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PSPGo price announced for $249. Once again, less is more!
halkun
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I have a theory...
One of the ways that Sony tries to make money is to subsidize the cost of their products with the sale of accessory products. There is nothing wrong with the business model, and in fact works successfully all the time. In Sony's case they will sell their flagship product under cost and make up for it with the sale of video games, movies, and accessories. However if no one buys the subsidized items, Sony takes a hit with every purchase.
The day I decided that Sony wasn't for me was when I discovered my PSP was was no longer going to have extra functionality without a $600 accessory. I don't think you can really appreciate the day the new firmware came out, and every new icon being absolutely worthless without a PS3.
I guess that removing the UMD was a step in the right direction, but with less parts you would think it would cost less. Well, no because now they lost a method of subsidy and had have to rise the cost of the system. Maybe, just an and idea here, Sony shouldn't be selling $400 handheld systems. (blind guess adjusting for the game subsidy.)
I'm secretly guessing that because Sony's customer base is causing them to lose money, no wonder Sony behaves the way they do.
Sorry to start the OP on a down note. What can Sony do to redeem themselves? Are they beyond hope? I hope not because I think they make really sexy electronics. They just have pants-on-head retarded management.
One of the ways that Sony tries to make money is to subsidize the cost of their products with the sale of accessory products. There is nothing wrong with the business model, and in fact works successfully all the time. In Sony's case they will sell their flagship product under cost and make up for it with the sale of video games, movies, and accessories. However if no one buys the subsidized items, Sony takes a hit with every purchase.
The day I decided that Sony wasn't for me was when I discovered my PSP was was no longer going to have extra functionality without a $600 accessory. I don't think you can really appreciate the day the new firmware came out, and every new icon being absolutely worthless without a PS3.
I guess that removing the UMD was a step in the right direction, but with less parts you would think it would cost less. Well, no because now they lost a method of subsidy and had have to rise the cost of the system. Maybe, just an and idea here, Sony shouldn't be selling $400 handheld systems. (blind guess adjusting for the game subsidy.)
I'm secretly guessing that because Sony's customer base is causing them to lose money, no wonder Sony behaves the way they do.
Sorry to start the OP on a down note. What can Sony do to redeem themselves? Are they beyond hope? I hope not because I think they make really sexy electronics. They just have pants-on-head retarded management.
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I got my PSP-1000 series at launch, and I've really enjoyed it ever since (mostly because of Monster Hunter, but there are other games that I play. Occasionally. Erm.). I've had way more play time on the old buster than my DS Lite (which also has a great lineup of games, don't get me wrong).
So... is this thread about the PSP Go? Or is it just whining about Sony and its flawed business model/overpriced consoles? Because there is a video game sales thread that talks about this at length.
And the PSP Go is expensive because it's the premium version. You don't like the price but still want a PSP? No one is stopping you from buying the older, fully-functional versions. The PSP Go may well be overpriced right now, but it's no different from any shiny new piece of hardware, including iPhones, iPods, etc. etc.
And both Microsoft and Sony subsidize their console by selling video games and accessories, that's just the business currently. Nintendo of course prefers to just overprice both from the get-go. As far as I'm concerned, Sony hardware is well worth the money. From a pure hardware perspective, the PS3 is an incredible value compared to the 360 or Wii.
It feels weird defending Sony, but yeah. That's how I feel.
Failing that, you can just download content from their website and transfer it via USB.
As for the Go, I could care less about it, but as long as they continue to release UMDs and support the PSP proper, they can do whatever they want with it.
Sony are taking a step in the right direction with the Final Fantasy PSP. They need to acknowledge that RPGs do make money, and gamers into that genre will pursue a new console if it has the titles they want. The PSP has a number of solid RPGs, they just don't get the proper marketing(if any).
Microsoft does it even moreso. As someone pointed out, Sony lets you buy any laptop harddrive, whereas Microsoft nickle and dimes you to death on every accessory and feature. But yeah, pretty much most of the console industry runs on the thought that the console can be sold at a loss for a while.
Wrong wrong wrong wrong. You can go on the PSN with your PSP alone, or you can download things from your PC. Sony's been great about putting in features but making it not completely absolutely necessary to have a PS3.
They lost a method of subsidy? Uh... they still get money from selling games digitally to the PSPGo. In fact, they probably get much more money. The console cost isn't higher because of the rise in cost of the system, it's higher because early adopters will buy it no matter what. Look at the iPhone when it launched.
Personally, yeah I think they make some silly ass decisions in their marketing, but Sony's redeemed themselves beyond fully to me. They're cranking out kick-ass game after kick-ass game and really letting their developers experiment and do whatever they want, and I like that.
As for needing the PS3.. lul wut? As has been mentioned, you really don't.
PS3 integrates well with PSP, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's like MS products with MS products (e.g. Xbox controller and Windows) or Apple products with Apple products (e.g. iTunes and iPods and iPhones).
