Net's ablaze with stories on Sony's new PSP Go, but Neogaf's reported posting seems the most easiest to peruse:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363406

So, what think of the new redesign?  I'm all for the new, smaller form factor and slide-screen design, but it's kind of hard to gauge just how well the new control layout would feel without seeing it in person.  The analog nub seems awkwardly placed, and though perhaps contradictory of what I said about the slide-screen design, I was still hoping Sony could've somehow implemented a clamp shell to protect the screen.

The 16 GB flash memory should be nice, but it's anyone's guess how they're going to handle the whole UMD-less issue.  From the video, it sounds like they're planning on segregating the market between the older 1000-3000 users and the new Go users.  Just the fact that they're not completely phasing out the older systems implies that if you still want to play UMD games, you'd need to get the older system.

We still need details on pricing, and how they're going to handle the whole digital download infrastructure.  From a hardware point of view, though, I'm definitely intrigued.

Hardware looks fine, and considering how uncomfortable the existing PSP is, I can't imagine this being much worse in that regard.  I think it's interesting/disappointing that they're going with a different type of memory card, so you can't just plug your old MS Pro in if you're upgrading.  I haven't heard if they're keeping the video out jack from the PSP 2000 and 3000 models yet, but I hope so.

There's some question as to whether it's fake or real. At any rate, what I will say is that I will absolutely NOT purchase a system where all games are downloads! Screw that shite. Basically, Sony is trying to force you to "rent" games, since a downloaded game is really a renter. You can't resell it, you can't take give it to a friend... bleh. Well, maybe things will change before the release, but otherwise forget it. The PSP 3000 sounds much better.

THIS.

It'll be a cold day in Hell when I buy a console without tangible software.

The digital purchase infrastructure is already in place.  It's already possible to download games directly to the PSP, so I don't imagine that there'd be a need to change the system.

The video suggests that Sony is going to expand the selection of UMD games available for download as "UMD Legacy" titles.  There would be no sensible reason to choose the Go over an older PSP model unless a significant portion of the existing PSP library is made available for digital purchase, or future PSP games will be compatible only with the Go.  I hope that Sony isn't so stupid as to do the latter.  Go-exclusive games would give the Go a raison d'etre, but they would also needlessly Balkanize the market for PSP games, which I think would be the death of the PSP altogether.

If there won't be Go-exclusive games, then there's no incentive for existing PSP owners to "upgrade" to a model that doesn't play the games that they own on UMD.  In this case, the intended market for the Go is first-time PSP buyers.  But if nothing is exclusive to the Go, then it's just a stripped-down PSP with a different--and not necessarily better--form factor.  Will the new slider form really be enough to sell the PSP to people who haven't been motivated to buy one already?

The more I think about the Go, the less it makes sense to me.

I don't have a PSP, never have.  But Squix made Dissidia: Final Fantasy.  And that really makes me want to get one.  There are a number of older titles I want to buy tho if I do finally get a PSP, and the PSP GO made my decision a bit harder.. do I go with a PSP-3000? or the Go?  I read about the not so great screen's on the 3000 and that makes me wary...  but if the titles I want to get do get the downloadable treatment (and really Sony would be remiss in not making the entire PSP library downloadable) then I won't need a 3000.  I hope some actual gameplay is shown on the GO at E3 so that will help me make my decision. 

As for games without hardware, I've bought MM9, Flower, Worms, Bubble Bobble Plus and other Wii VC games and I'm definitely going to buy FFIV: The After, so I have no problems with buying non-tangible games.

There's supposed to be a Dissidia PSP-3000 bundle coming in August, James, if that catches your fancy.

I'm neutral on the Go! issue at the moment since I have 2 PSPs already and they don't seem to be pulling a Nintendo with exclusive software (yet). Then again, I did import Patapon 2 from Australia just to have a physical copy and spare my Memory Stick, so maybe I do object to a download-only system. What's strange is that I wasn't especially taken with the first game, so I guess I paid double the game's worth to import it for principles' sake.

Never lend me money, guys.

James: I'd say the 3000 would be the best option for newcomers just coming into the PSP realm.   

I've only got a secondhand fatty (1000) but having Video-Out in the slim models seems like a freaking gold option hooked up to a big home LCD/plasma TV.

No second analog nub still = FAIL.

Right, I should've been a bit more clear on that.  What I meant was how they were going to handle the current, existing library of UMD-based titles -- which you've readily answered with UMD Legacy.  It'll be interesting to see just how far they'd be willing to go in terms of expanding the catalog.

