Slashdot Mirror
Sony's New Development Strategy For the PSP
An anonymous reader writes "Sony is finally responding to the threat posed by the iPhone, and has started aggressively courting developers around the world to work on digitally distributed games for PSP in a bid to grow the amount of software offered on its handheld. And, Develop has revealed, the firm is planning to introduce a streamlined content pipeline for the platform — which includes abolishing concept approval — plus cheaper devkits, shorter quality assurance processes, and very low price points for new games. It hasn't totally abolished the barriers around the platform for homebrew and indie devs, but it's a start."
Make games that are fun.
Focus on improving the PSP's abilities rather than spend all their time trying to cripple the functionality other people have given to it?
I'm glad to see that Sony's trying to court developers, but it just seems like too little too late for the PSP. The PSP is just too dated as a platform to hold much appeal to me at this point. The PSP Go managed to ditch some of the legacy problems of the PSP that were holding it back, but missed a lot of obvious updates the platform could have used (2nd analog stick, capacitive touchscreen, flash based physical media, longer battery life), and it came at the cost of a ridiculous price increase.
Sony could have the greatest gaming lineup ever, but I'm still not sure it would be enough to get me to shell out $250 for a portable device that's largely redundant with several devices I already own (and this is coming from a fairly hardcore gamer who didn't bat an eye at purchasing 3 home consoles and an HD4870).
It's not the games that need developing, it's the PSP itself. An optical drive that you can't write your own discs, a proprietary memory standard (to boost Sony sales), and build quality that does not belong in their once famed quality of the 1980's - preferring style over everything else. Oh, and each new version goes up in price.
I'd really love to have a PSP*, but locking me into an awful, overpriced memory standard is a deal breaker. Well, not quite, it has "SONY" written on it, THAT'S the deal breaker.
* Used a friends device
Take Nobody's Word For It.
I was going to pick up Patapon 2, on an impulse buy, one of the last times I was at a GameStop. Then, I decided I should check the used games, hmm, no copies of it, so then I checked the box. Download only. If anyone hadn't guessed, I still don't have Patapon 2.
I'd have to buy a new stick of (non-standard) memory to fit it on as well as the game and then there'd be no loaning or trading of it. I'd put up with those restrictions for a under $10 game. For example, I have Zenonia for my iPod. I won't be buying Patapon 2 for $20 plus the cost of a new memory stick.
My collection of UMD games (why yes, I'm one of those oddballs that actually buys games) also makes the new PSP pointless for me. For me, Sony is basically saying that since I've been a paying customer that has bought into their system they don't want me as a customer anymore because of pirates who don't buy things anyways.
Wow, are you a fucking idiot.
I'm pretty confident that any objective reader of our posts will not think I'm the idiot.
Let me guess...you didn't bother to check the amount of both games and exclusive games at the same point in the PS2 and PS3's lifespans before running your mouth off? No you didn't. Of course not.
I know the numbers. Remember... at this point in its lifespan, the PS2 was clearly and substantially a far better selling console than its competitors; at the same point in the PS3's lifespan, it is clearly the least selling console. I haven't said one word about the quality of the games on any console, only the market penetration. The PS3 has a shot at perhaps catching up to the 360, and it hasn't a prayer of catching the Wii. It obviously will never dominate the market like the PS2 did.
"The capability of the consoles is pretty much the same"
QED. You are a total fucking moron.
I think you are perhaps too emotionally invested in a console? Look at the games on the 360 or PS3. They are, generally, of equal quality. Graphics are similar, gameplay is similar. The consoles are close enough in raw power that the talents of the developer and style of the artists is far more important than the console. They are more similar in power, I think, than the PS2 and X-Box were last gen. You're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. I've seen fanboys comparing subtleties of reflections, and counting particles, trying to show how much better the 360/PS3 is than the inverse... completely missing the point that having to do so means the differences are irrelevant.
Of course, the Wii has significantly lower graphics capability, and significantly outsold the others, so the point is a bit moot.
Let me guess...you use to be a Dreamcast fanboy...
Well, I am a Dreamcast FAN. Just like I am a PS2 FAN. Hell, I'm a fan of all the consoles. PS3 is a great console, no doubt a better piece of engineering than a 360. However, Sony management ruined any chance at them dominating the gaming industry this gen. No need to lie to yourself and pretend they'll pull out a sudden victory on year four or five.