UMD claimed a waste of money, time and investment
by Nick Doerr 
{ Sep 17th 2007 at 2:30PM }
Perry thinks if the PSP turned into a download-only handheld, current PSP owners would only have to register their game with a iTunes-like service, to prove they own it, and bam! instant success. We think a download-only handheld would be pretty sweet, but Perry thinks that retailers hinder this progressive thinking. "The truth is, the stores will not carry PSPs unless they feel they are going to get a piece of the action on the back end. And Sony has not come up with an innovative business model that can support that concept." Who knows, maybe we can get some kind of "download station" at retailers in the next decade or so and just bring our systems in for purchases. It's a neat way of thinking, but really, you could say the same thing for the DS. What do you guys think? Would the PSP 3.0 be well-received if it were a download-only handheld?
[via DCemu]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rainking187 @ Sep 17th 2007 2:35PM
"Perry thinks if the PSP turned into a download-only handheld, current PSP owners would only have to register their game with a iTunes-like service, to prove they own it, and bam! instant success."
What a fucking idiot. If they ever stop making games you buy in stores and switch over to a download only gaming system, that will probably be the end of my gaming.
Zach S @ Sep 17th 2007 2:51PM
I totally disagree that people want a download-only service. First of all, you know that, yeah, there would be tons more games made for the handheld. The problem is, they'll all be crappy casino games or what have you cause it'll be cheaper to produce them.
Plus, what if you run out of memory? Do you delete a game or something? Also, I personally like the feel of having a game box in my hands with a real instruction manual and all - it feels like my 40 bucks I just spent didn't go to waste, like I actually got SOMETHING for my money.
Basically, although UMD might not be the best, download only is NOT the way to go. UMDs hold a pretty nice amount of data and generally, at the point, don't have loading times that are too bad.
nicolas.grube @ Sep 17th 2007 4:18PM
for the start-up, i would love a new psp.
what sony has done with the psp-2k just sucks at least for the loyal customers, who don't get anything of the kool new features, such as the tv-out.
the idea to get games directly per download, is something i don't like, except you'll get the complete rights on the game in the same way it would be like, if you buy them. the digital rights-system is not yet well developed, until the day it will be i don't like the complete idea, including itunes and the other download-services!
cu and stuff
Jerses @ Sep 17th 2007 2:59PM
Maybe the UMD-Video is dead... but not the UMD-GAMES. And the download service... no way, How about people with no internet? and the time it takes to download 1.8gb ... no way im going to buy a 8gb memory stick for $400 for just 6 games. Consoles need they own disk , cartrige format. This man is crazy.
XenoPhage @ Sep 17th 2007 2:59PM
Hrm.. download only.. It could work, but the biggest problem here is game size. These UMDs hold several hundred megs of data. Downloading all that data takes a lot of time, and will probably get your account shut off if you're a Comcast customer.. *grin*
But seriously, where the hell are you going to store these games? You'll need tons of memory and memory stick sales will probably skyrocket, but that means each game is more expensive for the customer. I guarantee that the per-game pricing would not change, it'll still be $40-50 for a new title. And it might even be worse as Sony would effectively have a monopoly on the download market for the handheld.
furball @ Oct 5th 2007 12:41PM
well, firsdt of all i agree on the point users want a download-to your psp like concept.
but i see two problems there:
1. what about all the others who bought a psp 1.0 or 2.0 ?
2. what about limited memory ? memory sticks arent that cheap and paying extra to have enough memory sticks to carry like 4 games with you (when you go into vacation for example) .
Ofc the psp 3.0 could have internal flash mem which would be sweet but it would increase the price of the psp unless price for flash memory goes down... and i dont want a harddrive psp -.-
BTW i think it would be a great concept if games were like guild wars: you buy it you get a activation card with a number then you download...
and the retailers would have a share of the cake too :P
txa1265 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:01PM
But we all already KNOW the PSP is a failure, right?!?
Wait, it ISN'T... well, crap, then, maybe that guy is just talking out his butt with last year's analysis ...
