Here's how I think UMD & digital download from the PS Store game pricing should be handled:Sony & 3rd party PSP game makers release a game in UMD format. Price it MSRP, say $40.00 or whatever.
Offer the same game on the PS Store for digital download 3-4 weeks later, and price it 25% less than the UMD. $30.00 for the download.
I know a lot of people will think that everyone will just wait for the digital release if it comes out for 25% less, and this will screw over the retailers who carry UMD games, etc. But the 4 week wait period will work in retailers favour: early adopters who want it on UMD will pay a bit more, but they'll get a hard copy & instruction booklet, etc. Digital download copies don't have any physical assurance of their game, the e-instruction booklet is never as good & such. Because of the less expense on SCE & the game maker's side, consumers should get to pay like 25% less.
Maybe this method will kill the UMD format & drive most of the sales to the PS Store. I don't know. But as to retailers feeling "betrayed" or whatever, I keep pointing out to those who say such junk that there's this device called, umm, the iPod Touch/ iPhone where retailers don't see a single cent from the apps bought for those devices, yet they sell the hardware nonetheless.
Savvy shoppers also know that games drop in price 6 months to a year after release, and if they wait long enough, they might be able to get the UMD copy of a game for much less than either MSRP or PS Store price..... and Sony could have some sales at their PS Store, they've started doing that a bit.
So I think this is a pretty reasonable model for handling PSP game pricing. I know there's a lot of other factors involved & it may not be that easy. But hopefully it'll happen. Do I think it will?
Of course not. This is Sony we're talking about.
later
don
8 comments:
Problem is, your proposal would only create another disincentive to buy the PSPGo... Why would they have to wait while owners of other models can decide between both methods of distribution?
Waiting 3-4 weeks for a 25% price drop of the original MSRP is reasonable incentive for PSN purchase.
As to the PSPgo, the simple fact that the PSP-N1000 will *never* have a UMD drive automatically makes it less versatile than PSPs that do. I guess Sony is hoping that the small size is what really drives consumers to buy it over a PSP. My pricing idea is more on how to promote & manage the PSN than the PSPgo, that's a whole 'nother post I'm sure.....
Right now, as far as I can tell there are almost NO incentives to buy PSP content from the PS Store, other than lack of UMD bulk. It should be more balanced.
later
don
I see one incentive for owners of non-modded PSP: loading speed. I just sold my copy of Mana Khemia and will likely do the same with LEGO Indiana Jones in the near future to play them from memory stick instead of UMDs.
I also bought Dead Head Fred on the "improved PSN" first week sale because of bad reviews with respect to loading delays, instead of a bargained or used copy for about the same price.
I've noticed a bit of shorter load times with Twisted Metal: Head On-- it usually takes about 15 seconds to load a level, the digital copy takes about 7-8 seconds. Nice, but not a huge deal. A lot of games are still going to take time because of the way they were coded, as in not as efficiently as they should be.
I think the most significant improvements in load times will be for RPGs & sports games which have to do a lot of front loading.
Congrats on the recent PS Store buys, I've come close to buying Dead Head Fred (on UMD) myself... I've seen it go as low as $10.00, but it's now around $14.95, which is probably the same as the PS Store price.
I'd love to hear how it is & how the loading times are. Have fun.
later
don
Dead Head Fred was $7.99 on launch week. Mana Khemia was about $15, which I recoup by selling my UMD for CAN$18 to Microplay.
Loading times to play Mana Khemia are now reduced by 40-50%, which makes it a lot more interesting than the UMD version.
Good deals! I've been thinking of unloading some of my UMD games, there are a lot of games I just don't play.... just trying to figure out how to get at least a little bit back... I don't think EB Games gives much for them.
later
don
Hi Don,
I noticed that the Astro Boy game was digitally released on Oct.15, while the game is not yet available in stores. I don't if this will be a trend in the future...
Interesting.... I can see that one of the hopes of consumers is that the PS Store gets releases the same time/before the retail copies are on shelves. But I think that the majority of releases will be UMD first, DD afterwards. Worth keeping an eye on, but I suspect it will be a company by company thing. Some, like LucasArts seem to really be willing to embrace the additional revenue stream that DD provides. You'd think all companies would be happy to have another way to make more $$$. Strangely enough, it doesn't seem to be the case with PSP DD.
later
don
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