PSP2 Rumors: Touch-Screen, No UMD
See Full ImageThe PSP just recently underwent a redesign, and now we have a slimmer, lighter unit that has been selling very well. However, it can't last forever, and experts are already weighing in on the second iteration of the handheld. We have no idea when the PSP2 will arrive - or even if it will arrive - but it's always tons of fun to wonder and speculate.
According to Games Radar, a group of polled experts are predicting the PSP2 will boast a new interface, including a touch-screen, and Sony will drop the UMD support in favor of internal flash memory game downloads and "improved PS3 link-up." At this time, though, Sony has no plans to get rid of UMD and the experts agree the format is "safe for now." Besides, ever since the PSP-2000 hit, sales have been steadily climbing and there's really nothing to complain about. There's always room for improvement, of course, but the experts don't believe that the PSP, in its current form, "won't get any more major operations." Basically, they're saying there's no chance UMD will disappear until the PSP2 hits.
The experts appear to be split on the existence of UMD in the first place, as some say "it's useless in a digital world" (veteran developer Dave Perry), while others believe the UMD format "gives Sony more shelf space, something that might be keen to keep up with Nintendo (DS) encroaching on their space" (Gamasutra Senior Editor, Brandon Sheffield). But in the end, most agree UMD is here to stay...for now. The PSP2 is another matter entirely, though; it'll be interesting to see what Sony wants to do.
2/12/2008 Ben Dutka
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Comments (Beta)
Admin PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 3:09:57 PM
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SHADOW [Moderator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 12:27:22 AM
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Sony - Please make this.
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baseballdude_ [Administrator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 12:42:57 AM
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baseballdude_ [Administrator]
Thursday, February 14, 2008 @ 12:08:30 AM
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SHADOW [Moderator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 12:29:06 AM
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Warukyure [Power User]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 1:27:37 AM
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I hope they don't put in touch screen. If I wanted touch screen, I would get a NDS. The whole reason I liked the PSP was because it looked like it could play traditional styled RPGs. I don't want weird gimmicks in my games.
I guess I'm old fashioned...
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fatchad420
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 2:20:30 AM
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Reccaman18
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 11:15:48 AM
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Admin PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 3:12:17 PM
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bamf
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 3:32:05 PM
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When closed the screen would be cool for touchscreen capabilities like a PDA. It will make web-browsing easier (if Sony uses a better web browser with more memory) and would be good for multimedia features. I wouldn't like to have touchscreen for games, I'm not keen on it and we would never hear the end of it from Nintendo fanboys saying Sony coppied.
I do think that its too early for a propper successor to PSP and would Sony get rid of any type of format? Using just downloadable games from a store will only alienate your audience. Its not even 50% of PS3 owners you have a PSN account. So surely having a new handheld where you can only purchase games from download would be far from encouraging for many people?
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SHADOW [Moderator]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 4:43:11 PM
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If they only had downloadable games it would be a huge mistake IMO. I agree with what bamfsaid about it.
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baseballdude_ [Administrator]
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 12:24:12 AM
As much as I love my iPod Touch, I'm not seeing how it would be of any use for the PSP...surely the gameplay won't use a touch interface...will it?