Sony cuts PSP production.

[if76]

1up.com (http://www.1up.com) just posted this story.
The handheld wars are getting gory.
Perhaps Sony is out of tricks.
They're cutting PSP's by a million times six. (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3141572)

The successful launches of PSP in Japan and the United States would indicate the launches have gone according to plan, but that's not necessarily the case. While meeting with suppliers, Sony reportedly plans to manufacture only 12 million units, reports Next Generation from Japan's Nikkei BP.

I don't mean to cause so much strife. But I like my handhelds with battery life.

[Varsity]

Stop the rhyming. Now.

[Commissar Rob]

Ouch...but it seems like even the ardent supporters have bemoaned the lack of post-launch software. UMD movies are awfully expensive (my local eB has them at $30 a pop). Seems like this isn't going according to plan...

[AspectVoid]

I've yet to have my PSP battery die on me, so Battery life is a no issue, IMO. I will agree with Grimshaw that UMD movies are overpriced right now, though. As for post launch software, I have to roll my eyes. The DS has been out something like 5 months longer, and it's only had one great game released in that time. Give the PSP (and the DS as well, for that matter) some time. The first year after a system launches is almost always slow game wise.

[bapenguin]

Yeah...i get about 6 hours of life on a charge which is more than enough for me. In 2 weeks i'll be taking it with me on vacation, so we'll see how it behaves over a long haul...but so far I have 0 complaints on the battery life.

[BleedTheFreak]

Yeah...i get about 6 hours of life on a charge which is more than enough for me. In 2 weeks i'll be taking it with me on vacation, so we'll see how it behaves over a long haul...but so far I have 0 complaints on the battery life.

I agree, I've been playing the crap out of my PSP, it has a lot of great games out for it, classic tltles just at launch (can't get enough Hot Shots!) and I've never had my battery even get close to wearing out. I do charge it up when not in use, but I've left it in the hibernation mode for days at a time and come back to play a game and found out when turning it on that it went right into the game I was playing last with out having to be plugged in for those 2 days.

Plus, brand new laptops have like HALF the battery life of a PSP. Sure they do more, but why doesn't anyone complaing about the 3 hour life span of a laptop battery?

[Chagrinful]

Wow, thats a huge cutback maybe for some reason the Gretsky pack isn't so popular, I couldn't imagine why tha'd be :rolleyes: , although tha'd only explain Canadian sales right? What could the PSP fanboi use as an excuse for sales elsewhere?

[zyzyx]

I have a PSP with 3 games, all bought at launch. Hot Shots Golf is a very good title but my god was I relieved when the 1.5 firmware was cracked last week.

[BleedTheFreak]

I have a PSP with 3 games, all bought at launch. Hot Shots Golf is a very good title but my god was I relieved when the 1.5 firmware was cracked last week.

What exactly is the 1.5 firmware update?

[Lodin]

Sony is doomed!

Pretty sure that's a first...

[KeeBaud]

Let me get this straight. Sony are REFUSING to sell the console in good ol' Blighty because they 'cannot manufacture enough PSP consoles for a Europe launch' and may delay selling them past September due to grey imports, but have decided that the demand for their console is small enough that they can REDUCE production. This is one pissed off Brit.

[Savok]

And typical Sony treatment of PAL at exactly the same time.

[VoodooKarma]

I don't think the problem is battery life, UMD movie cost, or game selection. I think the problem is the price point for the PSP, it is very expensive for a handheld. I have one and love it but not everyone is willing to spend that much money on a handheld. I have shown my PSP to quite a few people and they have all mentioned how nice it is until they hear how much it costs. Once I tell them the price I paid for it, they look as if I just punched them in the stomach or shot their dog!

[crashedout]

Give me a value edition for under 200 with a hardware revision for battery life, give me the promised PDA functions and the ability to run homebrew by default(not ripped games) and I will buy it.

[bobbler]

Wonder how much sales will go up when GTA stories comes out?

[Kamalot]

As for post launch software, I have to roll my eyes. The DS has been out something like 5 months longer, and it's only had one great game released in that time.

PSP and DS launched within a week of each other in Japan. It was Sony's fault for not being able to get the device here fast enough. In fact, the reason the launch lineup was so strong here to begin with is because of the launch lead in Japan.

When / If it launches in Europe, should they have to go through the same dry spell?

We shouldn't cut the unit any slack because Sony couldn't get it here in a reasonable amount of time.

[Derwin]

Wonder how much sales will go up when GTA stories comes out?

Probably by a lot in the US, but GTA is not very popular in Japan. Capcom publishes it there.

[Kamalot]

Just to put things in to perspective, Less than a month ago, Sony was saying they needed to outsource production in order to keep up with overwhelming demand.

