The news that Sony’s PSP Go will dispense entirely with the traditional physical distribution of games and other content in favour of digital delivery, not even including a disc drive, has filled game retailers with terror and anger, for they see the writing on the wall.
Plenty of those involved in the retail trade have expressed consternation at the move, and a representative voice is heard from one shopkeep below:
“With this PSP Go and its download only system, is Sony saying they don’t need us in the retail distribution channel? We’re no use to them?
But we’re business partners aren’t we? Shouldn’t there be some way we can improve distribution? If they go ahead specialialist shops are going to be in trouble. My own motivation is really suffering from all this uncertainty.
Has the time come for us to have to think of getting out of the business completely?”
Some retailers seem to have deluded themselves into thinking they are partners and not merely a distribution channel for products…
2ch is unsympathetic to the plight of these poor shopkeeps being ground underfoot by the wicked giant Sony:
“There’s no need for them so there’s no helping it.”
“You’re not needed.”
“Amazon’s there too, there’s no need for retail shops.”
“If your shop can take orders 24/7 and deliver to the customer’s home in 10 minutes I think there may be demand for you.”
“There’s just no need to buy games at shops anymore. You can order games online with free delivery and check they are in stock. Second-hand titles aren’t that cheap anyway, either.”
“If you’re going to sell downloads at least drop the price $15 or so…”
“It’s true that the age of physical retail is over, but it is also true that the PSP Go isn’t going to sell well.”
“Hurry up and change occupations…”
“What’s this going to mean for kids on their birthdays? Before it was ‘Here son, open your present!’, now it will be ‘Here son, let’s download together!'”
“This is the end of the market for used games.”
Via Itai News.
Clearly, consumers are not entirely ignorant of the fact that this represents the fulfilment of the long held wish to eliminate the market for second-hand games… However, otherwise it does not seem likely that many will mourn the loss of grubby little game shops and overpriced retail chains.
Think of it economically. Lack of physical media reduces jobs, meaning more unemployed, and cuts production costs while simultaneously reducing the value of the product, except that Sony has absolute control of availability. Charging for each independent download earns Sony more money, so they will, even if you have an account and have already paid for said game. Sony hardware has had a lot of problems lately, with the PS3 and PSP experiencing technical problems that could easily result in the loss of many games. Sony will charge you for each download because it will net more money. This also means that all of our funds, which would be spent locally otherwise, are sent directly to Sony, well away from the damaged local economy.
Second, Sony will phase out the PSP if the Go is successful because it will save on their costs. All they have said is that they will initially support both consoles at once. They are testing the waters to see if the new system will sell. If it does, no more PSP, no more UMD’s, and get ready to buy all of your beloved old games in digital format, if Sony bothers to distribute the programs. For even more info on Sony’s evil in this regard, consider how they stated they would allow us to gain programs for all of our PSP games free on the Go, then reneged on the offer at the last minute.
Third, if the Go works, other companies will have to compete in the same manner. In other words, all major systems will have to go digital in order to match Sony’s savings. This means that every video game you actually physically own will rapidly become obsolete. This means that retailers that specialize in Video Games will either have to change product, or cease operation. More unemployed people. More weight on the World Economy. Admittedly, it’s not like everyone and their mother works at a game store, but still. Ultimately, hard copies will become a ridiculously overpriced niche item, likely sold only at very expensive sites in bootleg format or in limited runs at conventions.
Finally, in terms of availability, good luck with the local censors. No imports not supported by the local hardware, and unless you read the language, no reliable imports, period.
This is bad. Just because it makes things easier to get a game does not mean it is a good thing.
o jesus christ stop your winging.
there just worried now because there going to loose alot of money and will now have to drive BMW’s instead of lambos you poor babys.
seriously game retailers make 80% of there money on preowned games and retail games.
example EB games on release of resi 5 they had it for 120 AUD jbhifi had it for 85 AUD.
eat lead the revenge of mat hazzard on release EB 100AUD jbhifi 65AUD.
crysis on release EB 100 AUD jbhifi 90AUD.
i hate big companys because they completly rip you off.
and another reason i bought sonic unleashed the guy told me if you dont like it bring it back in 7 days for a FULL REFUND so i did that 4 days later and he would not give me a refund.
you cant offer someone something than refuse to give them it i should call consumer affairs onto them because thats illegal.
Retailers will have absolutely nothing to worry about because the PSP GO will be an epic FAIL! Sony has NEVER listened to it’s customers, for years we’ve been asking for dual analog sticks on the PSP, three versions later NOTHING! We want a built in camera, touch screen technology, 3G support ect and again NOTHING! I as well as many many many other people are not going to spend money on yet another version of the PSP that offers nothing new and looks like a flip up N-Gage. Get with the times Sony!!!!!!
I couldn’t care less about retailers. Time is moving on, we can’t be stuck in the same time forever, the world is digitializing, accept it and move to another aspect of business. I am looking forward to see my games arrive on download, much easier, faster etc.
I don’t get what the problem is, they’ll still be selling the normal PSP’s right?
Awesome Fool
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