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SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure

Posted Jun 9, 2010 at 1:58AM EST by Mabie A.

Listed in: PSP Tags: SCEE

pspgo-white

Undisputedly, the PSPgo is, in not so many words, a huge failure. A year in its existence, it's now clear that the people just aren't sold on it. Looking back, Sony released it merely to dip their toes in the water and see how people will bite, this according to SCEE's Andrew House.

"It was introduced in a mature lifecycle to learn more about what the consumer wanted and we've definitely learned a lot," he said in an interview with MCV. "Is that measured by success in sales? I don't think it is."

"One of the reasons we launched PSPgo was to understand where that consumer behavior was going. We were getting signals from consumers that this was the kind of device that they wanted. But we need to recognize that consumers like their packaged media library."

Okay, so now that the guineau pig is out and about and apparently hit a wall, what are they going to do about it? Are they just going to drop support for the PSPgo and let it die a cold, lonely death and turn their attentions back to the revival of the UMD? Maybe they'll have some sort of consolation for it.

Or they could keep telling themselves that the sales aren't the only gauge of success in the handheld industry.

Via [MCV UK]

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Shame it was the consumer that paid for it.

However, it's not the system or the concept that's a failure, it's Sony's blithering pre-sales pitch (every game on PSN, legacy program, trade in - all bollocks) and poor PSN support (too few, over-priced, publishers not signing up) that did for the Go.

As a unit, it's lovely. The sooner someone hacks it and does what Sony couldn't, i.e. get the full software catalogue onto it, the better.

Sony might well blame the public, the model, the market or Santa, but the truth is their own incompetence led to market failure. From reading this press release it seems that they've learned absolutely nothing.

+4 # RE: Indeed — Humpfreey 2010-06-09 13:09

actually their statement shows a staggering contempt for their consumer-base.

Sony Pysche 'Okay lets for the hell of it release a new PSP, very pricey, no UMD, all PSN (mostly crapolio), and hey if it fails do we care? It was all an experiment anyway ...

Riiiiight ;P

+5 # RE: RE: Indeed — Snaku 2010-06-09 13:42

Contempt for their consumer base seems to be Sony's whole MO these days. With my psx and ps2, I was in love with Sony, and I didn't hesitate to buy a psp or ps3. I still like both those systems, but it's different now. The goodwill I had for Sony has slowly eroded... until other os was taken: then it was bulldozed.

I'll be surprised if the ps4 and psp2 don't flop. I just don't think Sony has the same level of loyalty from their consumers that they had a few years ago.

-2 # @snaku — kupomogli 2010-06-11 14:25

"Other OS was taken away. Waaaaah"

Did Sony kill your family too?

# Pricey for who? — DrWho1980 2010-06-28 18:09

pricey for them or for us?
I don't think they lost that much in development. the PSP go was a slimmed down PSP, nothing new. All changes were made in looks and removing hardware. Add cheap memory storage and there you go.

It was cost effective in production and they sold it for a higher price then the original PSP. Which is bizarre to say the least. And it was a good move if it was a real test. This release was a lot cheaper than making the mistake of releasing a PSP2 without UMD slot.

+2 # RE: expensive lesson — Elric 2010-06-10 13:59

Quoting lunas:

that is one expensive lesson

The Go would have been a huge hit if:
1. The price were MUCH lower
2. There was a UMD->PSN trade in program or similar upgrade path to attract existing PSP fans to the platform.

It's not that people LOVE UMDs so much, it's that they HATE having to rebuy all the existing titles they own and the system doesn't even have the full library available.

The Go hardware and form factor is nice, it's just that the cost of ownership is absurd between the high premium and the forced PSN marketplace limitations.

# I dunno — DrWho1980 2010-06-28 18:13

A trade in wouldn't matter that much. Most sales are of new users. Not of users who want to replace there old PSP.

+2 # RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — eh 2010-06-09 03:33

right,... (sarcastic)
the idea was not bad its just too pricey and the contents out side japan are very poor...

+3 # RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — usjbroly 2010-06-09 04:38

sounds like they're covering up for a mistake. its like "yeah, it failed flat on its arse BUT we meant to do that and we haven't failed yet. so there."

-1 # ihsan — ali ihsan 2010-06-09 05:17

Did they just told me cavy ? Please tell me that Im wrong

+3 # RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — Mabie A. 2010-06-09 05:38

what are you gonna do with your go now?

+1 # i like most other people didnt — lunas 2010-06-09 05:48

Like most people i didn't buy one.

However a better idea than go through the r&d and construction costs to make the go would have been to put out a psn questionaire that had the points they wanted to find out about. To encourage people to do it they could have offered some psn coupon or discount off the next psn network purchase to either all who participated or to a limited number of people.

I would like to know actual sales numbers and if the go is a net loss or if it managed to pay for itself.

