SCEA: PSP is the "gateway drug" to consoles

by Majed Athab { May 22nd 2008 at 4:05PM }

Speaking today in New York, SCEA senior marketing manager John Koller described the PSP as a gateway drug to the world of harder console narcotics like crystal PS3. He explained that the PSP has changed the way people look upon handheld gaming and that "the PSP is a very high growth, high margin business and something that is a very good product for [Sony]."

Koller said that the PSP "parlays well into our broader hardware business" as Sony has noticed an emerging trend with PSP consumers who've never bought a console before. They're suddenly opting for PS3s as they move along the adoption curve. Analyst Michael Pachter, who was also in NYC, compares the PSP's successes to that of the uber-successful GBA: "If you look at sell-through for PSP, at a much higher price point, it is about six months behind the adoption curve of the Game Boy Advance which averaged about US$80 cheaper. That's ... the original Game Boy Advance that had no competition. So, people 'dis' the PSP, but the business is pretty solid."

Tags: business, psp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cameron Adams @ May 22nd 2008 4:15PM

YAYZ

Dahk @ May 22nd 2008 4:26PM

Holy crap, did anyone notice the ability to download videos/demos from the "Official PSP Website" bookmark on the PSP?

Or have I just completely missed a whole part of the PSP experience since I've gotten it :S.

bryansurvive @ May 22nd 2008 4:57PM

yea you missed it. psp demo center has been up for a while.
as for mr koller..... do you even play your psp? whats your favorite game? what are you gonna do to make every happy since we dont get any ports, remakes, original games, etc. im not complaining just some people can finish games like theres no tomorrow. everything might be good for sony but whats good for the consumer?

PiemanPieman @ May 22nd 2008 6:16PM

I know this is probably going to be a big WTF for most people, but I kinda feel like the PSP and Wii have some things in common. It's hard to put it in words, but I get a lot of the same feelings when I play them. I thought about this because the whole "gateway" thing is often levied at the Wii as well.

Of course we can't love Sony and Nintendo products. That's like cheating on your wife, amirite?

bryansurvive @ May 22nd 2008 6:55PM

ever since my ps2 died. my psp is my second love.

required @ May 22nd 2008 7:09PM

Long time portable gamer and I just recently bought a PS3.

ReincarnationofRickAstley @ May 22nd 2008 7:27PM

damn now if i could only download illicit drugs on my psp like i do games :P instead of another play on rickastley for my next account after i get banned i should change it to reincarnationof tonymontana
Rick Astley

"The legend will never die"
p.s. hugs kisses xoxo to my fans like strike love you guys

reincarnationof tonymontana @ May 22nd 2008 7:40PM

sure rick. sure.

Kade Storm @ May 23rd 2008 5:29AM

Cheating on the wife! LAWL! Nice one. Seriously, why not? I only like products anyway. The companies can rot in hell with their accountants and lawyers because they're nothing more than carriers of the vile disease known as bureaucracy.

Personally, I like the PSP and the PC. . . oh, and also the PS2. Yeah, it's a three-way-tie. Wii? Nah.

Dr Haisook @ May 23rd 2008 5:48AM

The PSP is a solid console. There ARE good games for it. At least it occupied my spare time quite well for the last 14 months. And yes, it's like a "gateway drug" to the big consoles as I thought about getting a PS3, but unfortunately, I don't have enough time for more video gaming (I'm a medical student).

I'll tell you why many people hate the PSP; most people are 'casual' gamers, that is, they prefer light games that are easy to pick up and play. PSP games are heavy, more like PS2 games. They need more dedication and thinking. So what happens is those casual gamers get PSPs because they 'look' better. They get GTA along with it. They quickly realize how difficult it is to progress through the game when all they needed was Mario. So they throw the PSP away and diss it, and get a NDS.

So it's not the PSP's fault after all.

Alien @ May 23rd 2008 9:48AM

Everyone knows the PSP is successful ... well at least those who actually take 5 minutes and research a couple of things about it :) Well I do hope the PSP reaches the 65-70 million sales lifetime , that would be trully amazing for Sonys first venture into the handheld business :)