[quote name='Richard Kain']Oh come on now. That's a bit of an exaggeration. They are completely overhauling the way games for the platform are distributed and stored. That is nothing like the GameBoy Micro.
Agreed.
Actually, improved profit margins are always inevitable, due to the nature of the production cycle. The longer a device is in production, the lower the production cost. (as its components become less expensive to produce and assemble) Since Sony isn't completely re-inventing the wheel on the PSP Go, they will be retaining a lot of the production savings that are already in effect. Just look at the 16 gigs of flash memory they are putting in the thing. When the PSP was originally released, it would have cost them between $200 - $300 USD to squeeze that much flash memory in the PSP. For the PSP Go they probably won't have to drop more than $15 - $20 per unit.
Agreed.
Actually, Nintendo is contracting with a third-party company to install a similar DRM scheme into future DS catridges. The R4 has been a huge problem for Nintendo. They are planning on encoding individual keys on DS catridges, so that each game will have to be hacked individually in order to extract ROM files from them. It won't solve the problem entirely, but it will make pirates attempts a hell of a lot harder and more arduous. And managing DRM for an on-line system is infinitely easier and more flexible. (since you always retain control over the on-line system)
I also see this helping a lot with piracy and being able to update their DRM more easily and effectively. You have to wonder if some people are mad because they don't see themselves being able to pirate as easily with the new design.
This is really the big question. This new strategy for the PSP hinges entirely on the system's on-line presence and offerings. If they can succeed at that, iTunes-style, than everything will be roses. If they can't, they may have to end up burying the PSP entirely. But on-line integration is proving to be a very popular way to distribute and manage media. Sony's best bet would be to integrate some Web 2.0 community features into its on-line PSP initiative. Give people more reasons to stick around.
We won't know unless they try, and right now is the best time for them to do this. With a shit economy you don't release a brand new PSP2, when you can still wait. Piracy killed umd. This is needed. Better for them to do it now than wait until it's too late.
The main issue is that there aren't really any complaints about the system. The people who are buying the hardware are hacking it, and then doing whatever they please. They aren't complaining. Most of the complaints from more casual gamers relate to the system's awkward size, it's battery life, and its weight. The PSP Go addresses all of those.
People complain about everything and will continue to complain. People complained about umd both for movies and games. They complained about battery life. They complained about the 3000 screen. Etc.
[/QUOTE]
[quote name='opportunity777']
On a related issue, nobody here has mentioned the influx of bandwidth restrictions by internet providers.[/QUOTE]
Some of those restrictions were removed after trying to test them in select markets and customers getting upset. But, you might as well compain about any digital products then on PC like Steam, XBLA, PSN on PS3, Hulu, etc.
[quote name='pete5883']I think the idea is that you could watch videos on it with the controls closed. Not like anyone uses it for that.[/QUOTE]
Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but that's a main reason why I like this design. For when I watch tv, movies, trailers, music, etc, which I do a lot of on my PSP. If they did flip close, then people would bitch about them copying Nintendo.
[quote name='xycury']YUCK to subscriptions.
Does this have a chance to support the older PSP systems?[/QUOTE]
Personally, I agree. But it doesn't effect us. It's just another way to get your games, it will be great for the Gamefly type of gamer. I think this will probably work with all PSPs.
Agreed.
Actually, improved profit margins are always inevitable, due to the nature of the production cycle. The longer a device is in production, the lower the production cost. (as its components become less expensive to produce and assemble) Since Sony isn't completely re-inventing the wheel on the PSP Go, they will be retaining a lot of the production savings that are already in effect. Just look at the 16 gigs of flash memory they are putting in the thing. When the PSP was originally released, it would have cost them between $200 - $300 USD to squeeze that much flash memory in the PSP. For the PSP Go they probably won't have to drop more than $15 - $20 per unit.
Agreed.
Actually, Nintendo is contracting with a third-party company to install a similar DRM scheme into future DS catridges. The R4 has been a huge problem for Nintendo. They are planning on encoding individual keys on DS catridges, so that each game will have to be hacked individually in order to extract ROM files from them. It won't solve the problem entirely, but it will make pirates attempts a hell of a lot harder and more arduous. And managing DRM for an on-line system is infinitely easier and more flexible. (since you always retain control over the on-line system)
I also see this helping a lot with piracy and being able to update their DRM more easily and effectively. You have to wonder if some people are mad because they don't see themselves being able to pirate as easily with the new design.
This is really the big question. This new strategy for the PSP hinges entirely on the system's on-line presence and offerings. If they can succeed at that, iTunes-style, than everything will be roses. If they can't, they may have to end up burying the PSP entirely. But on-line integration is proving to be a very popular way to distribute and manage media. Sony's best bet would be to integrate some Web 2.0 community features into its on-line PSP initiative. Give people more reasons to stick around.
We won't know unless they try, and right now is the best time for them to do this. With a shit economy you don't release a brand new PSP2, when you can still wait. Piracy killed umd. This is needed. Better for them to do it now than wait until it's too late.
The main issue is that there aren't really any complaints about the system. The people who are buying the hardware are hacking it, and then doing whatever they please. They aren't complaining. Most of the complaints from more casual gamers relate to the system's awkward size, it's battery life, and its weight. The PSP Go addresses all of those.
People complain about everything and will continue to complain. People complained about umd both for movies and games. They complained about battery life. They complained about the 3000 screen. Etc.
[/QUOTE]
[quote name='opportunity777']
On a related issue, nobody here has mentioned the influx of bandwidth restrictions by internet providers.[/QUOTE]
Some of those restrictions were removed after trying to test them in select markets and customers getting upset. But, you might as well compain about any digital products then on PC like Steam, XBLA, PSN on PS3, Hulu, etc.
[quote name='pete5883']I think the idea is that you could watch videos on it with the controls closed. Not like anyone uses it for that.[/QUOTE]
Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but that's a main reason why I like this design. For when I watch tv, movies, trailers, music, etc, which I do a lot of on my PSP. If they did flip close, then people would bitch about them copying Nintendo.
[quote name='xycury']YUCK to subscriptions.
Does this have a chance to support the older PSP systems?[/QUOTE]
Personally, I agree. But it doesn't effect us. It's just another way to get your games, it will be great for the Gamefly type of gamer. I think this will probably work with all PSPs.
ing-5 anyway.
