Sony has revealed the reason behind its choice to
restrict the PS Vita UMD Passport scheme to Japan.
Speaking to
Wired, Sony's head of worldwide studios Shuhei Yoshida attributed the decision to two main factors: demand and international UMD pricing.
"The system has been introduced in Japan, where there is a much larger demand for PSP games," Yoshida said.
"Lots of people who are interested in trying Vita are also interested in playing PSP games that they might purchase before Vita comes out, and will not necessarily choose the digital version."
Passport woesIt's difficult to argue with his point, there. However, his follow-up argument may be considered slightly more controversial by consumers in the west.
"The other point is that when you look at PSP titles sold digitally in the States or Europe, games are sold for a really reasonable price," Yoshida continued.
"PSP games in Japan are sold at a much higher price, so people see the value in spending the $5 to $10 to get the digital copy. But when the games are already sold at a lower price in the US we see less value in introducing that kind of system."
Border controlsWhile it's true that US and European customers can get their hands on inexpensive UMDs, PS Vita owners may resent having to cough up full price for a digital copy of a game they've already purchased just to avoid carrying two separate Sony handhelds around.
Do you think Sony has thumbed its nose to western PSP lovers with this decision? Or, like the outrage that sprung up when Sony removed backwards compatibility from the PS3, will objections simply fizzle out over time?
Let us know in the comments below.
1UP
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Kayoss | 18:39 - 7 March 2012
I dont think I have any issue with this. PSP games are meant to be played on the PSP. Sorry if I do offend anyone, if i did, i didnt mean to. But If you still have your PSP UMDs then that means you still have your psp. You can still use your PSP it is not obsolete at the moment. I still carry my PSP around and still play Gran turismo and final fantasy VII. Plus the PSP U.S. market is not as great as the one in Japan so for Sony to do this is consider a lost of money. I rather them put more effort in improving on new games and function for the PS vita as a priority.
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SpanishPeacock | 13:32 - 3 March 2012
Didn't see any "value". More like "didn't see any money" in it, which is frustrating. Nothing like trading in my PSP games to Gamestop for $2-$5 each only to have to buy them on the PS Store for $10-$20 each. I know, I know, if you don't like what you get for a game, don't sell it, but they could lower the prices a bit on older PSP games, I mean, how about a standard "if it's X years old, it's $10 or less" deal? I really don't see too many people forking over $30 for a download of a PSP game when Vita games are only $5 more. I like how the digital versions of Vita games are about 10% off, why can't they do that with PSP titles?
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90
Etharius | 12:55 - 25 February 2012
Translation: the West didn't buy enough of our product, so they can get bent. Anyone stupid enough to pay our outrageous download prices can access their library (well, some of it) as a further 2 fingered salute to our customer base.
I'm happy to keep using my Go to be honest, it's nice and hacked, allowing me to play digital copies of the 60+ games I have on UMD. If Sony won't let me access products I've paid for, I'll do it myself thank you very much.
