If you're like the folks at Multimedia Recovery, your UMD discs are exploding all the time. Seriously. As this seller admits, they're "built to self-destruct." Our experience with the discs have been far less volatile -- and trust us, we've played a lot of PSP games. What could be the reasoning behind making such a bold claim?
Well, it's obvious. He wants to sell you something: so-called "indestructible" UMD casings. Sure, they're cheap (only $4, shipped!). But, as bickle from CAG puts best, it "looks like a solution in search of a problem."
Posts with tag UMD
Infomercial: UMDs are 'built to self-destruct'
UMD claimed a waste of money, time and investment
Perry thinks if the PSP turned into a download-only handheld, current PSP owners would only have to register their game with a iTunes-like service, to prove they own it, and bam! instant success. We think a download-only handheld would be pretty sweet, but Perry thinks that retailers hinder this progressive thinking. "The truth is, the stores will not carry PSPs unless they feel they are going to get a piece of the action on the back end. And Sony has not come up with an innovative business model that can support that concept." Who knows, maybe we can get some kind of "download station" at retailers in the next decade or so and just bring our systems in for purchases. It's a neat way of thinking, but really, you could say the same thing for the DS. What do you guys think? Would the PSP 3.0 be well-received if it were a download-only handheld?
[via DCemu]
Sony will not 'walk away' from UMD support
In a recent interview with Pocket Gamer, John Koller, senior marketing manager for the PSP, strongly defended the UMD format against accusations of waning industry support. Though movie company support has definitely dropped as companies try to figure out what titles work with the UMD format (hint: more Family Guy and less Rent), Koller says that UMD movie sales have actually increased 35% between 2005 and 2006 and goes on to say the sales increase "clearly demonstrates a growing interest by consumers for UMD movies."Interestingly, he also mentioned that the cost to duplicate and create UMD discs is actually cheaper and faster than duplicating DS cartridges. Unfortunately, this brings up one of the problems of the UMD format -- the disc based aspect of it allows for cheap production but slow read speeds cause massive load time troubles for developers. It isn't a deal killer, but it something that causes headaches for developers. Koji Igarashi, the guy behind Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, has had to deal with that first hand and says that while he was initially worried, it turned out to be something that didn't hamper the team that badly while making the much anticipated title. "[Game companies] can overcome [loading times] by technique – it is the programmers' chance to show what he can do," he said.
The most important part of the interview was that, even with an official PSP iso loader, a new possible PSP redesign with large amounts of onboard storage, and an upcoming PSP Store with video/game content, that Sony will not abandon the UMD format. "We'll never walk away from our base," says Koller. "Whether it's movies or game content, third parties have an incredible opportunity to utilize it."
[Via Games Industry]
Deal of the Day: 20% off all UMD movies
Deep Discount is at it again. They're having their semi-annual 20% off sale, which will let you take off 20% off all DVDs, Blu-ray discs and UMDs in their collection. They have fairly low prices throughout the store, and with an additional savings of 20%, PSP bargain-hunters are sure to find something they want. Simply use coupon code USATODAY -- not only will you get an additional discount, but you'll also get free shipping. We were able to pick up Sin City for only $7, the perfect price for a movie on the go.[Thanks, Spencer!]
Hollywood wants PSP to compete with iPod
Even now, Sony continues to stand by UMD, instead of offering a true video download service for the handheld. Sony seems content with their position: their attempts in Japan have been lackluster at best, and PSP's video playback remains crippled due to incomprehensible video restrictions. "You got a company here that's pushing its own approach on every level, and as a result nobody is using its memory stick or video format," McQuivey said. "So you don't have the same robust market that you could have had if you said, 'We're going to open this up. You can put your Windows Media files on here. You can put your QuickTime files on here.'"
All hope is not lost, however. A Hollywood executive spoke anonymously to CNET, noting that many Hollywood executives are "pulling for the PSP to emerge as a competitor to the iPod." Many executives are afraid that Apple will maintain a monopoly over movies as it has had over music. Competition is good for the consumer, and the companies making the content. A PSP video download service makes so much sense, but it won't happen until Sony stops making lame excuses. "But Sony has been so dysfunctional and clueless when it comes to the Internet," said the executive. "We keep hoping they pull themselves together ... with the PSP video, we're hoping they create a forward-thinking strategy and stick to it."
God of War: Chains of Olympus - first trailer & UMD demo
Continue reading God of War: Chains of Olympus - first trailer & UMD demo
GameZnFlix rental service drops PSP support
Movie and game rental service GameZnFlix has recently dropped all support for PSP. The company, which used to provide UMD games and movies to about 100 customers, has called it quits due to changes in postal regulations. "The bad news is that these changes to the mailing standards are forcing us to discontinue offering games and movies for the PlayStation Portable device. Because of both the disc weight and thickness, we would have to use a more expensive shipping method and slower side of the postal system since these discs are no longer eligible to be shipped as 1st class letters."Currently, it appears that GameFly, a competitor, will continue supporting PSP systems with game and movie rentals.
