Q&A: Sony's John Koller Talks PSP's Downloadable Future

[xtop]

http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/03/...ys-john-k.html

its way long so i'll just throw up a couple of quotes

Wired.com: The big story these days is iPhone, DSiWare, downloadable content on portable gaming systems. So let's start off with an overview of where Sony is right now with downloadable games on PSP.

John Koller: Holistically, the idea of digital distribution fits into the world as we go forward. Not to say that retail isn't of extreme importance, because it is. But the idea of offering content to consumers, to make it easy, you can wake up in the morning, download something and go, it's very appealing. So one of our big pushes this year is to be sure that the right kind of content and the right kind of games in particular are placed on the PlayStation Network for download on the PSP.

We've been engaged in a wide range of conversations with publishers over the last year, year and a half about software and games overall on the PSP. One significant topic that hasn't necessarily been covered a lot is inclusion of digital copies of the games that they're launching on [Universal Media Discs, or] UMDs. In the back half of this year, we should see a good rise in the amount of content that comes to PSN for the PSP. We're aware that most of the content thus far has been for PlayStation 3, and that's based on the usage model and who has been demanding that content. But as we continue, and there's more of a desire from the consumer for PSP content, we're going to really increase the size and amount of content that's available.

Wired.com: Sony's mentioned putting more classic PSone games on the store for download. There are only a few available now. Will we see more, and maybe classic games from other consoles?

Koller: Yeah, I mean, we're looking at a variety of options right now. The big goal for us is content, as I mentioned earlier. Whether that's increasing content for PSone titles, and that's certainly something we've been trying to make a push for over the last year or so, or looking at other content options. There's been a lot discussed about whether it could be content from other past platforms, or whether it could be our own content. We're looking at a variety of options. For the PSN experience, particularly for PSP, it's certainly a different demographic than the PS3 -- there's a little bit of a shorter attention span with that teen consumer -- we want to make sure that there's content there that appeals to that consumer.

There's a big push in a variety of areas for what kind of content we put up there. It could be co-UMD digital distribution launches, it could be PSone, it could be a variety of other pieces of the puzzle. And I also think that I should mention the fact that you can go onto the PSN now and download movies and TV shows through the video download service. That's something we're looking to ensure is marketed appropriately this year. If you're a consumer and you want to download a movie before you go to class or before you go on a trip, it's simple to do so. As the content expands there, we look at that as being a significant area of growth.

i dunno..it still sounds like sony doesn't get it. promises promises promises

Wired.com: What, then, of the rumor that Sony will unveil a PSP without a UMD drive later this year?

Koller: I can't really comment on that other than to reiterate the fact that the digital side of things for us on PSP is really important. With the PSP-3000, it's a product that can either download content or use UMD. And I think that showcases our view of the content world over the next few years. PSP is a high-margin platform for us. And we look at the big rush of software that's coming as driving a lot of business. Whether it's sales on UMD or digital, we're happy with both.

Wired.com: So I have iTunes open on my computer right now. When I want to download a game, it's very easy for me to do. It syncs to my iPod in two seconds. With PSP, I don't have software open that's throwing new games in front of my face. And I don't have ease of use. To download a PSP game is to go through a whole series of steps that may or may not include upgrading my firmware. It seems like the entire ecosystem needs an overhaul to really bring it into the digital distribution age. Agree or disagree?

Koller: We agree, and we're working on some solutions now to aid that process. We can't afford to fall off if someone doesn't want to go through that process to purchase a game. That's something that we'll be working on to fix and rectify this year, sooner rather than later. The entire mobile platform is culturally coming into its own. This year in particular is going to be a big year for handhelds, and PSP is going to be a big part of that.