PSP News: Digital Games For PSP Go Must Be Cheaper Than UMD - PSP News

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Digital Games For PSP Go Must Be Cheaper Than UMD

Currently, the big rumor is that Logitech is working on a UMD drive add-on for the PSP Go, which would obviously allow UMD titles to play on the new, all-digital portable. But in the meantime, one developer says they should also try to cut the cost of the software, or it's curtains for the Go.

According to what Traveller's Tales' Jon Burton told Develop, the new iteration of the PSP is in for a rocky road if "its downloadable software keeps to UMD prices." Burton says he expects Sony to make the digital games "much cheaper" than the older UMD titles; otherwise, "the PSP Go will die." While Burton does agree that digital content will eventually surpass physical, he also adds that this change will happen faster if the downloadable games offer a better value. As he said:

"I own a PSPgo but don’t want to buy LittleBigPlanet, for instance, as I can get it 20 per cent cheaper on UMD from Amazon and could resell it once I’m finished with it. But if I download it, I get no discount, and no chance to resell – how annoying is that?"

Burton adds that at the moment, there's a stalemate between platform holders and retailers, as the latter requires physical stores to sell their consoles, and they "don't want to undercut them." But at the same time, once they come to understand they could "use outlets such as supermarkets for bulk distribution of consoles," that's when the prices for digital software can come way down and, in effect, signal the final termination of physical software. Whether or not gamers want this may not be relevant...it just seems inevitable, anyway.

12/3/2009 10:36:31 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (41 posts)

Imagi
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:07:25 AM
Reply

Of course, the price should reflect that no packaging, shipping, handling and physical media are involved. Otherwise it is blindingly obvious that the customer is getting a raw deal.

Agree with this comment 11 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Hezzron
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:09:37 PM

You said it....and by storing the game file on our bought handhelds, we're in effect paying for the storage.

Agree with this comment 8 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Jiggy
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:26:08 PM

Hasn't the PC done this for about 6 years now? Direct-2-Drive is about 10 bucks cheaper, and I'm pretty sure you can request a CD copy of the game after you download it.
This should be no different.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

I_defenestrate
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 2:19:35 PM

From what I've noticed, the games on D2D and the Steam store are the same price as retail. I've even seen games at the store lower in price before they do on those sites.

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ed_winchester
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 5:53:09 PM

... and as for the "stalemate with retailers", cant they just put a dowload code on a card, like the psn cards you can buy, its not gonna cost much to print a load of cards and then retailers can still sell the games too. Everyones a winner.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Mamills
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:09:27 AM
Reply

lol
i agree fully,

i have a PSP Go,but i only play PS1 classics on it and the 1 PSP title i have is patapon 2, other than that i have no other games

$40 just for data lol SONY makes me laugh, im waiting for the price of this stuff to drop and believe me, i wont hesitate in selling the GO.

i can actually make a profit off it if i do sell.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

artson1966
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 3:51:58 PM

i agree with you, but if your selling ill offer 175.00 cuss ill wait till they drop the prices of downloaded games.

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BTNwarrior
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:10:39 AM
Reply

When it comes to digital PSP games they should follow the steam format, constantly changing prices, weekely specials and pre-order discounts

Agree with this comment 5 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Qubex
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:15:34 AM

That's a good suggestion warrior!

Q!

"i am home"

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Jawknee
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:14:51 AM
Reply

Agreed. They need to be much cheaper. I find it ridiculous that GT PSP and LBP PSP cost the same on the PSN as they do in a retail store. Must be cheaper, like 40% cheaper. Digital copies of any software should never cost as much as hard copies.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 1:39:56 PM

I don't think you'll see dwnloadable games drop by that much. My bet would be a $5 or perhaps $10 difference depending on the retail price of the UMD version of the game.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Jawknee
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 2:01:00 PM

Yea I know, it's wishful thinking on my part. This is why I will dread the day physical media dies if it ever does.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

ed_winchester
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 6:00:56 PM

Agreed. And is it just me or has the price of UMD games crept up lately? I never used to pay more than £17.99 for a new release and lately it seems new releases are £25, sometimes more.

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Oxvial
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:22:11 AM
Reply

don't get surprised pspgo was always a bad concept I remember the defenders of that downgraded psp version thumbed me down and now I look at them with a evil grin in my face because I was right.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

BigBoss4ever
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:24:38 AM
Reply

not until digital copy is at least 50% cheaper will the true game collector conisder to give up the cool physical copy collection and shift to the formless game version, and even that, is still a far-fetched decision.

gaming for me will never turn to formless and shapeless, i will simply refuse to.

such is the status of digital copy.
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 12/3/2009 11:26:47 AM

Agree with this comment 8 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

Lemon_Saint
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:31:31 PM

Right on! I love my collection, it's probably the only hobby I'll ever like, and I don't consider collecting data on a harddrive as very rewarding.

