Destructoid Discusses: PSP’s download dilemma

Recommended Videos

We heard this morning that all PSP games will be downloadable by October 1st, save for some third-party games from uncooperative companies. This refers to games that will be released from that date on. But what does this mean for the currently available library?

It’s great that the PSP Go will be able to download and store games, but what about those of us who already own PSPs and UMD games? How will we be able to take these with us? Will we have to tote around two systems? Will there be some kind of trade-in or verification system? We all think the PSP Go is a sexy device, but these questions need to be answered before we commit.

This morning, Jim, Colette, Jordan, and I had a lengthy discussion session on the topic. You’ll find the transcript below. We hope you’ll chime in and let us know what you think about the PSP’s download dilemma.

Colette B.
All PSP games to be downloads by Oct 1st? really?
Jim S.
That’s what Rubenstein says

 
Colette B.
wow
Jim S.
Apparently third party UMD games depend on the publisher, but it seems Sony expects practically the full library to appear on the PSN
Jim S.
Not too hard since the PSP only has five games ROFL ROFL ROFL LMAO!
Colette B.
well, that would please me
Colette B.
LOL
Jordan D.
haha
Jun 1
 
Jordan D.
i won’t be getting a Go until emulation is up and running again
Jim S.
I want a go, but I have UMDs. And I don’t want to own two PSPs
Jim S.
I hate how Sony constantly seeks to divide and confuse its customers
Colette B.
Yeah, I would consider it if the library was downloadable
Colette B.
not otherwise
Jim S.
The DSi, I can understand. It doesn’t divide consumers. The Go is so fucking alienating
Dale N.
well, if what we first heard is correct, all that shit will be downloadable
Colette B.
I agree with that
Colette B.
they need to roll out something that unifies it with the PSP fanbase
Dale N.
those with a lot of UMDs (I have 22) would be fuxored
Dale N.
but I have a couple dozen game systems, what’s another
Jordan D.
well, they’re supposed to have some sort of way for current users to get their umds in digital format for free, but idk
   
Dale N.
that’s the rumor, but i don’t know how they’d do it
Jordan D.
me neither
Colette B.
right…well, I’d keep an eye on that, and if it was true I would consider getting one
Dale N.
I’m a gadget whore, so I’m sold.
Jim S.
They should say, like, “mail us the UMDs and we’ll mail you a gift code”
Dale N.
But I like physical media, too
Jordan D.
the go is definitely a gadget whore’s system, which is why i want one too
Dale N.
plus, i don’t think they’re dividing the psp audience
Jim S.
If I could get my UMDs converted to files for nothing, then yeah, I’m all about the PSP Go
Jordan D.
haha “let us burn your fucking games and damn them to hell, then we’ll give you a code”
Dale N.
a PSP 2 would be, but this leaves it up to the gamer
Jim S.
But right now, my PSP 1000 needs an upgrade and I don’t know what to do for the best.
Dale N.
to pick which system
Jim S.
It’s certainly divided me.
Dale N.
Jim, the best option, no matter how you look at it, is a PSP 3000 and a 8GB MS Duo card
Dale N.
IT’s already a great system, and you’ll be able to d/l to your heart’s content
Jordan D.
agreed
   

Jim S.
Yeah, I was going to get the Dissidia PSP 3000
Dale N.
I wnat a Go because it’s small and portable and sexy, but the fact of the matter is that i could do the same things now on my 3000
Jim S.
But I am a whore for new things
Dale N.
oh yeah – you should totally get that
Jim S.
And now I am confused
Jim S.
I also use my PSP as a full media device, and if the Go is better designed for that, this also is tempting
Colette B.
Well, i like the size
Colette B.
but I just want a way to be able to play the PSP games I already own on it
Dale N.
how would they do that?
Jun 10
 
