There has been a lot of talk lately about offended retailers refusing to stock the all-digital PSPgo. Feeling burned by the lack of ability to sell games for the new system, a few large stores in Europe have boycotted the handheld, and it looks like Australia's largest retailer, EB Games, could be joining them.
The PSPgo isn't listed anywhere on EB's Web site, despite the fact that the machine has a worldwide release date of October 1, a little under two weeks away. Furthermore, employees of the firm have added that there are no listings for the new PSP in their system. By all accounts, the PSPgo doesn't exist to EB Games.
Sony wouldn't be drawn on the issue when asked by Kotaku, choosing bluster over explanation: "In relation to our business and the launch of PSPgo, we are already experiencing solid support for launch day on October 1 in Australia … As with any new product, there will be continued discussions with retail partners to continue to expand reach over time in line with growth of the entire PSP platform."
This could be the largest retailer yet to shun the PSPgo, and could definitely impact the sales of the system in Australia. While Sony is clearly doing fine with regards to the most important retailers, it's clear that bad blood is brewing and that the PSPgo will not get the kind of support it perhaps needs. We'll have to see how it does at launch and whether these boycotts will indeed have an effect.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:00 AM on 09.23.2009
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Sony have said, that they want to sell both physical and DLC PSP games, so all PSPs get fair deal. However, many will be wary of trusting Sony, who like to u-turn when it suits them, with the PS2 BC debacle being a very good example to mistrust them. They could easily phase out one later on, and we'd all be screwed anyways.
My advice to all PSP owners, keep hold of your PSP 1,2,3k and enjoy their fruitful options. We've taken them for granted somewhat, but Sony are looking to kill our PSPs, slowly.
Sony: Hey guys, can you sell this expensive piece of hardware for little profit?
Retailer: Sure, you know we love those new and especially the used games sales!
Sony: Well, actually, about that, WE'LL be selling ALL of the games, digitally.
Retailer: Oh, OK, so where do we make our money?
Sony: Uh, you don't.
Retailer: Right, "mental note, don't stock the PSPgo"
Tough shit retailers, the age of your monopoly over gamers is coming to an end.
I want one, smaller screen or not, they're cool as fuck. I'm sure plenty of internet retailers will be stocking them. My 1000 model (completely legit, no fucked around firmware) is still going strong, but I'd like a smaller version without all the UMD's to carry around.
Now just for that whole, converting your UMD collection thing they were talking about....
Maybe you don't see it the way I do, but I'm looking at this as the whole industry seeing how this will play out. If this is a success, then you'll be seeing a lot more of this digital distribution shit. Sure, our cries will get companies to remove DRM now, but when digital distribution becomes more and more acceptable, you'll see companies want to take advantage of the fact that it will be harder for people to pirate games that way, and companies would probably make us pay more for a non-DRM version of the game, kinda like what Apple does with iTunes. Digital distribution could mean the end of owning your own games, and I don't want that to happen. I'm not promoting piracy, I'm just anti-digital distribution. Fuck piracy (In video games, at least).
Quote "Tough shit retailers, the age of your monopoly over gamers is coming to an end. "
Here is also what will come to and end:
Ability to buy games on sale through competition of retail chains (BOGOs, release discounts, clearances, rebates)
Ability to buy used games
Pre-order bonus items (if that's your thing)
Ability to buy a game without worrying about server issues
.... and many more I'm sure we take for granted!
Now, what the real solution needs to be is similar to other systems where you can buy the game in the store, but in the form of a gift card like item with a serial code on it. This would be good for all involved.
Oh, and if you think your games will be cheaper cutting out the retail chain you will be surprised. Sony will just add that cost back if not for pure profit but to cover server distribution costs.
There is a similar situation with Xbox Live's addition of older games being fully downloadable. Why would you pay $20 for a game you can go to Gamestop and buy used for $10?
I can see why its hidden away. It'd be stupid to assume they could promote it with special bundle deals (maybe a PSN card or two..) It looks like most retailers are begrudgingly selling it off, just giving no marketing push behind the device.
