280°

It’s Official, The PSPgo Is Dead

Kotaku writes: "Today Sony Computer Entertainment confirmed yesterday's rumor that its digital-only portable the PSPgo was going out of production.

The Tokyo-based electronics giant told Japanese website AV Watch that new PSPgo units would no longer be manufactured or shipped "in order to concentrate on the NGP". The remaining PSPgo stock, however, will continued to be sold until it's gone."

4755d ago Replies(8)
coryok4755d ago

having 5 consoles being manufactured simultaneously was too many for sony huh? lol

i bet the regular psp will continue to sell for many more years, just like ps2 did. they gotta have something for developing countries to buy!

paintsville4754d ago

Sony just had too many irons in the fire and IMO people aren't ready for digital only games. They want something tangible for their money. I'm one of them.

zootang4754d ago

@paints

Try and tell that to steam members.

jeseth4754d ago

I'm the same way .. . while I do buy DLC add ons sometimes, I always buy the physical product. There's no way to replace the feeling of buying and opening up a new game!

gamingdroid4754d ago

I don't think the digital only part was the problem. It had more to do with the abysmal support Sony gave the PSP Go and that is after you were insulted with their price tag.

a) Many games weren't released on time and then some weren't even released on the PSP Go like Sony promised.

b) The price difference between PSP-3000 and PSP Go, yet the PSP Go was the neutered portable. It's no wonder the PSP-3000 continues to be sold while the PSP Go is out!

The question now is what is going to happen to all the people that bought PSP Go? Will it continue to get the "abysmal" support or be completely forgotten now....

DaTruth4754d ago

The problem was that everybody that would want a PSP, already had one with disk games.

Everybody like me got one because we only had 2 disk games and always wanted a smaller PSP... a portable system with portable games and not a sack of games and a giant hulking thing that doesn't fit in your pocket!

darthv724754d ago

why would you think it wouldnt continue to get support? I ask because at the heart it IS a psp after all. Every new FW update and mini that gets released...the go can use.

Every game that is put on psn and demo for the psp...the go can use.

Also i wouldnt call it the "neutered" psp. It really lacked only one thing. The UMD which is a good thing if you think about it. You are right in that sony did a bad job of convincing people to switch to the go. Pricing not only of the hardware but the software was not thought out right.

If they did follow through with their proposed plan to offer digital trade in's of games would have been something at least. I use the go more than my regular psp because of the convenience of have all my digital games right there.

A good unit with bad marketing and no confidence from the parent company. I like the bluetooth feature. I plug mine into a dock and play games on the tv using a spare sixaxis controller. The only other times where you could do that with the original psp was in the game resistance for the psp. You had to have both the ps3 and psp version and you needed the ps3 on in order to keep the controller link working.

The other way was a modification to the unit itself to make it work with a special dock that a ps2 ds2 controller and memory card plugged into. Expensive as .... to have done but still cool none the less.

gamingdroid4754d ago (Edited 4754d ago )

"why would you think it wouldnt continue to get support? I ask because at the heart it IS a psp after all. Every new FW update and mini that gets released...the go can use."

I would turn around and ask you why do you think PSP Go would get future support when it hasn't really had support WHILE IT WAS BEING SOLD in-stores when Sony actually had a real motivation?

Now there is even less of a reason to support PSP Go (albeit there is overlap with PSP-3000). Personally, I have no confidence that Sony will do PSP Go owners justice!

darthv724753d ago (Edited 4753d ago )

It is simple really. Anything released for the psp (in general) digitally would not be restricted to just the 2000/3000 or 1000 series for that matter.

The original 1000 has less memory than the rest and every title released is meant to work. The fact the go is all digital doesnt change that. You are making it seem that simply because it lacks a umd that sony would find a way to lock out support for it.

Like i said before. The heart of the go IS the same as any other PSP. Im not sure what you think of as support. I know it didnt get the marketing and sales promotions but it certainly got the same digital games support as all the rest.

