250°

Sony working to get Devs to make digital versions of UMDs

During and interview with Watch Impress, Kaz Hirai said that people who have already bought the PSP will be able to download digital versions of their titles on the NGP. The only perimeter being that it is within the number of download limits outlined on the PSN.

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andriasang.com
mrv3215266d ago

What Sony needs to go is

1. Talk to publishers
2. Say they'll do ALL the porting
3. Charge 5% if they do the port from UMD to Digital
4. ???
5. Profit

HolyOrangeCows5266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

Sony really SHOULD port it themselves. I can't imagine that putting it on PSN should be that hard. Let game devs use their resources on NEW games. Hopefully we see it HAPPEN this time, unlike with the PSPGo.

"The memory card will be able to rewrite data so that users can save and download data"
I'm glad. Saving onto a separate card is sort of annoying, because you have to make sure you have enough; I just bought a 16GB for my PSP1.

lil Titan5266d ago

i hope some games get updates to use the second analog stick on the NGP/PSP2...Kingdom Hearts maybe

Blaze9295266d ago

"Kaz Hirai said that people who have already bought the PSP will be able to download digital versions of their titles on the NGP"

Hmm...for free? And this applies to all PSP owners with UMDs or just those who bought PSN versions?

HappyGaming5266d ago

Would this work...

You put in UMD into PSP
Log in PSN.
PSN checks the serial number which is unique on every copy.
Than you are given the option to download the PSN version of the UMD.

Repeat for all games.

The only problem with this is that you now have 2 copies of one game but game sharing on PS3 allows up to 5 people to download one game so its not as bad.

Joni-Ice5266d ago

@ Blaze929..... Just PSN versions. If you have the UMD version you would have to buy again to get it digitally.

xAlmostPro5266d ago

nope @gumtrol but that actually isn't a bad idea tbh, they'd only need to create a large database(which yeah would take a few months but they have until 2012 xD

ThanatosDMC5266d ago

I want that recent Yugioh game for my strategy card game needs. Wish Magic the Gathering game that's on PS3 would go to PSP too.

ChineseDemocracy5266d ago

I was really disappointed that KH: Birth by Sleep didn't see a digital release.

I don't see developers having any problem going full out digital if they can profit. I for one would buy a handful of the newer "last-gen" PSP games for the NGP.

sashimi5266d ago

That is because SquareEnix is stupid. They have been doing dumb stuff all gen.

Carlos_Irwin_Estevez5266d ago

they need a umd transfer kit even if its done with monthly timed activation to prevent stealing, this needs to be a priority because dropping umd altogether is a bad bad idea for so many fans.

Joni-Ice5266d ago

Not really. ALL PSP's takes memory card which mean if you have a older model PSP, you could just download the game you want to memory card.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5266d ago
a_bro5266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

hopefully this time, compared to what happened with the PSP Go, they actually allow this to happen

after they talk to all publishers and get all those PSP games on the PS store, they should open up a website were:

1.you can select all the UMD games you have,

2.pay up a fee to allow your copies to be turned to Digital (it would be cool if free)

3.ship the copies to Sony with a receipt of your order inside (they need proof that you own these games)

4.receive your codes of those digital copies by mailbox, or e-mail.

amazon does this, but the opposite when you sell your used items to them. why cant sony and the these UMD games?

mrv3215266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

Sony could just update the PSP to scan the disk, seeing if it's a orginal copy of the game. It's not like there's too many UMD writters out their and then you just pay $5-$10 on a 'memory' fee and bang. $5-$10 is fine by me.

EDIT: Each UMD has a SPECIFIC code I think, once that code is used then it cannot be re-used again for digital.

a_bro5266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

"Sony could just update the PSP to scan the disk, seeing if it's a orginal copy of the game."

thats a gateway to piracy there then. i can just to go to a friend of mine and take his game and do that on my PSP, or some one else, and the copy will dupicate. the way i presented it, i believe is the only and best way to solve this issue.

Anyway, one publisher that they must talk to is Square Enix, i mean, wtf, why isnt Crisis Core, Valkyre Profile and other good games on there?

Lucreto5266d ago

I would love to transfer my PSP games to the PSP2 even if they have a device registered to my PSN to rip games to the HDD.

JoshE4Ginfo5266d ago

According to almost all the developers that presented at Sony's conference stated that they did all that they showed working on the NGP very fast an easy.

So I am guessing that the NPP is a very developer friendly device.
which means I want a lot of games ported!!!

