E3 2009: Sony's John Koller emphasises continued UMD support despite digital downloads on PSPgo
UMD will not go gently into that good night
The release of PSPgo and full downloadable games doesn't spell the end for Sony's UMD format. On the contrary, Sony's director of hardware marketing, John Koller; "UMD will be around as long as we're in the PSP business," he affirmed in an interview during E3.
While the PSPgo forgoes a UMD drive, the continued availability of the PSP-3000 model ensures demand for UMD retail releases Koller pointed out. Sony intends to maintain consistency between both models so that owners of one or the other have access to the same content in digital downloadable and UMD form.
"We want parity in content, price, and launch date," Koller explained. Titles released for PSP will feature the same content across PSP-3000 and other older models, as well as PSPgo; in other words, publishers won't be allowed to create special levels for a PSPgo version not available in the game's UMD release. Additionally, the retail UMD will be required to ship when the digital version hits the PlayStation Store.
More intriguing is the decision to standardise pricing between retail UMD copies and those available online. Koller insisted that pricing will remain consistent between both formats with PlayStation Store titles no cheaper than UMD counterparts.
Despite the reduced cost of providing digital titles, there won't be any adjustments to price to make downloadable versions lower in price compared to UMD boxed copies. A copy of LittleBigPlanet on the PlayStation Store for download will cost you the same as if you walk into a store and pick up a boxed copy.
"We don't want digital copies to appear discounted," explained Koller. Sony's concern lies in tipping the market in favour of PSPgo digital downloads. The company wishes to retain demand for UMD at retail and price parity supports that goal. "Pricing protects retail sanctity."
While not finalised, Sony is working on a mechanism to enable current PSP owners with UMD games to download select titles digitally onto their PSPgo. Those upgrading from the current PSP-3000 (or an older model) will be granted goodwill digital copies of their UMD games.
"While we don't have concrete details yet, I can confirm that we are looking into a goodwill UMD program for PSPgo," confessed Koller. He hinted that digital copies may only be available for a limited time or for a select number of titles per user.
Sony is already working to bring 300 previously released UMD games to the PlayStation Store for the launch of PSPgo on October 1. That automatically limits the programme, though Koller implied that other restrictions would be placed on digital copies granted to users already in possession of a UMD copy.
For those planning to upgrade to PSPgo, any frustration with not having a digital copy of older released already owned on UMD seems somewhat misplaced. If you're in possession of a UMD game, then you likely already have a PSP capable of playing the game. That said, the option of acquiring a digital companion copy is attractive. Koller told us to expect more details as we approach the PSPgo launch date in the fall.
