SCEA: No exchange option for UMD to digital yet

[mike79]

I just read on IGN that they will not have the rewards program in the US. That is terrible. They said they have two separate marketing programs and there is nothing planned for the US.

http://psp.ign.com/articles/102/1028321p1.html

As much as I want this PSP Go, and have it pre-ordered and mostly paid for, it really seems like Sony is trying to talk me out of it. I mean, there aren't many games to download right now that I even want.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by mike79

I just read on IGN that they will not have the rewards program in the US. That is terrible. They said they have two separate marketing programs and there is nothing planned for the US.

http://psp.ign.com/articles/102/1028321p1.html

As much as I want this PSP Go, and have it pre-ordered and mostly paid for, it really seems like Sony is trying to talk me out of it. I mean, there aren't many games to download right now that I even want.

No, they didn't say they wouldn't. they said, they haven't come up with a solution because of copyright issues..

[mike79]

Ok, but this thing comes out in 1 week. How could they not have this figured out by now.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by mike79

Ok, but this thing comes out in 1 week. How could they not have this figured out by now.

copyright issues...

Playstation Portable owners will not be able to transfer the disc-based UMD games they own to a PSPgo when the sleek new digital-only system launches next week, Sony officials told Kotaku today.

"We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time," a Sony Computer Entertainment of America spokesman told Kotaku.

The $250 PSPgo has no UMD drive, instead relying fully on an Internet connection to purchase, download and install games onto the system's harddrive or removable memory.

At this year's E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Sony Computer Entertainment officials said that they hoped to have a plan in place to allow UMD games to be transferred over to the PSPgo by the launch of the system.

"We are looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions," Sony Computer Entertainment's Brian Keltner told Kotaku at the time. "It's something we are still hammering out the details. As soon as we have solid plans in place we will make an announcement."

One of the rumored plans involved Sony installing kiosks in retail stores which would allow gamers to turn their UMD games into digital ones. Recently a Dutch and Australian retailer said they would not be carrying the PSPgo.

While the ability to transfer already owned copies of UMD games to the PSPgo could likely have a large impact on whether current Playstation Portable owners would buy the system, it's unlikely it would impact gamers new to Sony's portable offerings.

During the Tokyo Game Show Sony unveiled new peripherals for the PSPgo, dropped the price of the Playstation Portable in Japan and announced the launch of a program that would free games to people in Europe who upgrade from the PSP to the PSPgo.

http://kotaku.com/5367207/sony-nixes...yline=true&s=x

[cajmoyper]

I'm going to have to agree with Mike79 here. They should have already ironed out the details on this one. They should have had it done when they announced the program. And now I'm reading over at engadget that Sony may be charging $5 more for games than retailers would charge for a UMD because Go users aren't going to have any options. Shady indeed...

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I'm going to have to agree with Mike79 here. They should have already ironed out the details on this one. They should have had it done when they announced the program. And now I'm reading over at engadget that Sony may be charging $5 more for games than retailers would charge for a UMD because Go users aren't going to have any options. Shady indeed...

They never said they were going to do this, its been speculation... how can they iron out the details on something that was never really announced...

[partridge]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...amme-for-pspgo

Sony can't exchange UMD's for digital downloads; legal and technical reasons

PSPgo may be doomed from the start; some retailers won't stock it, games are expensive, console is expensive, no exchange option for existing PSP owners.

It's not looking good.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by partridge

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...amme-for-pspgo

Sony can't exchange UMD's for digital downloads; legal and technical reasons

PSPgo may be doomed from the start; some retailers won't stock it, games are expensive, console is expensive, no exchange option for existing PSP owners.

It's not looking good.

On a positive note he doesn't say that it will never happen, just at this time it isn't possible.

"We were evaluating a UMD conversion programme, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the programme at this time," a spokesman has told Kotaku, as reported by Eurogamer.

Also I already beat all of my UMD titles and for ones that I want to play again I'll just buy them again from the PSN Store and move on.

[aygie]

I'm still going to get one, i use my PSP more as a media player anyway and the PSPgo suits that great, plus i've finished all the games i have.

[BlackLightShark009]

From what i've heard the pspgo is not an attempt to replace the current psp. I guess is more for people to use for movies or whatever.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by BlackLightShark009

From what i've heard the pspgo is not an attempt to replace the current psp. I guess is more for people to use for movies or whatever.

yeah exactly, its totally a baby footstep in the digital download only domain and Sony is testing the waters.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by aygie

yeah exactly, its totally a baby footstep in the digital download only domain and Sony is testing the waters.