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/06/01/2018255&from=rss

SCE president Ken Kutaragi has confirmed that PSP production may be outsourced to another company, as demand for the PSP is already outstripping Sony's ability to produce

In light of this recent news to decrease production, even before they launch in Europe, one needs to ask; is the reason behind the outsourcing a lie? Is the only reason to outsource so they can reduce the loss they take on each unit?

[Racknahm]

What exactly is the 1.5 firmware update?

It's not an update. It's a program on the PSP that allows only certain programs to be run on the PSP. Now that it's cracked, people can start programming for the PSP.

[LilAbner]

No worries for me w/battery life. I usually get about 6-7 hours per charge which is a-ok for me.

[bapenguin]

Just to put things in to perspective, Less than a month ago, Sony was saying they needed to outsource production in order to keep up with overwhelming demand.

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/06/01/2018255&from=rss



In light of this recent news to decrease production, even before they launch in Europe, one needs to ask; is the reason behind the outsourcing a lie? Is the only reason to outsource so they can reduce the loss they take on each unit?

Well there's your answer right there, good ol' Ken was the source of the information!

[Lutheran]

I agree with the price point being way to high for a handheld , I will wait till they are available for 179.00 or less as I don't much love the games that are available anyway..I do have a DS and the game library for that system totally sucks too for the most part. I know its early still in both systems lifespans but sheesh get some damn product out already for these systems.

[Kefkataran]

Personally, I think all news posts should be done in rhyme.

[benson]

I don't mean to cause so much strife. But I like my handhelds with battery life.
Give me a break already. Not one complaint in this thread (so far) from a PSP owner about battery life, in fact they all have lauded it.

On another note, I like my PSP as well, I am just waiting for a good RPG to hit. That is one thing the GBA (and DS with its GBA compatibility) has over the PSP. I really like the old school RPG's on a handheld. But I'll make due with the good to great sports games, and GTA when it comes out.

[benson]

Personally, I think all news posts should be done in rhyme.
I agree on this though. I like that aspect of this news post.

[Kefkataran]

I'm strongly considering trying to rhyme all future news posts that I do. I might have to break out the old rhyming dictionary.

[Intruder]

My EB and Walmart sell UMD movies for between 14 and 20 bucks, no more.

[PantherModern]

I have a PSP and a DS, so that basically just means I'm an idiot who spends too much money on games. But this doesn't really surprise me. Even at 300 they must be taking a hit on every unit, and the simple fact is, you don't screw with Nintendo where handhelds are concerned. I recently got a teeny-tiny scratch (can't see it when playing, but I know it's there) on my PSP screen (from wiping it with the cleaning cloth sony gave me no less) and I was CRUSHED. I can't imagine a gamer actually gashing the screen substantially. That's just too much pain.

I had kept it pristine since launch and I go to clean it, then BAM. Scratch-ula city. Moral of the story? No idea. "Don't clean your PSP" or something.

[Kamalot]

It's not an update. It's a program on the PSP that allows only certain programs to be run on the PSP. Now that it's cracked, people can start programming for the PSP.
Except this is an endless cycle.

Sony patches firmware with an 'update'.

Sony sells games that require the 'update' to run.

Hackers have to re-crack the PSP.

Consumer gets pissed.

So, you either never update your PSP's rom so you can play all your homebrew apps or you don't play newer PSP games. Or you have 2 PSP's. That must be Sony's plan! Sell each person 2 PSPs! That's where they'll find the "demand" from! One to play homebrew and one to play games.

Brilliant!

[Hellstorm]

Well, this wasn't much of a handheld war. Chalk another one into the mass pit of failed contenders to the GB line. Let alone a GB with two screens. Funny, the DS supposedly doesn't offer gamers anything they would want. I mean Nintendo just upped production from 15 million to 20 million for this year.

[Savok]

Not using the PSP at all is also an option.

</flamebait>

[VirgoBlu]

From a business aspect it would make sense to cut production in order to cut cost. Sony loses money on every PSP they make, not sell. Let's face it, Sony released this thing at the wrong time of year. Only the die-hard and the rich have bought them. It makes sense if they cut production now and then market this thing correctly for a "second launch" at Christmas with obviously, a nice saloon of games and movies.

I agree if they had a non-value pack at less than $200, less expensive movies and some of the functionality(PDA,web-browser) they promised Sony would make a killing (see underlined above).

As for battery life I've had no problem with it. I use my PSP more as an MP3 player and a cool way to show off my handsome nephew. I get my Hot Shots fix everyday. My commute to work is about a half hour on the train. From 9-5, I'm at work, can't play then. Another half hour back home. I take 4 hour bus trips to see my brother in MD all the time. I can play, or watch a couple movies and still have enough juice to plug it into his car stereo to let him listen to what's hot in NY for the trip from the station and I'd still have a bar of battery life left. For the uber-gamer that must play every waking minute (I guess DS owners do this?) then yeah, you'll have to recharge more than you'd like to.