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For someone who has never owned a PSP and is a regular gamer with cash to burn, I guess it's alright, but for current PSP owners I just don't see the point. You can do basically everything the PSP GO can on a regular PSP, plus play the existing library of UMD games. I've got somewhere around 30 or so PSP games on UMD, which means if I got the Go I'd still be using my old PSP too.
I guess I just don't see a point in blowing $250 on something that is less functional than the product I already have. The internal memory is nice, especially considering how ridiculously expensive memory sticks are compared to SD cards, but with the rate that enjoyable PSP games have been coming out lately I don't see myself filling up the MS' I already have, let alone 16 gigs of internal memory.
That's the whole reason this is being put out as a new product in advertising and such, to get the people who still say that the PSP hasn't got any games to look at this new design
But... it doesn't change the library of games. It's just a PSP without a UMD drive.
And, for those people who aren't so enthralled with the PSP to begin with, why would they shell out for the expensive GO when they could buy a PSP 3000 for much less, use all the same features, and buy all the games they missed USED, saving even more money?
I really think it's going to fall flat on it's face when it launches. There will be sales to loyalists/gadget freaks/collectors who just HAVE to have every single thing the second it comes out, but that will probably be it. Normally I am one of those gadget freaks, but I just can't justify this purchase.
The reason i ask is this:
It's still just a PSP, but it lacks the one method by which to play the reasonably good stable of existing PSP (umd-based) games. I know Sony plans on having some existing games on the PSN for download, but I seriously doubt they'll have the entire existing library on there. If a person wants a PSP, both for the good games that are out as well as new games, it seems like they'd be doing them selves a huge disservice by buying the "premium" PSP Go instead of a regular PSP, simply due to the fact that many of the current PSP greatest games won't be accessible to a system without a UMD drive....
... unless Sony manages to put up all PSP UMD games as downloads on PSN when it launches (or soon thereafter).
I'm glad I have a PSP 2k. But if I didn't, I wouldn't get a PSP Go simply by virtue of already-released awesome PSP games not being on PSN....
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I've heard loose talk about devices to transfer UMDs to the Go's memory, but they are rumors at best. From what I've heard it would be some kind of kiosk in game stores that you would use, which sounds horrible. No matter how fast the process is, I would think it would take at least 5 mins to rip each game and write it to the Go. So even with that insanely generous estimate, I would be standing at a kiosk in a game store for, 150 minutes to transfer 30 games? 2.5 hours standing at a kiosk in a bestbuy/gamestop swapping discs? I don't think so. Any kind of device that allowed you to do it at home would likely be expensive.
I never asked for this!
This is a rumor that was fostered by extremely wishful thinking..
..as far as I know, there is absolutely nothing but hopes and dreams to substantiate this rumor in any way...
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Hah, that's the sentiment of a lot of people.
Well anyway it's a shame. Sony wanted to appeal to people who didn't want to carry multiple UMDs around and liked the idea of launching anything from their library easily and with shorter loading times.
However, the result is now a system where they can't access their UMD back catalog (any time soon, perhaps not even without having to rebuy), and the battery life hasn't even been improved despite removal of the optical drive.
One step forward, two steps back. That is the PSP Go's motto.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I never asked for this!
There is no way for anyone to make that happen what with so many companies making memory sticks.
I never asked for this!
Yeah, I said it was a "rumor AT BEST". I don't think it's true either, I was just trying to show that even if it was, it wouldn't help the Go any.
Edit: About Memory Stick prices. They won't get cheaper because there is such little demand for them compared to SD and other memory cards. I really hope Sony learns to drop the proprietary formats in the future. I have so many devices that use SD, multiple cameras, Auto GPS, Homebrew cards for my DS, a DSi, Wii, my cell phone (sd micro), and a few others. I have no qualms with buying newer/bigger/faster SD cards because it's never a waste of money. I can always use the one it replaces in another device. In the case of my DSLR camera, I use several SD cards for different purposes. SD cards are insanely cheap, they come in larger sizes than MSpro, and are more versatile. Simply put, I hate memory sticks.
I just don't know what Sony is thinking, or maybe they aren't and that is the problem.
They've said they'll have most of the library up on the PSN at launch. Whether that turns out to be true or worthless PR talk can't really be decided until October.
I don't really understand why Sony decided to price the PSP Go so high. Sure, I get that they want to make a quick buck off of early adopters but surely creating genuine hype around the system is more important? It's like they're completely oblivious to the reasons why the PS3 isn't doing spectacularly well. What the fuck is Kaz Hirai even thinking?
I probably would buy one if it were a bit cheaper but at the moment, I'll just hold off until they drop the price a fair bit. Hopefully by then they'll have a better battery in it too.
BladeX: Any 2.5" SATA HDD will work in the PS3. A couple of months ago I bought a 320GB HDD for around NZ$100 and it's working perfectly fine, don't need to delete anything off my PS3 anymore.
