E3 ’09: PSP go Leads a Huge Wave of PSN Content

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Hello, PlayStation Nation! E3 is the most exciting time of the year in videogames, and I wanted to share with you all some more insight into the news we just announced – specifically on the PSP platform and with our PlayStation Network.

We’ve been saying that 2009 will be a breakout year for the PSP because of the killer software lineup that no other handheld can match. Well, the PSP story is even stronger now with the unveiling of the PSP go, the newest addition to the PlayStation Portable family that is sure to be the “must-have” device for consumers seeking the deepest gaming and entertainment experience on-the-go. PSP go is sleek, pocket-sized, and 100 percent digital. This is the PSP designed for those of you who are completely comfortable downloading and storing digital media, and it’s ideal for anyone who considers themselves an early adopter of the latest and greatest technology. After talking extensively with consumers and our publishing partners, we know that now is the time to introduce PSP go. It will live alongside the current PSP-3000, and I should note that for those who prefer disc-based content, we remain committed to the UMD format, which will continue to be available at retail.

Here’s a quick look at the key specs:

  • The most portable PSP ever, PSP go is more than 50 percent smaller and more than 40 percent lighter than the original PSP we launched in 2005
  • A stylish sliding screen maintains the high resolution and vibrant visuals of the PSP-3000
  • Replacing the UMD drive is 16GB of internal flash memory to store plenty of games, videos, music, and photos
  • Memory Stick Micro slot offers expandable storage up to 16GB
  • Bluetooth support

Check out this brief video walk-through of the PSP go, courtesy of John Koller.

Whether you’re ready to purchase PSP go on launch day (October 1), or you’re already part of the PSP family with an existing model, we know that there’s plenty of demand for digital content on your PSP. PlayStation Network is your lifeline for this content, and we’re expanding our offering in a big way to deliver what you want. Over the last year, we’ve spent a lot of time evolving the network for PLAYSTATION 3, as the “always-online” system, and now we’re bringing that expertise over to enhance the PlayStation Network experience on the PSP with exciting new digital content and services. Starting today, you’ll be able to access the video delivery service of PlayStation Store directly on your PSP. No more downloading through a PC or PS3 first – just connect your PSP to a Wi-Fi Internet hotspot and you’ll have access to the thousands of movies and TV episodes available for rental or purchase. The volume of video content is growing weekly – in fact, we’ve announced 16 new content partners from Hollywood, anime, and sports, including Showtime, Starz, G4 & E!, Anime Network, UFC, and TNA, to name a few. Both PSP and PS3 owners will be able to enjoy this entertainment content, which will be rolled out this week. All of this is in addition to the broad range of games available on PlayStation Store.

And speaking of games, that’s what E3 is all about, so here’s a snapshot of what’s in store this year:

  • Beginning this fall, PlayStation Store will offer digital versions of many UMD games from the PSP’s library, as well as all upcoming titles, including Gran Turismo PSP, which was unveiled to the world at E3. We know you’ve been waiting patiently for the world’s biggest racing franchise to come to PSP, and your patience will be rewarded with a title that made jaws drop when we showed the demo at our press conference today. Newly announced PSP exclusives like Konami’s Metal Gear: Peacewalker and Capcom’s Resident Evil will also be available in digital format, as will LittleBigPlanet when it launches this year.
  • We’ve heard loud and clear that you want more classics from the PlayStation vault. Today we’re launching fan favorites, Final Fantasy VII and Medal of Honor. By the end of the year, the number of PSone games will double to nearly 60 titles. You’ll be able to enjoy these classics on the big screen with PS3 or on-the-go with PSP.
  • And, the PlayStation Network is an incubator for small, creative developers, and we unveiled some innovative titles at E3, including Gravity Crash and Hustle Kings for PS3 and Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake for PSP.

Worldwide there are now 24 million of you accessing the PlayStation Network, and we’re working hard to bring you the best games and entertainment content. As you can tell, that push for more content kicks off today, but you should check back throughout the week to see what else is up our sleeve.

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261 Comments

  • Is that it? Wow Sony drops the ball at E3 again this year.

  • First off this thing better support at least 802.11g. It’s getting harder to find a 802.11b hot spot.

    Second off, $250? Yes, it has 16 GB of built in memory, but it lost the UMD drive and about 25% of the screen size. You could have left out Bluetooth support and made it cheaper. Not sure why you need Bluetooth on a handheld game system any way.