[Justin_McElroy]

Hmmm, anyone have a good source for information about this "homebrew" you speak of? Who is this "Caallvveeeen?"

Five points if you get the reference.

[jacktion]

Give me a break already. Not one complaint in this thread (so far) from a PSP owner about battery life, in fact they all have lauded it.


Well that is to be expected. As a rule, when an individual has invested large amounts of their assets in something, they will attempt to rationalize this risk they have taken. No one wants to waste their money so they will always spin the PSP in as positive light as possible so they don't feel dumb.

I'm not saying they should feel dumb, I'm just explaining why everyone who has a PSP says the battery is ok. It is a basic rule of psychology.

I don't have a PSP but I want one.

[dark_inchworm]

I had kept it pristine since launch and I go to clean it, then BAM. Scratch-ula city.

Nice reference.

[Groo]

It seems to me that those who complain about the PSP's battery life, don't actually own one. Something tells me that those same people are Nintendo fan-boys, who are jealous of what the PSP offers. I have a PSP and a DS. I've never had a problem with battery life of either one.

Honestly, the DS feels a generation behind when you compare it to the PSP. The DS is lacking in two very important areas: screen size, and graphics quality. The PSP rivals the PS2 in graphics, while the DS can be compared to the PS1 (at best). I wouldn't even compare it to the

Neither system has a large amount of compelling software, at least for Americans. Nintendogs is only going to do well among those in America who are japanophiles (you know, those you masturbate to hentai). Summer is usually really slow for software in general, so I hope this doesnt' surprise anyone.

Sony has admitted that they are shooting for the hardcore gamer with the $250 price tag. And that's who they're going to continue selling to. There's no compelling reason to drop the price any time soon. The big sales season is in the fall, not the summer.

I can see the PSP getting a big boost once GTA comes out. GTA and a $50-$100 price drop would probably cause a shortage of PSPs in America.

[Kamalot]

I can see the PSP getting a big boost once GTA comes out. GTA and a $50-$100 price drop would probably cause a shortage of PSPs in America.
A shortage caused by Sony not making enough units?

A shortage of units does not indicate that a system is doing well.

Just remember, next time you hear about a PSP shortage, remember that Sony cut back units because they can't project selling enough of them, that's why they cut back.

[Reanimated]

I have a PSP and I have to admit that I haven't played it in weeks. I'm also honestly far more interested in the DS lineup for the next 6 months than PSP's.

[Groo]

A shortage caused by Sony not making enough units?

A shortage of units does not indicate that a system is doing well.

Just remember, next time you hear about a PSP shortage, remember that Sony cut back units because they can't project selling enough of them, that's why they cut back.

Who knows? You are obviously the super smart marketing guru here. Sony should hire you to solve all of its problems, as you seem to know every intricacy of Sony's decisions when it comes to PSP production.

I have a PSP and I have to admit that I haven't played it in weeks. I'm also honestly far more interested in the DS lineup for the next 6 months than PSP's.

I'm not really interested in much of anything on the PSP or DS. There seems like there's going to be good games on both, but the only one that I'm actively anticipating is Castlevania on DS. That's it.

[Kefkataran]

It seems to me that those who complain about the PSP's battery life, don't actually own one. Something tells me that those same people are Nintendo fan-boys, who are jealous of what the PSP offers. I have a PSP and a DS. I've never had a problem with battery life of either one.

Honestly, the DS feels a generation behind when you compare it to the PSP. The DS is lacking in two very important areas: screen size, and graphics quality. The PSP rivals the PS2 in graphics, while the DS can be compared to the PS1 (at best). I wouldn't even compare it to the

Neither system has a large amount of compelling software, at least for Americans. Nintendogs is only going to do well among those in America who are japanophiles (you know, those you masturbate to hentai). Summer is usually really slow for software in general, so I hope this doesnt' surprise anyone.

Sony has admitted that they are shooting for the hardcore gamer with the $250 price tag. And that's who they're going to continue selling to. There's no compelling reason to drop the price any time soon. The big sales season is in the fall, not the summer.

I can see the PSP getting a big boost once GTA comes out. GTA and a $50-$100 price drop would probably cause a shortage of PSPs in America.

I've never read such an honest mix of really good points and really stupid generalizations/assumptions. Only on EA.

True story as far as I'm concerned: I've never liked handhelds, but this generation they're getting too big to ignore. I will be buying a DS soon, but I also really want a PSP after finally playing one. Assuming it gets some must-play titles like the DS, I'll be picking on up within a year.

[Fonz]

what this article fails to mention is that the reason for the cut of production is because sony is planning for a major overhaul on the firmware to prevent homebrew. Also cutting production does not mean stopping production......... 6million psp's thats 3 times as much DS's there are out there, to put the numbers into scope.

