Sony: Piracy is a huge problem for the PSP

[nemowolf]

From Ars Technica:

While the PSP seems to be boasting some healthy sales numbers at the moment, the platform's still facing a major challenge thanks to software piracy. Sony's Peter Dille discusses the problem, and we may already be seeing some of the solutions.

One of Sony's solutions seems to be the digital distribution of software like Patapon 2, but it doesn't sound like this will be the only fix to the problem. "Hopefully," Dill said, "we can have a multi-pronged approach—it's going to require legal; it's going to require education. I think gamers, if they understood if this meant that a platform would go away, can we convince gamers to pay for their content?"

This raises the question ... Would you be more inclined to purchase games over pirating if you knew that it helped keep the platform alive? Would you even go so far as to purchase a game you have already pirated just to support the system? Would you settle for purchasing value priced software just to support the system?

[GroundZero3]

Well if the introduction of smarter devices such as consoles and handhelds, the os has become a complicated monster that has allowed this to happen. However people need to realize the consequences if no one buys the games, the device will go away eventually!

[EXreaction]

Funny how I never hear of the next big upcoming games that are coming out for the PSP. That must mean no game developers care at all about the PSP and nobody else cares about it either.

I had even completely forgotten the PSP existed. The system is a complete joke.

[tony_j15]

PSwhat?

[nemowolf]

Funny how I never hear of the next big upcoming games that are coming out for the PSP. That must mean no game developers care at all about the PSP and nobody else cares about it either.

I had even completely forgotten the PSP existed. The system is a complete joke.

Part of that is because developers saw the rampant pirating ... Its a bit too easy to download and convert media atleast. They are moving towards a very interesting medium of digital distribution which i am eagerly awaiting to see how that pans out.

The system isnt entirely a joke, it keeps the "free" market alive and they have ported some VERY good games. For instance, it has breathed new life on the early FF series and Disgaea 1 for instance. I would NEVER have gotten a chance to replay either without the PSP.

Hopefully, once they ditch UMD and get the next gen smaller, lighter and with better battery life it just might make a run for Nintendo's money.

[DoubleK]

Part of that is because developers saw the rampant pirating ...

No one buys the games. They suck. The controls suck. Sony stifled every possible 3rd party app that wasn't on board with their theory of how it should play out. Look how they tried to cram umd down our throats at the same cost as a dvd.

Apple beat Sony to every punch here by simply giving up proprietary format and focusing on 3rd party support.

People like me do not want "hack" our psps with the custom battery packs and 3rd party brickware. We want innovative decently priced things we can accomplish with our device.

I am surprised that the Sony fan boys don't rush to the psp's aid here and demonize the"inferior" Nintendo and their success with the DS.

Personally the psp had a place also (watching movies) until Apple took that from them.

[nemowolf]

No one buys the games. They suck. The controls suck. Sony stifled every possible 3rd party app that wasn't on board with their theory of how it should play out. Look how they tried to cram umd down our throats at the same cost as a dvd.

Totally agree that UMD movies are a waste, they should move to making the "digital copies" of DVD/BR movies friendly for PSP.

Apple beat Sony to every punch here by simply giving up proprietary format and focusing on 3rd party support.

Last i checked, Apple doesnt have a portable game device ... ohh you mean the Iphone. The device that works better for everything BUT a phone. I hardly see how apple beat them to the punch at all.

People like me do not want "hack" our psps with the custom battery packs and 3rd party brickware. We want innovative decently priced things we can accomplish with our device.

I hate to tell you this but "Hacking" an Iphone was probably one of the most done things since it first came out. Quick list:

1. Region Unlocking; The Iphone was not released world wide at launch so people would have to hack their Iphone to get it to work on their carriers.

2. Carrier Unlocking; People outside of the ATT network want the Iphone ... "Hack" the phone and make it usable outside of ATT's network.

3. Itunes; Lets face it, its a joke. They may have finally removed DRM from their songs but they still force you to use their own software. I don't like being forced to use something that sucks on principle alone.

4. Software or "Third party apps"; How do you know that 6 dollar software does what you want or that game is enjoyable? You Jailbreak your phone and get the stealth apps client so you dont have to pay for software anymore.

5 ... Need i go?

