Sony bringing $199 PSP pack to US + new features announced

kobylka68

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Gamespot Link

[UPDATE] GPS, mini-EyeToy video VOIP, digitally distributed PSone, Flash games announced in Japan; new price point unveiled in US.

TOKYO--Less than 24 hours after Sony informed the public of its existence, the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing kicked off in a hall in Tokyo. With little fanfare, Sony Computer President Ken Kutaragi took the stage to lay out his vision for the future of the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PSP.

After reminding the crowd that the PlayStation 2 has sold over 100 million units, Kutaragi quickly turned the subject to the PSP. He said that, beginning in October the portable would support video voice over IP. This would be done with the use of a digital camera add-on which would support motion jpegs. Kutaragi referred to the camera as an "EyeToy," and said it would attach externally to the handheld.

Kutaragi also announced that Sony is developing an emulator that will allow PSPs to play original PlayStation games. He said the PSone games would be digitally distributed to PSPs, adding ammo to rumors that Sony is planning to distribute classic games much like Microsoft already does with the Xbox 360 and Nintendo will with the Revolution.

Since the PSP's built-in memory is limited, the digital-distribution announcement also seems to lend credence that a second PSP with built-in flash memory is in the works, though Kutaragi did not confirm so explicitly.

Kutaragi concretely confirmed another rumor--that the PSP would play games made with Macromedia Flash. He also said the handheld would support RSS feeds at an unspecified later date, and that it would eventually get GPS locator functionality.

The executive then went on to officially confirm the delay of the PS3 and announce new features for the platform.

[UPDATE] At the same time across the Pacific, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that it is dropping the US price of the PSP. Starting March 22, gamers will be able to pick up the portable for just $199, versus the $249 Value Pack currently available. However, while the Value Pack contains a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, soft case, remote control, and headphones, the only peripherals mentioned as being in the $199 PSP package are a "AC adaptor and battery," which are also included in the Value Pack.

Sony used the new price point announcement to proclaim that since the PSP's launch last March, it has shipped 15 million units worldwide. It boasted that, so far, the handheld has brought "in more than $1.6 billion as of calendar year 2005, more than both Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS combined."

The company also said that by month's end there will be "more than 107 games and more than 347 feature films, TV programs and videos from major studios" available for the PSP in North America.
By Tor Thorsen, Henry Niizumi -- GameSpot
Posted Mar 14, 2006 11:45 pm PT
 

dark penguin

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more than 107 games and more than 347 feature films, TV programs and videos

That's fucking laughable.
I like my PSP well enough but that shit is just ridiculous. Concentrate on the games, you corporate bastards.

As for the new features, whatevs.
I can't believe they're attempting to use flash games a selling point.

VOIP and flash memory may be worth it, but I can't see myself using my PSP as a phone. N-gage syndrome?

The PSone compatability may end up being awesome if they can arrange it properly...R-type Delta would be nice, but not if it looks as ass as Gradius Gaiden did in widescreen mode on the recent Gradius Portable.
 

kobylka68

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Mark of the Wolves said:
Damn 347 movies etc.??? I never knew, where the hell did they all come from???

Sony's movies I guess. Thats the only explanation I can think of.
 

Tacitus

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My only hope is that some really good PSX games get the treatment.. and that IREM ports fucking R-Type Final.. then I'd be happy.
 
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<Wonders if playing SOTN is possible with all the BGM data>

"Loading more BGM, please wait"
 

TemJin3000

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im up for playing Einhandler and Bushido Blade on the toilet. :D

also, flash on PSP = :drool_2:
 

Diavle18

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The PSP sounds so tempting, I'll be onboard as soon as a few more worthwhile games get released.

What is VOIP?
 

ray_7

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Diavle18 said:
The PSP sounds so tempting, I'll be onboard as soon as a few more worthwhile games get released.

What is VOIP?

Voice Over IP.

Internet phone calls basically.
 

wizkid007

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Well they will certainly sell more units

On a side note I bought two games tonight

THe new alpha 3 and Y's
 

BIG

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wizkid007 said:
Well they will certainly sell more units

On a side note I bought two games tonight

THe new alpha 3 and Y's

How's Y's,wizzy?

B-
 

wizkid007

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BIG said:
How's Y's,wizzy?

B-

Ill let you know as soon as I dig into it. Im still playing generation of chaos at the moment.
 

racecar

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Mark of the Wolves said:
Damn 347 movies etc.??? I never knew, where the hell did they all come from???
thats including all the jap pOrN..and movies:chimp:
 

Gotenks326

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Can't believe I missed this. Only $199 and PS1 titles in the future (Portable FF7 & FFT for the win)? All signs are telling me to get a PSP.
 

Phoenix Down

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Have they fixed that one problem yet? You know, the one where most of the games suck?
 

soopafamicom

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kobylka68 said:
Gamespot Link

Sony used the new price point announcement to proclaim that since the PSP's launch last March, it has shipped 15 million units worldwide. It boasted that, so far, the handheld has brought "in more than $1.6 billion as of calendar year 2005, more than both Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS combined."


Well the 360 isn't exactly flying off the shelves except in N.America and the PSP is about 2 1/2 the price (and 1 1/0 the value) of a DS so of course it will have brought in more $'s.

But it will have cost Sony a lot of money for licensing to get all those films.It's ok giving gross figures it would be nice to see what the net earnings for it are.
 

wizkid007

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soopafamicom said:
Well the 360 isn't exactly flying off the shelves except in N.America and the PSP is about 2 1/2 the price (and 1 1/0 the value) of a DS so of course it will have brought in more $'s.

But it will have cost Sony a lot of money for licensing to get all those films.It's ok giving gross figures it would be nice to see what the net earnings for it are.

I second this as it would take the inflated quote and bring it way down to size.
 
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