Don @ Sep 17th 2007 3:02PM
BOOOOOOOOOO to download-only gaming.
For all the same reasons I don't buy music online at iTunes or services like that....only games would be much more expensive than songs, so it would SUCK so much more.
GRT @ Sep 17th 2007 3:05PM
Dave Perry, still coasting on his dusty old cred...
What's this divine game designer done for us lately? Oh yes, the absolutely craptacular free2play MMO 2Moons! Another boring grindfest with softcore porn female avatars.
Seriously, what's the last good thing Perry has done? Before 2Moons it was those terrible Matrix games. I think you have to go all the way back to MDK to find anything worth playing.
Khaliel @ Sep 17th 2007 3:16PM
David Perry is, once more, a stupid idiot. Can he just shut up sometimes ?
kingofwale @ Sep 17th 2007 3:16PM
I too believe the guy's an idiot.
How many people actually use Itune music service? and compare that to people who rip their CDs or just download them illegally? I'd say 10/90?
DRM is not ready for downloadable only content, at least not from the developer's point of view. As much as I want a 20 dollars per download and much slimmer PSP, I just don't think it's something any developers will agree too.
at least with UMD, PSP is still getting good games. I see nothing but homebrew games if PSP3000 is only downloadable only.
bob @ Sep 17th 2007 3:28PM
this guy is a complete idiot and should get kicked in the face. First of all downloading a game is inhumane i mean some people want the box to show off their collection.
Trev @ Sep 17th 2007 3:33PM
No, UMD isn't a waste of money and no, I wouldn't want a download only handheld.
I want to be able to go buy a game and play it NOW. If I were to download them at home, it would need to be flawless and extremely fast. And if I had to drive to Gamestop (or wherever) to download them, I want it in 60 seconds or less. As long as it takes to actually BUY a game.
And what if you were going somewhere? It takes about a second to grab a UMD case. Assuming it's not going to have 30 gigs of flash memory on it, with free updgrades if you run out of space from buying games (I'm not paying more for space to pay for games in), you'd need to swap files on and off the PSP whenever you wanted to bring a different few games with you. Talk about a hassle. That's why iPods are popular, you can just put ALL your music on it and leave it there. The PSP is along for the ride when I go somewhere. It's extra. I might not even play it. So why would I go through a bunch of shit like that?
"The truth is, the stores will not carry PSPs unless they feel they are going to get a piece of the action on the back end. And Sony has not come up with an innovative business model that can support that concept."
And you haven't either, have you Dave? How about you figure that out before you start implying they need to do it?
Wolfrider @ Sep 17th 2007 3:39PM
Sure, Dave, let's all go digital. Not only would we have to shell out cash for storage space (ooh PSP flavored hard drive) but then we'd be spening 40 bucks on... NOT GAMES.... but LICENSES TO PLAY THEM. Thanks. But I like saying to my friends, "Hey want to borrow my copy of GTA to give it a try?" and not have the boys in blue beating a path to my door.
This is the guy who thinks designing a game like it was American Idol is a good idea.
Dennis @ Sep 17th 2007 3:36PM
This is th stupidest thing i've ever heard. How long would it take for me to download a 1.8gig games and about 4kb's per second. They need to make a ps1 and movie download service(which should be done by now).
What the psp does need.
#1. Psp needs to be put on a national pay as you go service like virgin mobile, boost, ect. so u can be able to be able to play online.
Ability to share music wirelessly.
Tv tuner
Ability to record show directly to the psp
And thats the Bottom line
_____________________________________________________
Hector Martinez @ Sep 17th 2007 3:37PM
People like to crap on the UMD concept, but they forget that PSP ushered in an era of PS2 quality graphics on a handheld, and it took UMDs (and processing power) to get there. In fact, a UMD is preferable to a game stored on a stick, especially if it's one you want assess all the time to save memory space.
When Dave comes out with a quality game and not just more hot air, we'll take him more seriously.
