So it begins... digital downloads replace UMD

[Sylin]

Just ordered Patapon 2 because it was on the Amazon Video Game Deal of the Day on Tuesday - $13.28.

When the game arrived today, I noticed the case had a sticker stating "Downloadable Game Voucher - No Disc Included".

Kinda sucks that I cannot re-sell this if my kids lose interest in it, but it was such a good price that (in this instance) I really can't complain. Plus, it came with the full case, which, IMO, is sort of a waste of packaging, because all that's inside is the tiny little voucher card.

I know Sony stated they are replacing most games with DDL (digital download) around the time the PSP Go comes out, but I didn't expect to start seeing them so soon.

Does anyone know when this started? Or is there a roll-out list of UMD games being replaced with voucher codes @ retail? When can I start exchanging my other UMD games for downloads?

I noticed on eBay that the UMD versions of Patapon 2 are going for $50. Not quite sure how they justify those prices...

[Marine Mike]

4/13/09

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=94952

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

4/13/09

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=94952

Are the UMD versions of Patapon 2 imports, then?

I guess it just struck me as odd, opening the UMD case and finding no UMD.

So we've got Patapon 2... then Persona is coming with both a UMD and a voucher. Any others?

It's a bit disappointing that we're 2 months past E3, when Sony said they would announce details of their goodwill trade-in program "soon", and yet no news has hit.

Hoping for some news "soon", with details on the program and a list of games good for trade-in.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by Sylin

I know Sony stated they are replacing most games with DDL (digital download) around the time the PSP Go comes out

They didn't.

In order to meet the needs of the growing number of PlayStation®Network users looking for digital entertainment content, SCE along with third party developers and publishers will continue to enhance the content line-up within PlayStation®Store for the launch of PSPgo, scheduled this fall. More and more new and attractive titles will become available for download from PlayStation®Store as well as on UMD. This broad content offering across all genres includes new games, free-demos, PS one® classics for PSP, add-on items for game titles, and trailers.

Things will transition more slowly to PSN-only, starting with the niche titles.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Sylin

Are the UMD versions of Patapon 2 imports, then?

I guess it just struck me as odd, opening the UMD case and finding no UMD.

So we've got Patapon 2... then Persona is coming with both a UMD and a voucher. Any others?

It's a bit disappointing that we're 2 months past E3, when Sony said they would announce details of their goodwill trade-in program "soon", and yet no news has hit.

Hoping for some news "soon", with details on the program and a list of games good for trade-in.

I'm guessing so but America gets no such UMD release oh well at least PSP is region free. Some are only download only like Unbound Saga and coming soon Fate/Unlimited Codes(unless you import the Japanese copy) but America gets no retail copy at all for either 1 of these games. Persona will be better with UMD because you get the 2 cd soundtrack. If you want you could count the Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 retail copy because that's also just a voucher(but not a PSP game though).

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

They didn't.


Things will transition more slowly to PSN-only, starting with the niche titles.

Yeah, that was my mistake/typo. Should have said "offering" instead of "replacing", as I know it's still their intent to still support UMD for now. (After all, the Assassin's Creed PSP 3000 comes out after the Go.)

I like the idea of having the voucher option, tho. Just wish they'd hurry up and announce the program details.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Sylin

Yeah, that was my mistake/typo. Should have said "offering" instead of "replacing", as I know it's still their intent to still support UMD for now. (After all, the Assassin's Creed PSP 3000 comes out after the Go.)

I like the idea of having the voucher option, tho. Just wish they'd hurry up and announce the program details.

I'd like more details on the program as well. Sure they've said that they'll be offering the majority of the previously released UMD titles onto the PSN, but I'd really like to know specifically which ones.

Also the trade-in program, I'd like more information on as well. Heck, we are only 2 months away from the release of the PSP Go.

Though if rumors are true, then they'll be announcing a lot of this stuff at the next gaming convention on the 18th of this month.

[Mr. Al]

I will never trading in my umd collection for downloads.

And they are not discountinuing umd.

[partridge]

That is plain wrong; what if you are buying on UMD because you don't have internet access? Gaming shouldn't be about whether you're online or not!! That's an entirely inappropriate assumption.

This is the main reason retailers don't need to worry; even if you do have the ability to download games; a lot of people prefer the physical version, they shouldn't be forced down the digital route.

[dk3dknight]

With the psp its sorta a mute point you just walk into your favorite coffee shop, grocery store, book store, or Sandwich shop and use there wifi.

I usually steal Dalforts wifi to install updates while im at work.

[sega_smasher]

Originally Posted by partridge

That is plain wrong; what if you are buying on UMD because you don't have internet access? Gaming shouldn't be about whether you're online or not!! That's an entirely inappropriate assumption.

This is the main reason retailers don't need to worry; even if you do have the ability to download games; a lot of people prefer the physical version, they shouldn't be forced down the digital route.

i would agree with you if the iphone/itouch market werent doing as well as it is with its downloads. you can get free internet anywhere now (even schools) so imo thats not a real arguement there.

[DC_Street]

how do the games work? like how do you activate them on the PSP? I might be reading to much into this but it almost makes it seem like you can make as many copies of the game as you want on memory sticks and sell them to other people.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by DC_Street

how do the games work? like how do you activate them on the PSP? I might be reading to much into this but it almost makes it seem like you can make as many copies of the game as you want on memory sticks and sell them to other people.

it's tied to your psn account and if you use 2 accounts on 1 psp you have to switch accounts.