    Finally, it’s time to dump the Memory Stick format and go with SD memory cards like every other company on the planet.

  • I might get it, but between the $250 for it plus having to buy another memory stick, I don’t know if I have enough spare money for it.

    It all depends if all of my favorite games are released for digital download.

  • It would also help if there was a price cut for the PSP 3000.

  • I’m an owner of an original PSP and would love to upgrade to this (don’t mind digital content) but the one thing I would like is a way to play the games I already own on PSP (especially portable ops and patapon).

  • I’ll be purchasing Final Fantasy 7 tonight, I never played it and have been waiting for it to land on the PSN!

    Does the PSP Go supports memory stick pro duo?

    Does the screen on the PSP Go is the same size as the other PSP’s??

  • Sony, you guys really know how to kill your fan-base. I have 4 PSP’s and I’ve been making heavy use of the Pro Duo memory. Now you’re coming out with micro Pro Duo. This is getting really annoying! And as someone stated earlier, there really needs to be a way to convert games that we already PAID for one time over to the Pro Duo. Otherwise I will not be buying your new PSP Go. Also, I agree the $250 price point is kinda crazy! And if the Pro Duo micros are expensive compared to the current Pro Duos ($35.00 for an 8GB) I will not buy a go until the price drops, even if it has 16GB built in. I have ALL kinds of movies and shows in MPEG4 format. I don’t want to have to remove and add content every time I turn around. Get it together Sony!!! And I thought Microsoft was bad!

  • Mysteriousplayer

    It doesn’t matter if the PSP uses UMDs or not, I just want good games. Today I’ve seen a few hopefuls coming out (like the new metal gear) but what the PSP lacks is fun. Yeah it’s cool that you can watch videos, somewhat go online, and listen to music but we don’t need downloads of movies or a music service, we just need fun game play. For example there’s plenty of good PS1 games that should be on the store but there’s just about six. Sony please stop focusing on multiple versions of your systems and just concentrate on building a killer library for all PS2, PSP and PS3. People won’t want to buy bad games regardless of what form they come in, digital or physical. Today I saw a continuation of hopefully good games coming out for Playstation 3 and Portable, I just hope you keep it up and focus on what you need to.

  • What about my UMDs? Will you have a way so I can get my UMDs transferred to my PSP Go!?

  • i don’t know what everyone’s complaining about. i did the smart thing, and stayed away from E3 news so everything i saw was completely surprising. Sony’s conference was so awesome, and had great stuff. everyone wanted the new Team Ico game and they finally got it, but all they can do is complain about other stuff like the PSP Go. omg, another whole $50! it’s less than the PSP1000 at launch, AND you had to buy a memory stick also which were NOT cheap 4 years ago.

    great conference Sony!

  • I love the design and I hope that for 1st October you Sony have lowered the price, let’s say, 25 dollars?

  • Poopookakabumbum

    The PSP Go is a direct slap in the face to anyone who has supported the PSP and bought UMDs up to now. (Like me)

    How dare you, Sony.

    You seem utterly determined to drive away the people that want to support you.

    How dare you, Sony.

  • Until I get more digital purchases off the PSN, I can’t see myself picking one up. Seems like a great device and something I’d love to play on the go but theres no way I’d use a smaller system (which the PSP looks width wise) on a permanent basis. I have a few fingers already falling asleep when I play DJMax for long periods of time and I fear this system might make it worse.

    If the games I want to play come digital like was mentioned at the press conference, then I’ll consider the swap by the time the system comes out. IF not, then at least the 3000 model will suit the lack of digital content with UMD’s.

  • Hopefully this is a stopgap measure until the psp2 is released. I don’t think I’ll be getting this. When you guys do get around to making the psp2, could you make sure it has 2 analog nubs, and accelerometer, and a touchscreen, please? It would be really nice if that touchscreen was multi-touch, but I can understand if it isn’t due to how the Apple Computer Company and others may be vigorous in their pursuit of anyone else who claims multi-touch as their own invention.

  • Price is fine, it’s only $50 more than a 16gb iPod and you can play games on it and remote play content from the PS3. enough said.

    Although a second analog stick would have been nice…

  • well you’ve got a buyer here. can’t wait to get my hands on the new PSP Go!

    i wonder if they’ll bring any of the other big PSP games to digital like God of War and Resistance.

