Sony has told CVG that it has "exciting plans" for PSP in Europe this year - but stopped short at confirming a price drop for the region.
The US PlayStation office announced a territory-specific price drop for PSP-3000 on Friday, cutting the hardware's SRP to just $129.99.
A bunch of software deals were also confirmed for North America, including new additions to the budget 'Greatest Hits' and 'Favorite' labels.
However, no such announcements have been made in Europe yet. When asked when we could expect similar deals to hit PAL territories, an SCEE spokesperson told CVG:
Sony's "exciting plans" will be realised in tandem with preparation for new handheld NGP - or PSP2 - which is due for launch in at least one territory before the end of 2011.
Sony has confirmed that the device will be released across multiple models - with only one SKU offering 3G connectivity.
The NGP will carry some very impressive tech, including a five inch OLED screen capable of displaying 16 million colours.
Comments
21 comments so far...
Silentbob293 on 27 Feb '11 said:
I wonder how much money you would save if you decided to stay one console generation behind everyone else
gobbybobby on 27 Feb '11 said:
Loads!
Never owned a PSP, EU price drop plz!
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
The problem with buying a PSP now is that the consumer is now aware that the NGP won't be backwards compatible. Any games bought for the PSP will not capable to migration to the NGP platform. With this in mind, the purchase of a PSP at any price is a bad move. At least with DS you know that the copy of Pokemon Black (or whichever game) you buy will play equally as well when you are in a position to upgrade to a 3DS.
Fr33Kye on 27 Feb '11 said:
Not really, anything bought on psn can be played on the ngp.You just cant play umd's.
AussieCrysis on 27 Feb '11 said:
An external UMD drive doesn't sound impossible either.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
That's flimsy justification that relies on Sony's benevolence. It also doesn't justify the PSP. You'd still be better waiting for the NGP to be released if you're just wanting games from PSN.
KesMonkey on 27 Feb '11 said:
You seem to be suggesting that once the NGP arrives, people will just discard their PSPs, and no longer have a way to play their UMD collection. Did people discard their PS2s after they picked up a (non-BC) PS3? Sure, maybe some did, but then they left themselves without the ability to play their PS2 games.
Once the PSP price drops, it will be the ideal time to pick up a PSP and many great games at bargain prices, providing you don't plan on keeping your PSP games and discarding your PSP.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Nope I'm suggesting that buying this console that uses a dead format means limiting yourself to a now dead format to play that title. Thus, with PSP out of production (it's not mass market in the sense of the PS2 so Sony is unlikely to continue with the model) once your PSP dies so will your PSP's physical library of games. The ongoing value of a PSP will lie in the hands of third parties for game development and Sony to provide UMDs for game manufacture. I just don't see the format as being popular enough to outlast its' generation, such as the PS2.
Although your argument about the PS2 / PS3 scenario is interesting. It's for that exact reason that I never upgraded to a PS3. By the time the price drop came b/c was no longer available. I have a substantial PS2 library so I bought another slim PS2 on offer and only continued supporting the Xbox format since it had at least some b/c. Not enough though. By your argument if I had a PSP I simply wouldn't have an incentive to upgrade to the NGP. Still if you find value in the PSP then go ahead. I'm sure that it won't be long before UMD's are out of manufacturing but hey.
Of course, should Sony make a simple means to transfer your network games to the NGP then that's maybe an argument. I still say though that concrete facts are the only way to base an argument and not what ifs.
theideal on 27 Feb '11 said:
Well... You obviously don't, seeing as there was a fair bit of conjecture in your posts.
Jus' sayin'.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Would you care to expand?
To the best of my knowledge, I have only stated that from the point of information we have, i.e. the concrete facts, this is the most likely case. Certainly you can argue this to be a degree of conjecture however my argument is still based upon the concrete facts. Whether there is further conjecture derived from concrete facts and a practical evaluation of most likely outcomes is up to others. I'd agree this to be the case. However, it does not render my statement mute or invalid. Nor does it conflict with my previous posts. If you believe that my argument is unsound then raise a valid point. I certainly believe that my argument is more sound than encouraging people to buy because Sony could release a UMD drive.
theideal on 27 Feb '11 said:
I don't need to. Your posts are up there to read. Seems strange to me you don't see it.
*shrug*
Edit:
Aah, I see you did a hasty edit.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Yep, I did. Not trying to hide it. Had selected the wrong button. Apologies if you feel this was in anyway unfair to yourself.
Further point, not trying to be argumentative. However, you do realise that there is nothing at odds with my statement above and my argument since I'm making it from a point of initial concrete facts, i.e. a base? This is then followed up with realistic conjecture (As you rightly observe). However, it is a reasonable argument that I feel I am making. Not sure why you feel antagonistic on this argument as it is not meant in anyway other than pointing out that current gamers should be wary before spending money on the PSP in light of the NGP specifics.
theideal on 27 Feb '11 said:
Unfair?
LOL, nope. My reply would've still been along the same lines.
I'm in no real mood to write essays tonight really.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Oh well, unfortunate. Would have been interesting to read your argument with regard to the article. Your reaction to my post doesn't really provide any insight other than a desire to commit personal attacks. Had hoped there was a little more to you. Hopefully, I'm wrong but, you know, initial impressions. Other posters arguing with my posts gave reasons for an interesting debate. Obviously, I respect their mature commentary.
Still have a good night.
theideal on 27 Feb '11 said:
LOL, it was hardly a personal attack.
You seem very bent out of shape.
Here, have a Werther's.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6/werth.jpg
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Thank you very much.
Apology accepted.
theideal on 27 Feb '11 said:
Ha!
I only ever apologise after sex.
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Must resist obvious retort...
g_marrs on 27 Feb '11 said:
Okay, theIdeal. Since, I assume we ain't arguing no more, and, I've got a hard day's programming in the morrow: I bid thee well and g'night.
A3RO_DYNAMIK on 27 Feb '11 said:
Got my PSP 3000 from game for £90, came with Petz lol. Sold that for £15 quid on eBay. Jobs a gooden.
toaboa on 28 Feb '11 said:
PSP 3K is already on firesale all over the region, so "exiting plans" sounds interesting