Sony must act on the PSP's performance

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http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21229

Sony must act on 'worrying' PSP performance – Climax
Matt Martin 11:34 21/11/2006
Developer fears publishers may begin to abandon format

Karl Jeffery, CEO of developer Climax, has told GamesIndustry.biz that Sony must act to reverse poor performance of the PSP before publishers begin to abandon the format.

The outspoken development boss, whose company has recently released a new ATV Offroad Fury title for the system, is concerned that the Nintendo DS is trouncing the PlayStation Portable - while Sony is doing little to support its own handheld.

"To be honest and frank about it we worry about the future of the PSP," said Jeffery.

"In terms of sales of the actual units, it's not doing so great. The DS is going gangbusters, the sales volumes are going up exponentially. But the PSP worrys us, because we're sitting here thinking about what Sony is going to do to get the platform back on track and we're not hearing much from them."

Jeffery believes there are two ways to reinvigorate the format – redesign the handheld to create a more ergonomically appealing unit, and develop a serious digital download content strategy.

"Personally, I love it as a platform to develop for, it's very powerful and it's a great machine. But it's a big bit of kit to lug around and the battery life's not great. Perhaps they could bring out a 'PSP Lite' or something along those lines," said Jeffery.

"Another thing that would be smart is to get into a downloadable games model, which Sony hasn't really done yet. There's wi-fi possibilities and memory stick features that could be used - we can see where Sony could take the platform to re-energise it. But it's very disappointing at the moment when you look at the installed base and the sales of the games that are out there; it's not a compelling prospect for many publishers."

When asked whether he thought publishers may begin to abandon the format, Jeffery replied: "That's my instinct, yes. Maybe Sony has got something planned, but at the moment it's very worrying. It's probably the platform we're most worried about."

First EA now this.
 
I'm honestly not surprised... I barely see commercials for the PSP (unless it's Killzone or Vice City Stories) and most people on most message boards I go to are barely talking about the thing.

PSP has ALOT of potential but I really think it's too late for Sony to turn it around.

It would help if they dropped games down to $30 universally... I'd buy alot more games this way, and probably many others would too.

Not so many ports... that would help also. New games in old franchises? That's the way to go.

I have a PSP, it's alot of fun, but I have no clue what's out now because nothing gets advertised or talked about.

Actually, you know what did it? People could never get over the "long load times" even though most games recently have pretty decent load times. They never got over the 2 or 3 shitty games that had bad load times... every time a PSP thread is made people always say "wah wah long load times" when most games have load times comparable to PS2. I think Sony could never shake that shitty image.
 
I got a PSP at its launch and sold it shortly after GTA: Liberty City Stories came out. I've never been so disappointed in a console/hand-held before. The game library was simply too small at that time and what was out didn't interest me. When my favorite games on the PSP were the NES games of Mike Tyson's Punch-out and Legend of Zelda I knew something was wrong with the selection of true PSP games.

Sure, there were other issues such as long and very frequent load times, but the lack of games was what made me get rid of it.

It's a shame that the system is failing. It had such great potential too.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']
Actually, you know what did it? People could never get over the "long load times" even though most games recently have pretty decent load times. They never got over the 2 or 3 shitty games that had bad load times... every time a PSP thread is made people always say "wah wah long load times" when most games have load times comparable to PS2. I think Sony could never shake that shitty image.[/QUOTE]

Not really. It's just that pretty much all the interesting games are ports or have been/will be ported to other systems. There are no real exclusives to speak of that are killer apps, unlike with the DS. The load times may be a factor, and I think that a handheld system should have less load times. But I really don't think that's the issue with PSP's poor performance. There's just not much of interest for gamers and nongamers alike.
 
To be honest the system is too expensive and I do not have a job for investing money.

People can already emulate most games and going online is no problem.

Then when you think about it they are using a disc system and that is the main killer. If they can the disc system and go with Flash or Ram cards then people who owned games for it would be ticked off.
 