What! @ Sep 17th 2007 3:37PM
maybe they could make game cartriges that fit in the memory stick slot
drdre74 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:46PM
why not sell games on locked Memory sticks. Just pop in the damn flash card and start playing like you do Iso files on homebrew. Take out the UMD drive like dude said and make the system thiner. downloadable only games would take too long. sometimes torrents take a while for a 1g game
warrenjoseph76 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:46PM
*cringes at the thought of having to download ginormous games* UMD Video is definitely NOT dead now that PSP Slim is here to output to my regular TV! Also, DRM crippled downloads would mean I couldn't swap games between my two (thinking ahead to when I actually am able to buy a PSP Slim) PSP's, or for that matter, sell my old games to get money to spring for newer games! No thanks!
jnyjb @ Sep 17th 2007 3:50PM
Its amazing how many ppl hate Perry. I do too. I think
that a UMD is much safer than buying and downloading a game. What if you were downloadig when suddenly you lost your connection. BANG! That's 30 quid down the drain.
The space is also a problem. With all these new games with better graphics and a longer playability factor, we'll end up with 50GB memory sticks! Ppl will not be able to stick Chains of Olympus on a 1GB card! (unless its a massively tiny CSO)
Bassically, Mr Perry is a twat, and a lot of other ppl seem to think so. :D
exolstice @ Sep 17th 2007 4:15PM
If I'm going to spend $50+ on a game, I'd better be getting a case, manual, and a disc.
warrenjoseph76 @ Sep 17th 2007 4:10PM
@What! - good idea! they probably won't do it though since it would probably make it easier to steal off of a memory stick.
rainking187 @ Sep 17th 2007 4:17PM
"why not sell games on locked Memory sticks. Just pop in the damn flash card and start playing like you do Iso files on homebrew."
That's basically a cartridge though isn't it?
Tim Parsons @ Sep 17th 2007 4:28PM
so if I have say 20 games with about 1gb space each I need at least 20Gb to hold the games not counting i need space for save files???,. ,..DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION IS A LONG WAYS AWAY,.For Music sure it's starting to take off but it'll only be music for quite some time I think
steve @ Sep 17th 2007 4:37PM
does the psp really need to get any thinner? personally i don't think so. also, why not try a game download service for the current psp, and see how that does before ditching umd's entirely? personally i agree with pretty much everyone on here - i really like the idea of having a physical copy of a game, but i do kind of like the idea of having the download option.
ruibing @ Sep 17th 2007 4:42PM
I would definitely not support a download-only service for the PSP. I like physically owning the games I have. I just bought a PSP slim this week and I think it is a win on many fronts and have already bought MGS Ops, Jeanne D'Arc, and Mega Man Powered Up for it. I will probably preorder FF Tactics and Disgaea Afternoon of Darkness as well. My only question is why they didn't use HD-MDs, which holds 1GB of data, instead of UMDs.
bubba1 @ Sep 18th 2007 9:23AM
I think downloading games instead of using umd's is a great idea. I'm already downloading my games onto my psp (if you have to ask you don't need to know). By the way you wouldn't need an 8gb memory card to store games because I can fit anywhere from 10 to 14 games on my 4gb memory stick (again if you have to ask you don't need to know). Imagine the possibilities Sony could put say a 4gb hard drive in the psp (2gb for the system os and 2gb of free space) instead of the umd drive and keep the memory stick slot so you can add memory where and when you need it. So you could download games and other content right out of the box. An iTunes/store like site for the psp would also be fantastic. Imagine music,movie,games all on one site when and where you want it. Backing up everything to disk, external hard drive, whatever (once again if you have to ask you don't need to know). You would have a library of stuff without overcrowded shelves filled with umd cases. Think about it Sony (some of us are already there but then if you have to ask you don't need to know)
Saigon @ Sep 17th 2007 5:00PM
This guy is absolutely crazy. I can't believe he is suggesting this, or that he's even in the videogame industry for that matter. Even though I would be willing to buy games off an itunes'esque service, I still would prefer to buy my games from retail. My god, there are so many freakin' reasons why this is a such a bad idea. First off, sales would go down drastically, because an online service would discriminate against a huge chunk of the videogame market, including the teens and kids who can't/don't want to make online purchases. Sony would wisely never do this, because having games in stores helps advertise Sony, the psp and the game themselves. Having to go to your computer everytime you need to see your manual, is definitely not convenient. Price for large memory sticks - which we'll need for sure - are still not cheap, and we would probably need to buy a few of them for convenience. The DRM will be inevitably be decryped by hackers, and all the games will become pirated. UMDs are cheaper to manufacturer than flash memory. The list goes on.