[Dracula-X]

Well that is to be expected. As a rule, when an individual has invested large amounts of their assets in something, they will attempt to rationalize this risk they have taken. No one wants to waste their money so they will always spin the PSP in as positive light as possible so they don't feel dumb.

I'm not saying they should feel dumb, I'm just explaining why everyone who has a PSP says the battery is ok. It is a basic rule of psychology.

I don't have a PSP but I want one.
Another "basic rule of psychology" is that detractors will engage in to justify or feel good about their purchase by bashing another product, as is clearly evident by some DS fanboys here who practice it with a zeal that borders mental illness. The reality is that the batterylife is not a serious issue as was made out to be. I fly New York<->Cali and my psp doesn't dry out, and I've not once had the problem of the battery running out on me playing at home or at work, and that isn't "spin".

I own both a PSP and DS. Whoopde-fucking-do.

[Opty]

When I recently bought my DS to cash in on the free Mario 64 DS promotion, I realized exactly how much more the PSP feels, cost-wise, than the DS. $250 is a lot, especially when for $50 more you could get two DS systems. The mother with two children who refuse to share a handheld will most definitely go after the DS when two of them cost slightly more than one PSP.

Also, more and more the DS vs PSP battle mirrors the GameBoy vs Game Gear battle of the past. The system that's got a smaller screen with less impressive technology that's a "generation behind" is doing better than the system that can produce "current generation" graphics on a better screen.

[Kamalot]

6million psp's thats 3 times as much DS's there are out there, to put the numbers into scope.
Last time I heard numbers, during E3, Nintendo was lauding the fact that 5 million DS units have been sold worldwide, not shipped, sold.

6 Million PSPs does Sony no good if they are all boxed up in Target, not being purchased.

[Kamalot]

Another "basic rule of psychology" is that detractors will engage in to justify or feel good about their purchase by bashing another product.
Well, choosing a handheld isn't like religon, they aren't mutually exclusive. People always have the option to buy both, THEN bash the one they like the least! ;-)

[Darkholmme]

what this article fails to mention is that the reason for the cut of production is because sony is planning for a major overhaul on the firmware to prevent homebrew. Also cutting production does not mean stopping production......... 6million psp's thats 3 times as much DS's there are out there, to put the numbers into scope.

That is the silliest reasoning I've ever heard. Firmware revisions since launch have always been made available via download, why would they need to cut physical production of their units in order to do that? They are doing it to cut costs for a system that is so full of alternative uses that they are not making up enough money via software sales as Sony typically does. I suppose this is the paradox of the handheld that is currently occurring: make a really cool device that can do a lot of really good stuff without having to pay for more than a memory card and you're going to have a large group of consumers who will not use your system for its software.

And your little statistic is a hilarious example of how statistics can be manipulated. For instance, you fail to mention that the PSP is behind the DS in sales; so how many times the number of PSP's out there is 6 million? Or how about the fact that the DS is upping its production by almost as much as the PSP is cutting its production? You aren't putting that number in scope, you are distorting it. I'm not even sure that your DS count estimation is correct.

I own both, I like both, but recently I've been picking up more DS games, simply because they are getting better while I haven't seen a decent PSP game since launch. Kirby, Bomberman, and Meteos, all in a three week period? That's enough to make me put down my PSP, which I've been playing for months, and dust off the DS.

[Justin_McElroy]

I just want some delicious new PSP games. I don't even own all the good ones. I just like new ones. Why? Because my attention span is short, and I want to be constantly stimulated. I like there to be new games, because then old games get cheaper. But mainly, I just want to be titlated by a bunch of new games, because I deserve it.

[VirgoBlu]

I've got NFSU:Rivals, Lumines and Hot Shots. I'm good until Madden comes out.

[mister_slim]

I'm waiting for the PSP QD.

-1 Flamebait

[Hellstorm]

I blame Nintendogs.

[Kamalot]

I'm waiting for the PSP QD.

-1 Flamebait
Now with more sidetalkin'?

[Kamalot]

I blame Nintendogs.
Which reminds me of this funny picture:
http://www.iplayalot.com/media/nintendogs.jpg

[Derwin]

Hmmm, anyone have a good source for information about this "homebrew" you speak of? Who is this "Caallvveeeen?"

Five points if you get the reference.

Gimme five points, I love Calvin and Hobbes.

[Kamalot]

This new article may shed some light on the PSP cutback...

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=2

The survey, published by Otona Fami, is short on hard figures but is a good indication of general opinion trends.

It shows many PSP owners questioning the variety and originality of games. Users often remarked on the number of PlayStation 2 ports and about half had experienced games freezing. Many said the novelty of the wide-screen was a key part of the buying decision, but that wore off quickly. There were complaints about loading times.