PSP Minis is one of the big reasons why I'm looking forward to the PSPgo, especially with Sony promising huge freedom of development and easy approval. Despite the much-lauded freedoms, however, it appears that Minis will be subject to some pretty tight restrictions, such as a lack of multiplayer, and the inability to provide download content or updates. Sony, however, is claiming that these regulations are somehow a good thing.
"When you look at it from a testing perspective, you have to do more QA. [Allowing wireless multiplayer, DLC and updates] would defeat the purpose of having a dedicated service for smaller content," explains Sony's Justin Cooney. "It increases the barriers. From our perspective, if we're going to reduce the time it takes to get through our internal process, it helps that we don't have to check multiplayer features."
Multiplayer will only be allowed for people "taking turns" with a single PSP, but that, to be honest, sucks. It seems that Sony is intent on dampening the benefits of the PSPgo, first by revealing that downloadable games will cost the same as retail ones, and now by severely gimping PSP Minis. It's almost as if Sony can't have one good idea without also having two bad ones.
The only real positive is that Minis will be able to launch quicker, but now that we know they can't be patched, perhaps customers may not be as quick to drop the dollars. Seriously, Sony, if you're really intent on fighting Apple, you really need to get your sh*t together.
Contest:
10:40 AM on 09.17.2009
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Although, I agree that they should not be limiting the options they have with the minis. Multiplayer, DLC, and updates are all good ideas. Maybe they'll change this policy when some hit game comes out that would be better with multiplayer.
Thats pretty shitty.
But no multiplayer or DLC????? you lost me on that one sony.
Shame, because I was looking forward to what Sony was going to do with the PSPgo Minis.
As far as the downloadable games prices go, it's definitely sucky, but isn't so bad when compared to Steam in Europe when games are routinely 5-10 euros more.
It's not necessarily aimed at reducing the QA effort on the development side, it's reducing the necessary QA effort on the Sony side during certification - therefore it'll be on the PSN Store much quicker.
But charging full price for (non-PSP Mini) downloadable games? I'm not a fan - especially because the downloadable model doesn't seem to support sales or dropping prices over time the way retail packages do.
That makes more sense.
However I'd rather have a game that took a month longer to reach me and had multiplayer than a game of that got to me quickly and I can't play multiplayer on.
If devs wanted to get a Mini through quick by not including multiplayer, they could submit the game to Sony as such and Sony could reduce their QA accordingly. They shouldn't put a barrier on that choice.
I can't believe Sony would do this. No way will this be able to compete with the App Store. Maybe DSiWare. I mean I have like three MMOs on my phone right now that utlize GPS, mics, and motion control. The least Sony could do was have sone PSP-to-PSP multiplayer. And no updates? Dude you know how many Apps come out the gate broken? Updates are the only thing that saves the App Store.
I'm surprised how Sony can still stand, given one of its feet keeps continually receiving self-inflicted bullet wounds and the other foot is perpetually planted in their mouth.
Kutaragi would have never stood for this.
@Xzyliac
I don't think competing with the iPhone for gaming would even be an issue if they didn't already try to make it enemy number one.
That said, iPhone has a checkmate on them for games--since it allows DLC AND multiplayer, both ad-hoc and online.
XBLA's size restrictions and price points have been adjusted several times.
...who I've already thrown $30 for roughly 30 great games.
PSP Minis has freedom? Bull shit!
Oh look a switch.
"EMO: Flip in event of calamity"
Sorry not emo today! I has Scribblenauts hat!
- Also, "Release the bees" = made me LMAO
You Rang?