And another thing: What's the point of a slider form if there's no way to control the unit while it's closed?  Sliders typically have a touchscreen or numeric keys on the outside.

I suppose that you could view videos on the Go while the unit is closed, but you wouldn't have access to playback controls, and a clamshell design would make more sense, because it would allow you to put the unit down on a surface and adjust the screen to the desired viewing angle.

I don't know, is it just me or did Sony miss the bigger picture with the PSP (outside the original* games) altogether? I seriously would have bought a PSP the day it came out or much sooner if I could legitimately port my PS1 games to the system and take them on the go. But no, someone out there has to hack it to do that to make it more attractive. It's pretty sad when someone outside a company can create such an attractive feature and increase its value to the consumer.

* = asterisk on "original" as most of the games I'm interested in I've already owned and played on the PS1 and don't feel like repurchasing for "upgrades." I will say out of all the re-releases, games like Final Fantasy Tactics and the original VP were deserving however, due to VP's rarity and FFT's not being released in certain territories.

If it has a touch screen then I think it's a smart move.  I don't think they should implement touch functionality in their games until they make a whole new PSP with new processor and the like, but if Sony want to maintain their branding of the PSP as a multimedia device then they need touch screen functionality to allow better web browsing, IM, mail, and all the other cool stuff that the iPhone and less so the DS can do.

If there's no touch screen then it seems like a middling effort to release a drastically new model only for the benefit of a smaller form factor and direct profits from downloaded games.  The hardcore gamers mostly have PSPs already and won't upgrade if they can't use their old UMDs, while the casual gamers will stick with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

As someone who is inclined to get a PSP but hasn't yet, I'll give it serious consideration if they got the details right (of which we should know more of in a day or so).

Also I completely respect the insistence some of you have in being able to buy physical media instead of downloads, but I hope you understand that you've got probably one more new generation of video game consoles left to enjoy that luxury.

You think so?
I don't see Nintendo ever switching to a dl-only console, to be honest. They'd be alienating too many possible customers.

This seems to be the PSP's answer to the DS Lite. A hardware revision with little to no massive improvements. I like the slide-up screen, but it's not really necessary. If it's priced at the same MSRP that the current PSP is, and it has a power upgrade (stronger processor or whatever), then I might jump, otherwise I'll probably just get myself one of the normal ones.

God, Adam, all due respect, but I hope you're wrong about that. I love being able to buy physical copies of games, and it makes collecting fun.

In all seriousness, though, you're probably right. Companies would save boatloads of dough on production costs if they went that route, so at least that is one financial incentive for them to take that path.

I think Adam is probably right but the difficulty with going download only is getting those units into the shops. Why would a game shop put any kind of push on games hardware if they aren't going to see a penny from software sales? I would have thought the bulk of their cash flow would have been software sales and much of that is preowned too and that would be completely wiped out by going download only.

Getting hardware visible on shelf space has got to be a huge priority for any hardware manufacturer.

That's not to say it can't work. iPods get tons of shelf space and they are quite comparible, pushing download music and App sales with precious little to sell in shops. I imagine the margin must be decent but they also probably make loads from the peripherals - headphones, cases, etc.

But it would change the nature of game sales. Could be the end of game shops.

In Sony's case, for this to work, they'd have to completely turn around their online store to offer much more variety, much more games and at far better prices.

Of course, the difference bwteen an iPod and a game console is that when you buy an iPod it comes with promise of being able to use music you already have -- a game console isn't like that, unless backward compatibility is involved -- in which case there's still a limitation.

1) gamestop would still find a way to shrinkwrap the downloads...

2) what about the possibility of a bad accidental drop wiping out your console along with $500+ of purchased games (for some of you, feel free to add an additional zero)

3) anything that can be downloaded can eventually be extracted, pirated, and redistributed or emulated... dvd game consoles can physically prevent [a non-modded]  machine from booting up a copy,,

4) a downloaded file can become corrupted

Whereas the original DS looked lumpy and toy-like, the Lite was sleek and stylish.  This dramatic change to the form factor was a brilliant move to sell the DS to fashion-conscious casuals.

I don't think that a serious argument can be made that the Go is significantly more attractive than older PSP models.

You know, the more I think about it anymore, DL's are making more and more sense with stuff like (non-VGM) music anymore. There are times I don't want to go through the hassle of selling something (especially on eBay) when it's run it's course and could care less about it having resell value.

Still, when it comes to (most) games, physical copies do make sense. Games like Madden should really be DLs anymore. I mean how many copies of any given Madden game can you find wasting away at a EB after next year's model is out? I mean really, what a waste of material for what is usually a meager update - less a new console comes out.