[quote name='RegalSin2020']To be honest the system is too expensive and I do not have a job for investing money.

People can already emulate most games and going online is no problem.

Then when you think about it they are using a disc system and that is the main killer. If they can the disc system and go with Flash or Ram cards then people who owned games for it would be ticked off.[/QUOTE]

Wow, that almost made sense. Almost.
 
An extension of the OP's quoted article: I think that, if Sony would stop trying to release pithy software updates with things I do not use (internet browser), if Sony did not force people to update the software to play new titles, and if Sony took a less aggressive stance towards homebrew, then they might have a viable system. As it is, they're spending too much of their resources fighting the people who own the damn thing, and too little in trying to sculpt the PSP as something of its own (rather than a portable PS2 you have to pay 2-3X as much to be able to use).

They also need to get Squeenix on board, as I think only they can save the PSP now.
 
I like my PSP, but honestly... it's still a system designed to play ports. There's a couple exceptions, but wow. There's pretty much no good original content.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']I like my PSP, but honestly... it's still a system designed to play ports. There's a couple exceptions, but wow. There's pretty much no good original content.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. I mean, when it comes down to choosing a game for either PSP / PS2, like the Metal Slug Compliation, I'm going to choose PS2 every time simply because I use it more and I can use it for more than 5 hours at a time.

And it dosen't help that usually most of the PSP "ports" are a good $10 - $20 more expensive.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']
And it dosen't help that usually most of the PSP "ports" are a good $10 - $20 more expensive.[/QUOTE]

Not only that but most companies half ass the effort too.

Sony needs to get a better marketing strategy together. I see PSP commercials all the time but they involve something stupid... rather than try to make it look cool (which isn't working anymore it seems), concentrate on the features more and less on the people who are using the device.

I also don't like the digital content thing is going to work anymore because newer multimedia devices do these things way better than the PSP could ever hope to. Not only that, but the PSP's strongest feature (PS1 downloads) now requires a PS3 to use.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']I like my PSP, but honestly... it's still a system designed to play ports. There's a couple exceptions, but wow. There's pretty much no good original content.[/QUOTE]

It's not "designed" to play ports... the developers and Sony made it that almost all the games are ports. I doubt that was Sony's original intention, because that wouldn't make very much business sense IMO, but that's what happened. However, it seems to me that Sony has shown that they have little business sense with the PS3 thus far, so maybe that was indeed their intention.
 
I'd see myself playing a PSP, at work, more than I do the DS...

Wouldn't mind getting one, actually.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Wow, that almost made sense. Almost.[/QUOTE]

On a Regalsin scale, this is Pulitzer Prize worthy.
 
Execept for the price, I don't see what the major stumbling block is for the PSP. Hell, it's core package is about 25 bucks more than the DS, and it can play videos and music.

While I enjoy my DS, I always carry my PSP around. If I just want to chill, I can listen to MP3s, or watch a documentary. Converting video could be easier for the noobs, though...

With better 3D than the DS the variety of games is better too. Try playing a game like Ace Combat X on Nintendo's handheld. I really enjoy the old school collections (Capcom Classics, EA Replay, etc), the DS doesn't really have an equivalant.
 
i love my PSP. though honestly, i rarely play games on it. the only reason i still use it is for the media stuff (i use it as my MP3 player with a 4GB memory stick). but it really shouldnt be like this. there really arent that many games on it that i havent played already. i origionality is very very slim. now every now and then you get a gem like Loco Roco, Lumines, or even Exit but these shouldnt be the only good games on it. is there such a thing as a handheld being too powerful? because i think we're seeing that now. it really doesnt have that much to separate it from current-gen game consoles as its a very powerful little machine and this makes all the developers treat it just like another console and port to it. its a real shame too because PSP had unlimited potential but i really do think its on the way out.
 
Its not long before the PSP dies. Walmart and other major retailers quit carrying UMD movies before it was even abandoned.

