Sony: No UMD converter for new PSP Go

Kotaku seems to have gotten word from Sony that PlayStation Portable owners will NOT be able to transfer their disc UMD games to the PSP Go when the handheld console launches on the 1st of October next week. It’s launching so soon yet Sony choose to reveal this information now? Not the smartest of choices. A Sony Computer Entertainment of America spokesman told Kotaku that: “We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time.” Ultimately, any current PSP owner will not be able to play any of his UMD disc games on the PSP Go, should he decide to pick up one. What this means now is that not only is the PSP Go damn expensive (there isn’t a confirmed price for South Africa, if it’s even coming here, but it comes to $250 in America, which is apparently more expensive than the Nintendo Wii over there), but it will also only be “usable” if you have an Internet Connection, because the PSP Go functions entirely (gamewise) on digital data (it doesn’t have a UMD drive), so the Internet will now be the only way to purchase, download and install games onto the console’s hard drive or memory card. At least for now.

Sony Computer Entertainment’s Brian Keltner told Kotaku, regarding a solution for the problem surrounding the UMD disc converter, the following: “We are looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions. It’s something we are still hammering out the details. As soon as we have solid plans in place we will make an announcement.”

I don’t know about you, but at this point I can’t see any reason to purchase the PSP Go if you currently have a PSP. Even to those who don’t, while it might be a cool-looking gadget to have, the issue of cap for downloading games will most likely put you off. While Sony’s reasoning for withholding a UMD converter is certainly logical, it isn’t going to help their sales with this new handheld.
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- Azhar “Tody” Amien (click to email me if you have any questions)