It'll be interesting to see its reception over here, as well as the number of consumers who take it back to the game store the next day and ask where the games are supposed to go.
Aaaaaaaaand here we go again, trolling for Sony's favor. The first part of your rant was true, with the well-illustrated discourse between Sony and retailers. That last part - total label whoring. I bet you wear Ed Hardy.
It's like having scans of Watchmen, while someone else has the original issues - they are the same at a content level, but one has an almost infinitely higher level of value attached. It's watching Star Wars off of a tape you got off of TBS a decade or so ago, compared with watching the original theatrical cut DVD. It's having Daft Punk's Homework from iTunes or having the original 1997 LP. The PSP Go represents all that is wrong with the system of digidistro, which is the offer of a choice - a choice that the system, by virtue of its very existence and stated business model, seeks to erase. If that doesn't sound insidious to you, get your fucking head checked.
That's the guy's M.O. He's hopelessly devoted to Sony, so much that it makes the XBOTS and MiiToos look like scholars by comparison. If he could back up his claims of rationale without sounding like an uneducated ignoramus, I might find myself seeing his point of view a little easier.
Instead, he sounds like a rich kid clamoring for the next expensive item that Sony tells him will make his life feel complete. Poor guy.
The PC market is where digidistro thrives, thanks to services like Steam. They have the right idea, and if you want to own the physical discs instead of getting a game through them, they aren't going to stop you from doing so. This is the removal of a consumer's choice disguised as convenience - which is a lot like saying the Patriot Act protects your personal freedom by monitoring your personal cell phone calls, effectively compromising the same freedom they extended to you in a single stroke.
And yes, some people support this line of thought. They're called idiots.
@Sexualchocolate: "Tough shit retailers, the age of your monopoly over gamers is coming to an end."
So you prefer Sony to have a monopoly over their games?
I'm ready to leave discs in the digital dust! However, Sony didn't really think this whole concept through (starting with the system itself) and I hope to see it improved so others will feel more comfortable making the transition.
What transition?
It's either keep the retail or gaming is dead. I'm not going to transition to some digital distribution model. I'm never going to be ready to transition to something I think is inherently worse than the current model. I'm never, ever going to want to give up physical medium for software, especially considering that the hard copy is inherently more valuable than the data stored on my hard drive.
There is no "transition". I simply hate the digital model, and will never support it. In fact, I hope the PSP Go destroys the PSP line so badly, no hardware developer for a hundred years ever suggests this route again. I want to own my games, and would consider buying nothing better than buying a PSP Go.
Also, if you are more interested in the monetary value of a game, and not the game itself, perhaps it's time to get another hobby...
So far, I haven't really heard anything about America retailers refusing to stock the PSP Go. Could just be a matter of time at this rate.
I don't blame you for being weary of it right now, but the integration of d/l and games are going to be that much stronger in the future. Discs won't completely go away, but neither will digital distribution. I'm glad Sony made the jump, however, and you might agree with my on this, they made a poor move on the system itself.
Read Jim's article about how third party companies are picking up on Sony's slacking.
Anyways, i see your point, it's not that it would be better for Sony to have a monopoly over their game sales, (however I do trust them myself, I have no problem with DL's costing the same as Discs, it's the data/license you're paying for, not the plasic) but the whole used games sales (as much as i take advantage of it) is undenyably hurting developers, which in turn hurts the product.
My opinion is that retailers have been making money hand over fist recently since the industry exploded into a viable mainstream media over the past few years and my comment is simply saying not to be surprised that they're talking about not stocking the go, as they're not going to make any money from it.
I l;ike to think that if I owned a games retailer it would be all about giving people what they want, and stocking products which push the industry forward, not holding progression back because we're butthurt that we won't be able to sell the games over and over and over and over.
I've been trying to tone-down my inner fanboy recently, Troll less and generally be a more constructive member of the community - how am i doing?