The problem with the PSP is the cost, need for memory sticks, battery life, and size. Thats just for the PSP itself. The games are another story. Mainly ports, poor rehashes, or release for the PSP after its been on the major consoles for 7-12 months.
 
[quote name='DesertEagleXIX']Execept for the price, I don't see what the major stumbling block is for the PSP. Hell, it's core package is about 25 bucks more than the DS, and it can play videos and music.

While I enjoy my DS, I always carry my PSP around. If I just want to chill, I can listen to MP3s, or watch a documentary. Converting video could be easier for the noobs, though...

With better 3D than the DS the variety of games is better too. Try playing a game like Ace Combat X on Nintendo's handheld. I really enjoy the old school collections (Capcom Classics, EA Replay, etc), the DS doesn't really have an equivalant.[/QUOTE]

Uh... it's a $70 difference, isn't it? $130 DS, $200 PSP? What do you mean by "core package?"
 
I think if Sony wanted to save the PSP and keep developer support, a price drop for the games is crucial. The console could use a price drop as well, but I doubt Sony will do that. Look at the DS software sales vs the PSP software sales. More staggering than the hardware, which is already crazy.
 
If the games were $20-$30 this thing would sell like hotcakes. But I find it really hard to justify spending $40-$50 on handheld games when I could buy a new console game for roughly the same price.
 
To be frank, the only USA psp game i am even semi interested in is Valkyie Profile Leene and the meagman x remade. ................... Wait... a .... minute, they are port themself lol.

To be honest, psp is basically a poor man ps2........ I mean, a rich man ps2, since it is more expensive. One thing Sony should have realize is that moving parts and a portable system don't really mix. And i got a feeling that sony is spending more time and money with all their require fireware upgrade to play the latest game than to made fun game itself.

Another point worth mentioning is that a lot of people are really angry with Sony atm since it is supposedly the psp that kill Lik-Sang. Even if one argue Psp didn't kill Lik-Sang, Sony did, peoepl connect the dot.

If Sony will actualy allow games like Suikoden collection and that Tales of E game and a price drop of psp to a ds level, peopel will jump onto a psp like a big fan juicy steak in a shark infecte water.

As of now, Psp is nothing more than a Zohar Emulator for games
 
I don't know what all of you are talking about. The PSP had a great lineup of games this year. Syphon Filter, Daxter, Megaman Games, Loco Roco, Race Driver 2006, Tekken DR, etc.

I think the problem is that people are comparing the PSP to a console and then other people compare the PSP to the DS. The PSP is its own unique system. Sure it has long load times, an average battery life, and no second analog stick, but the PSP provides the deepest games for when you are on the go.

Honestly, the DS has very few games that have kept me entertained for over a week.
 
[quote name='ananag112']I don't know what all of you are talking about. The PSP had a great lineup of games this year. Syphon Filter, Daxter, Megaman Games, Loco Roco, Race Driver 2006, Tekken DR, etc.

I think the problem is that people are comparing the PSP to a console and then other people compare the PSP to the DS. The PSP is its own unique system. Sure it has long load times, an average battery life, and no second analog stick, but the PSP provides the deepest games for when you are on the go.

Honestly, the DS has very few games that have kept me entertained for over a week.[/QUOTE]

Problem is most of games are just not THAT good. Syphon and Daxter were good, but Loco Roco, Tekken, Race Driver bombed in sales. The only games that have really interested me on the PSP have been compilations of old games. I just recently sold my 2.8 FW PSP and am keeping my 1.5 one just for the homebrew.

Sony is rumored to be coming out with a redesigned PSP...I'll see how that works and decide if I may buy another one. Hopefully they figure out the PS1 emulation as well.
 
All the updating firmware are scaring the hack out of people sicne basically kill potential customer who want to run homebrew on it. And Sony was marketing psp as a portable system, psp is anything but portable.
 
