PSP GO...AWAY!

Written by Administrator Thursday, 03 September 2009 11:51

So this is it, the PSP GO. Doesn't look that scary does it? I bet you're thinking that it's just another handheld, a successor to the PSP-3000 perhaps. Well, you'd be wrong. This little device is in fact a successor to the current model PSPs but it's so much more than that, and that's not a good thing. No this little device has big dreams and grand hopes of being purchased by millions of people like many other devices but it also has an alterior motive. What!?! We're not supposed to talk about that. I'll probably be getting a letter from Sony for this very blog post. What Sony doesn't want you to know and to catch on to is that this device will change everything related to the video game industry. How is that possible you might ask. Well, now that's what I’m here to tell you.

So here’s some information about the PSP GO. The first thing you need to know is that it is being designed from the ground up to not use any discs or cartridge or any other type of medium. This little sucker is completely medium free and will be download only. Sounds great, right? No having to keep up with discs or worry about scratches. These are all things that Sony wants you to focus on while sidestepping the main issue. The main issue is you, the gamer. What's in your best interest? Unfortunately, Sony isn't considering what you want but instead telling you what you want. Do you want a device that never has a scratched game? Sure you do. Do you want a device that can automatically store all of your favorite games, music, movies, etc.? Sure you do. Do you want a device that restructures how you purchase games and makes your purchases non sellable or tradable for other games. Sure you.....say what!?! Without discs or some type of physical medium you don't actually have or own anything. You simply are borrowing the ability to play that said game on your new nifty device. You can't trade it in after you beat it, you can't sell it if it sucks, your stuck with your purchase. Sure there will be free demos but who can say that a 20 minute demo gives them the complete game experience. No my friends, the PSP GO, if successful will change everything about video games and the video game industry.

Here's the even bigger picture. The PSP GO is the ultimate testing device for a new era, digital distribution. If the PSP GO is successful then what do you think the next PS is going to push even more than it already is...digital distribution. It's o.k. to offer smaller, cheaper, network games via Playstation Network or Xbox Live but only on the side. When digital distribution becomes a standard then we have problems. With digital distribution the publisher can decide to charge however much they like for a title. With the current retail system publishers have to be competitive with each other. The must sell games to pay for development and in order to sell games they must be competitive. If digital distribution is the standard then it won't take very long at all to pay for development seeing that they aren't shipping it out or packaging it or doing anything except putting it up for download. One development is covered they will be able to alter pricing as much as they feel.

What it all boils down to is money. Publishers feel like with the massive used video game market in place they are missing a lot of sales and could potentially be making a lot more money. What they don't realize is that not everyone has $60 to drop on the latest Madden and some might even like to trade in a couple of games to soften the blow of shelling out that much for a game that is released every year. Used games serve a purpose. The purpose of used games is to keep people playing games and to introduce new players to gaming without having to spend so much up front. Where do you think all the used games come from in the first place...NEW GAMES! It's crazy I know, all used games were once new games and the publishers have already made that money but they aren't satisfied, they want even more.

So here's the breakdown:

Sony PSP GO comes out > if successful, paves the way for digital distribution > your new digital purchases are useless for trade and/or buyback > you spend more money on less games > retail store go out of business because they have no need > you are at the mercy of the publisher and what they want to charge > no more sharing of games, no more trading games, no more renting games

I urge each and every one of you to go out and read about the pros and cons of digital distribution and how companies like Sony would love to see used game stores go away. The PSP GO is the first of its kind, a 100% digital distribution game platform. Hopefully you'll think twice about purchasing one.

This entire entry is just my opinion and that's my right because this is my blog. Thanks for reading! -Craig