UMD conversion a no-go for PSP Go

Existing PSP owners hoping to pick up a PSP Go and transfer their existing UMD games to the handheld are going to be out of luck — Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Sony Computer Entertainment America have confirmed that there will be no way to transfer existing UMD purchases to the new download-only PSP Go.

(Credit: Sony/CNET)

"We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time," a Sony representative told CNET's sister site GameSpot.

Sony's decision stands in marked contrast to sentiments expressed by Sony Computer Entertainment America hardware marketing director John Koller in June. Upon the PSP Go's unveiling at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Koller stated that Sony was putting together a "goodwill program" that would allow UMD owners to download games they already own on the PSP Go.

The AU$449 PSP Go lacks the UMD drive from previous versions, relying solely on digital downloads to purchase games. The system comes with 16GB of internal memory to store games, which can be expanded via Sony's proprietary M2 memory cards.

Yesterday, SCEE announced its PSP Go Rewards scheme for European residents, which will allow current PSP owners to claim three free games, provided they own at least one UMD. However, the selection of games is limited to just 17 titles, which include Killzone: Liberation, Wipeout Pure and Everybody's Golf. The European scheme will launch alongside the console on 1 October and will run until 31 March 2010.

Check out our full review and the unboxing of the PSP Go.

Previous Story

Sony PSP Go

Games
Next Story

Logitech G27 Racing Wheel


Add Your Comment 7


Post comment as
 

Kimba posted a comment   

I so agree with everyone. I was thinking that the PSP GO would be such a great upgrade from my PSP until I found that there is no UMD drive..... what tha? Such a bad marketing move from Sony. How to alienate Sony clients! Guess I will be getting a different Xmas gift now....hmmmm maybe a Nintendo!

 

Gunn89 posted a comment   

agree with all above. Sony has seriously alienated their loyal customers by pulling stunts like this.
the first mistake was with no backwards comp. on the ps3, then this gets shoved in our face

 

taj posted a comment   

it seem sony dislikes loyalty from previous customers. i personally thought of buying both the pspgo and ps3 but i found that neither are backwards compatible with previous games. what a way to say 'f*** you' to customers who have spent their hard-earn money on games on ps2 or umds. they now have to download 3gb of a game they already paid for. i say 'f*** you Sony, you need a new marketing team'. shame on you!

 

David posted a comment   

Man I just got $500 for my birthday and I can tell you one thing, Sony won't see a single cent of it.

 

Ben posted a comment   

Wow! Way to p*** off your loyal supporters, Sony!

 

GregoryO posted a comment   
Australia

What a complete joke!

Well, I know I won't be rushing out to get a PSP Go anytime soon, not if Sony are going to make me pay for the same product TWICE...

 

Playstation lover posted a comment   

This sucks. Also the rewards program isn't very much a rewards program. Normally reward programs are something that run over time and customers get rewarded for buying particular items or doing something.

Why can't they do something like you send your games into Sony and they email you the code for all the games you sent in.

Sony can then do what they want with the games and then it stops piracy and any real technical problem?




Sponsored Links

Recently Viewed Products