Raendom5266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

? They're not talking about PS3 porting which is what you're refering to (dungeon defenders ported in a week).

They're talking about making digital versions of existing PSP games that are on UMD. MOST games already have a digital version (GT, LBP, MGS, Monster Hunter etc) but there are SOME such as Square Enix who haven't (because they're idiots?).

This is a measure for existing PSP owners so they have even MORE incentive to buy NGP.

JoshE4Ginfo5266d ago

oh yeah lol im tired i apologize for the mix up haha

Stealth20k5266d ago (Edited 5266d ago )

I am still keeping my physical media because dd is a ripoff and theres no reason to get rid of my 3000

@ below, only someone who understands the value of games and money can understand.

Kamikaze1355266d ago

At least go to Metacritic, look at the top 100 PSP games and just make sure THOSE are on PSN. Or let gamers vote for which games they want on PSN and Sony can discuss it with the developers.

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140°

Sony Faces Class Action in the Netherlands Over Allegedly Inflated PlayStation Store Prices

Mass Damage & Consumer Foundation in the Netherlands has filed a class action against Sony for inflating PlayStation Store prices.

dveio6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

My personal opinion:

Manufacturers and publishers have indeed inflated the industry.

From $700 million development costs for games like Call of Duty, to digital (store) prices for games and DLCs, online multiplayer fees on consoles (why can you play Helldivers 2 online for free on PC but not consoles?) or still preventing sell/lend digitally purchased games.

Sometime in the future, this bubble will collapse.

They should know better, but they just can't help themselves and suck even the last penny out of our wallets.

BeHunted6d ago

Because Sony knows people will be forced to pay those prices for single player and multiplayer games, not everyone prefers PC gaming. Sony also has a monopoly on PlayStation digital games. In 2019, they stopped allowing retailers and game key sellers to sell PlayStation digital games, making them available only through the official PlayStation Store

anast6d ago

The Dutch gov. wants a piece of the pie.

Eonjay6d ago

They should be suing the individual publishers increasing the prices to $80 instead of suing the store. There are plenty of publishers still selling game for like $50 with much success (like E33). But this proves that the publishers are the ones setting the prices.... so again nothing changes because they aren't even going after the main offender. How is suing Sony going to make Microsoft not charge $80 for the next COD? Sony being the number one store in the market doesn't mean that publisher have to charge us an arm and a leg. Again the industry is laughing at us because consumers never get real representation. Just these fake platitudes that are meaningless.

BeHunted6d ago

"How is suing Sony going to make Microsoft not charge $80 for the next COD"

Because Microsoft doesn't have a monopoly, I can purchase Call of Duty at a huge discount from CDKeys or other gaming retailers. The only way to purchase digital PlayStation games is through the PlayStation Store.

djl34856d ago

Weird, I swore GoW, Stellar Blade, Horizon Zero Dawn, TLoU, etc. were on the steam store....uh.....

BeHunted6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

@djI3485

I'm talking about PlayStation games that you can only purchase on PlayStation. I can purchase Steam and Epic games from 3rd party retailers and key stores.

"Sony to stop selling full-game download codes at retailers"

https://www.videogamer.com/...

Killer2020UK6d ago

About time. There is zero fair reason why digitally distributed products that you cannot recoup any value when you want to dispose of them, should be priced higher than that of physical copies that entail all of the costs and the benefits of owning.

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170°

Sony Aims To Sell 15 Million PS5 Units This Year, but Is Shifting Focus to Monthly Active Users

Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki and CFO Lin Tao talked about the state of the PlayStation business and the strategy and targets going forward, including how they're responding to the tariffs.

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simulationdaily.com
1Victor47d ago

I wonder how the USA tariffs war will affect that projection. 🤔

S2Killinit47d ago (Edited 47d ago )

I think they take that into consideration when they announce their projections. Currently, after the xbox price increase, the PRO is cheaper than the series x! That is ridiculous, and it can’t last.

darthv7247d ago

you keep saying that but the price of a PS5 Pro is S699.99 (US) and the price of a Series X is $599.99 (US)

S2Killinit47d ago (Edited 47d ago )

The series x with 2 TB storage space is more expensive than PS5 PRO which also has 2 TB storage space.

darthv7247d ago (Edited 47d ago )

Oh so you are pitting a regular Pro with a special edition X... got it. If you are going so far as trying to compare apples to apples... please add in the optical drive and stand to the Pro. Seeing as the X has both of those by default.

