What game would be a deal maker?
by Steven Bailey 
{ Jan 22nd 2007 at 7:00PM }
I don't quite get it, but not every gamer owns a PSP. Before the system came out, I thought for sure it would be the biggest thing in portables when I heard Grand Theft Auto and Metal Gear was coming to the system. But while both games are system sellers on the home console front, they haven't seemed to do so for the PSP.
Maybe some gamers are just one high end exclusive away from buying a PSP. If that is the case, what game or franchise does Sony's portable need to deflower PSP virgins out there? Will Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII turn the tide or is there some other franchise that the PSP needs to endear it to non-owners? Does such a game exist?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:09PM
I believe the AfterBurner franchise if close the current arcade version will bring a lot of old school gamers to the PSP. I dont think it will be a killer app but if its fast fun and looks good I think afterburner could be a great title to bring new psp players to the arena. The only other game I can think of would be Gran Turismo if it ever comes out some millenia...
meh.. @ Jan 22nd 2007 7:49PM
It needs something original, kickass, and popular. It needs an original Killer App, not a spinoff/addition to an already established series.
Jeremy @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:11PM
I would have to say one of two things.
An original and exclusive RPG spinoff from another series. And I mean an actual full 50+ hour game that has been fully developed and is a "Headliner" game and not just a "place-filler"
OR
If Sony came out with an official USB connector wireless keyboard, and a GOOD MMORPG came out that was playable on the PSP. I dont know of any online multiplayer RPGs available on the PSP, but just imagine if WOW was playable on the PSP. I personally hate the game, but I know SOOOOOOO many freagin people would play it and get a PSP just to play it off WI-FI
Bland @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:17PM
More Atlus RPGs.
BFA @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:15PM
uhm, Gran Turismo Mobile?
Anthony Cascianelli @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:20PM
Gran Turismo.
PSP Underappreciated Overpriced @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:43PM
I think there are great games'o'plenty that would be played. If the price was not so high for the base unit they would easily sell millions more in a short order of time. People stereotype Hand Helds and when parents are looking on there own, not are ignorant about gaming and systems in general they think the PSP is just another Nintendoz DS except it costs quite a bit more.
There so many damn good games already and so many more coming, I wish I could afford to buy all that is out already.
Strangler @ Jan 22nd 2007 9:48PM
What is the purpose of playing a portable version of a game that you can play on your Playstation 2? That is the question many Sony fanboys have been wrestling with for the past two years, and why millions of them have traded in their PSPs for either a DS or another console system.
People don't want graphics, people want innovative gameplay, and that's why the DS and it's games continue to outsellf the PSP by over a three to one margin worldwide! If the PSP was so innovative then more people would be buying it. Yeah, here's Sony's thinking, charge people more for better graphics, give them long loading times, charge them for extra peripherials, and charge them tons for extra battery life and memory cards. That's just another reason why many people have given up on the system. With the DS, the games load to themselves, the battery lasts longer, the games are more interesting, and Nintendo doesn't charge people for features they don't want in a system. If you want to browse the internet and play music, movies and such, you can, if you choose to add those peripherials!
Most gamers don't care if you can play music, movies or browse the internet, they want to play games, and what games does the PSP offer? The majority of them are games that you can also play on your PS2, so what happened? Even though the PSP is graphically superior, most gamers passed on buying the PSP, and or traded it in once the DS lite came out, that's what.
Strangler @ Jan 22nd 2007 9:50PM
what it really needs is for dragon quest to be coming out for the psp and not the ds, and at least one exclusive final fantasy part of the main series not another crappy spinoff.
PSP Underappreciated @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:25PM
You could not be more wrong, yah riiiiight there is so much inovation on the DS, same game changed a little
can you say mario, yoshi, nintendogs, it goes on and on and on. I think the other way around it's true more people are trading there DS in for a PSP. Gamers want more than a mindless button mashing game which dominates the DS lineup. Why would you want to play the PSP instead of your console you ask, this has been answered many time before I wont elaborate again. RTFForums and you will see why PSP users prefer it at times over there console. Nintendo is smart in one way they take many dumb people and let them buy almost the same product in a not long amount of time.
Example
They release a GBA
but wait you cant see the damn screen
They release a GBA SP
well now you can barely see the damn screen
They Release a GBA SP with a brighter screen
now you can see the damn screen 3 that's right 3 product's later and MORONS actually keep buying this.
how much does 3 GBA's cost at launch??? A Hell of a lot more than a psp
Then not much time goes by they release the inferior DS
but WTF, its heavy and bulky and yes again the screen brightness is LAME
ah Nintendo Devs Say our blind ignorant users will buy any Shit we put out there so
Now there is the Latest NINTENDOZ DS,, there best effort
inferior and made for a child.