+2 # I absolutely agree — Vinci3xx 2010-06-09 05:51

I mean those comments were pathetic to say the least. Why don't they just admit that they failed the GO units. They're a bunch of hypocrites.

+3 # ... — symbal 2010-06-09 08:20

So you pay for and expensive console, pay for overpriced games and pay for Sony's incompetence with a failed console Sony would like to disown and what? They just shrug it off saying it's an experiment at the customers expense. Instead of telling us what they decide we want why don't they just do a tiny bit market research before they release a Sinclair C5 (Psp Go)

-3 # lol — Humpfreey 2010-06-09 08:38

no wonder Nintendo does so well ;P

DSi XL is a great handheld, good price, excellent sound, fun cameras, 2 big 4" screens, touch screen, great carts for it, huge no. of titles to play on it, 1 of the best buys I ever made, fun, fun, fun

Screw Sony and their go-nowhere PSP iterations
1k is still the best 1 for 'feel', wonderfully chunky design.
2k great for brighter screen and light design.
3k ...
Go ... fail
PSP II ... 2011 maybe who cares ? no cfw = no sale

Put all the security you want on it Sony.
Turn it into Fort Knox.
Make it so secure I need your permission to turn it on.
Byeee!

# RE: lol — Reylink 2010-06-09 13:48

the thing about nintendo is the childern and families. its good for them and yeah idk

# One less douchebag pirate then — kupomogli 2010-06-11 14:28

I think Sony could care less.

# Ys — aperson2 2010-06-09 10:00

Good. The Go was terrible. It's overpriced for the console, PSN games are overpriced compared to what they should cost.

It's garbage and only morons bought them.

I really thought PSN would see a huge update, especially in Europe, when the Go launched. Oh boy was I wrong!

# RE: Ys — Humpfreey 2010-06-09 10:45

Try the DSi Xl I'm luvin' it !

# RE: RE: Ys — But Fukir 2010-06-09 20:49

I was thinking about getting a DSI, I still might eventually, but its so goddamn ugly!

Just physically, the PSP is Scarlet Johansen and the DSI is Amy Winehouse.

Which is a shame because some of the actual games dont look that bad.

But I never bought an xbox either because it was too damn ugly too.

# learned anything? — cman 2010-06-09 10:18

You guys at sony didn't learn anything at all. At the very most all you did was confirm what the writing on the wall was from the surveys you give out. If you really wanted the PSP to be a success then you would of released a PSX to PSP game maker and give it out free to the public. Face it the psx had some great games and it would of put your system on top for a majority of people if they didn't have to rebuy the games they already own to play them on a portable system. seeing as you now did that. Tons of people will have bought your system to play there old games on the go. It next becomes time to accelerate you PSP Game sales (where you want to make the money) for the system. release awesome games that take advantage of the psp processing power for all types of gamers not just 1 type. Next create an app store like the iphone's for other people to make cool apps for the PSP. Lastly to attempt to make a profit on the old playstation games. resale them on PSN and instore as psx games. MARK THESE AS Releases as SPECIALIALY TESTED TO WORK ON PS3 PS2 PS1 and of course PSP for the CD version and PS3/PSP for the PSN version. with instructions on how to convert the CD version to PSP easily for playing on the go. sure that means that people can pirate the old PSX games. but they technically already could anyway. As for the PC/PS3 software front to make it a success. use an itunes like system with more capabilities. we know the psp can play movies if we convert them right. well make it easy for us to do that. have us drop DVD movie into computer system and the PSP itunes like system automatically convert for PSP viewing pleasure. No bothersome find this app then use that app junk for tech geeks would be no problem but some average users will have a hard time.

In other words give us awesome features (which we expect) without the hassle of applying 3rd party firmware or 3rd party programs.

-2 # No, they wouldn't — kupomogli 2010-06-11 14:33

Some people would have ripped the games and then put the games online for everyone else to download.

Or are you unaware that most every PSP game is put online within a week of its release.

+1 # im just saying — willman0527 2010-06-09 10:47

the day we can play isos sony better throw out as many deals as they can or they are fu*ked

+1 # piracy — Deino 2010-06-09 12:02

i believe its actually both the consumer and company's fault the PSP is in the downs right now.

Most consumers just don't want to pay to play games. This attitude is very disgusting and its the reason the market is spoilt and a wholly other reason why game companies are scared shit to make more games for the PSP. Its been like this ever since people started hacking the PSP. The reason they gave it was Homebrew. I don't blame Sony for the way they reacted. Its just normal to protect yourself as well as the companies that makes the games for you.

On Sony's part I guess they really didn't listen to what the consumers want. Having homebrew compatibility or the like would definitely be great. I believe that the PSP has what it takes to beat the shit of the iShit as portable gaming and multimedia console.

-1 # RE: piracy — But Fukir 2010-06-09 20:26

Wii, PS2, xbox and 360 all have HB and still sell like hotcakes.