Colette B.
well, that is my point
Dale N.
i thought of some kind of internet-based verification
Dale N.
like, pop the UMD in
Dale N.
and it checks it out and says, ‘yep, you own this’
Dale N.
but then again, you could borrow your friends’ discs or whatever
Colette B.
I’m not going to be able to find my Japanese imports even if the current library somehow magically becomes available for download
Dale N.
Colette, exactly
Jim S.
I think the only way to truly verify is to physically give Sony your UMDs in exchange for codes
Dale N.
about half of my games are imports
Colette B.
as it is I already have to carry my DSi and PSP at the same time
Jim S.
But of course, that is quite an operation to perform
Colette B.
so now I’m supposed to carry a third system for a whole separate set of games?
Dale N.
I look at it as the Netbook of the PSP world
Dale N.
well, i’m fucked because I have to carry my DS and DSi, as the damned DSi doesn’t play our review code roms
Dale N.
and now a PSP and a PSP Go?
Dale N.
here’s something, though – i could see my PSP Go as a daily device, one that i’d carry everywhere
Dale N.
or, one that more gamers would carry everywhere
Dale N.
(I carry a game system everywhere anyway)
Dale N.
Surely they didn’t make a system without thinking of who would buy it, so who are they aiming for?
Jun 10
 
Jim S.
Gays
Dale N.
It did have sparkles
Colette B.
Well, for me it really isn’t about the gadget
Jordan D.
i assume the kind of people who hate carrying around a bunch of games. not sure if that is specifically the people who already own a psp or not, though. also, the gays, as jim says
Colette B.
it’s about the games
Jordan D.
there’s always the hannah montana psp that got announced
Jim S.
I was one of the few people defending the PSP Go when it was first revealed. It looks more practical, which I like.
Colette B.
but I will admit, I load my R4 with the games I already own and take it with instead of having to carry an additional game pouch, and I love it
Colette B.
not having to carry the games would make a difference for me
Jim S.
It’s smaller, the buttons can be folded away. The exposed screen is still ridiculous, but it’s an improvement, and as someone who travels, I want something that’s convenient to carry.
Jordan D.
i do the exact same thing with my psp. longer battery life, less noise, etc.
Jim S.
So I really do want a Go. However, I can’t justify having two PSPs
Jim S.
It is hard to justify one sometimes.
Jordan D.
either way, i hope the system does well so that the PSP 2 is either all or mostly digital downloads
Colette B.
Dale has like, 4 PSPs
Dale N.
Again, I wasn’t sold until I held it. It had me right away then.
   
Dale N.
Now 3. And 4 DSs.
Jim S.
That’s because Dale is a hoofer.
Colette B.
Ideally like I would like is for there to be a way for the games I own for PSP to be downloadable to the PSP Go
Colette B.
I doubt it
Colette B.
but we’ll see
Dale N.
No, Dale is a consumer whore.
Colette B.
I think that’s the same as being a hoofer.
Jim S.
If I was a rich tech whore like Dale, this would not be an issue for me. I’d buy eight PSP Gos
Dale N.
But say they don’t. Would you buy one?
Jun 10
 
Dale N.
No UMD to Go transfer — would you still get one?
Colette B.
Depends on the games
Jim S.
Let me put it this way: With UMD transfer, I’d get one with little deliberation.
Jordan D.
i would, but not at that price. the price is a dealbreaker if there’s no compatibility with my current games
Jim S.
Without it, I would have to think long and hard.
Colette B.
If there were a few titles I really wanted I’d consider it
Colette B.
but yes…price is a factor
Dale N.
I see – mind you that they’ll try to release every future game as a download. Does that help in your decision.
Jim S.
That depends on how many games we’ll see. Sony spends nearly all its time working on firmware and hardware updates and barely any on games
Jim S.
I am fucking sick to death of new PSPs and new firmware when I want more games
Jordan D.
there were a lot of great-looking games at e3, but i’m not convinced either
Jim S.
A new bunch are coming out of E3, sure, but beyond that?
Jordan D.
yeah, i don’t know
Dale N.
So it’s more about faith in the system than it is the format?
Jim S.
I don’t know about “more,” but it is a big factor.
Jim S.
I don’t have faith in Sony when it comes to the PSP
Jim S.
It seems to think hardware makes the system.
Jim S.
No, games make the hardware.
Colette B.
That’s exactly right — and it doesn’t.
Jordan D.
what sony needs to do with the Go is have a similar set up to what the iPhone has
Colette B.
Games make the system for me.
Jordan D.
tons and tons of cheap, awesome games
Jim S.
Sony itself proved that games > hardware when it beat the Dreamcast with the original PSX
Jim S.
it’s sad that it’s forgotten the lessons it taught the industry
Jun 10
 
