PSP NEWS
PSPgo games will be as cheap as iPhone games
With the rumour mill speeding up prior to Sony's press conference at the Gamescom show in Cologne, Germany, next week, news has been leaked concerning the price of PSP games for the soon-to-be revitalised PlayStation Network (PSN).
Pocket Gamer has learned that these will be priced at 1, 2 and 5 Euros, making them the equivalent of the games available via Apple's App Store.
In fact, the highest priced games on the App Store are $9.99 - currently The Sims 3 and Real Racing - making PSN cheaper at the top end.
It's a significant move as Sony has been hit by criticism concerning the price of the PSPgo hardware ($250, £230).
Ensuring the price of games is much lower than previously experienced on the PlayStation Network provides a strong incentive for people to shell out for the heavily revised hardware.
This low pricing structure for games also means Sony will have relaxed its business model to enable small development studios to get involved with PSP.
There's no news concerning the revenue split between Sony and developers and publishers, but we'd be surprised if it's not the 70:30 that's become standard thanks to Apple's adoption of it for the App Store.
In addition, Pocket Gamer has learned that Sony has been actively sourcing iPhone developers to bring existing titles to PSN.
Obviously some rework is required due to different screen size - 480 x 272 versus 480 x 320 - not to mention transposing touch controls to joypad, D-pad and buttons - but the bulk of game logic and artwork is likely to remain the same.
Sony isn't taking a leaf out of Apple's book when it comes to easing the process of publishing, however.
Games will continue to go through formal console-centric Technical Requirement Check (TRC) requirements, as well as a two week quality assurance testing period.
Sony will also actively control the release schedule for games, although considering the current disquiet over Apple's laissez faire attitude to app approval and release, this might not be a bad thing.
At least we can expect a full launch line up of titles when PSPgo is released on 1 October.
Over 50 developers have been signed up to produce content for the existing PSP and new PSPgo hardware via the digital distribution PSN channel.
Joined:
Mar 2008
Post count:
173
Amazing news...this could change everything! But the question is - will big developers recoup their development costs? PSP games are generally more complex than iPhone games. While this will unquestionably bring smaller devs on board, I would imagine that the 'big guns' would stop producing epic titles and focus on less costly games.
I mean, can you seriously imagine Konami releasing Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for 5 Euros?
Mohammed | 14 August 2009
I love the ipod touch, my favourite handheld. But the advantage Sony have is that its already an established gaming brand and the actual D-pad analogue and buttons
wretgwreg | 14 August 2009
wrtgwrtg
JC | 14 August 2009
Sounds like a step in the right direction for sony.
Joined:
Apr 2008
Post count:
16
i dont think that this is good news. i think that this could be the beggining of the end for the PSP. Theres no way that Konami is going to release their 'equivalent to metal gear solid 5' for just 5 euros. Games released on PSP are full length PS2 length games with Ps2 style graphics. Capcom wont be releasing Resident Evil for 5 euros!!! Its bloomin ridiculos!!!!! For me this news is actually worrying. Coming up for PSP is: Little big Planet, Assasins creed, Gran Turismo, Metal gear solid pw, resident evil to name a few. and after there release could that be it? No big devs will release €5 games, the psp will turn in to that thing, the flip hand held, the one with the horrible graphics, the one with all the back water games, i hate to say it, the DS.
gigio | 26 August 2009
As far as I understand this pricing scheme is for PSP Minis games, not for real/big titles such as MGS.
Joined:
Dec 2008
Post count:
944
We are going to need low prices on games if people are going to spend 225.99 on the stinkin' PSP alone!
gimme' a break! Can you say "crash and burn" kids?
tim