The PSP still sells well in japan as far as I know. If its dragging its feet in sales in the US its something other than HB.
Maybe the lack of new games.

+4 # sure — xavis75211 2010-06-09 12:12

spending all kinds of money on development to make it hack proof, and it was just a test.

more like sony on their famous piece of shit excuse as always.

# if u beleive that i got some magic beans to sell — chrisk 2010-06-09 13:12

well they are trying to save face ill give them that here is a message to sony
regaurding the pspgo it was a good system
except the price when overpriced it and i mean really overpriced it you cut your own throats i would have got one if at first you didnt try to rip everyone of with that price and you lied when you said we could trade our old games for the digital copy. most of know you are trying to save face but in order to avoid that try listening first to the people who make you rich when you piss us off you will not make money.

+3 # (cough) — Robert 2010-06-09 13:47

Excuses

# this may be a good thing — alex.v 2010-06-09 18:51

this will let them improve on what consumers wanted and since it sounds like there discontinuing it that means store price cuts

-1 # RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — But Fukir 2010-06-09 20:21

So what is the gauge if not sales?

And I wonder who ends up absorbing the cost in the end for such an ill begotten extortion attempt.

+1 # Sony begining to piss me off — lowkee33 2010-06-10 06:18

I have been a loyal $ony junkie since the PS1. I have been extremely satisfied until the PS3 and the PSP GO. Don't get me wrong I love my PS3 to death but of late they have done so much crap to piss me off with the other O.S. bullshit and now the admittance the GO is a failure. I bought the Go because of all the hype and promises and now they are going to throw it to the back. They basically just told me in the article that Sony says by our product and if it ends up sucking Oh well your bad for buying into our lies. It seems like they are more worried about controlling piracy than take care of the many paying customers. Hey Sony you wonder why people want to hack your systems left and right and you best believe the second the go is hacked I'm on board. I now part of it is my fault for rushing into the Go but still if they just push it to the back and let it fade away I will have a $250 paper weight. I just want to say thank you sony from the bottom of my heart you sure know how to break a big kids heart! And by the way anyone who doesn't know there is a class action lawsuit going on over the removal of the other O.S. option. I don't have the info handy but this site had an article with details a few days ago. I am on that bandwagon now cause they are looking to get at least a 50% refund for anyone who bought there unit new between 2006 and 2010. Sorry for such a long rant I just couldn't keep quiet anymore.

-1 # humm my friend owns a 60 gig ill — lunas 2010-06-10 07:24

The fees to repair the ps3 are ridiculous too almost 200 bucks cause the console failed to keep itself cool enough. At least it isnt as common as the 360 fail. why could they not have used pins that go through the board or just better solder or thicker fiberglass boards to stop the flex and break..

-1 # RE: Sony begining to piss me off — But Fukir 2010-06-10 17:26

"... and now the admittance the GO is a failure..."

But wait, it wasn't really a failure because they were only fooling around.

"Testing the water."

They just wanted to see if you'd buy it.

They didn't really MEAN the GO, it was like a joke.

Hahaha, get it?

-1 # PSPGo was a joke — anonymous123 2010-06-10 09:31

Quoted from above

"It was introduced in a mature lifecycle to learn more about what the consumer wanted and we've definitely learned a lot."

Isn't this one of the reasons why surveys are utilized? This is complete BS. Just admit that this was a failed iteration. Just another attempt for Sony to siphon $$$ from any tool out there that wants to say, "Look at me! I have the latest PSP - still with crappy software! Yaaaaay!" :(

-1 # The PSP Go is bad — DCX6000 2010-06-11 15:27

The PSP GO was a bad idea. A lot of people that had a PSP and was anticipating the PSP Go would have dual analog sticks and 4 shoulder buttons.
That would of been nice for Remote Play.
But why did Sony not add this to the PSP Go? I haven't the faintest clue.

They should of never taken out the UMD. PSP Go users should of been given the option of either buying the UMD or just using the PSN, but Sony thinks "slimmer equals better". It's true sometimes. Not in the case.

I THINK Sony was scheming to make a large amount of money off of the PSP Go before they added the features I mentioned above. Some people like it though. I played my cousin's PSP Go, but instantly got frustrated for some reason. He can spend hours on it though.

# RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — iluvfuz 2010-06-12 23:16

The PSPgo was a good idea, but Sony just did it wrong. They might say they were just testing the market, but if they were going to do that, they'd:
1. Make the price $200 or less
2. Add more than just Bluetooth

Price just killed the Go. Sony just needed to realize that before they released it.

# RE: SCEE: PSPgo was "to test the waters", sales not indicative of failure — pinksquare 2010-06-16 15:42

I'm sure people are just thrilled to know they shelled out at least $300 for a PSPGo plus one game for a mere "experiment."

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