However, considering I don't buy newer games or systems let stuff go digital, anything that can hurt/bring down EB Games/Gamestop.

fixed.

In terms of points 2 and 4, one would imagine there would be a contingency plan set in place.  Barring the hassle of having to take the time out to re-download, your account would likely allow you to do so, free-of-charge.

One would hope, but one should not expect.  If I'm not mistaken, iTunes doesn't allow you to re-download music that you've bought.  This was so even before most of the iTunes music library went unrestricted.  There was no reason to disallow re-downloads when the music files were DRM'd to a specific iTunes account anyway, and yet that was the rule.

With iTunes, you can't redownload as standard but, if you do have a major crash (as I did once), they'll reactivate the downloads again if you mail them.

Looks like we've got a release date and pricing.  October 1st for both North America and Europe, November 1st for Japan.  $250 USD.

http://kotaku.com/5275971/psp-go-is-officially-249

That price point may be a bit tough for even gadget-upgrade enthusiasts to swallow.  It's certainly given ME pause, and for $80 cheaper, it'd seem easier to recommend the 3000 core system to first-time PSP buyers.

The price does seem a little nuts. But they seemed to have a good show when it came to games. Surprising given the long PSP drought where it just seemed to be the pariah of the gaming world, but definitely welcome.

The price is a little steep I'll agree.  Kotaku's live feed of the Sony event said that all games would be physical and downloadable from now on, but there was no mention of previous titles...  I'm starting to lean more towards that Dissidia PSP-3000 pack now...

Wow.  Sony has totally lost its shit.  Didn't it learn its lesson from pricing the PS3 as a high-end luxury item instead of as a game console?

I think the idea of a portable that you can only download to is a cool idea, but jacking the price up $80 is not so smart.  It's almost a pity they didn't include cellular access with this.  If you could access the network from anywhere, this would be a neat competitor to the iPhone.

I got to try out Little Big Planet and Soul Calibur on it. Maybe because I have small hands, but it surprisingly didn't feel cramped at all.

Yeah, $250 is too much. Maybe if they threw in a voucher or two for free game downloads it'd be worth it. Even then, it's still not worth the upgrade for me. As much as I like the redesign, I'm going to stick with my PSP 1000.

The closer we get to the launch date, the worse I think this product is...
No matter what, I invariably get the feeling you're only renting the game. For example, if you purchased an NES 20 years ago, you can sell it today, you can sell the games, or you can play them! Now what if your Go thingy gets lost, stolen, or broken? Can you automatically download the games you "purchase" again? Can you share your games with your friends? What if you run out of room? Lots of questions to ask, and maybe Sony does have answers to all of them, but I for one will stick to tangible media. I'm pretty sure there will always be a few companies producing tangible goods, and if not, then I simply won't play video games anymore.

cheers,

-avatar!

Not that I play much these days! I haven't touched a game in months... I blame quantum mechanics. Not the actual phenomenon, but rather me needing to seriously brush up on it... I mean, how else are you going to study nuclear fusion in the cores of stars

edit: PREDICTION: I predict that in ~ 1 year after launch, Sony will release an updated GO thingy that DOES play UMDs (or whatever they're called).

I predict you're wrong in your prediction.   Sony will insist that consumers do without UMD if they want a smaller form factor PSP.  I'm not a betting man but I'd even put money on it.  I'll grant you at least that the PSP Go won't keep its ridiculous price premium over the normal PSP for long past this holiday season.

And as I've stated previously, I predict that the successor to the PSP won't use any physical media whatsoever, except for perhaps a card slot for memory expansion.  Just consider the following factors in favor of download-only media (from a hardware maker's perspective):
-the huge success of the iPhone and its app store
-profits lost to Gamestop, etc. through used games sales
-potential additional profits by cutting out the middle man (i.e. retailers) in favor of direct distribution
-potential additional profits by forcing consumers to double-dip for past-generation titles on new hardware

The second and fourth points are the same reason we won't likely ever again see a backwards-compatible PS3 model.

That doesn't mean that Sony and co. can completely have their way.  For the fourth point, for example, all three console companies will have to seriously consider allowing people to transfer their downloaded games from current hardware to the next-generation versions or risk a huge consumer backlash.

But you can kiss physical media goodbye, and it's much more likely to happen in the next generation with portable systems than with home consoles.

I shall fight to my last breath to prevent that.

Also, I very sincerely doubt that Nintendo would ever ditch physical media.

They'll probably go back to cart format for their next home console.