PSP Go to be released on Thursday Oct 1

[executioner]

I would prefere to buy a 2000 model or an extra 1001.

[gtmtnbiker]

I'll be curious to see how well it sells. I'm already seeing a number of CL ads where people are selling their PSP because they want to get the Go. Just like a bunch sold their DSL for the DSi.

The same goes for people trying to get a different cell phone. It seems that there are a bunch of people who are status conscious and just want the latest/greatest.

[Niode]

I saw this on Euro Gamer, it confirms every little doubt I had about the PSPGO.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pspgone-editorial

The day the PSPGO was announced I said that retailers wouldn't touch it. Guess I was right. There is zero retail presence at HMV, Gamestation and Playtime over here. Game are selling it for RRP no bundles, nothing, not even an accessory kit. The only thing to let people know that they can get the PSPGO from Game is a black and white piece of A4 paper stuck to the window.

The long and short of it, is that retailers gain the most money from software, if the console doesn't allow used game trade to happen they simply won't stock it, it's completely useless for them, it's not worth storage space to hold the units. The most valuable thing a shop has is store space, anything wasting space gets moved sharpish, that's why you very rarely see AAA Wii titles in prominent positions (IE Eye height) since the shovelware shit sells so much more. So a console that they can't sell the games for is unlikely to get a dedicated point of sale. They'll have very few 'in the back' since that takes up valuable storage space as well.

Sony's biggest ally has suddenly become it's greatest enemy, after all, if nobody will sell your console, it's going to fail. No ifs, not buts. It's a sure thing. On the flipside, It's biggest enemy (the pirates) have suddenly become it's biggest ally in selling this thing. I can guarantee you, if this thing gets cracked quickly and allows existing PSP owners to use their UMDs on the PSPGO without having to buy the games again they will go out and buy one, hell I might even buy one, just to have such a portable retro gaming system. If the genuine games are priced decently (IE not £30 for a DL title, that's ridiculous) then a lot of people may even be persuaded to buy instead of pirate.

However the price is still a massive barrier for entry. £224.99 for a portable system is ridiculous, especially when the PS3 slim is £250, some places even have them for £245 console only or £275 with two games (If you sell the games straight on ebay will make the console about £200-225). Especially one that has no extra features aside from a smaller form factor and revised controls. When you factor in the market that it's aimed at, the ipod touch, with an almost identical feature set is a massive £75 less than the GO. It also has cheaper games, a better web browser and better battery life. The ipod Nano is a massive £90 cheaper and includes a built in video camera and FM radio. So if the gamers aren't interested due to it's cost of entry and having to buy all your games again and the savvy consumers are going to side for the more media capable ipods. Exactly who, aside from the minority that have to buy everything new regardless of what it is, will buy it?

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Well I think I will buy it in the next month or so. While my iPhone is nice, I am really hating not having physical controls. Some games get it right (F.A.S.T) but most just are a pain. Also in my expeience, the iPhone 3g only gets 2-3 hours of play, while even the original psp gets more than five on average.

[executioner]

On the flipside, It's biggest enemy (the pirates) have suddenly become it's biggest ally in selling this thing. I can guarantee you, if this thing gets cracked quickly and allows existing PSP owners to use their UMDs on the PSPGO without having to buy the games again they will go out and buy one, hell I might even buy one, just to have such a portable retro gaming system.

As bad as it sound that would actually be my buying point for a PSPGO.

[corn619]

I just don't understand why someone would support a console that strips your right to own and sell your game after you beat it or played it to death. The way I see it is your paying inflated prices on leased games. Also, the fact it doesn't have a user replaceable battery really sucks for the customer. People who buy this are digging a hole without know why and when they finish the hole, Sony puts a bullet in your head and throws you in it yelling checkmate. In case you haven't figured it out, I hate the idea of the Go and hope it fails. Weird thing is, I usually like Sony stuff.

[noiseredux]

corn619, I agree. The ONLY way that this would make sense is if the downloadable version was waaay cheaper than the UMD version. Which would make sense anyway, since there's no UMD, box, or manual. In theory, when you trade in a PSP game (for the sake of this post), you paid for the game, but you're being reimbursed for the plastic (UMD itself), box and manual on the retrade. Y'know, the physical item?

[Niode]

Judging by the price of GT5 Prologue being £24.99 for the DLC version on PSN. considering you can get it EVERYWHERE for less than £10 brand new for the physical product. I can't see Sony discounting their PSP games over PSN somehow.

If they haven't with the PS3, then they definitely won't for the PSPGO. I don't understand it. If people could get these DL titles for cheaper than the price they are going for used most people will just DL it. I know I would (and generally do). But instead they price themselves out of the sale and then piss and moan about the used trade business ruining them. Instead of, y'know, actually doing something about it?

[NeoTechni]

I own 5 PSPs, and 41 games. I am probably one of PSP's biggest supporters.

The Go was a huge slap in the face to me.
On one hand it gives me the functionality I've been asking Sony to add to PSP for years (the ability to use a PS3 controller to control games) (which Resistance proved was quite easy) but not the opportunity to use it on my games.

-the proprietary USB port
-doesn't use my PSP's component cables
-doesn't use my memory sticks
-doesn't use the PSP Chotto cam (which I intend to get for Invizimals)
-doesn't even use PSP AC adapters
-the game pause feature could easily be added to every PSP as proven via homebrewers
-they added territorial lockout

I am glad the Go is failing, it means PSP2 will stick to UMD.
I may buy a Go, when it gets hacked to play the games I paid good money for.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I own 5 PSPs, and 41 games. I am probably one of PSP's biggest supporters.

The Go was a huge slap in the face to me.
On one hand it gives me the functionality I've been asking Sony to add to PSP for years (the ability to use a PS3 controller to control games) (which Resistance proved was quite easy) but not the opportunity to use it on my games.

-the proprietary USB port
-doesn't use my PSP's component cables
-doesn't use my memory sticks
-doesn't use the PSP Chotto cam (which I intend to get for Invizimals)
-doesn't even use PSP AC adapters
-the game pause feature could easily be added to every PSP as proven via homebrewers
-they added territorial lockout

I am glad the Go is failing, it means PSP2 will stick to UMD.
I may buy a Go, when it gets hacked to play the games I paid good money for.

It means nothing as far as the PSP2. In fact, I think this is the first PSP to get it right. The PSP2 will likely be all digital as well the way sony is pushing everything.