You are oh so very wrong when you say most users dont want to play music, movies or browse the internet,
This is TRUE if you are the DS demographic (10 and under). It's more than just that. You can keep defending your DS Piece of Crap but we all know and that includes most DS users that wish they had a PSP that the PSP is the Best Choice for portable gaming whether it be Simple Gameplay ala DS style or more in depth Console Quality gaming wherever,whenever you want.
Yes the PSP can do any game the DS can but it will look and sound better, PSP uers just choose to have a higher standard and demand more than your average DS gamer. So if you are going to Praise your Alimighty DS take your crapola comments elsewhere this is PSP Fanbase forum.
keviiinn! @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:26PM
can you imagine if Dragon Quest 9 was announced to be PSP exclusive? that would, without a doubt, cause a huge boom to PSP sales in Japan, at the least.
jbrown101st @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:48PM
I personally think an MMO would bring people to the PSP.
-=TRKSTER=- @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:22PM
#8
Just another Ignorant DS user Rant that does not understand that PSP users/gamers demand more and how we choose to enjoy our PSP. I think the opposite is True more DS users are seeing just how much better the PSP is and how the games are console quality in the palm of your hand. The idea that PSP users do not utilze the other features the PSP has to offer is a incredibly silly statement as well. I think he is more used to the demographic that owns the DS mainly children and I can see where not all of the options they would use as much. As far as the games being more inovative thats true if you only prefer MINDLESS BUTTON MASHING GAMES, this is the biggest genre on the DS, of course the PSP can and does these games and it does them better. The PSP also offers more in depth games and as always the DS can't do these games, if it tries they end up looking pixelated and ugly like a souped SNES game. PSP gamers expect and demand more out of there games. The battery does not last as long on a PSP because the games themselves are bigger, brighter, and require the extra power. You can get a number of devices to extended the battery life many hours, the battery life has NEVER got in the way of my PSP enjoyment. As far as inovative gameplay maybe you should do your homework, or at the very least be honest the PSP has tons of inovative games. I personally would like to see a flying game in the likes of Heroes of the Pacific
or car game like Trackmania Sunrise
or a RTS like C&C3
alphacrumb @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:28PM
Some games to ponder: God of War Gaiden, Ico - The Beginning, and a new Chrono Trigger.
Aaron @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:37PM
I think Strangler is right. Too many game makers forget the most important thing is how well a game plays, not how well it looks (okay, looks are somewhat important but not as important as how it plays.) That's the real "killer ap" needed, games you just can't put down.
How many people brought a DS for "Dogz"???? Probably a lot. Mario is more of a household name than Daxter. Nintendo is like Apple, it just works (no, I'm not an Apple fanboy, long live MS!). It does what it does with simplicity and elegance.
My PSP is a gorgous looking device, I absolutely love it. But I frankly waited until I could get one used at a decent price AND there were some games I was interested in playing.
Now that I have it, I now see it is capable of doing more than playing games and couldn't be happier using it as an mp3 player, a lightweight internet browser and video viewer. But that was after I purchased it to play the games I wanted to play.
They are still releasing games for the GBA and it retails BRAND NEW for $79.99! A BRAND NEW DS lite will only set you back $129.99! And the games are cheaper!
For me getting my PSP was learning that Rainbow Six Vegas was coming, Devil May Cry was coming as well as Monster Hunter 2. Seeing that Marvel Utlimate Alliance was out, reading the good reviews for Daxter and Syphon Filter Dark Mirror. Those were the games available or coming that made me take the plunge. I didn't care to much about the graphical prowess of the system, I cared about price and were there any games I really cared to play.
That's my two cents. A comparable price point to your nearest competitor (doesn't have to match it, just be in the same general ball park: DS- $129, PSP $159 or $179 since you are getting more stuff in the device), and games people want to play enough to get another gaming system.
And darnit! make all PS2 games (the good and the bad) available for download to the PSP! And without having to go through the PS3 system (which is also over priced!)!
Okay, I'm through with my rant :)
Shane Killen @ Jan 23rd 2007 12:15AM
I agree a MMORPG (or any type of massive multiplayer game) that's EXCLUSIVE to the PSP would bring in a lot of sales.
There aren't very many PSP games that stand out now, both GTA psp "exlusives" are seeing cheaper PS2 ports, Killzone (IMO) was nowhere near as good as the ps2 version, plus it still lacks online play.
Medal of Honor Heroes I thought was a step in the right direction (32 players online) but for some reason that game didn't do so well. Only a couple hundred people playing online when there should be tens of thousands.