I like the PSP but I agree about the high prices. $40 - $50 for a portable game is too much. If I see a game I want, I'll try to get it at a clearance price but there seems to also be few new releases that I want. Most of my portable gaming time is playing the DS because it's just more fun to play and good for a quick game unlike a lot of PSP games that are more time consuming.
 
[quote name='gizmogc']Problem is most of games are just not THAT good. Syphon and Daxter were good, but Loco Roco, Tekken, Race Driver bombed in sales. The only games that have really interested me on the PSP have been compilations of old games. I just recently sold my 2.8 FW PSP and am keeping my 1.5 one just for the homebrew.

Sony is rumored to be coming out with a redesigned PSP...I'll see how that works and decide if I may buy another one. Hopefully they figure out the PS1 emulation as well.[/QUOTE]

I think these games failed sales wise due to poor advertising and piracy. Sony has done bad job trying to correct their mistakes in these two areas. The games though are really very good and I have played my PSP at least 5 times more than the DS this year. What I like about the PSP is that it has a very diverse lineup of games. Solid shooters, racing games, puzzle games, action games, sports games, etc. The DS had a strong 2005, but this year it has had a horrible game lineup. Castlevania looks good though and can almost make up for the bad year.

The DS has sold very well though which leaves me scratching my head. What has Nintendo done that Sony has not?
 
[quote name='ananag112']I think these games failed sales wise due to poor advertising and piracy. Sony has done bad job trying to correct their mistakes in these two areas. The games though are really very good and I have played my PSP at least 5 times more than the DS this year. What I like about the PSP is that it has a very diverse lineup of games. Solid shooters, racing games, puzzle games, action games, sports games, etc. The DS had a strong 2005, but this year it has had a horrible game lineup. Castlevania looks good though and can almost make up for the bad year.

The DS has sold very well though which leaves me scratching my head. What has Nintendo done that Sony has not?[/QUOTE]

Nintendo has done advertising, better prices on its hardware, reached out to more demographics than just one, cheaper games, lots of positive press.

PSP may have had alot of great games but they didn't sell, nobody knows about them, and nobody cares.
 
New titles. This year has been quite good for DS: Nintendogs, Brain Age/Big Brain Academy, Final Fantasy III, Metroid Prime Hunters, New Super Mario Bros., etc. Those are just the big titles I own.

Many PSP titles have the "same shit, different disc" feel to them. Even (and don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic game) Vice City Stories. DS gets new Mega Man titles, while PSP got remakes of MM1 and MMX. I don't think that people demand innovation, but that the PSP is too similar to stuff they already have. I won't buy Smackdown vs. Raw for PSP because I have the same damn thing on my 360. ***maybe*** for $30, but $50? Eat me.

There have been some good compilations for PSP, but hampered because they are (1) also on PS2, and (2) cheaper on PS2. Who the fuck would pay $40-50 for Capcom Classics Collection (different games, I know, I know) for PSP when the same thing can be had (more or less) for $20 on PS2/Xbox?

In short, the PSP's problem is this: if there's a great PSP game you just must play, you can get it elsewhere (on a format you probably already own) for cheaper, or for the same price but with more options/better graphics/shorter load times.

I'm a little miffed about the pricing structure for PS1 downloads ($5.99 - $10.99), since the Japanese PS1 titles are 525 yen (less than $4.50) as well. I'm looking forward to them, but a little bitter about the extra moolah. Why can't they be $4.99? It's not as if they didn't make their money on them 10 years ago.

They lack killer apps, and they do not seem to be able to convey to the customer that they give a shit about supporting the format, IMO. They've been arrogant as well as slow; how long have we known about PS1 downloads, and how slow have they been in implementing them? Instead we get a dozen or so forced updates that do nothing but add shit I don't need and the latest hack fix.
 
You know, I am starting to sense a theme here. Sony releases the PSP under the guise of being a handheld gaming console. Two years later and its gaming prowess leaves much to be desired. HOWEVER, throw a PS3 into the mix and you have yourself a fully functional and portable media player. Coincidence? I think not.

