Sony casts doubt over UMD-less PSP speculation

The other day Shiny founder David Perry remarked on Twitter words to the effect that he was glad Sony was finally about to release the PSP2, particularly since the imminent device was going to have no UMD drive.

It was an unqualified comment but fingers naturally fell wearily to the task of rampant speculation, and this speculation grew when, later on, David backed up his words, saying “I know a developer who is working on it right now.”

In an interview, Sony marketing director John Koller has neither confirmed nor disconfirmed the existence of the next PSP, but he has implied strongly that, if such a device were to exist, it would in all likelihood have a UMD drive.

When asked about it in an interview with MTV Multiplayer, Koller said "Can’t comment either way, but I will reiterate that the digital component is very important to us. That’s all we can say at this point."

He did admit the obvious - that Sony is very sensibly trying to encourage developers to opt for digital delivery - but his comments on UMD suggest that the drive is going to be in the next PSP iteration at least.

A good thing, too, in the eyes of many. As one Pocket Gamer reader said in a comments thread, “If they cut the UMD out then I'm throwing in the gaming too. I've over a 100 films.”

MTV Multiplayer