I will help you if you are unable to do so.
PS5 Pro 2tb: $699.99, Optical Drive: $79.99, Stand: $29.99 = $809.97
Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition 2TB: $729.99

47d ago
S2Killinit46d ago (Edited 46d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. The series X with 2TB storage and much weaker, is… more expensive! So yeah, Im pointing out that fact.

Also, the PRO does not require a stand.

Ps: regular series 2TB is $749 (where did u get 729?)

darthv7246d ago

Its right here on the official XB site: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

Okay, so no stand for the Pro, but you might still want the optical drive. So $779.98 vs $729.99. A properly outfitted Pro is still more $$ than a 2tb X.

S2Killinit45d ago (Edited 45d ago )

Do I need to mention that the series x is not nearly as powerful as the PS5 PRO?

And no, the PS5 PRO runs just fine without a drive, and people don’t have to buy the drive right away, assuming they want it.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 45d ago
drivxr47d ago

I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU.

RaiderNation47d ago

Because that's where the real money is made, in microtransactions.

Profchaos47d ago (Edited 47d ago )

People are spending less time playing is a typical trigger for this.

The less time spent playing the less likely you are to spend more money on games and services including subs or even the next console.

Increased engagement equals more money.

47d ago
DarXyde46d ago

Same reason Microsoft does it: it looks better to investors and it's a solution when unit sales slow down.

Personally, I'm not a fan of this metric; and by using it, you're kind of signaling that you're moving into the "This is a PlayStation" era.

Z50146d ago

Because the PS4 also has users and not necessarily sales

Obscure_Observer44d ago

"I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU."

Because they´d finally realized that MS wasn´t wrong after all.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 44d ago
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310°

Sony Announces Large Profits Growth for PlayStation; Expects Further Wins in Current Fiscal Year

Sony announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2024, and things are certainly looking up, despite a decline in PS5 sales.

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simulationdaily.com
CrimsonWing6947d ago

Expect sh*t to slow down if prices aren’t kept in check.

Redgrave47d ago

Who downvotes the truth?

Even PSN itself is too damn high.jpg

S2Killinit47d ago

Gamepass is already at 20$ per month if im not mistaken.

toxic-inferno47d ago

@neutralgamer1992

Not all of us. I'm a big PlayStation fan, and have been since the PSOne. But I can't begin to defend what's happening currently.

At least Nintendo release a large number of games from their major franchises. Sony is just not banking on their established franchises, and yet are raising prices. Not great.

S2Killinit47d ago

Im pretty sure we are going to see a price increase for PRO. I mean think about it, its currently cheaper than xbox series x! That cannot last.

Eonjay47d ago

I'm absolutely sure we will not see a price increase. I don't think we should 'expect' to see price increase because it just adds validity to what Nintendo and Microsoft have done.

darthv7246d ago (Edited 46d ago )

Sorry to pop that bubble but the Pro is not cheaper than a series x... generally speaking (like you are). It is cheaper than one specific version, and doing so by not including the optical drive and stand like the X has by default.

So keep on trying to convince people you are right when everyone knows it's quite the opposite. A stock Pro is $699.99 and a stock X is $599.99. A special edition galactic black 2tb X is $729.99. And if you really want to compare apples to apples... adding the aforementioned optical drive and stand brings that Pro to $809.97 and then they would be on equal footing.

Twisting truths to fit a narrative... I expect better from you S2.

S2Killinit46d ago (Edited 46d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. And the series X with 2TB is more expensive. Which in my opinion is insane conseidering how much more powerful the PRO is. The PS5PRO does not need a stand, it can be used without a stand.

TheKingKratos47d ago

So the Pro is not offering any push in sales at all ?

CrashMania47d ago

It's still an expensive, niche product ultimately. And they exceeded their sales projections for units sold by half a million.

lawox47d ago

"18.5 million units have been shipped during the full fiscal year. This is actually ahead of the 18 million units target set by the company."

They beat their yearly estimate. It's not broken down by device, but it's clearly performing well enough. Since it's been released it's consistently been the second best selling SKU on Amazon only after the the Slim with disc.

47d ago
Bathyj47d ago

18 million a year is in the toilet?
I remember when 10 was considered good
Hell Microsoft would take that right now.
Probably pay $100b for it.

47d ago
BeHunted47d ago

If their profits fall next quarter, we'll probably see more price hikes. I can't imagine having to pay £20 a month for PlayStation Plus.

