In Japan, companies like Square Enix and Konami have supported the PSN by re-releasing treasured PS1 classics onto the PS Store. However, the rest of the world's catalog has been quite lacking. Yoshida explained that these digital downloads don't offer much profit, calling the potential monies "insignificant." He also noted that there are many issues involving licensing, especially with the music found in older games. That usually adds to the difficulty of bringing back PS1 games.
While lamenting the lack of PS1 support on the PSN, he did ask us a favor: "Maybe if you can convince the third parties."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-17-2008 @ 4:39AM
Jeremy said...
And yet, when asked why their PS1 games aren't on PSN, third parties say "Ask Sony".
And the evidence seems to support them, because at least one third party game got as far as being rated by the ESRB (that PS1 Castlevania compilation), but was never released (though we did see SOTN). That seems to imply that Sony is holding up the release for some reason (apathy, I'd guess)
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7-17-2008 @ 6:36AM
smi04 said...
Its just as likely that Konami simply decided not to follow through with Castlevania compilation for whatever reason. ESRB rating is by no means the be-all-end-all of releases. If they offer "insignificant" returns as stated in the article it could also be possible Konami had a licensing snag and the cost:profit ratio wasn't high enough.
Hopefully when the PSN is accessible directly from the PSP, popularity will lift enough to warrant more effort on behalf Sony and 3rd parties.
7-17-2008 @ 11:04AM
Christopher said...
Another reason why Sony should just allow and support ripping of self owned PS1 games. The main reason I modded my PSP was for this feature alone...
7-17-2008 @ 2:34PM
Jacksons said...
Christopher,
Yeah, I wish they'd release some kind of tool like the one used for PS Store demos that would rip the disc directly to the PSP. That would be so much nicer than waiting indefinitely.
7-17-2008 @ 6:30AM
Errol said...
I'm still waiting for Crash Bandicoot 2 & 3, and i'm guessing that some american users are waiting for Crash Team Racing.
Maybe they can't release the same content as Japan gets, but they could at least release the same content in Europe and America for now.
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7-17-2008 @ 9:22AM
Bin said...
Not profitable? Sony could sell a lot more psps if it had PS1 classics like FF7 and MGS
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7-17-2008 @ 9:58AM
theMediaman said...
Um, PS1 downloads was SONY'S IDEA!
They only have themselves to blame for the fact that they haven't been able to back it up with real content.
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7-17-2008 @ 11:18AM
Saigon said...
I still think ps1 still has arguably the best game library of any system. But you would never think that, with alot of the lame ps1 downloads Sony release's. I'm not sure how well good games usually sell, but if they're not selling that well, then that could explain why Sony isn't trying to release AAA titles right now. They could be waiting for the store's userbase increase by alot before they release the big guns like FF7.
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7-17-2008 @ 2:33PM
Wrathbringer said...
There's a bit of a Catch-22 with that though since the userbase won't increase without better content, but Sony won't put up better content without a bigger userbase.
Sony NEEDS to release the big guns to attract people, I know it'll work for me.
7-17-2008 @ 1:42PM
PostedOval said...
Even though the profit from PS1 games on the PSP may be low, those older games can keep the interest in the SYSTEM high, especially during game droughts like right now. Instead of gamers going off to the DS for their new games, Sony could keep you using the PSP, which is what they would ultimately like.
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7-17-2008 @ 2:34PM
bryansurvive said...
"While lamenting the lack of PS1 support on the PSN, he did ask us a favor: "Maybe if you can convince the third parties.""
isnt that your job? sony didnt come from the ground up in one day. i just dont see why you can get whack games like medevil or jet moto to come across the board yet a kid game like crash cant see daylight again.
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7-17-2008 @ 2:55PM
atastysammich said...
It's over. I'm never going to get to play Jumping Flash! 2 on my PSP.
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7-17-2008 @ 7:56PM
Bibbly53 said...
Hey, "It's" not even close to being over.
Just rally four thousand people who want to see, purchase, and play that game from the SONY online STORE and Baddablam boi!
Yall get's what yall wants. 4 thugh munies.
7-17-2008 @ 7:50PM
Bibbly53 said...
UmJammer Lammy is MORE than a subtable candidate for the online SONY STORE D.L.C.
It would sell exponentially. Anyone who purchased the ported PaRappa the Rapper would go for this. Not to mention the DIE HARD fans.
And really, who doesn't like Bruce Willis?
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7-17-2008 @ 7:52PM
andwhyisit said...
Are they idiots? These games will not earn these companies money when they are currently not bringing in new (not used) game sales. Why not make some money from an old game that is currently not bringing you any money but can for zero cost?
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7-17-2008 @ 8:08PM
Brian said...
Sony make it more attractive for third parties to release their PS1 games on the PSP.
Most of them are holding out so they can resale their game as part of a collection or a DS game ...... Sony show them there is money to be made releasing their games for PSN download. And lead the charge by releasing more first party hits!
Sony get on those third parties to open up and let some of the hit from the japan store come to the US/ Eur stores. I would love to have some of the games on the japan store like Metal Gear Solid, Brave Fencer, Silent Bomber, Resident Evil 1 and 2, Dino Crisis 1, Intelligent Qube, Einhander.
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7-18-2008 @ 10:07PM
what? said...
bogus argument, that is
why is nintendo getting so many 100s of classics in their N.America online store?
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7-21-2008 @ 10:46AM
koehler83 said...
Convince third parties to let me pay for their games? Hellz no! I'll just go download them for free yo!
Piracy is rampant on the PSP, but when there's somewhere around 100 times more content to be found illegally than legally, what do you expect the user base is going to do?
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