NeoRaiden @ Sep 17th 2007 5:06PM
What a gay idea. He made one good point though. UMDs suck. It's just like Sony to force you buy their formats and hardware so they make more money. I say they should have gone with the mini-disc like the Gamecube. It's about the same size and it holds twice as much data. Not to mention take up less space for a thinnner and lighter PSP.
Tim Parsons @ Sep 17th 2007 5:17PM
@26 are you aware UMD holds more then 1gb?? Crisis Core is 1.7GB
Josh @ Sep 17th 2007 8:00PM
Where is Tim Parsons to come in and say that this will encourage piracy and should be stopped for the good of all mankind?
PSP_Amigo @ Sep 17th 2007 5:19PM
WEll it would appears we are all on the same page...
David Perry needs to shut the hell up, he has horrible ideas and should not be in charge of anything but keeping dribble from spewing forth from his mouth.
I still think UMD video will have a revival thanks to the PSP slim with TV out options.
To the posts asking why don't you put the game on a memory stick. This would prove to be expensive as it costs far less to create a 1.8 gig UMD disk. That would drive the cost of the game way up if they did that.
theboi @ Sep 17th 2007 5:19PM
i think there should never be a download only system because noting can replace the feeling of joy and happiness of some one holding a brand new shiny game in there hand
Anthony @ Sep 17th 2007 5:49PM
I feel he is on to something but a download only psp would not work cuz most people don't have a wireless connection and most people don't fully trust buying stuff online for a gaming system.
My idea would be to make a psp with 8, 16, 32 gig hard drive or flash memory, that takes care of the memory aspect.
A bigger battery that would last about 5-10 hrs of gaming/video and about 18-24 hours of music, that takes care of the battery issue most have with the current psp.
Also still keep the memory stick port and make games on memory sticks that would save on the battery drain that umd's cause and we kno sony makes the memory sticks and 1 gig cards are getting cheaper and cheaper. a regular umd holds 1.8 gigs if i remember right so i would say maybe make a memory stick 1.5 gigs or 2 gigs. and that takes care of the fact people want a hard copy of what they own.
Of course if the sony would get off their ass and get this download service up and running, unlike for the past 3 years, make it wifi accessible like itunes so u have a way make money more than just selling things in the stores. And last but not least make the hackers out there work with you instead of fighting them when they come out with new programs/games have them upload it to the download service and sony checks it for compatibility issues and then charge(reasonable price/free does not hurt either)for the program/games and use that money to put back into the download service. I know this seems like a pipe dream but hey just my opinion.. if any of u guys agree or have some add on ideas i would love to hear them...
merc25 @ Sep 17th 2007 6:26PM
NeoRaiden, do you have any fucking clue of what you're talking about?
Gamecube mini-DVD's hold less memory than UMD(mini-DVD=1.5 GB, while UMD=1.8 GB), and they are larger than UMDs.
As for you're claim, "It's just like Sony to force you buy their formats and hardware so they make more money.", which system manufacturer doesn't do this?
hm @ Sep 17th 2007 6:39PM
I agree with the "games on memory sticks" everyone is talking about, that's the best idea yet. Sony, Just release each game on it's own 2GB+ Memory stick. With at least 512MB free for saving and personal use. Thanks.
Larz @ Sep 17th 2007 7:05PM
"It's just like Sony to force you buy their formats and hardware so they make more money."
