While the lack of physical media for Sony’s PSPgo may be signaling the death-knell for the Universal Media Disc, it may be opening up new doors for developers.
Sources close to game development have told Destructoid that Sony is actively pushing developers to design smaller, “non-retail” games and applications for the PSP. These “non-retail” games and apps would come in priced considerably lower than the traditional retail UMDs and full games made available for download on the PlayStation Network.
We’re told Sony is currently eying a tiered pricing structure for this software, somewhere in the range of two and six dollars. Publishers and developers will also be able to offer free applications on the store as well.
More after the jump.
File sizes are said to be limited to 100 MB, but developers and publishers won’t be limited in other creative ways -- Sony is said to have specifically stated that “non-game apps” and 2D titles are more than welcome.
This new push -- along with an updated PlayStation Store to support the content -- is said to officially be revealed at gamescom, which takes place this August in Cologne, Germany. Developers are being told that games and apps would be available to users as early as Q4.
When we contacted Sony for a response, it couldn’t comment on the details we’d heard, but did reiterate its position on providing more content on the PlayStation Store in the future.
“We are making a concerted push towards expanding the content available on the Store,” Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Al de Leon told us, “particularly with the demand for digital content that will spike when the PSPgo launches this fall. This push includes new titles that are also launching on UMD, PSP catalog titles, PSone classics – double to nearly 60 titles -- and PSN exclusives.”
Additionally, de Leon reminded us of the recent price reduction of PSP development tools.
“The goal with this move,” he said, “is to support development of smaller titles from a broader range of developers and publishers. As part of this effort, we’re also streamlining the development process, including concept approval, licensing, and publishing.”
The idea of smaller, easier-to-develop titles and applications could be what the PSP needs to finally pick up some serious traction. Coupled with bigger budget titles, along with digital and movie content, could be the total portable package.
You know, besides that phone call thing…
Contest:
10:10 AM on 06.12.2009
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Interesting, though; there are hundreds of these apps available already. We call it homebrew, but up to now, Sony has called it hacking and piracy, and crushe it with an iron fist. People have been calling for a system like this for years, pity it took another company to make a success out of it for Sony to notice.
/sarcasm
Note: Not saying I want a touch screen for the PSP, just saying that the idea of applications for a device with such limited finesse control (in terms of typing or navigating strange interfaces or anything like that, not gameplay) is ridiculous for something with already limited screen time. Plus, who would want to slide that thing out to check their daily organizer?
Little games could be cool though. As long as Sony actually encourages little developers to make them, instead of "Ubisoft brings you: Assassin's Creed Clothing Simulator! Ever wondered what you would look like as a crusader or a mythical middle-eastern manhunter? For only $5, you can find out!"
"Plus, who would want to slide that thing out to check their daily organizer?"
Sounds like a lot of smartphone users might disagree with you. But talking about an organizer..
I'd want a decent organizer on my PSP. It's the only device I carry around with me all day every day. Paper organizers just don't work for me. And 2D games? Yes please.
...Maybe.
Not much time to use those precious 2D games and apps.
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