I've been using my PSP as an MP3 player and a video "iPod" (through the use of a custom built "TiVo PC) for almost as long as I've owned the system. I should have clued in to Sony's intentions long ago but I was blinded by my "gamerdom." Oh well.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']I'm a little miffed about the pricing structure for PS1 downloads ($5.99 - $10.99), since the Japanese PS1 titles are 525 yen (less than $4.50) as well. I'm looking forward to them, but a little bitter about the extra moolah. Why can't they be $4.99? It's not as if they didn't make their money on them 10 years ago.

They lack killer apps, and they do not seem to be able to convey to the customer that they give a shit about supporting the format, IMO. They've been arrogant as well as slow; how long have we known about PS1 downloads, and how slow have they been in implementing them? Instead we get a dozen or so forced updates that do nothing but add shit I don't need and the latest hack fix.[/QUOTE]

The "must own a PS3 to download PS1 games for your PSP" element is kind of a kick in the nuts, too.
 
[quote name='DesertEagleXIX']My mistake. It was $199...[/QUOTE]

No prob. I was just worried that there was some REALLY good deal out there I was missing ...
 
[quote name='trq']The "must own a PS3 to download PS1 games for your PSP" element is kind of a kick in the nuts, too.[/QUOTE]

That will help out whatever percentage of 200,000 or so PS3 owners who have a PSP. The remainder of PSP owners are shit outta luck.
 
- Lack of good games.
- Doesn't feel good in my hands.
- Horrible D-Pad, and useless analog nub.
- Load times.
- System is a little too big.
- Unessecary Firmware updates.
- Terrible, and overly expensive Memory Stick format.
- Terrible conversion process for videos, with no support from Sony to make the process easier.


That's why I feel the PSP is going down the shitter.
 
The PSP seems alright, but if I want to play those games I'd just as soon buy a PS2 for $130 and the games for $10 used at Gamestop. NOt like I would game on the go much.

OH not sure nicer 3d graphics are all that on a handheld either. Think PS2 game on 5" TV. Just too tiny.
 
This doesn't surprise me, anyone that has tried to challenge Nintendo in the handheld market always gets crushed. Sony never really promoted or pushed for the creation of original titles for the PSP. What was the use of buying any of the PSP games when they were the same as the PS2 versions of the game. Nintendo DS, didn't have the graphical power of the PSP but as always, a superior library will always allow you to outsell your rivals. I'm not even considering a PSP unless I can get it for dirt cheap now.
 
[quote name='Chris in Cali']
- Horrible D-Pad, and useless analog nub.
[/QUOTE]

While I like the D-Pad, you are right, that analog nub is HORRIBLE. My hand cramps up like you wouldn't believe trying to control that POS analog nub in games that only let you use it for control.

I have no clue who approved that shit.
 
For me, the problems for the PSP are the price of games, features you have to pay extra for, and the memory cards. I payed over 250 for the PSP, then I have to shell out over 100 bucks more for a decent memory card just so I can put music and stuff on? That sucks! Also converting video files to the PSP is hard to do and can be very confusing to people. The PSP also has stupid updates, that really don't do anything.

The PSP has a lot of cool features(one like being able to watch tv programs) cost like 200 bucks extra to buy all the things needed. Why put things in updates the average joe will never get?

The price of the games kind of sucks too. I know they look amazing and all that, but paying 50 bucks for a handheld game kind of sucks. I wish the prices were a bit lower. A lot of games I want to currently play but I am wary about paying over $40 for.
 
I would have gotten a psp, but I heard the battery life was garbage and I had that same experience on sega nomad, it sucked. I want to be able to play without worrying about the battery life, that's partly why I'm having so much fun with ds. Also I don't want to fuck around downloading all this software to convert file type and shit so I can put music and videos on my psp. It's such a hassle on my ipod to put videos on it.
 
eh, I don't see why so many people hate the PSP. It is my favorite system currently...