Yeah, it's just like Sony... and every other company out there. The difference is that Sony supports their stuff and has been awesome about compatibility unlike all the other companies.
Regarding the poster who suggested selling memory stick games: sure that would save space, but UMD's are far far cheaper, so it makes sense to use discs.
Personally I'm pretty happy with the way they've gone. To really do things right they should have released a UMD burner so we can throw on a bunch of our own content onto them, like movies from our own collection for when we take a trip, or MP3's etc.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 17th 2007 7:13PM
I think that a download-only model would totally shake up the industry, and in a good way. Hate it or love it, the PSP has established itself as name in the handheld race and if Sony were to do something truly revolutionary like that for the next itineration, it would knock a ton of people on their asses.
Of course that would mean that Sony would need to get their asses together on the PS Store. Think about how popular this device would be if you could sync it with an all-in-one applet (akin to iTunes) at a retail station or through your PS3 or home computer and download and transfer songs, movies, and games in one go?
I think that the mainstream crowd would eat it up. Couple it with a spacious hard drive and memory slot and you'd have a device that could be posed to shoot down the iPod and "that other handheld".
Ease of use and synergy would be the most important aspect to getting this service off the ground and Sony has enough hands in the entertainment industry to secure some good content.
PSP_Amigo @ Sep 17th 2007 7:20PM
Bottom line, no matter how you would like to get your games, UMD or Memory Stick or whatever there is no way SONY will Alienate 20 Million users with by getting rid of the UMD. When they do make a PSP2 this will still be the same issue, even if they come up with a more dominate way to put the media on they will still (given there track record) make the PSP2 compatible with the other PSP games, they would have to. Now maybe in the years to come memory sticks like 4 or 8 gig will drop to a cheap enough price, or maybe when the PSP2 comes out there will be much larger sizes, but even still stll at that point there will most likely be 30+ million users and I would imgaine a great number play games via UMD so Sony has to keep that as an option.
Risingsun @ Sep 17th 2007 7:58PM
I don't want to see me UMD library become outdated so quickly, if anything I want to see an upgrade to UMD with something like Blu-Ray UMD. That way you can play all the old games and still have more space for the next generation of games.
jellomonster @ Sep 17th 2007 8:58PM
That would be a horrible idea to stop using umd because so many people have these huge libraries of video games and movies all on umd. With no more umd, a lot of people will not be willing to buy the next psp. Also, a lot of people have just bought the psp, so it is really a bad idea to get rid of umd so quickly and only have downloadable games.
Darayz @ Sep 17th 2007 8:43PM
I would like the ability to choose my method of gaming - UMD or downloaded. Sony memory sticks are expensive so I don't see the argument of it saving money. Until Memory sticks go down in price and the time to install stuff into it becomes faster, I don't see a download only service happening any time soon.
jarret kramer @ Sep 18th 2007 12:11AM
Download only gaming would also kill the used game market. I own about a dozen games, and i think that 2 or 3 were new. part of the beauty of the PSP is the availability of cheap used games. I would be hesitant to buy a used memory card as well.
Tahiri @ Sep 18th 2007 2:20AM
"what sony has done with the psp-2k just sucks at least for the loyal customers"
Disagreed. As a loyal customer I love the new PSP. Its far better than any 'enhancement' any portable got before it. The DS lite was a slap in the face.
Also, I'm glad so many of you disagree with that pompous idiot. UMD ushered in PS2-quality games on a handheld, something that never would've happened on carts, or download-only. It would've been far too expensive. I for one wouldn't buy the number of memory sticks required to store my 32 games, nor would I put up with having to reinstall them to keep them on one memory stick, nor would I put up with the disadvantages of a harddrive
Simon @ Sep 18th 2007 2:27AM
I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH PERRY.......with a few modification to his idea.
It will be a good idea unless it can save a copy of the game on a DVD, and be able to share the game with other
Some people think the PSP3.0 will render all your previous owned UMD useless, but actually, it's not true. Right now, with homebrew PSP, you can copy your UMD game as an ISO and store it on your computer, and can put the game to your memory stick.