  • The biggest problem I see is the lack of backward compatability with all of our existing games and all of the big releases mentioned today.None of them say they are download only so are we being asked to buy another system which doesn’t play what we all have now for $250 and who knows how much for games when what is currently out now works fine,has a bigger screen and memory sticks can be gotten pretty cheap these days.4 Systems in roughly 5 years is a bit much when you don’t really improve on alot of what you just came out with within the last year.I still have an original day 1 purchase model with alot of games that I’m not ready to simply just give away or be charged to buy them again.I wish them luck with this thing as based on what comes with it they must be hoping to make a killing on all the premium accessories they sell.3 different levels of case/pouches?Really,is this what we really need?

  • Still prefer my iPod Touch.
    Doesn’t look attractive and is it two analogue sticks..? if not what a shame!

  • no umd vary disappointing

  • wow :O

  • PSPGo! = Failure!

    seriously like smaller screen, no UMD, one analogue stick (another one could of been added if select button and start button were moved to the top middle of the handset).

    This all = pure failure!
    Boo…
    iPod Touch and Nintendo DSi kick as*!

  • How can sony justify the price on this thing???
    – no touch screen for direct interface
    – no accelerometer for motion control
    – no backwards compatibility with umd
    – no backwards compatibility with memory stick pro duo
    – no video out
    – smaller screen
    how do u strip a system down and give it less functionality and charge mroe for it? where did u people get ur business degrees from cuz u guys obviously dont understand economics or pricing strategy or anything that goes with successful business. didnt u learn form the ps3. price point is important especially when u give people less u should charge them less.

  • also does anyone realize this thing cost the same as a wii and is digital only so when ur doen with ur games u will not be able to resell/trade them in which actually reduces the value of this system even further. i mean just spend the extra $50 n buy an ipod touch which has everything the psp go has and touch and accelerometer and an insane app library. no way is this thing an upgrade form the 3000. my 1000 just broke a month ago and i guarantee u i will not be replacing it with the go.

  • the price point on this system alone will hinder sales as the psp 3000 is arguably a better value system and cheaper. sony ur not competing with the iphone ur competing witht the ds which just launched a new system with touch and built in cameras at almost the same price as ur “old” psp3000. how can u guys justify that price? this thing better have some killer functionalities that havent been released yet or it will fail epicly.

  • PSP go is an Epic FAIL. Sure PSP 1000 was $250 when it came out in 2005. So I see the price but what I don’t see is all downloadable content ONLY unless it has wireless internet like the Iphone. And not (wifi) becouse I will never buy one unless it has wirless internet. I don’t even care for wifi would rather have hard line. or a CEll Phone.

  • will we ever get ps2 tittles for download.i sold my slim to get a 40Gb ps3.no playback

  • for those fools who actually thought that Sony didn’t show enough games are freaken blind. unlike MS. Sony announced games through out the year. which i prefer. MS waited many months to announce anything. so over all Sony has alot more going between the psp and PS3. it utterly destroys what MS had to show. and most of what MS showed is multiplat. so don’t forget that. so with exclusives. Sony is kicking some serious ass

  • My main interest is in its media purposes and features. Also its interoperability with other products such as the PS3 and apparently cell phones too?

    Otherwise it’s just another PSP and not a buy for me because I already have one that works just fine.

  • is there any beta testing going on right now??

  • Colors? Dream on man You can dream it. But it will never happen because Sony isn’t listening to your concerns….Zzz But I don’t like the new PSP Go it looks so childish..lmao! Nice try Sony what you watch South Park to much and decided to use Cartman’s fat body ..Horrible Concept made for kids LMAO!….

  • It doesn’t have memory stick pro duo support?? 16+16 GB waste??

  • I would buy a PSP Go on day 1 if it also had an OLED touch screen, had a camera, an accelerometer, was a phone, and came with a customized XMB/Google Android OS.

    Given Sony’s manufacturing experience, it seems to me that such a device could be sold for a reasonable price ($300), and be partially subsidized with a cell phone contract via a third party (Sprint comes to mind).

    Something like that would have a high value proposition, and make me want to spend money on superfluous hardware, software, and accessories during a recession/depression.

    The PSP Go in its current configuration is useless to me, and I’m sure that others feel the same.

    Looks like I’ll squeeze some more years out of my ratty PSP 1001 and get a new IPhone or Google G1 instead.

  • Can someone please let me know if the psp go uses a mini usb cable or some other type

  • so how long do we have to wait till PSP GO turns into PSP 2GO and PSP Go Go GO! i mean the PSP turned into the 2000 series and the 3000 series rather quickly, so i might wait to get a PSP Go, after they fine tune it and all.

