In the tell-us-something-we-don't-already-know department,
SCEA's chief financial officer Robert Wiesenthal admitted software potential has been lackluster, and is considered to be slowing PSP hardware sales. "Clearly on the software side, any real killer title will galvanize the sales," he said. This mirrors similar thoughts from Hiroshi Kamide, director of the research department at KBC Securities Japan, who believes the PSP hardware is stellar while the compelling reason to own one is not. "Most of the software is knock-offs of PlayStation 2 titles and that won't do Sony any favours," he says. We tend to agree, which could explain why some of us are so smitten with the refreshing game play in one of the PSP's newest releases, Crush.
Compelling reasons to own a PSP are definitely coming. For those that haven't yet seen our coverage of the recent Sony Gamers Day (SGD '07), we implore you to take a peek behind the curtain of planned content. This summer should prove even more rewarding for RPG fanatics with the Final Fantasy I and II remakes, Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics, Jeanne d'Arc and much more. It would seem developers have been already working on a solution to a problem Sony is, just now, admitting to. Better late than never, we suppose. So lets get that ball of content rolling!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-04-2007 @ 6:09PM
rabe7thebest said...
God Of War and Crisis Core should be Killer titles, if they dont screw up.
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6-04-2007 @ 6:21PM
Nik said...
Actually, the system needs to cost $130. The fact that it has been out for over 2 years and still hasn't hit this crucial price point is proof that Sony still doesn't understand the handheld market.
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6-04-2007 @ 7:25PM
Brandon said...
Isnt the software stable that it currently has enough to not need a "killer app"? I mean, there are easily over a dozen games that are absolute must haves for the system. The only thing holding it back is price (still, although the current drop is a start, save the next for fall), and perhaps some high profile game.
MGS:PO is good, but it was only adopted by those already owning a PSP. Crush is amazing, but isnt in a genre that the masses will latch on to. The PSP doesnt need a killer app per se, but just a mainstream game that is big enough to get the attention of those who dont own a psp.
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6-04-2007 @ 7:41PM
Thomas said...
SONY as a whole needs Killer Apps and cheaper prices.
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6-04-2007 @ 7:41PM
Kspraydad said...
Drop the price to $95 with the purchase of a PS3 during the coming holiday season...Sony covers their manufacturing costs and sells some more PSN games and memory sticks.
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6-04-2007 @ 7:59PM
PSP-Rising said...
It would be great if they would drop the price, but there is NOTHING out there for 169 that can do what the PSP does out of the box, NOTHING!. If it was only dedicated to gaming then I could see it being much cheaper. There are plenty of great games out for the system that appeals to ALL age groups. Sony just needs to do a better job of showcasing what the PSP can do instead of it's lame job at marketing. Too bad they are not more like Nintendo in this area.
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6-04-2007 @ 8:57PM
kingofwale said...
God of War
Castlevania
Slew of New FF'S/ports
Pursuit force 2
Wipeout pulse
While all not killer apps they are a heck of a lineup
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6-04-2007 @ 9:10PM
Joe said...
Gran Turismo 4 Mobile is the game I am lookinf forward too. It may be a port but at the same time could be one of the games that could really show what the PSP can do. Plus Gran Turismo has always been a million seller. So I could see lots of people wanting a PSP just for this game.
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6-05-2007 @ 12:13AM
Lp47 said...
GOD of WAR is going to be huge and Syphon Filter. BUt they need to really start pushing huge titles and get the psp back on track.
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6-05-2007 @ 1:45AM
Saigon said...
"Isnt the software stable that it currently has enough to not need a "killer app"? I mean, there are easily over a dozen games that are absolute must haves for the system."
I completely agree, that's what I've always thought.
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6-05-2007 @ 6:34AM
Jay said...
"PSP-Rising" is nearly right: there is nothing on the market that does everything the PSP does at ANY price, let alone 169 greens. If it were a gaming system alone, yes, it should be 99 bucks, but the PSP is sooo much more.
Killer games are needed, absolutely - first priority, plus other non-gaming apps - with an official keyboard attachment. But also a decent download store including downloadable movies: now these things would double sales.
PS - Count yourself VERY lucky in the US; in the UK the PSP costs close to $250 for the unit alone.....
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6-05-2007 @ 8:45AM
Alien said...
I know GoW is comming , and man Im hyped abouyt it . Same is with CC and Origins , Dissidia etc. But I want a brand new original IP , which pushes the PSP to its actual limits , I want a brande new game , and not a nother LocoRoco ( though I want that to actually :P ) .
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6-05-2007 @ 9:11AM
txa1265 said...
Re #10 ""Isnt the software stable that it currently has enough to not need a "killer app"? I mean, there are easily over a dozen games that are absolute must haves for the system."
I completely agree, that's what I've always thought. "
There is a difference between 'must haves' and 'system sellers' - I love my PSP, but if I hung around waiting for a system seller I'd probably still be waiting. *BUT* - once you have a system, regardless of the games you like, I always have a few to recommend! So that is what makes it a tough sell.
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6-05-2007 @ 5:52PM
PSP-Rising said...
11.
I totally agree the PSP would really benefit from a keyboard, and add to that a browser fix for the memory issues and maybe a chat client like trillian and make streaming video work. This would truly enhance the internet experience. If they can do a keyboard why not add a plugin to allow you to connect an external gamepad.
#13 I totally agree with you as well, system seller??? WTF? I mean if the system has games and features you already enjoy yet you wait for the game that you have just got to own to make you purchase the system that is plain silly.
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6-06-2007 @ 12:48AM
goemon4 said...
One game - DJ Max Portable... bring that to the states and it will ROCK!!
Also, GoW and GT are comming Nov 1, so yall can cait (well thats what my local gamestop said)
But the psp has good games, the thing is, their plagued with things like bad controlls. It has plent of good games, with (like i said) DJ Max, GTA, Metal Gear PO, Burnout, Lumines, LocoRoco, Wipeout, Daxter, Tekken, i mean i can go on. there plenty of good ones, but i guess there need to be those games that really say, WOW i want a psp. Tho idk why portable GTA dosnt do that already?
@ Alien - agreed, there needs to be more, good quality, psp-only franchises, or original games, tho games like PQ, and Crush look fun
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