Things are not looking for Sony's handheld. After what appeared to be a successful resurrection with the redesigned PSP-2000, things have slowed down significantly for the system. EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich noted that sales of PSP have dropped quite a bit from its previous highs. In fact, it sold 17% less systems in May 2008 as it did in May 2007. Momentum is significantly dropping.The outlook for PSP is going to be much worse before it gets any better. According to Divnich, "this trend will likely continue, as we do not see any significant PSP titles in the short-term pipeline that could drive hardware sales in Sony's favor." The PSP software drought certainly isn't going to help.
For one reason or another, PSP software sales are also significantly lower than on any other platform. Divnich noted. "Furthermore, PSP software has consistently been last in software unit sales among the next-generation consoles and handhelds. Additionally, the PSP was the only console not to have a title in the top 10 of unit sales, even the PS2 managed to creep into the top ten with sales from Iron Man." So long as PSP software continues to flop, publishers and developers will have no need to create new content for the system.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
6-14-2008 @ 12:51AM
Zippon said...
Bryan,
Drive to Blockbuster.
Search through game racks.
Wait in line.
Pay for rental.
Drive home.
Purchase blank disc.
Burn disc.
Check disc for errors (burn another, if needed).
Drive back to Blockbuster and return rental.
Compared to:
Connect usb cable (or wireless to PSP).
Click mouse 3 or 4 times to find game, download game, and transfer game to PSP.
Done.
Piracy is MUCH easier these days. The only hurdle is putting CFW on in the first place. And there are thousands of helpful posts, sites, and videos instructing people on how to do just that!
I'm just sayin'......
6-13-2008 @ 2:31PM
Brian said...
More game will get more people interested in the PSP, and better copy protection will limit piracy.
CFW are cool but if you are using it just to get hacked games you know you're wrong. You like the games then buy them, rent them, gem them used let developer see their is some consumer interest.
There need to be more games both UMD's and PSN downloads. The Japan store has a bunch of games I would download if they were available here (RE 2, Silent Bomber, Dino Crisis, Metal Gear Solid, Intelligent Qube, Bloody Roar, Wild Arms 2, just to name a few), so come on and work out those issues already. There are a bunch or PSP's out there Sony give us something to play on them.
I really enjoy my PSP and the games on it, I really hope Sony can turn thing around. The PSP is a great piece of hardware, it just needs the software to make it shine.
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6-13-2008 @ 5:52PM
cduran01 said...
They need to put the PSN store on the PSP and offer more downloadable games. They should also make it easier for indies to to become PSP developers. Since the big companies can't be bothered they need to turn to the best source of unique games, independent developers.
They also need to hurry up with the GPS add-on and the bluray -> PSP downloads.
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6-13-2008 @ 8:37PM
Steve said...
man you gotta feel sorry for sony, the introduce new security patches with every update yet those hackers always find a way around it, the ought to involve the cops, i mean, theres only two major homebrew teams, how hard could it be to track there ip?
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6-14-2008 @ 7:23PM
Ryan A said...
It really is a shame, too. The sole reason I bought the PSP was so that I could play God of War, Crisis Core and Final Fantasy: Tactics. The games were what prompted me to buy the system, but that it doubles as my mp3 player which I tend to keep on my person at all times, only serves to increase its usefulness for me.
I'm looking to buy a big memory card (I can't find anything larger than 2GB in my city) so that I can load it up with television shows (Fullmetal Alchemist, xxxHOLiC, et cetera).
I picked up Jean D'Arc recently because I heard it was good and I've been wanting a really interesting game for the PSP for a while now. Golf 'really' isn't my cup of tea.
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6-15-2008 @ 12:28AM
Virtuous said...
Sony has essentially abandoned the PSP in favor of the PS/3.
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6-15-2008 @ 2:43AM
daxFan said...
Of course, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to blame piracy. Completely ignoring the fact that there is a severe lack of releases over here and very little original content. Piracy isn't the problem as so many of you want to think it is. Software releases is the problem.
And it's pretty obvious that sales are dipping considering they haven't released anything of worth (or much at all) since Crisis Core.
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6-15-2008 @ 12:43PM
PitaMan said...
Of course piracy definitely doesn't help, but we are not seeing enough games coming out. Especially quality games. All the games are coming out in Japan and not enough advertising is also a factor. What happened to all the firmware updates too? It seems like Sony is not putting 100% into the PSP in the states at this time. They did it during the holidays, but they've hit a slump. Come on Sony.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:33PM
gumby said...
I just picked up the god of war game for the psp and it is unbelievable. If you havent played it seriously go out and get it...awesome game.
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6-17-2008 @ 12:10PM
Seba501 said...
The piracy is killing the PSP, look at the "TIE RATIO" in vgchratz.com, its 2.06 ............. lol, and i have 50 games or more. If sony is thinking to release a new PSP (PSP2 or PS2P) it will need to avoid the piracy
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6-18-2008 @ 1:40AM
pakkman781 said...
I find the piracy argument funny when piracy for the DS is just as easy, if not easier, due to the smaller games, and thus faster and easier downloads. All it takes is a cheap flashcart, and it's the same thing.
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