Strangler @ Jan 24th 2007 12:57PM
the psp needs a resistance fall of man title or a title with the same kind of impact.
Monkeydog @ Jan 23rd 2007 1:57AM
#13
Totally right.
If Square was to announce a new, or hell even remake, of Chrono Trigger today I'd have to run out and buy a PSP. They almost made me with the announcement of FFT.
Really that and an affordable price drop. Between the hardware itself, and accessories and an actual game, I could already buy either a Wii or 360, which I find atrocious. Plus the PSP appears to me to be a bit lacking in games. The only reason I ever bought a PS2 was to play RPGs and GTA.(although eventually I just ended up playing Guitar Hero and Katamari) But the PSP seems to appeal the same way to me, and since RPGs and GTA seem to never change...they have gotten a bit boring after a while. So if the PSP started showing some strength in games like the DS has, Elite Beat Agents, Warioware, Phoenix Wright, then I may have a change of mind, but as long as the PSP keeps giving out same old stale games(As it seems to me) at jacked up prices, I will not buy one.
However this all doesn't matter if it gets Chrono.
xxplosive @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:43AM
i think most of the games mentioned kinda suck , except grand turismo. games i would like to see :
-silent hill
-infustructure enabled racing game i.e. grand turismo
-mortal kombat, marvel vs. capcom, tekken infstructure enabled gaming
-doom
-god of war
-resident evil
-decent 1st person shooter
anon @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:19AM
Soul Calibur
nuff said
Andy @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:53AM
I've been a DS owner since day one, and a PSP owner since yesterday - when I finally traded in enough old video games to EB to be able to buy a used PSP.
Actually I could have afforded one at any time, but I couldn't really justify spending that much money on a PSP, until now when the price is effectively free.
Yes, it's a more advanced machine in every way. But it doesn't have that curiosity value the DS has. I imagine a sizeable chunk of DS sales really does come from non-gamers made curious by their colleagues and such playing non-games like Nintendogz etc. I don't believe the majority of sales went to children; my wife plays the DS and has a few games of her own, and she hasn't been remotely interested in games since the days of the C64.
The PSPs downfall/ achilles heel right now is still the price, and the lack of great, portable titles. Stripping down PS2 games will not sell a console. Making curious, but fantastic games will. LocoRoco is an interesting start but not quite good enough to sell a console.
I think this battle has been fought and lost already.
KHCloud @ Jan 23rd 2007 1:00PM
I would think some more updates are required along with Gran Turismo(it's the number one seller on the PS2), Kingdom Hearts(A game to fill the storyline between KH2 and KH3, like Chain of Memories), Crisis Core, and an MMO(DC Universe or Marvel Universe maybe?). And all of those except for maybe the last are highly likely, so I think you'll see the PSP gain quite a bit of ground this year but updates would help bring it into the mainstream as a portable device and not just a game machine.
Hector Martinez @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:46AM
It needs more original yet incredible exclusive games like LocoRoco, and MGS:PO. Still, I also enjoy the ports just as much, because I cannot play games at home. Why would someone not play them on PS2? If you have commutes and other responsibilities, PSP is absolutely perfect.
Gran Turismo would have a tough time against the likes of TOCA 2006, Wipeout Pure, Ridge Racer, and Burnout Legends.
Bugginout711 @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:49AM
I personally believe that bringing out any of the tales of series that they have in japan, or getting more people to play metal gear solid: portable ops would work great. The tales of series offers 50+ hours of gameplay plus a great replay value, as I own three already on the psone and I would definitely pick up tales of the world if I can get it in a form I can read. As for mgs: po, this game made me realize how much power the psp really has. I have never thought a game like this could be made. Oh then there is also, killzone: liberation! The physics and graphics are clean and perfect. I suggest that a demo kiosk in any store should have this game in the PSP. That will sell some pretty quick. I ended up playing the demo about 40 times including the multiplayer. It made me stop playing mgs half way through the game... lol
Monkey-King @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:59PM
What Sony needs is HOPE. As people have said some huge games have come out fairly well on PSP and the unit is still not gaining the traction it needs. Why? Because Sony lost hope with PSP about a year ago, and that means the leverage Sony need to win people back will be much harder. What sony needs is price drop for the unit, games, and people starting to believe.
Alien @ Jan 23rd 2007 9:58AM
GTA : LCS soled 3.5 million units , now isnt that enough ? And there are other million + selling titles to . If a game selles ove r50k than the production price gets payed , 100k than there is profit , and at 500k even huge games are good sellers . I bet that CC and R&C will both sell the million + , and its only a matter of time until MGS : PO reaches that number .