It still have potential problems such as the price of memory stick (possibility making owning a PSP more expensive since it is mandatory to own one), and the internet downloading service that discriminate people have no internet (although i believe most of the people who own PSP probably have internet connection) I know people with homebrew usually put 3-5 games on their 4GB memory stick and it work fine to them. The only inconvenience is spending time download them and put it on the PSP. But at the same time, you have no hassle of carrying a bunch of UMDs, and save battery as well.
However, the major flaw about the argument is that it blame the "short coming" of the PSP is due to the PSP cost and its size :$ PSP now is only $20 more expensive than DS, and it's so damn big is becuase of the screen. The system doesn't live up to the expectation is because of the game pirating and the huge population of Ninento DS lovers. If the PSP has mario and Pokemon but Ds don't have it, i believe PSP sales will boost up so high. A single mario game outsold any of the high profile game on PSP.
Carl @ Sep 18th 2007 4:54AM
Erm, no.
The biggest lure of the homebrew scene is the fact that you can carry around all your games ON THE CONSOLE as opposed to having to cart around a few UMD disks as well if you fancy a change. Surely a portable is the best thing to have a download service on, especially one with on the go net access like the PSP.
Anyone who has backed up a UMD will know they can be squashed into very small packets. Worms OW 2 fits into 90Mb! Lumines goes in at ~200Mb. Its only Video heavy games like Crisis Core that take up more room. Brave Story squashes into less than 200Mb due to no FMV. If Podcasts of this size can be downloaded quickly on itunes what is to stop games being done so?
If you grab a 2Gb Card for around £30/$60 its not a lot of cash, and surely Sony have room to fit 4/8Gb of flash into the PSP.
Retailers wouldnt lose out. Look at how widespread sales of the ipod are, and people dont come back to the shops for music when they can just download it off of the net. The popularity of PSN/XBLA/VC has proven gamers are willing to download and blaze the trail.
Downloads are a big part of the future of gaming and Sony have the chance to put the first nail in the coffin of disc based games by offering a flash-based PSP and a dedicated, DRMed download service.
lokster @ Sep 18th 2007 9:22PM
UMD is wayyy more cool and sound than downloading.+ it holds a max 1.8gb! games are worth developing because of this.
i mean if it was so easy and cheap to make games mosts if not all will be crappy coz its easy to produce. nah i think developers put in WAY more effort in psp games than in ps2 or any other console for that matter.
also UMD prevents pirating, i havent seen a pirated UMD yet. perry is an idiot who should jump off a cliff.
eltoc @ Sep 18th 2007 11:06AM
How about the possibility to both download via internet and via a computer? Via the computer means you buy a dvd copy of the game and load the dvdplayer of your computer, connect your psp and then install.
The possibility to use an external harddrive, via usb, with the psp would help if you choose to download from the internet and want to store your games somewhere when your memorystick is full.
These options doesnt exclude the possibility to also make games available on umd.
onyx corruption @ Sep 18th 2007 1:30PM
i'd prefer it the way it is. but with the option to download it. yes carrying umd's are a hassle but not everyone wants to buy stuff online. i sure as hell wont do that. if it became a download only. well i'd stop buying. and as far as putting games on a mem card, isnt that just the same as you know buying a disk? as well as it brings up the problem of taking this mem card and copying the files to another so hey. suddenly sony lost out on upwards of 5 game sales right there.
it also reminds me of the nintendo ds game cards..except better.. so yeah..it'll just lead from "wanna try my game?" to "here copy this dont buy it online"
Jay Lee @ Sep 18th 2007 2:10PM
Booooooo
I love UMDs. I have never ever paid for download game, honest to god, and I never will. Not with the possibility of file corruption and damaged backup disks. I like having the UMD, the physical UMD, the manual, everything. I can then resell at a pawn shop if I don't like the game or I've finished it and don't plan to play it again. You can't resell a file download.
Just to point to the obvious.