SCE UK has debunked reports claiming the confirmation of a PSP redesign by SCE boss Ray Maguire yesterday.
Reports claim that Maguire confirmed Sony's intention to release a "smaller, lighter" version of the handheld at the launch event for Sony's PSP in Education initiative yesterday.
But speaking to CVG moments ago, head of PR at SCE UK, David Wilson, said that comments by Maguire had been blown out of proportion.
"There are no immediate changes planned for PSP (other than continued firmware updates)," clarified Wilson in a statement to CVG.
He continued: "But in the longest term, of course we are always looking at ways to continue our platform development, and this normal business practice is what Ray was referring to."
Wilson also pointed out that this was "hardly a revelation" given the company's consistent history of making changes to its hardware: "The way that PS2 moved from full size to 'slim line' was mentioned in this context - but this did take four years," says Wilson.
The vanishing story has reappeared... not really giving any specifics, but they wouldn’t want to damage sales by telling everyone when a new version was coming out.
overpriced and over-hyped. If it was 50 quid I'd buy one straight away. But the fact is it will never be that cheap which is why its a failure! And the "new" one is likely to be even more expensive...
I wonder are Sony familiar with the phrase "You can't polish a turd"?
I've always been very vocal on my disappointment with Sony's handheld with mine more or less gathering dust since I bought it, up until recently when I've started to use if for its multimedia functions. My interest has been renewed in all things PSP and I've picked up Tales of Eternia and Sega Mega Drive Collection recently. These are both great games and are perfectly suited to the handheld format. The former infact reminds me of the wonderful GBA game Golden Sun. There are some really good games on the PSP but its just knowing which ones. Every Extend Extra, Taito Legends, Me and My Katamari and Exit are all great titles. Games that are designed around the PSP's control layout properly and keep their concepts and design simple are the games to invest in.
VERY TRUE. If the damn thing wasnt riddled with clumsy ports of PS2 games (and for some reason it seems to have a huge selection of CRAP rpg's lol) it may have done well. Although its only just recenlty that its started to do quite well in Japan (metal gear port.ops being the BIGGEST reason). Personaly, I think its reasonably priced, considering the hardware inside. Everybody complains about the price, but news flash: If you love your graphics so much, you have to be prepared to shell out for the technology. I dont have one, and I prefer the DS when it comes to hand-held gaming. But, I still think (if used correctly) the PSP is a brilliant machine. Harmed by bad ports, a dodgy 'x' button on the earlier models and the complete ignorance of Sony
There's also the idea of ditching of the UMD altogether and adding 2GB Flash, or running off MemStick, which must be cheaper. Games would have to be delivered by download if they do this, which would be a first step towards online only, and really pee off the chain-stores, so I think it unlikely. The handheld needs a redesign mostly in its shape, d-pad, button and analog placement to make it more comfortable when playing games.
I think if there is a re-design it will be because the current model is under performing and it would be easier to launch a new version that trying to get people interested in something that’s been out a while and hasn't done very well. What they should do along with this is try and get some good games for it. The GTA’s are good but you can get bigger and better on the home console and it isn’t anything new. The only game that has ever made me look at it was Loco Roco. The redesign will do just as badly if it doesn’t have any good games. I wonder if they will add a touch screen and try to port all the DS’s top titles.
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