GDC 07: PSP won't get redesign; new colors coming soon?
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Mar 9th 2007 at 4:50PM }
People have been longing for a PSP redesign. It's not happening. John Koller explained that there are currently no redesign plans, regardless of all the rumors that have been on the Internet for ages. One of the main reasons PSP won't get a redesign comes from the issue of screen size: Sony will never make the screen smaller. In fact, the generous screen size of Sony's portable is considered one of the system's greatest advantages.Rather, Sony is looking to continue to add more value to their existing model. Eventually, Sony of America does plan on releasing new colors, but they're waiting for the right opportunity. It's no secret that handheld owners purchase multiple systems, Koller explained. Especially if they're of new colors. Undeniably, launching a new color will spur sales of the system, even if it doesn't necessarily expand the audience.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuicideNinja @ Mar 9th 2007 6:21PM
That's too bad...I honestly think they could shrink the diagonal 0.5" and be better off size-wise. A hard drive would have completed the deal as well, along with double the memory and a keypad of some type. At that point, the $300 wouldn't be an outlandish price for a complete package. Storage and input are the biggest issues.
Johnny Lasley @ Mar 9th 2007 6:23PM
They need a second analog. Hard drives are convenient, but memory sticks are relatively cheap and easy to use. If they remove IR components, that should make some room for that!
Brian @ Mar 9th 2007 7:22PM
How about bringing some of those game branded PSP's to North America? I could go for a psp painted in MGS:PO skin or a special edition FFVII:Crisis Core PSP!
Liam McNulty @ Mar 9th 2007 7:35PM
The PSP has enough difficulty competing with the DS Lite; no sense in adding other stuff that will just make it more expensive.
Reg @ Mar 10th 2007 3:33AM
I'd buy an additional unit in an instant if they'd allow the MPEG-4 video support to use the full 480x272 resolution.
The second PSP would become my main portable video viewing device.
Given that there are homebrew apps that support 480x272, I'm sure this would require little more than flicking a switch in the Firmwire.
Curse Sony for not doing it yet.
alienclay @ Mar 10th 2007 5:25AM
actully, a pink psp would have been the deciding factor for me. i would have bought one for my wife 5 months ago instead of the pink DS that i got her instead. i think she would have had more fun too.
Alien @ Mar 10th 2007 6:01AM
Well thats bad , I was saving up money wfor some time now for a redesign lol Well Il buy some games than :P
CD @ Mar 10th 2007 11:25AM
I can understand not wanting to shrink the screen. That is one of the selling points of PSP.
And I doubt they'd add a hard drive or other internal memory unless they charged a lot more for it since it'd cut into the sales of Sony branded memory sticks.
A second analog, more buttons, etc would create a rift in the market since original PSP owners couldn't play games made for the new buttons.
So that leaves the only change a redesign might bring is a slightly thinner unit. Not really worth the trouble. New colors don't require any manufacturing changes and could boost sales as much as a redesign would. So Sony's doing the smart thing even if it is a bit disappointing.
Hirsbrunner @ Mar 10th 2007 3:13PM
I've been contemplating getting a psp again, specifically a white one. The screen just POPS on it.
Was going to go the play-asia route, but if they bring the white one here, I'll just wait.