S2Killinit47d ago

I think gamepass is already paying that much.

47d ago
drivxr47d ago (Edited 47d ago )

Decline in hardware sales.
Behind on lifetime sales and decline in first party sales.
Third party content and PSN came through to save the day.
Things will improve starting with the next Ghost game.

Hopefully a steady flow of first party content by end of '25

rlow147d ago (Edited 47d ago )

I guess you get downvoted for stating facts from Sony’s own lips. What I’m curious about is what their top games of the year were and how much Xbox games contributed to the increase?

CrashMania47d ago

Well, generally 3rd party publisher games contribute the most anyway, so no different to capcom, EA and so on contributing to this figure.

lawox47d ago

That's because the report is actually really good.

They beat the console sales estimate that they set last year March, they have increased users both due to the record numbers of PS4 users and strong PS5 sales which is leading to great profits in sales and user spend.

This report is about the financial health of the PlayStation brand and as a platform PlayStation is stronger than ever. Heck they even have Microsoft putting their biggest franchises on the platform.

47d ago
S2Killinit46d ago (Edited 46d ago )

Well, the facts in the article are positive. Nothing wrong with his comment, but in my opinion it doesn't correctly indicate all the facts and nuances that give context to the reality of things. I downvoted for that only.

Make sense?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 46d ago
Lightning7747d ago

This is exactly what happened to Xbox year's ago. They had no first party and started seeing decline in 1st party sales, which effected their third party games which eventually effected their console sales. A slow decline across the board.

Calm down PS fans I'm not saying PS is becoming like old Xbox. I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. Look how Xbox finally has compelling first party and things are on a up swing(despite years going on a downswing). I know thanks to PS releases which helps a ton, (which is why Xbox hardware only dropped 6% instead of 30+% like it usually does) The point still stands despite what Genz Trends may go, first party and compelling games sell hardware and software still. Sony's financial quarter is an example of this, of what lower First party output looks like.

No matter they'll be right back on track in due time any time especially with DS2 (not my type of game but I know many like it) and Yotei. They're not Xbox and let things get bad for so many years on end.

crazyCoconuts47d ago

"I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. "
First party is mostly relevant for the sole purpose of creating EXCLUSIVES that are needed to stay competitive. With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important. PlayStation as a platform now has free reign to profit without the high expense of needing exclusive first party titles.

red2tango47d ago

Sony has been very lazy with 1st party games compared to the PS4 era. And even the PS4 era was nothing compared to the PS3 era in terms of games.

S2Killinit46d ago (Edited 46d ago )

We have Ghost and Intergalactic coming. And then Marathon which is not exclusive to PlayStation. I think Covid and that chip shortage put a speedbump in game development because game manufacturers dont want even more risk that their game will arrive to too little hardware, but the games are starting to show up.

Lightning7747d ago

"With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important."

Absolutely not. If that was the case then Nintendo would put Mario on Sega Genesis and Sonic on Super Nintendo. I know things are way different 30+ years later but not much has really changed in terms of exclusives and their impact on hardware. Especially early in the console life cycle.

Sony made all the money this quarter handover fist. Profits isn't a issue for them right now. I was just saying lower hardware sales and lower first party sales will hurt them or any console manufacturer of they don't have the compelling games in the long run. Just like it hurt Xbox. IF Sony keeps up not having lower first part output. Which we know they're not.

crazyCoconuts47d ago

Well no big exclusives in the last two years yet PS is doing great. What are people gonna do? Buy an Xbox?

S2Killinit46d ago

I agree with you. But they have had plenty of exclusives so far. Has it been ideal? Nope. I have a feeling we are seeing a resurgence with the effects of covid and that chip shortage now behind us.

Lightning7747d ago

No it's just like 360 where they had no games yet ppl still bought it because they sold ppl on the games early on that gen the fans were locked in and invested. They were riding the good will and was dubbed the shooter, racer box. The games dried up and they never recovered from it which hurt them in the long run. Same here with PS they still make the big bucks because they had games early on and the fans locked in and will continue to lock in for a little while longer despite lacking in first party.

S2Killinit46d ago (Edited 46d ago )

I agree. But the problem with xbox was that for some crazy reason MS thought game development wasnt all that important to a platform holder. They literally did not fund games with their own studios. When they lost marketshare they couldnt justify paying for exclusives with large install bases making it too expensive. That is not the scenario with PlayStation.

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