I am surprised that the Sony fan boys don't rush to the psp's aid here and demonize the"inferior" Nintendo and their success with the DS.

Even PSP fan boys have to admit that Nintedo is doming something right. We may not like the fact that just because they want to add a new hardware feature every year and release a subsequent hardware refresh ... well you get my drift.

Personally the psp had a place also (watching movies) until Apple took that from them.

Personally, never watched a movie on the PSP. I will say that the graphical refresh on ported games is AMAZING. Play Disgaea on your original PS and then on the PSP and tell me which one looks better.

[DoubleK]

Totally agree that UMD movies are a waste, they should move to making the "digital copies" of DVD/BR movies friendly for PSP.

Purchase a digital copy and get reduced resolution although charge full price? They still would screw it up as these companies are to greedy to realize that the world is a different and much poorer place now. Charge me .99 cents for a psp movie and let me download it simply through a usb cable and a dumbed down iTunes like interface. If I choose to watch it on my TV instead I can suffer crappy resolution or pay $3 - $5 for bluray rental. One thing these companies fail to realize is that many people could care less about ever owning a movie. We watch it once we are done.

Last i checked, Apple doesnt have a portable game device ... ohh you mean the Iphone. The device that works better for everything BUT a phone. I hardly see how apple beat them to the punch at all.

No clue if it works great for a phone or not but they sure sold alot of them?
Why didn't Sony make the psp the All-In-One wonder device that people crave? It certainly has enough cpu and battery.

I hate to tell you this but "Hacking" an Iphone was probably one of the most done things since it first came out. Quick list:

1. Region Unlocking; The Iphone was not released world wide at launch so people would have to hack their Iphone to get it to work on their carriers.

2. Carrier Unlocking; People outside of the ATT network want the Iphone ... "Hack" the phone and make it usable outside of ATT's network.

3. Itunes; Lets face it, its a joke. They may have finally removed DRM from their songs but they still force you to use their own software. I don't like being forced to use something that sucks on principle alone.

4. Software or "Third party apps"; How do you know that 6 dollar software does what you want or that game is enjoyable? You Jailbreak your phone and get the stealth apps client so you dont have to pay for software anymore.

People were purchasing them already unlocked whereas hacking the psp was an instant violation of DMCA and the postings, auctions or websites were forced to comply. My guess is that it is much easier and more mainstream to "hack" your iPhone than the psp?

To you and I iTunes may be a joke but to the herd that enjoys its simplicity is why it is successful. I agree with you wholeheartedly, it should be as simple as plugging a usb cable into your device and doing what you want to. Unfortunately due to crappy software, drm and the complexity of some programs to accomplish a simple task it is not.

Look at how much of a pain in the ass it is to backup my kids Disney movies still. I have to have AnyDvd to remove the copyright encryption and CloneDvd to do a decent and simple job of copying it. If Disney gave me a promise that I could take damaged media to any blockbuster or send it back to them for a cheap replacement ($5 or less) copying movies for me would no longer be an issue. My point is there are alternatives out there for these companies but they are living in la la land thinking that the market can continue to support their bloated business models. People start to look for alternatives when you are no longer reasonable. Look at plumbing. If the sink is leaking do you attempt to fix it your self first or just call the plumber? Price and convenience definitely are a huge factor in the equation.

Even PSP fan boys have to admit that Nintedo is doming something right. We may not like the fact that just because they want to add a new hardware feature every year and release a subsequent hardware refresh ... well you get my drift.

I like both of the handhelds. My dream system would incorporate an equal sized DS touch screen to the PSP's chassis and an efficient os to perform basic pc duties and a way to utilize phone! How great would that be? Unfortunately how much would it cost?

Personally, never watched a movie on the PSP. I will say that the graphical refresh on ported games is AMAZING. Play Disgaea on your original PS and then on the PSP and tell me which one looks better.

I do not want to play old ps games. I want something new and fresh or it probably will not interest me. PS games were great in their day. Long past. I understand what you are saying. It is portable now. Not enough for me and most people in and of itself. I still have to finish Monster Hunter on the PSP and now I understand there is a part 2? EGAD! 40+ dollars for most psp games is to much!
GTA and Monster Hunter were worth EVERY penny! unique in their value. Hell I would rather play Tetris than many of the crappy titles on the psp and ds.