More details emerge on PSP PlayStation Store

via Games Industry


GamesIndustry.biz has learned that Sony Computer Entertainment America is developing at least seven new PlayStation Portable games for download via the PlayStation Store.

The service – currently only available to PlayStation 3 users – is due to launch for the PSP and PC next year and will offer users an alternative portfolio of titles to those currently available on UMD game discs.

Sony will offer multiple content to PSP users via the PlayStation Store, including original games, classic PSone titles, demos for UMD-based and downloadable games, additional content for released games and TV content such as trailers, behind-the-scenes clips and interviews.

A source close to SCEA has revealed that three action games, two music-based games, one racing title and a shooting game are being developed internally.

Downloadable games for the handheld will be between one half and one third of the size of the average UMD title, offering between two and ten hours of gameplay.

Sony is currently courting third-party PSP publishers for the PlayStation Store, which offers a better return on investment for the publisher and format holder as it completely cuts out retail partners.

As well as the new PSP titles in development, SCEA will also be offering 13 classic PSone games for the handheld during 2008, all of which are currently available on the PS3 service.

PSP content can be accessed, purchased and downloaded from the users' local PlayStation Store to the handheld via a wireless hotspot.

It can also be accessed by a PlayStation Network account on a PC with a USB cable, but no content will be stored on the PC.

The PC service is due to launch this winter in the US, and the PSP service set for later in 2008.

At last month's Tokyo Game Show Kaz Hirai revealed that PSP users would be able to browse and purchase content from the PlayStation Store via a PC, rather than using the PS3, as had previously been the case.

He also said that sign-ups to the PlayStation Network on PS3 had so far passed over 2.7 million users.

I wish I could play tekken online with my psp :(
It will be nice to check out some of their offerings though.I love super stardust and blast factor it'd be nice if they would bring those to the psp.

Sort of sounds like SONY's first step in maybe distancing itself from the UMD format. But that just would not be possible I don't think.

I think SONY should release all games eventually via download AND UMD to give consumers the choice. Especially if that rumored 32GB memory stick is still in the works by Sandisk & SONY.

This will give people with high speed internet connections the opportunity to play games off the memory stick.... officially. SONY obviously understands the benefits of playing games off memory stick as opposed to UMD. Look at the np9660.prx as proof of this. Its ironic that SONY has given us the best "ISO loader" of them all.

What would also be cool is if SONY builds something into future firmwares that lets you pull up the game manual and stuff with the HOME button, similar to POPS.

I'd buy a lot more PSP games if they were offered in this way.

SONY is in a difficult spot with the UMD. But stuff like the UMD cache for the slim is showing improvements. And lets be fair. A lot of it is game developers faults for not coding the games more efficiently. Some of the most impressive PSP games that push the PSP manage to have less loading times than some of the lesser quality PSP titles.

With the stellar PSP games list building up fast, there is no more excuses. Developers need to figure out how to utilize the UMD format most efficiently. God of War will certainly show just what the PSP can do if developers take their time and put great care into a game.