One of the best things about digital games is that they lack the cost of physical production, packaging and shipping, ultimately meaning that they cost less to create and should therefore cost less to purchase. Unless of course, you're Microsoft and Sony, who instead believe that downloads should cost exactly the same at retail.
It's been discovered that the PSP will not be offering downloadable versions of retail games at a reduced price, with the revelation that Gran Turismo will cost $39.99 for both physical and digital copies. The same goes for Persona's PSP release, which will also cost $39.99 on both fronts. We knew Persona's price previously, and Gran Turismo seems to confirm that this is going to be the standard.
This is, to put it politely, complete and utter bullsh*t. This reduces the appeal of the digital-only PSPgo even more than ever, with customers now expected to pay the same amount of money for a product that doesn't have a box or manual. Even worse, this is something that Sony Computer Entertainment America has introduced off its own back. In Japan, downloadable games are being sold at a discount. For some reason, SCEA decided we don't deserve the same treatment.
In the case of Persona, not only will the physical UMD come with its own packaging, but consumers will also get a two-disc soundtrack as a free bonus. Those downloading the game get f*ck all. In fact, you can even buy the physical copy of Persona on Amazon for $36.99, making it cheaper than the downloadable copy.
Absolute crap like this just makes the PSPgo look like a scam, and does absolutely nothing to promote the benefits of downloadable games.Why the hell should we download, when we're paying the same amount of cash for less content?
That's simply pathetic, Sony.
Contest:
6:40 PM on 09.03.2009
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Unless the Persona PSP pack (and the GT stuff, if it comes with extra stuff) is not a limited edition, which I kinda think it is.
Oh man, that just made my point more frustrating that it was intended to be.
MAKE PHYSICAL STUFF REGULAR PRICE MAKE DIGITAL STUFF A TAD MORE CHEAP.
There. Better. I think.
I'm sticking with my Slim.
And my not-hacked 1000.
The pspGo! is a ripoff and a joke. The only thing I am HONESTLY excited about are the minis which can be... wait for it... downloaded on all versions.
I don't see how this is anything new. You thought they WEREN'T going to keep the prices the same?
I don't see how this is anything new. You thought they WEREN'T going to keep the prices the same?
Xzyliac- No, you're not crazy. I feel the same way.
But there's also the possibility of Sony only using this pricing scheme in highly anticipated titles like GT or Persona 3 with "regular titles" being cheaper in its digital form, we'll just have to wait and see..
I just don't see why you would expect them to lower the prices all of a sudden.
I would like to suggest that.
Nah, not really. Is that a common accusation against him?
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Anyway, yeah, the lack of a pricing difference is a bit upsetting. Even a $5.00 diff would be adequate.
Like Jim mentions in the article, SCEJ does offer downloadable games for less than retail price. So yeah, we all thought that SCEA would follow their example.
Everything about the PSPgo has seemed restrictive and disabling to me. As of right now, I honestly can't think of a single reason why anyone would buy one over a PSP-3000.
Not that common, especially since most trolls have been weeded from Destructoid, but this is a situation where that opinion would be quite idiotic indeed.
That being said, go to hell Sony. If digital distribution truly is the "future" (and I pray to God it isn't), then give us a reason to change.
I'd rather have the physical media, which I can run on any hardware I want, or (gasp!) loan it to a friend.
Stop acting like a software company and make a profitable system so you're not dependent on a big cut from software!
I am seriously considering a change of heart (getting my fifty bucks back from my local game store).
I kinda knew that this was going to be the case, but I guess I felt somewhere in the back of my head that Downloaded games would be discounted for the obvious reasons.......or at the absolute least include some pretty nice downloadable additions......
So, what Sony is basically saying is; fuck you consumer, pay 40 bucks for it at the store, or pay 40 bucks on the psn
At the store I get a physical copy (which I can actually resell) with a box and a manual.
And on PSN I get nothing but a game, which, I might add....if it sucks or you tire of it, youre stuck with it.......
Sony needs to do something about this or I say we boycott this shit and stick with your original psps.
In all fairness, Patapon II launched at 19.99, thats a great price for a new psp game........forty bucks for a downloadable game is fucked, no matter which way you slice it.....
I think that the pricing for it is just BS.
Games for windows live is a rip off, what with its monopoly money, and this stardock you speak of i have never once heard of.
Whats being said here is there should be some inherant benifits to going digital instead of hard copy, and for the above stated reasons (games cost the same, no added content) is why most of these digital distributors will fail.
No, but those looking forward to what the PSPgo and downloadable games had to offer are now severely disappointed. The fact is, I was VERY willing to give downloadable games a shot. I welcomed the idea, in fact. Now, I am not interested. I'm not paying full retail price for a file.
1: PSPgo will no doubt be hacked within the first couple weeks of its release. Then go steal some games. I would suggest against that, because you kinda fudge everyone that way.
2: You can download things from the PS3 store, so, if you want the cheaper games, get a japanese psn account, buy a japanese psn card from amazon or ebay or whatever, and buy the japanese versions. Granted, things like persona and other rpgs will be boned, but platformers, racers, etc. will suffer little.
3: Just don't buy them. Get a psp-1000/2000/3000 and get the physical copies of the games. If you are hellbent on getting a PSPgo, only use it to buy the console exclusive titles, which will no doubt be cheaper.
Tons of options, all will send the message to Sony. Choose wisely.
Oh come on, you actually believed Sony would let a downloadable game be cheaper? I mean look at the PSPgo's price? Look at the fact that besides it's form factor, lack of UMD, and bluetooth it's not worth it's 249.99 'fee'. A unswappable battery that gets 5 hours play time like regular PSP's do with UMD games?
You think it's bad now? I already felt it was bad before, and it's possible things are gonna get worse.
Since a price like that would make going all digital more worthwhile, while more than likely causing no threat to retailers.
The screen on my PSP Slim broke and I was going to buy a PSPGO. But with no exchange plan and this bullshit looks like my days with the PSP are over.
digital distro, weeeeee!