Dale N.
I’ll tell you what: if they have the PSX library ready for d/l, that would help
Dale N.
like…more of it
Jordan D.
or just what japan has access to
Jim S.
Oh definitely
Dale N.
Also, if they adapt the DSiWare-ish model, that would be nice too: cheap, quick, fun games
Jordan D.
fuck, they have a lot of games
Dale N.
yep
Dale N.
on both the PSP and the DSi
Jim S.
You tell me the Oddworld games are coming to PSP and I’ll start to care a bit more
Dale N.
But even then, you could play those games on the PSP 3000
Jim S.
This is very true.
Jim S.
The PS3 as well, actually
Colette B.
The whole PSP Go model is based on pressing the gadget whore’s buttons
Dale N.
For this year, I think there’s a strong lineup: Dissidia, Soulcalibur, Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Dale N.
So many great games. And, I’m still scratching my head at the “only 5 good games” jabs
Jordan D.
there’s also some motorstorm game. is that any good?
Dale N.
i have a ton of games, and there’s more I want to get. It’s an RPG lover’s system.
Dale N.
Yes, Motorstorm looked very good
Jim S.
The trouble with the PSP is, it does have great games
Dale N.
Also, Resident Evil Portable
Jim S.
But those games are spread over what, five years?
Dale N.
Jim, that’s fair. but this year is different, for a change
Jim S.
At the moment, I’m seeing a worthwhile PSP game coming out every six months. That’s not good enough
Jim S.
I agree. But it’s one year out of what will be six
Dale N.
and I think the pace will pick up with the lower dev costs and download-only distribution
Jun 10
 
Jim S.
And what happens beyond this year? Will Sony give up again? Are these games coming out just to fool us into buying a new PSP, whereupon we’ll be hung out to dry again?
Jordan D.
i really hope the lower dev costs help
Dale N.
Here’s the thing – it used to cost too much, but now devs can have worldwide distribution of games with a click
Dale N.
I never felt ‘hung out to dry’ like I did with, say, the PS3
Jim S.
Of course, that will stop the PSP Go being an option
Dale N.
There is always something I’ve been enjoying on my PSP
Dale N.
That’s true.
Jim S.
Because with lower dev costs, they won’t *want* to make UMDs
Jim S.
Which will render the 3000 obsolete
Jim S.
Which puts me back at square one
Dale N.
Right. I do see that happening.
Jordan D.
you know what game we are all forgetting? pixeljunk f’ing monsters
Dale N.
And I think Sony does, too.
Jim S.
Definitely. Sony is just pushing this “Go is an option” to squeeze more money out of the 3000 while it can
Dale N.
But I see no harm in having older game systems around to play older games
Dale N.
Unless you live in a closet and you have 2 inches of storage space left
Dale N.
hell, people still have their dreamcasts around
Jordan D.
(nick chester)
Dale N.
LOL
Dale N.
Now, what if those UMD games you already own and love are avaiable from day one as $2 downloads
Dale N.
would that change your mind?
Jim S.
The difference with the Dreamcast is that it’s an old system. The 3000 is a new system that Sony tricked people into buying and will make obsolete
Jim S.
Which is a bit prickish, really
Jim S.
You give me the PSP library for 2 bucks apiece and I’ll give Sony a lot of money
Dale N.
I guess so.
Jim S.
I can’t see Sony being so generous though, of course
Jun 10
 
