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Sony Refutes Low UMD Sales, Slow Production
Sony has responded to recent media attention with corrective statements. Specifically, the widely reported 100K UMD sales figure, and the slowdown in PSP production. GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that the Japanese company actually pegs UMD movie sales as much higher, possibly in the half-million unit range. Similarly, Gamespot reports that the company denies that they've slowed PSP production. From the article: "I'm not sure where the 18 million claim came from...We announced in the Sony earnings call that the fiscal year 2005 PSP shipment targets were 12 million units worldwide. We are still on target and there has been no reduction in forecast."
I'm sure the DS will get cheaper, but the one thing people always seem to say is "I will get a PSP when the price drops". The DS is pretty much already at a mass-market price, whereas the PSP is still too expensive for many. I think once the PSP hits a certain price range it will start to sell more. Of course I'd much prefer a market where the DS and PSP co-exist, but these days it seems whoever sells the most is the winner, regardless of who made a profit...
Sony seems to have a large problem with denial. They simply choose to beleive that the problem doesn't exist, usually in spite of the fact that all evidence points to the fact that there is problem.
Case 1: UMD discs selling poorly.
Denial: We meant to say singular title, and failed to mention we could units sold differently than most people in order to make the numbers deceptive.
Case 2: PSP's have dead pixels in the screen.
Denial: This is common with all LCD devices (true to some extent) and is therefore not our fault. Lalalalalalala, we're not listening.
Case 3: PS2 DRE (This has happened to me).
Denial: As far as we're concerned there's absolutely nothing wrong with your PS2. However, you can pay $70 and shipping costs to have our technitians hit it with a putty knife.
Rather than actually admit that something might be wrong, Sony has time after time tried to sweep the problem under the rug or use smoke and mirror diversionary tactics. The end result is some terrible customer support.