Sony says UMD Passport scheme restricted to Japan due to 'demand'

Sony has revealed the reason behind its choice to restrict the PS Vita UMD Passport scheme to Japan.

Speaking to Wired, Sony's head of worldwide studios Shuhei Yoshida attributed the decision to two main factors: demand and international UMD pricing.

"The system has been introduced in Japan, where there is a much larger demand for PSP games," Yoshida said.

"Lots of people who are interested in trying Vita are also interested in playing PSP games that they might purchase before Vita comes out, and will not necessarily choose the digital version."

It's difficult to argue with his point, there. However, his follow-up argument may be considered slightly more controversial by consumers in the west.

"The other point is that when you look at PSP titles sold digitally in the States or Europe, games are sold for a really reasonable price," Yoshida continued.

"PSP games in Japan are sold at a much higher price, so people see the value in spending the $5 to $10 to get the digital copy. But when the games are already sold at a lower price in the US we see less value in introducing that kind of system."

While it's true that US and European customers can get their hands on inexpensive UMDs, PS Vita owners may resent having to cough up full price for a digital copy of a game they've already purchased just to avoid carrying two separate Sony handhelds around.

Do you think Sony has thumbed its nose to western PSP lovers with this decision? Or, like the outrage that sprung up when Sony removed backwards compatibility from the PS3, will objections simply fizzle out over time?

Let us know in the comments below.