Richard Kain
CAGiversary!
Prediction 1: The NGP will be sold for no less than $400, bare minimum. It would not surprise me to see the 3G-enabled model go for $100 more than the non 3G model.
Sony has gone on record saying that they intend to turn a profit off of the NGP's hardware. Selling a system this technically capable for less than $400 would require that they sell it for a loss.
Prediction 2: Sony will succeed at drumming up developer support for the NGP, despite the lagging support for the PSP
One of the best decisions I've seen so far for the NGP is the switch to proprietary flash-memory storage. This new cartridge format will make it easier for both Sony and individual developers to safeguard the NGP against piracy. Add to that the successful security that Sony managed to integrate into the PSP-3000, and we are looking at one of the most secure hardware platforms in existence. Piracy was a huge issue with the PSP, and was partially responsible for driving developers away from the system. Sony's struggle against piracy with the PSP is finally going to pay off with its successor. There will be many developers who will flock to the system just because of the added security it provides.
There's also the fact that the flash-memory cartridges will allow for save files and game upgrades to be specific to a single cartridge, rather than being kept on either system or external memory. People will be more likely to hang onto their game cartridges if their save games are permanently stored there. This could potentially cut into the used game market. (which developers would also be very happy about)
Prediction 3: Sony is going to do everything they can to avoid comparing the NGP to the 3DS.
This shouldn't actually be that challenging. The differing focus and features of each system are wildly divergent. Adding the back-touch pad to the NGP was a good decision, it will help to differentiate it from the 3DS, and even the iPod Touch. More importantly, it will encourage developers to tailor-make their games for the NGP, without preventing them from porting existing titles. With a potentially steep price-point, they are going to need to find a market for this device. The audience commonly associated with the DS is not who they need to be selling to. The NGP needs to be pushed towards young professionals and middle-aged audiences. (people with more disposable income)
Sony has gone on record saying that they intend to turn a profit off of the NGP's hardware. Selling a system this technically capable for less than $400 would require that they sell it for a loss.
Prediction 2: Sony will succeed at drumming up developer support for the NGP, despite the lagging support for the PSP
One of the best decisions I've seen so far for the NGP is the switch to proprietary flash-memory storage. This new cartridge format will make it easier for both Sony and individual developers to safeguard the NGP against piracy. Add to that the successful security that Sony managed to integrate into the PSP-3000, and we are looking at one of the most secure hardware platforms in existence. Piracy was a huge issue with the PSP, and was partially responsible for driving developers away from the system. Sony's struggle against piracy with the PSP is finally going to pay off with its successor. There will be many developers who will flock to the system just because of the added security it provides.
There's also the fact that the flash-memory cartridges will allow for save files and game upgrades to be specific to a single cartridge, rather than being kept on either system or external memory. People will be more likely to hang onto their game cartridges if their save games are permanently stored there. This could potentially cut into the used game market. (which developers would also be very happy about)
Prediction 3: Sony is going to do everything they can to avoid comparing the NGP to the 3DS.
This shouldn't actually be that challenging. The differing focus and features of each system are wildly divergent. Adding the back-touch pad to the NGP was a good decision, it will help to differentiate it from the 3DS, and even the iPod Touch. More importantly, it will encourage developers to tailor-make their games for the NGP, without preventing them from porting existing titles. With a potentially steep price-point, they are going to need to find a market for this device. The audience commonly associated with the DS is not who they need to be selling to. The NGP needs to be pushed towards young professionals and middle-aged audiences. (people with more disposable income)