Liqwid @ Jan 23rd 2007 10:12AM
Make those PSone games downloadable sans PS3 and it's a deal. And I may pick up Locoroco. It makes me laugh whenever I see that video at Wal-Mart.
flyers241 @ Jan 23rd 2007 10:28AM
A new Chrono Trigger, or even remake with added stuff would make me buy one.
Although the actual deal breaker is the price. Make it cheaper, then we'll see DS-like sales, well, hopefully.
Joel. @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:18AM
I don't really know...
Jomolungma @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:37AM
I'm a huge fan of the 2D games in the Castlevania series and would love to see something on the order of a Symphony of the Night for the PSP. I'd go out and buy one tomorrow. It should be in the classic 2D mode, but take advantage of the power of the PSP to update graphics and provide LOTS OF CONTENT. I would like to see a game that took at least 18-20 hours of gameplay to finish in normal mode without all the extra endings and secrets. If it included an actual port of SOTN that would be nice as well. That would make me feel like I had spent my money wisely and would have me at the store this afternoon.
Radioscott @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:55AM
Forget about a single game driving PSP sales. The biggest hurdle Sony has yet to overcome is the mistaken belief that there aren't any good games for the system.
I'd like to see a series of commercials that would each focus on a different aspect of the system. Focus on the gaming aspect must include mentions and footage of the some of the top games and quotes from glowing reviews. Then the last 5 seconds of the spot would tie it all together with something like "Games. Movies. Tunes. Net. PSP."
Sony has to convince the market that there are fantastic games out right now, and great games on the horizon.
alienclay @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:00PM
1. make games that complement, (not compete with,) the console versions.
i'm not talking about looking at pictures with the solid eye either. (sory kojima)
ports,... yeah, i don't mind because i love the console level experence on the go. but what would have been better is if i could have purchased a game that let me play another hero and run a side story to the console version with the same awesome gameplay and quality. here's the best part, (esp. if you add in connectivity,) unlike in a game port like tomb raider legend where i don't want to get the ps2 version or xbox 360 version because i feel like buying another copy would get me little return, with side/back story duality ports, the sale of either one would help drive the sale of the other.
2. put playtstation store in the psp xmb
and playstation network messaging/chat access on it while you're at it and sell games for both ps1 emulation and psp original games as well.
games like metal gear acid only take up about what, 400mb? with inexpensive 2 and 4 gig memory sticks out there, lets put them to use. one of the best things about the playstation store on the ps3 is that you can get real games! you are not getting a deluge of 15-20 year old games you bought 5 times over already like super mario, or pac-man,(nostalga only goes so far,) or games that vastly underutilise the hardware. do this for psp! games like gradius collection and street fighter alpha3 would have been great for download micro transaction!
3. BETTER MARKETING!
this is the most important one and one that drops on the ps3 as well. people don't know what it does for them! you keep talking about the value in playstation products. and this is ture. both the ps3 and psp are great values, and are getting great games this year,(and in the case of the psp, great games are already out there!) BUT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEY EXIST!
i know you can do it. you've had great marketing in the past, look at the old rachet and clank commercials. where are these commercials now? creative commercials that show of how FUN and AWESOME these games are and put them in the spotlight. then, and only after you've put the spotlight on the games that are out and comming out, show off what the comsole does on the side. people may choice your game console over the competition because of features, but they wont buy a game console for features alone. there are always better products for the same price that do specific things better than what your product does extra on the side, consumers know this. (except blu-ray players, but we all know that only lasts a year.)
the thing that bugs me about playstation, all the power and potential, but somehow, it's not being worked well.
like a student with a first day on a piano, all the power and potential to make bueatiful music, but not the skill.
Jeremy @ Jan 24th 2007 9:31AM
FFXI isnt exactly new, but it is an MMO that plays off of the PS2, and you can use macros to basically speak in-game without needing a keyboard. Maybe they could port the game over?
txa1265 @ Jan 24th 2007 1:32PM
The tone in this thread is that Sony is some hopeless death-spiral. I don't see it that way. I believe that Sony failed to identify the core competencies of the system, with the following results:
- UMD movies were pushed hard, and are an abject failure.
- MP3 use was pushed, but is more limited than a cheap flash MP3 player or 7 year old PDA.
- Other multimedia features were pushed but are of little use.
That limited the 'all things to all people' image they were putting out. But the very core competency - gaming - was also compromised:
- There was an assumption that PC/console equivalent load times would be considered acceptable. They are not. This continues to be an issue.
- There was also an assumption that scaled down PS2 ports would be a great idea - they are not. Fortunately we are seeing more games that were actually designed to work well on the PSP - I'm not even talking about originals here, just stuff that works right.
