost that much on XBLA when you can buy the whole genesis compilation with the same hd games at each cheaper price (for the amount of games it includes) ?

Besides it's too early to tell , both Sony and MS have done various deals for their digital offering

[Lou-Cipher]

They really should lower the price a little.

The plastic case cost money, the paper guide book cost money, the UMD/DVD/Blu-ray disc cost money, the shipping of the game cost money, and the retailer gets a cut from the game.

So why not cut a few dollars from the $60.00 price tag? I think it would motivate alot of people to buy a new copy instead of a used copy.

you cant trade in a digital game, but you can trade in a retail game, so why not take the opportunity to sell more digital games that are impossible to trade in.

If I was Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo I would not only try to have all my games available for download, but I would also give extra bonuses for buying digital. Developers make more money on digital downloads than they do on retail games.

Would you rather buy the retail God of War 3 for $60.00, or would you rather buy the Digital God of War 3 for $55.00 + early access to the demo or free home space ect ect?

Motivate me to buy digital, it will benefit you Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo

[siyrobbo]

If you don't like it, vote with your wallet. Dont buy them simple as

[Jockamo]

That they shouldn't release the same game in two different formats at the same time. Especially if one costs significantly less to produce.

The consumer who gets the digital version will certainly feel more disappointed.

Maybe a good way around it would to not charge tax for the DD?

[zok310]

Remember that they will release a DD version along with a UMD version once the Go is out. Clearly thought and due to Sony's pricing strategy the PSP GO is not for the current PSP owner, the cost for the PSP GO makes it irrelevant to own the GO from a pricing perspective when you already have the PSP 1000-3000. Whether the game is on UMD or DD in the end its the same game and it cost the same amount to develop, don't expect DD games to be $15, in fact, it should cost more being that now SONY will have to support 2 different distribution chains.

Although I don't expect the DD version of a game to be equal or more than UMD version of the same game it should be close, probably $3-$4 less than UMD. Being able to get a hot game on the day its released without havening to wait for the store to open, not havening to leave your home or work to pick up your pre-order, being able to download anywhere you get a wifi connection justifies the cost.

Convenience is not free in a capitalist ran economy, so good luck to all you price complainers life will be very hard for you.

[Close_Second]

...where it clearly states that games being released for PSPGo will also be playable as a download on existing PSP models.

What I have heard is that existing PSP models will continue to be supported, i.e. with UMD released of the game.

Its easy to assume that all downloads will work on all PSP due to the hardware basically being the same, but what if Sony made it so you could only play some games from the internal memory stick.

[DuneBuggy]

zok310,
I dont see any "convienence" to having a copy I cant sell,give away,donate to charity,store in a closet for 20 years..etc
And im all about capitalism!

Thoughts after reading Close Second below....
And if Sony eventually drops the UMD format or puts some games only as a DL? That means I would have to buy a larger memory stick and HAVE to download all my games? Basically saying the PSP flopped?
My response would be picking up a DSi.

[Close_Second]

...profiteering as not only does DD mean substantially less manufacturing and distribution costs but it also obliterates the second hand market.

To make DD truly work:
1. Prices should be 20% cheaper than physical media.
2. A buy back or trade in system needs to be introduced for PSN store credits. That is, trade in your downloaded edition of a game for credits towards another download.
3. There need to be more specials and deals like they have at retail stores. Its ridiculous how the physical media is often cheaper than DD because of sales and deals being held at a retail store.

[Baka-akaB]

I could only agree except with the idea that we are entitled a trade system service .

And i'm quite convinced both 3 constructors and most dev would happily kill that market as it sometimes hurts sells .

Especially since now there is always rent available in many places now (not where i live mind you).

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

Anyway;) That Photo of Clank on that PSP-Go looks CUTE!!! ;-P

Oh dear...this xMas i'm going to be Skint!!! :-(

I want a PSP-Go + iPhone 3Gs + a Few 'AAA' PS3+PSP Games!!! ;)

[SpoonyRedMage]

Well, it's a bad place to be but I think they can't really go undercutting the retailers. However I think they should offer bonus content for the downloadable versions.

[Close_Second]

How many retailers sell games for the Apple range of portable products but they still sell the hardware.

[SpoonyRedMage]

The ipods have never had a physical retail entity though so they never were part of the equation but Sony will actually be removing the retailers from the equation.

[Baka-akaB]

I dont have much love for retailers that would make me weep for their loss ...

I dont wish their death (except maybe the likes of gamestop) , but if anything i wish for the possibility , the option to not deal with them , with many media (starting with comics) .

[Close_Second]

Apple may not have been in the CD market but the IPod and ITunes was one of the biggest instigators to the demise of the CD store.

Retailers have been making commission from selling gaming related product for decades. If consumer buying habits change and that change excludes the retailer from the equation then so be it.

[Baka-akaB]

If inded they can't evolve they dont deserves to thrive by holding back the technology .

An that's what they do , just remember how at first gamestop sometimes threatened devs that would sells games through steam ?

Or in comics how DC and Marvel are so scare of the pressure of retailers , that they never put their whole catalogue of comics online , and do some scarces updates , like 6 months after publishing a book ...