Also Sony is not forcing anyone to replace their current PSP with a PSP Go as all games available for the PSP Go are going to be available for older PSP models, just they'll have to have a memory stick to store it on.

I'll just feel more comfortable with my PSP Go once they start making more announcements to what games will be available on the PSN Store on its release.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by partridge

some retailers won't stock it

From what I can tell, very few retailers aren't stocking it and wherever you live, it's not difficult to find the PSPgo.

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

I see no reason why those games cant be $3-$5 less than MSRP.

Unhappy retail is a pretty obvious reason for this.

What publishers need to do (assuming it's possible) is regularly drop the SRP/RRP closer to what retail is selling for so it's always reasonably close.

[Mr.White]

I'm sticking with my old fashioned gray PSP, I like the UMD discs myself. Just my to pennies!

[Sylin]

I have a 3000 with about 10 games on UMD and I love it... no intent of "side-grading" to the Go. Recently put 32gb of memory into my 3000, so I've got room to spare.

What I was hoping for was that Sony would let us mail in our UMD's or proof of purchase and get vouchers for digital downloads. Yes, I have a PSP with a UMD drive, but digital games always seem more nimble. Less load times... less stuff to carry around during travel. It would've been nice to get the digital version as an option for games like GoW: CoO, WipEout and Hot Shots Golf, but I can live with the UMD's.

For future games, tho, getting a digital copy vs. a UMD will strictly be a matter of price for me.

Sony mentioned wanting to have around 300 PSP games available for download by the time the Go ships. Not sure if that's still realistic, but they certainly are ramping up distribution. It's a positive sign.

Unfortunately, the costs still seem high. Just look at Hot Shots Golf 2. You can buy the UMD new for $16, with used copies around $5-10. Last I checked, it was $23 on the PSN Store. Meh. No thanks. Given that there's no printed manual, or case, or overhead, or shipping costs, or manufacturing necessary, there's no reason a digital game should cost MORE than its UMD equivalent, IMO.

Here's a thought: why not make it so you can do a full install of a UMD game? Fast load times. No need to carry the disc.

NIS America is doing a good thing by putting a lot of their digital games on a 50% off sale during October. That's also a great idea, IMO. I hope other publishers follow suit.

[shadows4545]

I was on the fence about getting a GO, but this news is just too unbearable to ignore.
No second analog stick, smaller screen, no backwards compatibility, bigger price point, not able to switch extra batteries on long trips.

I say No GO

[supercutz]

Originally Posted by partridge

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...amme-for-pspgo

Sony can't exchange UMD's for digital downloads; legal and technical reasons

PSPgo may be doomed from the start; some retailers won't stock it, games are expensive, console is expensive, no exchange option for existing PSP owners.

It's not looking good.

PSPGo = DOA

In my opinion, of course. I was already disappointed by Sony's price gouging but now that Sony is having legal and technical issues delivering a UMD transfer program for PSPGo buyers, there's really no incentive to go PSPGo over just PSP.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by supercutz

PSPGo = DOA

In my opinion, of course. I was already disappointed by Sony's price gouging but now that Sony is having legal and technical issues delivering a UMD transfer program for PSPGo buyers, there's really no incentive to go PSPGo over just PSP.

Some people don't have a PSP at all yet so it really makes no difference to them. So you're saying there's few people without a PSP already, interested in download-games, even with the strongest lineup of new full games PSP's ever had plus minis, video and comic content.

Just because it doesn't appeal to you, doesn't mean it's DoA. Same with the hardware changes listed in the first post of this thread.

Example: some may prefer the half-inch larger screen, I'd rather have the higher PPI crispness, minor PSP-3000 scanlines issue resolved and best contrast.

[king_patrick_7]

It's a bit of fail by Sony... that'd be like if the new slim PS3's couldnt play any pre-existing PS3 games that you had.

It is a positive that you don't have to carry around UMD's if you're traveling or something, but at the same time people who have a ton of games may be less liable to upgrade to the GO

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Some people don't have a PSP at all yet so it really makes no difference to them. So you're saying there's few people without a PSP already, interested in download-games, even with the strongest lineup of new full games PSP's ever had plus minis, video and comic content.

Just because it doesn't appeal to you, doesn't mean it's DoA. Same with the hardware changes listed in the first post of this thread.

Example: some may prefer the half-inch larger screen, I'd rather have the higher PPI crispness, minor PSP-3000 scanlines issue resolved and best contrast.

I think that I'll stop trying. Its almost like a political debate now and not about the facts.