DailyTech - Sony Kills Plans for UMD Trade-in Program for PSP Go

Submit News

Blog: Gadgets Sony Kills Plans for UMD Trade-in Program for PSP Go
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - September 25, 2009 2:52 PM

8 comment(s) - last by inperfectdarkn.. on Oct 1 at 1:14 PM

(Source: displayblog)

Sony says the plans were nixed due to technical and legal issues

Sony is getting set to launch the UMD-free PSP Go. The big rub for many PSP fans is that the lack of a UMD drive means that they can't use their existing library of games on the new portable.

At this year's E3, Sony said that there would be a process for transferring UMD titles to the internal storage of the PSP Go. Sony's Brian Keltner told Kotaku, "We are looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions. It's something we are still hammering out the details. As soon as we have solid plans in place we will make an announcement."

Now, however, Sony is changing its tune. A Sony spokesperson recently stated, "We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time."

Some retailers are already not happy about the fact that the PSP Go has no physical format for software, which cuts into their profits for selling games. Some retailers are reportedly not going to sell the PSP Go because of this fact.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

Ugh...

By quiksilvr on 9/25/2009 2:54:17 PM , Rating: 2

If there is no trade in program, why don't they just have an online marketplace that sells games more than a year old for $1? I mean, I'd rather pay $1 to just download it rather than go to the mall, go the the Sony store, wait in line, show the game, wait for it to be verified, then plug in my PSP Go over THERE, WAIT FOR IT TO DOWNLOAD, AND GO HOME >:(

RE: Ugh...

By Murst on 9/25/2009 4:49:11 PM , Rating: 2

You might be willing to do it for $1. However, other people will probably be also willing to do it for $10 or $20, which will most likely be closer to the real price of the games.

Parent

RE: Ugh...

By Hiawa23 on 9/29/2009 11:26:30 AM , Rating: 2

If there is no trade in program, why don't they just have an online marketplace that sells games more than a year old for $1?

that will happen when gas goes down to $.99/gallon. Sony wants you to rebuy the games. Why would they provide the conversion for free when they know gamers will rebuy the games? I got a 1001 model & fine with that & personally I wouldn't pay what they are asking for the GO, when my current model can do all that & I already have 40GBs worth of mem sticks so I think I am fine, & no need to pad Sony's pockets for another $250. A Wii & 360 costs less than the GO.

Parent

RE: Ugh...

By inperfectdarkness on 10/1/2009 1:14:13 PM , Rating: 2

to be fair, nintendo doesn't offer trade-in's on virtua console titles. i asked. i'd rather have the arcade version of "altered beast" than the genesis version". still debating weather i want to shell out more $$$ for it. :(

Parent

EB Games

By pwnsweet on 9/25/2009 8:50:45 PM , Rating: 4

quote:
Some retailers are reportedly not going to sell the PSP Go because of this fact.

EB Games have confirmed that they will not be selling the PSP Go in Australia.

RE: EB Games

By mmntech on 9/28/2009 12:21:37 PM , Rating: 2

Because it's going to kill their business. Profit margins are much bigger on software than they are hardware. Also look at the huge amount of money EB has made selling used titles.

I've read some of the reviews that came out on the PSPGo and so far they're not encouraging. I think I'll stick to my PSP Fat.

Parent

Lame

By adiposity on 9/25/2009 6:14:19 PM , Rating: 2

Lame, there's no good reason they can't do this. Mail in your game and get a coupon. The downloads don't cost Sony anything.

-Dan

RE: Lame

By the goat on 9/28/2009 7:55:39 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Lame, there's no good reason they can't do this. Mail in your game and get a coupon. The downloads don't cost Sony anything.

The problem is with third party developers and distributors. Sony doesn't own their games. Sony can't trade disc for downloadable copies without paying the third party companies for each copy that is transfered.

Parent

"Well, we didn't have anyone in line that got shot waiting for our system." -- Nintendo of America Vice President Perrin Kaplan