  • I HAVE TO GET THIS!!!!!
    I wonder if it comes in more colors than just white and black.

  • Good thing “Media Go” doesn’t replace MediaManager, though it would be nice if a pro version unlocked something in Media Go.

  • Way too Small for a Man with Big Hands…Well in fact way too small for any man’s hands…Did you see the Memory card….smaller then a Finger Nail…This is a HUGE PASS!!!

  • It may be too small for my hands that may be a problem :(

  • how will we get our umd games on the psp go ?

  • Hey people, just found some interesting news on the Sony site for the PSP.

    Apparently, it’s not only for the GO, but also the 2000 and 3000.

    Here are some details:

    go to the Sony site…click on PSP, then under Key features there’s an item called PSP is Going.

    It mentions how a camera can be connected as well as about a GPS system.

    Here’s what I saw there:

    Go!Cam
    Using the Camera, which attaches via the High Speed USB connector, Go!Cam turns your PSP into a video and stills camera. With a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo inserted in your PSP, you can record over two hours of video footage, instantly being able to play back the action on the PSP system’s screen.

    Go!Explore
    Go!Explore incorporates a GPS receiver attachment for PSP and a software UMD featuring your chosen maps. A collaboration with market leaders TeleAtlas and NavNGo, Go!Explore offers the very latest in map data and navigation software, including 3D Maps of major cities.

  • $250 huh? what about my almost 100 umd’s. am i screwed out of all that money i put into them if i upgrade to the psp go?

  • I dont care how muych the PSP go cost, I’ll pay 250. That thing is tight! No UMD is fine with me. I love my iphone strictly due to the storage space and the fact that i can download on the go…love it! That is why im looking forward to the PSP go, plus i saw all the anime channels and content you can download…cant wait!!! So excited!

  • …..haters wanna hate. Stop complaining about your PSP 3000, if you already have a PSP 3000 why on earth would you want a PSP go? They already said people, that they WERE STILL going to make UMD’s! So just relax and and enjoy your 3000’s…..or not!?

  • Awesome, just please make the Media Go! Mac compatible. Don’t leave us in the dust :/

  • Time out $250?! You have got to be kidding me. No second analog stick? This was finally the chance to make this portable system right. Price point is outrageous and the system will be crippled again with the lock of a second analog. No to mention a smaller screen size.

    The content is great though, so that’s a plus. I’m extremely disappointed.

  • Product Idea that 1) does not require a hardware engineering change 2) allows for a PS3 to take full advantage of it’s Linux capability.

    The idea:

    Flash drives are great but slow. Playstations with a 24 million and growing install base, can and do run Linux. However, the PS3 only has limited memory and this makes using Linux pretty slow. What about putting a SODIMM drive inside of a USB drive package (with the hardware that does the translation of course)? Yes it’s volatile memory, however, I can plug it into the USB 2.0 port of my PS3 and set that port as a swap drive in Linux. That way I’m effectively boosting the accessible memory considerably and then am able to properly run memory intensive applications!

    Cheers
    Piero

  • ok nix my memory idea. I thought usb 2.0 was a 480MB spec, it’s only 480Mb. Too slow.

  • The PSP Go i must say is impressive, with built in Blu-tooth technology, that is a sign of what is to come for the PSP in general. I see PSN access to friends and Trophies and a possibility of PSP games having Trophies built in.

  • Hey Sony here’s my solution. Hope you listen:

    1) Sell new UMDs with serials for free DLC versions on PSN.

    2) Let consumers send in old UMDs to recieve serial to download (send the UMDs back to the consumers also as good will).

    This way you appease both retailers and consumers who still want to hang on to their UMDs but also want to adopt to using DLC versions.

    3) Also let DLC consumers own be syncable for free between PSN servers to Media Go and then to your PSP Go.

    This will ease up the adoption process like music bought from the iTunes music store or the games bought through Steam’s game store. (This will make consumers like me jump on the bandwagon.)

    This makes the PSN service more similar to a cloud service instead of the more unsafe and temporary “one money transaction gives limited downloads” approach. The unlimited download solution which Steam apply is much better way to attract new consumers.

    It will also guarantee that consumers won’t have any problems accessing their content and creates a neat virtual gaming shelf on PSN and on Media Go.

    (Also don’t forget to support Mac users with Media Go.)

  • Gran Turismo 5 Bundle sounds like a pretty awesome way to kick off the PSP Go.

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