They just shouldnt be allowed to hold media and technology hostage like that .

I dont see barbershop being sore about the invention of electric razors :p ... either evolve or die screaming .

[DuneBuggy]

Music made more sense for the DL boom to me though.
How many times have you bought a entire album for 15 bucks (or more), and all the songs but one or two sucked?
And a song is a relatively small download with a small cost to boot.
I can fill a CD with music I LOVE for the cost of one album.
Dont need to worry about downloading a instruction manual either like you would a game.

[Baka-akaB]

well it's not like DD of gamers dont have use neither .

No hassle with delays in shipping , no pre-order and trickery frenzy when they actually got enough copies for everyone in most cases .

No vendors trying to screw clueless customers into buying bad games , or feeding BS to them because Madden is the game of the month and they got a quota to sell or else...

DD sure have their cons too but still ..

[DuneBuggy]

Whats the refund/exchange policy on downloaded games? Even if the game was "bad' as you say..ala Full Auto II? The merchant pushes shovelware just as bad as the developers can.Ever played Lair? Wasnt that a Sony game? Think they wouldnt be pushing that on their website where you download all these games??
What if your download is corupted but THEIR records show it went through fine?
The only advantage is not having to order or drive to the store to get it and its "instant".
I drive by 5 places that sell it going to and from work everyday. No biggie for me.

Yeah both have their disadvantges. No denying that.But the cons outweigh the pros for me.

[Baka-akaB]

Not the same thing imo .
I think most people would be vigilant toward a commercial anyway .
While usually that vendor you see on a regular basis you might end up trusting as an advisor . It's not the same as some random ad for a sony or microsoft game .

And so far there have always been multiples downloads possible , be it , steam or consoles .

You made a point about refund , but like i said i dont see it as some "fundamental right" , hell many will dislike and to each their own , but if i buy a game , it's not to resell it afterward , and i dont want used games .
Anyway it's something they would obviously try to kill on any console and pc , for more benefits .

In my case i dont even have to drive to find a store ... but it aint as if it carry imports games ... and shipping errors or delays still happens . And do try buying a game on disc in my area without getting screwed on prices for various reasons ( a game cost around 120$ :p), most involving retailers .

Since the start of the "next gen" , every game i've bought had to be imported or bought digitally .

Again both have pros and cons ... all i asked was the option , wich is something retailers very much fought against , and is only finally gaining some traction , mostly thanks to steam , XBL , PSN and others .

[divideby0]

there is no way the prices can be justified, except ripping off gamers...if you disagree do so publically and try to explain where all the $$ for retail distribution is going.....
I will tell you out of the gamers pockets to build the DD infrastructure.
and I still havent heard details of file size for games and movies so 16G is a big ?
PSPgo for me is a total failure as of now...between the price and the above, I wont have to think about getting one

[Baka-akaB]

most big psp games weight 1gb or at most 1.5 gb .
And that's for big games like gta , rpgs etc

[Solbadguy]

costing the same as a UMD game. I have 2 PSP and with the 5 activations that PSN gives you I only need to buy the game once to play multiplayer.

[gamingisnotacrime]

if the PSP Go will use the Dual Shock 3, since it has Blue Tooth. That would be very sweet.

On topic: i expected DL to be lower priced, oh well

[Baka-akaB]

the 3000 already use ps3 pads , so my guess would be yes .

[williepoo21]

you can download PSN titles UNLIMITED times for up to FIVE systems. So you can split the price with up to 4 friends. A $30 title could end up costing $6!!!

Seriously with that kind of option, plus the convenience of no physical media, makes it WORTH the full price.

But as far as I'm concerned the only thing they really need is the capability to 'rent' or 'try before you buy'. There are a number of titles on PSN that look interesting but since I have no idea how they play there is simply no way I would buy them.

[Johnny Rotten]

The problem with that is that the PSP only holds one account whereas if you gameshare on the PS3 it will hold as many accounts as you want. You need the account on your system for the game to be activated and playable.

I completely agree about making demos mandatory especially since there's no buy-back plan.

[Xymes]

Now THAT would be a ripoff!

[air1]

i will not buy a psp go i will stick with my 3000. i do hope that down loading full games takes off though so that they can do it for consoles next gen. fvck retailers, sometimes i want a game late at night but cant get it cause places are closed so dl'ing it would be great..

i hate gamestop why do you ppl trade in your games? they give you jack sh!t for them and then sell them 5 dollars cheaper then a new one. just like the other day i got another ps3 controller, i asked for a used one and the damn thing was 5 dollars cheaper but i had and edge card so it took off like another 10%, im sure who ever traded it in got ripped though..

the games should be cheaper too but this is sony all they know is high prices.

[Uzesgelen_Goo]

Sony said DD games will be cheaper than UMD games. so whats the point ?!

[Argento-Nox]

I was hoping for at least a slight reduction in the prices of DD, but I think I'm still interested in a PSP GO regardless. I'll just end up using PSN to get classic PS1 games on the PSP GO, while getting UMD's for other games for my PSP-2000.

[Rowsdower]

http://kotaku.com/5302797/t...