If the "inevitable" does happen, I wlll be one of many who will be sad to see it go.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 1:38:54 PM

How about if they sent you (to the address registered on your PSN account) the PSP (or PS3) game case with box art and game manual for each downloadable title purchased that is also available on UMD(PSP) or BluRay(PS3). To me that is the best of both worlds.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Mamills
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 3:36:10 PM

well boys believe me i agree with you fully, but lets face it. in this day and age u gotta change and adapt

and if u not willing to accept digital distribution, well gaming may leave u in the dust.

its inevitable. i just wish not just yet

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Jawknee
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 4:37:39 PM

Inevitable like mp3s killing CDs? Errr...wait, no they didn't.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

Fane1024
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 4:46:16 PM

@ Jawknee

Like you, I buy all my music on CDs and then rip them.

But if you think MP3 sales aren't killing CD sales, you're crazy. Crazy, I tell you!

Stores which sell CDs are dying faster than mayflies. Only big chains like HMV are surviving and only because they sell so much other stuff.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

RustEDalex
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:46:54 AM
Reply

The only reason it cost more to download is to make the retailers who sell the disk happy. Remember how they said that a psp-go is no good for them.

Agree with this comment 4 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Aftab
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 2:29:30 PM

Yup.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

jaybiv
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:00:54 PM
Reply

Sony is not obligated to pass the manufacturing costs to customers. Does your bank increase your interest for going paperless and banking online? Did your credit card company lower your apr for doing the same thing? You are helping lower their costs, and what do you, the consumer, get out of it?

The price of a new game shouldn't matter whether it's on a disc or download. You are paying for the entertainment value of the game. Having the ability to download the game is a convenience and there is a premium on saving you time, since you don't have to drive to a store, find the game, and wait in line to buy it.

Now, as a good strategy to drive more digital content, Sony could offer the DLs at a slightly cheaper price. I'm not buying what this guy is selling. Everyone keeps telling Sony to drop their prices when Sony prices have historically been premium priced items.
Last edited by jaybiv on 12/3/2009 12:01:40 PM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 7 down Disagree with this comment

Jawknee
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:44:07 PM

Of course it should matter. From a pure value standpoint your getting less for your money when it comes to digital copies. Your bank analogies don't hold water. They're two entirely different cases. I can't resell my bank account or my digital copy. I can however resell a hard copy of a video game.

Agree with this comment 6 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

jaybiv
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:33:42 AM

Actually, it doesn't matter. I have yet to see someone commenting on either the UMD case or manual and how it contributed/detracted from their gaming experience.

The question is what is your $40 USD buying you? The price you pay for a game is for the actual game. So whether the game is on a disc or you download it, it's still the same game so why should a download version be cheaper? Most companies make the CHOICE to reduce the price of downloads to encourage more sales through that distribution channel. Obviously, Sony hasn't gotten to that point yet.

You possibly wanting to resale your hard copy is irrelevant to the discussion because we are talking about the price of retail or download purchase. If reselling a game is important to you then you would go the retail route, so why would you be concerned about the price of a download?

There is relevancy to this situation with my banking analogy. If a bank wants customers to use online banking services instead of receiving paper, the bank is saving money. Does the bank then pass these savings on to customers with a higher return on the checking or savings accounts? No. So whether you bank online or use the old ways of banking, the bank is giving you the same service.

I'm not trying to start a war, but don't we consumers always wish something was cheaper?
Last edited by jaybiv on 12/4/2009 11:35:35 AM

Agree with this comment 0 up, 2 down Disagree with this comment

Jawknee
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:52:37 PM

You are completely missing the point. My bank account has NO RESALE VALUE nor do the digital copies of games. So there for you are getting less value for your money. My bank account and going paperless has no relevancy to digital gaming vs hard copies.

Once again, I can RESELL my UMD copy of LittleBigPlanet. I CANNOT RESELL a digital copy. It has nothing to do with an obligation to pass on cost savings to the consumer. Has everything to do with getting value for what you paid for. The fact that I have a disc in my hand means I have something I can sell. I can do what I want with it. If I pay for something it belongs to me there for I should be able to resell it if I so choose. Can't sell a digital copy now can I?

The price vs resell value has everything to do with it. Why are used Hondas and Toyotas priced higher then Fords and GMCs? Because they have a higher resell value. Why should digital copies be priced lower then UMDS? because they have NO resell value. If I lose my data and Sony is no longer around then that's it. My money is gone. But not if I have a hard copy. Why do hard copies of FFVII cost $150 on eBay. Because it has value. Can I sell my digital copy of FFVII?