Colette B.
see, I would buy a PSP Go for Pixeljunk Monsters
Colette B.
which sounds crazy
Colette B.
but that’s how I feel about that game
Dale N.
No, that’s not crazy.
Dale N.
Here’s another observation about the PSP
Dale N.
it doesn’t really feel like a portable – I mean, you can take it anywhere, but it has that mini-PS2 vibe
Dale N.
maybe it’s just a tad too big
Dale N.
now we’ve got this thing that’s the size of the iPhone — so pocketable, and download anywhere games? It’s pretty smart in design
Jordan D.
that also ties in with the games, many of which aren’t suitable for a portable system
Jim S.
Yep. I fucking hate the old PSP design
Dale N.
so maybe they’re dicking over current PSP customers with the UMD thing — if you look at it this way, they almost had to do it
Jim S.
It’s not been designed with portable gaming in mind. It was designed to look “cool”
   
Dale N.
Right. but the Go feels like a very well designed portable game system…for once
Dale N.
down to the hand feel and button placement
Jim S.
This I agreed with the moment I saw it
Dale N.
Here’s another thing: if you truly only have “five psp games” then getting this shoudln’t be an issue, right?
Jim S.
I love the design. It looks goofy, but it also looks practical
Dale N.
if you’ve got a small library, I understand the hangup
Jim S.
Well, that was a joke. I can’t remember how many I’ve got
Jim S.
Most of them are PAL though, which means I couldn’t trade them in, annoyingly
Dale N.
oh shit, I forgot Persona PSP!
Jun 10
 
Jim S.
I think a big factor here will be seeing just how cheap the downloadable games truly are
Dale N.
Too many good games. I think people are blinded by the DS. I love that system, and have so many games that it’s stupid. But that doesn’t make the PSP worse for having less good games. There’s still a ton of great games to play.
Dale N.
Exactly
Jim S.
And I imagine right now, Sony is trying to work out what it can get away with charging
Dale N.
They are reasonable on the PSN with old games
Dale N.
I hope that carries over. They have to know that much of their library is old.
Dale N.
$10 will be too much for the old games. they give PS1 games away for half that.
Jim S.
So far, we’ve seen them charging up to twenty bucks for downloadable PSP games
Jim S.
With the cheapest being around fifteen
Dale N.
I think the new ones will continue to be $20
Jim S.
Killzone Liberation is, I think, $15.99. I have a feeling that’ll be common for older UMD games on the PSN
Dale N.
And to that, I say download better, older games and play them on the go: FF7, Wild Arms, Hot Shots Golf (okay, so I’m alone on that last one)
Dale N.
Wild Arms is $5 – that is amazing to me
Dale N.
I think sony has a nice portable coming up, but they have a lot to do on the backend to make this worth the transition for its customers
Dale N.
so, day one: who’s in?
Jim S.
I totally agree. I love the look of it, I like the idea of a self contained system that doesn’t need physical discs. However, I need to see more before I am convinced I don’t need my old PSP.
Dale N.
Just me?
   
Jim S.
I can’t say for sure yet. At that price point, I’m wary as fuck.
Dale N.
I mean, I just bought a new Green Japanese 3000 about a month or so ago
Jun 10
 
Colette B.
It depends for me what is announced game-wise by then
Jordan D.
depends if they have it in white
Colette B.
Yeah, but you buy everything
Colette B.
=P
Dale N.
I’ll buy you!
Colette B.
HAH
Dale N.
While wearing the Monopoly hat!
Jim S.
“I’d buy that for a dollar.”
Dale N.
*slams down cash*
Colette B.
Tradtionally, I hold off on new systems until I have a better idea of what games will be there for it
Colette B.
right now, I don’t know what I get WITH the PSP Go
Jordan D.
it’s the videogame quote that works in any situation
Colette B.
so I can’t say I’m in on day one
Colette B.
if a lineup of games is announced before then
Jordan D.
actually, by the time the thing comes out, i’ll probably just be getting a PS3
Dale N.
fair enough
Colette B.
then, well, I would be able to say

 
Dale N.
 
Jim S.
Tell you what, I’ll cut Sony a deal. Pack the PSP Go in with Talladega Nights, and they have themselves a sale.
Jordan D.
haha
Dale N.
hahah

Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article The next big Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter update will take place on April 12
What to expect during FFXIV LLXXX
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Related Content
Read Article The next big Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter update will take place on April 12
What to expect during FFXIV LLXXX
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Author