- Controls - what % of your PSP games make you think "this would be *so* much better with dual sticks"? Yeah, me too.
txa1265 @ Jan 24th 2007 1:38PM
Crud, forgot to finish my post ...
As I said, Sony isn't doomed - look what has happened recently, a number of solid games are being released - stuff worth playing. The horizon for games looks pretty good now as well.
So I think that the 'secret' is to keep a steady stream of solid releases going. Push hard on developers to shrink load times and optimize controls. Make stuff that isn't a lesser version of a console game.
Strangler @ Jan 26th 2007 10:46PM
"GTA : LCS soled 3.5 million units , now isnt that enough ? And there are other million + selling titles to . If a game selles ove r50k than the production price gets payed , 100k than there is profit , and at 500k even huge games are good sellers . I bet that CC and R&C will both sell the million + , and its only a matter of time until MGS : PO reaches that number ."
than explain why did they port it to the ps2 just as they are porting vcs to the ps2 if it sold so much?
Robert @ Jan 27th 2007 9:33PM
LandStalker
cyaninkblot @ Feb 20th 2007 12:43PM
I personally love the 1st shooter type games. More of those would keep me as a loyal fan. I have a LOT of friends who like the AIM on PSP, but get frustrated about the "typing" structure to send comments. I think if SONY came out with a keyboard designed for the PSP to use while Internet Browsing and Instant Messaging, I think that would put over the top.
symphony1125 @ Feb 20th 2007 2:34PM
Sony doesn't need much to make buying the PSP a deal maker... just the basics. Why they're lacking that... well your guess is as good as mine.
I've read this entire thread and a lot of folks on here have great ideas.
1)Advertising: Where the hell is all the ads at? I used to love all those hilarious Crash Bandicoot commercials that aired back then. It made people believe that he was the new mascot in spite of Mario and Sonic. And just like a previous person posted, it ties in. If people aren't aware what you have to offer, they simply aren't going to buy your product. I honestly don't think that Sony doesn't think that people will come to them researching their product (because of the lack of advertisements of features, games, etc.), or up and buy it while being uniformed about all the great things it has to offer. Again, why Sony doesn't lay it out there in ads, commercials, etc (even their website isn't all that great), is beyond me...
2) General guidelines for publishers: I love my PSP, but I would take trancing gameplay over graphical power ANY day. It's for that reason why I still love playing games like FFVI, Earthbound, Landstalker (hat's off to whoever mentioned that title before), Willy Beamish, Jumping Flash, Lunar, etc, etc. There are just certain things that annoy the modern gamer... long load times, lack of depth & presentation, short overall game time, and no replayability. I'm not by any means saying that the PSP only features titles of that nature, but there are a lot out there. I bought Gitaroo Man Lives! awhile back and I was pleased because the actual gameplay and replayability factors outweighed the lengthy load times. But take games like Astonishia Story (which we all hoped would be great, but didn't turn out exactly so)... it's short... no replay fact, and the loading for simple things (like the sound effect of stepping on a mouse in a dungeon or casting a spell for the first time) is unnaceptable. My point is that Sony needs to follow in Microsoft's suit here... put out a general guideline of preferred practices to the publishers to follow to ensure that most of the products come out decently.
3)Games: Well first off Sony should start listening to their fans to see what WE really want (This is a practice that Sega has (it even states so on their site that they do not take advice from fans), and Sega isn't fairing too well either), and not what the corporate world wants. That'll make them more profit guaranteed. But my opinion of games that would be dealmaker's is this... a) an MMO that really utilizes the wi-fi capabilities... everquest, wow, or whatever. I'm not a huge fan of MMO's but there are a lot of those folks out there that are dying for one. b) While Crisis Core may be the next killer app for the PSP, and I am looking very much forward to it, the fans didn't ask for it... how come Sony has not heeded to the call for a newly released version of FFVII or Chrono Trigger? The fact is, is that a lot of us gamers have been around for awhile now, and we love to see games like that have new life brought to them. For instance, once I heard that they Sudo was working with Kojima on possibly bringing the game Snatcher back to life (Project-S I think is what the codename is for it)... well, it definetly makes me want to go get a Wii just for that alone. c) Content... well what can I say. There's not much content to a lot of the games available for the PSP... not all, but a lot. Of course titles like Daxter, R&C are excluded. But look at LocoRoco and Gunpey... not very much at all.
Bottom line... If Sony would incorporate these three basic elements, I'm sure that they would be fairing a lot better than what they are (or what peoples perception of them is). It's not just a game that seals the deal, it's gotta be the whole marketing package.