I do agree that if i have a choice then I wil go the route of hard copies and choice is good. But from a business stand point, charging the same for digital copies and physical copies is a bad move. The guy in the article is right, consumers are smarter then this and the PSP Go will die a slow death once people realize digitals hold no value compared to physicals.
Last edited by Jawknee on 12/4/2009 3:23:52 PM

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Hezzron
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:07:15 PM
Reply

I always believed the PSP-Go was a risky experiment by Sony. It just doesn't add up to a wise investment by consumers. Win some, lose some I guess.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 12:07:42 PM
Reply

What really pisses me off is games that are 2-3 years old which have gone down in price are seldom the same price on the PSN. There is no way anyone would pay $30 for a game that's several years old when they can get it for $10 at some store.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Alienange
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 1:11:26 PM
Reply

Well Burton certainly has his head screwed on right. I think anyone who comes out with digital download content should be given a very hard time over its pricing.. unless they're willing to be paid in digital dollars.

Agree with this comment 4 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 1:36:56 PM
Reply

Downloadable titles should be $5 (12.5%) cheaper than the UMD version. The higher cost of the UMD version reflects the increased cost of production and distribution plus retailer mark-up. I wouldn't even mind paying the UMD price for the game if a game case and manual were included. For example if GameStop wants to sell downloadable game codes, they should sell them in a standard game case with the game manual. I would pay the extra $5 for that simply to have something that says I own the game (i.e. have the physical case/manual). Games purchased from PSN could include an option to send the case/manual to the buyer for an additional $5 - assuming of course that the downloadable title is already at least $5 cheaper than the UMD version sold in stores.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

JMO_INDY
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 6:39:12 PM
Reply

Ok, Im just gonna say it, Where The Fuck is the article celebrating PlayStation's 15th birthday? huh? Come on, write it! P.S. Sorry about using the F bomb.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 10:12:22 PM

You say you're sorry, and yet you still used it. It's not like anyone forced you, so you wanted to use it, and yet you were sorry to do so....why use if if you don't want to and no one is forcing you? That makes no sense to me at all.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

JMO_INDY
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 10:34:47 PM

Just to show extreme emotion.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 1:36:07 AM

The F-bomb shows no more extreme emotion than other words or expressions.

How about...

Holy Crap Ben! Where's the article celebrating PlayStation's 15th birthday?

Or perhaps...

Wow, that's a surprise! Where's the article celebrating PlayStation's 15th birthday?

I don't care about the use of the F-bomb personally, but this site has a pretty wide readership, and the saltier language may not be suitable for all.

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Jawknee
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:54:49 PM

You could have expressed your passion with one character. "!"

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Fane1024
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 4:56:23 PM

FWIW, I fail to see the difference between "Fuck" and "Crap" when used as a generic expletive.

Both words are "coarse" or "crude" language which would not be acceptable in polite company; both refer to taboo topics of conversation; and both pose absolutely no danger to anyone.

Words are just words.

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SnipeySnake
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 10:52:04 PM
Reply

Yeah but won't the devs not make as much money? And won't that be the reason devs don't want to put there games on the psn?

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___________
Thursday, December 03, 2009 @ 11:58:05 PM
Reply

not only for the go, for all PSP games.
i mean LBP PSP is good but not 50 bucks good.
resistance retribution is the best in the series, better than resistance 1 and 2 put together.
the only PSP games i would say are worth the 50 bucks price tag are GOW CoO, SPLS, SPDM and RR.
thats it anything else should be 40 bucks max.
i would use my PSP allot more, and buy more accessories for it if the games were cheaper but there a rip off.
all games should be discounted, even ps3 games.
no game is worth 110 bucks NO game.
not even assassins creed 2.
now i can see why piracy on the PSP is so popular.

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Orvisman
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 8:58:26 AM
Reply

Interestingly, in Japan, digital PSN downloads ARE regularly cheaper than their UMD counterparts. I don't know about Europe, but the parity pricing between the two formats might only be here in the States where Sony seems to be making a bigger push for download only software.

Before you object, know that there have been retail releases for Wipeout, Patapon 2, PixleJunk Monsters PSP, PixelJunk Monsters-Racer-Eden, The Last Guy, R&C The Quest for Booty, and so on overseas.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

JackC8
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 12:14:11 PM
Reply

Can't believe they're actually selling download games for the same price as physical media. Oh well, guess that's the way people like it, or they wouldn't have bought the thing.

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Nynja
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:05:47 AM
Reply

The problem I have is game availability. Right now there aren't even 100 PSP games available for download.

The system Sony is using now to release old PSP games for digital distribution is not working. They currently release 3 or 4 games (on a good day) every Thursday to 'fluff' the PSN update.

As of now, some of the best games (i.e.: Final Fantasy series) aren't available. For a $250 entry point and limited library of games, it is not very convincing.

I thought that Sony would have learned from from the PS3 launch that an overpriced system with no games won't sell very well...

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