I mean, there are a whole bunch of good and original games, I don't own a single port and I have a bunch of games that I enjoy playing.

I mean, seriously, people treat consoles like a religious conflict, they actually HATE an object or company. WTF?
 
I really think it just comes down to pricing. The system is too expensive and the games are too expensive. I love my PSP, but everytime a game I want comes out at $40 or $50, I just think, well, I'll get that in a couple of months when it is $20. Development and UMD costs are just too high to put games out cheaply for the PSP and that is killing it.

I honestly don't think the DS has that many more good games than the PSP, but it has a hell of a lot more that are $30 or less.
 
yeah, because of the graphics I guess it cost about as much to develop for as a home console. But I don't think a UMD costs more than a cartrige to make, I could be wrong though.
 
I had high hopes for the PSP, but I sold my White PSP a few months ago when it still had value. For me it was just a portable Movie Player. It such a great system but Sony just fucked up big time. The usual suspects : (already been mentioned) the frequent FW updates, the game price.. using UMD to FORCE their own format again on the consumer (kinda what their doing with BluRay and PS3). The PSP do have great titles, on par with the DS, but there was something lacking on the PSP..maybe it needed analog sticks? maybe it was too big to be portable? Bye PSP..We will be together again when you are on the bargain bin.
 
As everyone else stated: It comes down to price.

You can get a DS lite for $70 cheaper, and the games are $10-20 cheaper, maybe even more cheaper down the road. The DS has better quality and original games (imho) but doesn't do the music, mp3s and movies the PSP can do... yippie.

Well I sold my PSP awhile back, but I do plan on getting one once I can snag a used one for $70ish and most games run for $20 tops used, aka when the system dies.
 
I got a PSP only because I got a good trade in deal through that TRU 90% off sale. I never use the damn thing though. I've got like 8 games that should be really good, but I don't know because I can't play them without losing my 1.5 firmware. I have the Devhook running on it, but its only like 2.5 and some of my games are newer than that. So, its a combination of not wanting to rip the latest firmware and the fact that I know I probably wont play it anyways.

Btw, I only paid like $10 for the PSP games....
 
I think the PSP looks like a failure only because it has so much potential in people's eyes, but Sony keeps failing it. On it's own, it really isn't that bad.

Things that Sony could do here (but won't).

1) Make it easier to put movies on it. If you own a DVD, you can put it on your PSP, but it's a big headache. But, at the same time, I'm not going to drop $20 on a movie that I own on DVD, just to take it on the road. The UMD format is ill-conceived. I was out in Vegas last week, and they were advertising a $50 portable DVD player at a store for BF. The thing is, very soon, everyone will have a portable player if they want it. So, why spend a bunch on UMD's that cost more and offer less? But, if you make it easier to convert your exisiting DVD's that would be nice.

2) Stop the damn filmware updates, until you fix other stuff. Early on, I could see it. But, how much is Sony spending to update these filmwares? Plus, some of these updates seem to only be to stunt homebrew. The funny thing is, not only do the hackers continuously thwart Sony, but some of their stuff is useful (why not have a calculator or dayplanner program Sony)? Plus, is Sony really losing much by letting the homebrew fly? They haven't figured out the Sony systems yet. I would think they could turn a blind eye to this legally and basically allow you to play all of the GBA games for free. It could only help sell it, and I think they would help sell more games, from gamers who want Vice City Stories, but aren't willing to give up the homebrew (under the fear that Sony will stop releasing games).

3) Heck, let Sony encourage homebrew. It's already there, but allow homebrew people who create useable software (ex the dayplanner) to sell it for a nominal fee from Sony. Honestly, if you allowed this, where the best stuff could sell, wouldn't this tempt talented programmers away from breaking the newest filmware, for the thought of making a few grand? That would be win/win for Sony.

The PSP is my favorite handheld I've ever owned. It looks sleek enough to wow people with at a party in ways that the Nintendo DS won't. But, Sony won't let the darn thing breathe.
 
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