The only way for the go to really be kicked to the curb is if sony stopped releasing content on the ps store. We both know that isnt going to happen because they have seen an increase in digital distribution and the $$$ it brings in.

The go wasnt meant to replace the umd units..at least not the original intention. It was a convenience type of system. They just didnt price the content to more real world values as time progressed. Then again, the go isnt the only one to suffer that consequence either. The other units that are able to download content are just as stuck in that same boat.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4753d ago
saladthieves4754d ago

Damn...this has to be one of Sony's shortest lived devices. They didn't even make it to their 3rd birthday. :(

HobbsCanuck4753d ago

I got my PSPgo on boxing day for 150$, and it came with the 3 games. I guess thats not a bad deal. I'm kinda ticked that Sony already dropped the Go, but I expected that. At least the NGP isnt coming out for a while, so it doesnt feel like a huge loss... for me

supremacy4755d ago

Before this gets out of hand i will quickly say that the original psp will still be around and is a very profitable platform. With a solid library of games.

Its reasonably cheap and is doing mighty well in japan, in addition to this.

It is likely that Sony keeps it around even a little after the ngp hits store shelves this fall. Reason being is Sony i am sure will try and get may of its games digitaltize so they can be compatible with the ngp.

darthv724754d ago

the games coming to retail are also being released on psn. So not only the original psp but the go will continue to get games because they are one and the same. Just one doesnt have a umd drive. A fair trade I might add, going digital isnt bad at all. Just their pricing on games needs to be more reflective of real world prices. Especially for older titles when newer ones get released.

If gamestop can cut prices on new games (not just used ones), sony can too on the digital versions.

floetry1014755d ago (Edited 4755d ago )

The PSPGo was misguided, poorly marketed and somewhat premature when it was announced so it doesn't really surprise me. I'm not sure I know anyone that actually owns the Go or felt the need to pick one up if they already had the PSP3000.

There is no question that the NGP will be better recieved.

RedPawn4755d ago

Well said, I just picked up FFIV complete yesterday.

+1

Blaine4755d ago

I own a Go, and love it (although the ergonomics could be improved), but I agree with your comment.

Main problem with the thing, though, has ALWAYS been lack of digitally available games. No Crisis Core, WTF? And many other AAA PSP titles are also missing.

floetry1014755d ago

@RedPawn, I'll most definitely be picking up FFIV as well.

@Blaine, I didn't know that Crisis Core wasn't released digitally on it. Obviously that's a disappointment considering it's a flagship title and one of the best ever released on the platform.

It makes you wonder what the purpose of the device was initially and I think they would have benefited from starting the NGP earlier and perhaps dropping the Go (not discounting the fact that you enjoy it of course).

RedPawn4755d ago

@Floetry

Good stuff, FFIV is actually my fav FF.

darthv724754d ago

the availability of a digital version was left up to the developer/publisher. Square has some games in digital form on psn for all psp's to download but they pick and choose which ones are available.

Really old games would likely not be available but generally the newer ones are being released in both formats. Still...that is the decision of the publisher and sony to make that call.

Sometimes they have specials on games. I downloaded killzone liberation for $10. Same with Dante inferno.

LoneWanderer094755d ago

i love my PSP never really got into the PSPGo, but i still love the classic

Show all comments (101)
140°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers20h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken7h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g16h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing16h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H916h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola12h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66915h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle15h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

Show all comments (14)
130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg1d 8h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos1d 8h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola1d 3h ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

Show all comments (8)
280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
ChasterMies21d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken21d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga21d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken21d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6421d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long21d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197221d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic21d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
DivineHand12521d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91321d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer21d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91320d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit20d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 20d ago
Christopher21d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6920d ago (Edited 20d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit20d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher21d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken21d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197221d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic21d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2321d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218321d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder21d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts21d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

Show all comments (43)