I know you know :P I was just reiterating.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I dunno. I'm absurdly skeptical about the library that will be put on PSN at launch.
And even if "most" of the library is on there at launch, it still remains to be seen how or even if they're going to deal with people who upgrade to PSP Go that already own games on UMD...
as far as their reasoning for price, you and I and others have read the articles from Sony reps implying the reason that they're pricing the Go so high is because of early adopters.
In a recent article I read that they reiterated this idea that they need to price the system high because it's "new":
Well I'm glad they "took into account" that since the device is new, it means they can associate a premium with it. Thanks.
I wouldn't hold my breath on a better battery mainly because the purpose of the battery is to keep the system smaller and lighter.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I remember them mentioning a "Good Will Program." But there are no details yet at all..
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
But that is not the case. Another way I think they could have justified it is with a new generation of hardware. It wouldn't have to be an incredible leap, but a faster, more powerful, next gen system nonetheless. I could justify dropping the UMD drive for an entirely new system, with TWO nubs, and better specs. I would then look at it like every other system that isn't backwards compatible.
One of the main issues with trying to find real information on the internet is that people treat wishful thinking as rumors.
The moment that the Go was even rumored itself, Sony fanboys started saying that they were "certain" Sony would have some way for people to transfer their discs.
Now, maybe Sony will, and maybe they won't. but the fact is that those people had ZERO information. Still, other folks heard them saying this, and spread it as a unconfirmed rumor.
Then, this Sony rep makes an entirely ambiguous statement, and folks treat it as though it is CONFIRMING the false rumor from previously.
I never asked for this!
I don't expect it to happen either, but I'm not going to go on record declaring it won't.
Sony is crazy enough to do anything. Ever since Jack Tretton STATED PUBLICLY that the reason they removed BC from the PS3s was to get people to stop buying old PS2 games, I have learned not to be shocked by insane behavior from them.
I don't expect the Go to sell very well past an initial excitement and curiosity over it being new. I simply don't think that customers are ready for an all digital device (and I don't think that they'll pay an EXTRA 70 bucks for it, when a cheaper option that ALSO has a disc drive is sitting on the shelf next to it.)
We'll all just have to wait and see, though (on all accounts.)
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
Yeah, I've been kinda sorta in the market for a PSP for a long time, and I was only recently convinced I wanted one based on the software lineup. But the Star Wars Battlefront PSP is still the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned.
This thing would have to have at least double the battery life, lower price, and double the load times, to make up for the catastrophe that is download-only content.
Think of what it would be like if you had an old ipod and wanted an ipod touch. Except you had to rebuy all your music just for the new ipod.
I never asked for this!
thats great, I don't have to rebuy my music library for psp go either.
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
That's not really a good comparison. The iPod touch is not marketed as a gaming device with bonus media features, as is the PSP. It's also kind of a stupid product itself, it's an iPhone without the phone... Considering you can get an iPhone for $99 now, it would be kinda stupid to get the iPod touch. And yes, I realize that includes a contract.
Either way, justifying the price tag of the PSP Go by comparing it to an iPod is like justifying the price of a Honda Accord by comparing it to a house. Could you live in the accord? Sure, but it's not a house.
Wow that went right over your head didn't it?
No one remembers when Sony released its 16GB Memory Stick for the low low price of only $130 more than the price of a PSP.
http://kotaku.com/341376/sony-announce-16gb-memory-stick-for-psp
Memory is cheap. Proprietary memory is expensice.
You mean halve the load times, right?
But but but, the ipod is an all digital device and that's doing well at $299! It's the same thing you see!!! right.... right?
This is Sony's new line of thinking. And it won't work.
Sony can't just take something seen by and large as a gaming device for the gaming market and then shoe-horn it into the portable a/v market with the ipod by simply removing its primary media input and jacking up the price.
The PSP Go won't be seen by the market at large as an alternative to the Ipod touch. It'll be seen as a handheld gaming system. As it should be. This is why the "Well the Ipod gets away with $300 and so the PSP Go can as well" line of thinking does not work.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
True enough. Just ask anyone who bought a 360 and wanted a hard drive for it.
Anyway, by all accounts, Legacy UMD games (the games on the Memory Stick that used to be on UMDs) see something like a 6 to 10-fold increase in speed when it comes to loading times. Running a game from the Memory Stick is WAY faster than from the UMD. The battery life is likely to be the same on the PSP Go, however, due to a smaller battery than its bigger brethren. If you run the same game on a PSP-2000 or -3000 series, you'll get better battery life. Just another reason to buy an older PSP rather than go for the new one.
If they added a second analog stick (with emulated control functions in the firmware so that it's not completely useless), I'd be sold on the idea despite the lack of UMD. Sadly, they went with an awkward Start/Select placement instead. *sigh*
Speaking of controls, the whole thing just looks awkward. I can't see any real way to hold it comfortably. It seems like you would have to hold it almost like a sideways harmonica or something.