[Via Aeropause]
Price drop causes 300 percent sales increase?
Unfortunately, Kotaku hasn't provided a source for their information, and without specific numbers to work with, the authenticity of such a claim becomes a lot shakier. However, we'll play the optimist: with both system and games reaching mass market affordability, PSP is bound to bounce back in the handheld wars.
More surprisingly, it appears as though the UMD is not dead. Apparently, UMD movie sales were actually up 35 percent from 2005 to 2006. "That jump in sales enticed Target to bring the format back to their stores."
These are interesting developments for PSP, especially if true. The handheld wars are certainly getting far more interesting, now that Sony's recommitted to the fight.
Last gasps of a dying format [Update 1]
Sony handled movie UMDs terribly, so it comes as no surprise that movie studios and retail stores are becoming reluctant in supporting the format. Recent exceptions, like Borat or Casino Royale, got me thinking: When will the last UMD movie be released? A trip to Sony Style lists "Stomp the Yard" as the last UMD available for pre-order, with a release date of May 15th. Amazon has a few other UMDs listed, but with release dates set in the year 2025, it's very likely that these UMDs have been canceled. In any case, it's painfully obvious this is the last year we'll see new UMD releases. Does anyone still buy new UMD movies, or do you simply buy them when they're on clearance?
[Update 1: The ever-lovable Dave Karraker has sent us an e-mail, stating "There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that we are discontinuing the UMD format for PSP."]
Koller says UMDs "always been a steady growth"
The problem with UMDs, he notes, is the inappropriate selection of movies in its catalog: "There hasn't been the drop off that's been reported. The movies that have had some selling problems, quite honestly would in any environment, are the ones that weren't targeted against that 16-24 year old demo, or even now as we get a little bit younger the 13-24 year old demo. They're not looking for the older catalog late 70s early 80s kind of movies. A lot of them weren't alive then."
Looking at the top UMD movies (pictured, above), it's clear that successful UMD movies target a very specific demographic. However, considering the scarcity of movies in our weekly PSP releases, it's clear that the format is not experiencing the "growth" that Koller is hinting at. There's more to read at Game Informer, but note that the interview reiterates many points that we covered at GDC.
Deal of the Day: Anime UMDs for $5 each at Gamestop
Your UMD collection can grow like a cancerous universe-creating monster at the prices that Gamestop is selling them at. Akira, Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll UMDs are all available at the low price of $5. (For the non-anime fans out there, Dawn of the Dead should fit the bill quite nicely.) Don't forget to use coupon code SAVER for free shipping.[Via CAG]
[Update 1: All products are sold out! You see what happens when you price UMDs the right way?]
Deal of the Day: Circuit City's UMD blowout
Circuit City is finally getting rid of those dusty UMDs sitting on its shelves: this week, you can buy 2 selected UMD titles for only $10. The partial list includes titles such as:- Bad Boys
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Once Upon a Time in Mexico
- Black Hawk Down
- Jerry Meguire
- Men in Black
[Via IGN]
Rush and get a free Ratchet & Clank demo
It's not downloadable, but it's still free. Be one of the first 3,500 people to visit the game's official website, and you'll be able to get a free UMD demo mailed to your home. As you may know, we really love the game here at the Fanboy: once you try it, you might too.
Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 8
Note: This edition was delayed due to New York Comic Con.
Every Saturday, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ www.pspfanboy.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: The Mega Drive was 16-bit, the PS1 was 32-bit, the N64 as 64-bit, and the PS2 was 128-bit. We don't use the word "bit" with the new genrations of consoles. Why is that?
A: Bits simply don't matter anymore. Why? Because most information you'll need will fit into 32 bit packets. Also, what are we measuring bits from? We have multiple CPUs, GPUs (and even PPUs) in modern gaming equipment, all of varying bit qualities. The PSP has a 32-bit CPU with a 128-bit bus and a GPU with a 256-bit bus. However you want to spin that, that either means the PSP is a 32-bit or a 256-bit system. Hopefully, this proves how useless these "bit" numbers are in determining performance.
Bring your PSP to NY Comic Con, get free stuff
Are you going to New York Comic Con? It's happening today, tomorrow and Sunday at the Jacob Javitz Center. While it's unlikely you'll be able to get in without tickets already, those of you lucky to be available for the convention should remember to bring your PSPs. The first 50 consumers to bring their PSP system by the PlayStation booth #411 each day will receive a UMD carrying case (pictured). Not only that, you may see me roaming the show floor, wearing the iconic orange Joystiq shirt. If you can find me and show me your PSP, you may win something from my patented Bag of Swag™.
Hope to see you there!
