The PSP turned 1 year old on March 24th in North America, and boy has it been a ride. Mediocre games, UMD movies and firmware hacks and upgrading, and thrid-party tools and accessories were rampant throughout the last 12 months, and it certainly kept me on my toes. I feel like I got all my money's worth from my PSP. To sum it up, it's becoming a great game machine and it is a great portable video player hands down.
Mediocre GamesWhy are there so many mediocre games for such a straightforward platform? Simply because they are cheaper to make, they can get out into the sales pipline sooner to sell to individuals that are willing to just about play ANYTHING. What's the best way to make gamers want the high-budget titles? Give them no-so-good stuff that doesn't cost much (like a licence slapped on a pre-existing gaming engine) and make them
crave the great titles. I guarantee that for every good to great game that's out there for the PSP (and on other platforms), there are 4 games that are either passable and fun like a quick lay, or are just awful like that desparate sex a geek gets from their friends ugly sister. It makes financial sense to do this, as you will sell a game for $50CDN, and the profit margin
We need higher quality games geared to the mobile platform. Fun, quick gameplay, infrastructure multiplayer, and easy-to-use and tight controls. Less ports of existing games from other platforms, and more original titles to really give gamers new experiences they can remember (Lumines and Ridge Racer for weeks and weeks anyone?). Tired licences and ports of existing games really stretch the imagination when examining the value proposition of such titles. Let's look to a new future where new things are possible, and innovation reigns supreme.
Companies have been putting out a multitude of games that really don't make the grade. Watching the game review sites, I am very gameshy of buying a game that rates less than an 80% through Metacritic. Usually this gives me more confidence at putting my hard-earned money down at the retailer. I bought a few games based on the name only, and boy was I sorely unhappy with that approach. I only recommend buying games on a number of reviewers' impressions. This is probably the only sure-fire way to get your money's worth.
UMDs
If you read my previous blog post, I've highlighted my thoughts and feelings about UMD movies. Unless Sony and the other movie publishers drop the pricepoint of UMDs to something that people would want to blow money on, they are going to see another failed format. Why are you guys trying to sell me the movie "Rent" on PSP when I'm probably not even interested in that movie as a gamer? Wouldn't it make sense to put more movies out that speak to the demographic that I would want to watch over and over again, like awesome comedy, hard-hitting action, or dreamy fantasy, or sophisticated sci-fi? Where's my UMD set of Battlestar Galactica? More TV shows please on UMD and less candy-ass movies that PSP owners wouldn't want to admit watching on the subway.
Firmware Upgrades and HacksOver the last year, there's been a number of rounds of hack and patch between the homebrew and pir8 community vs. Sony. Kudos to Sony for bringing more value to the firmware updates. This gives us users of non-hacked PSPs something more to do with our devices. I'll admit I've run hacked firmware on my PSP before, but the value proposition I found was limited for my needs. I use my PSP for games and video, and occasionally for music. Hacked firmware gave me the option to run software that really didn't jazz me other than as a novelty. Sure I could play a ROM emulator, but unless the emulator supports the ROM I want to play, give me a copy of Lumines or Pursuit Force anyday and I'll be much happier I think. Rich gaming and media experience for my $300CDN machine please.
The new announcement that Flash will be supported in a newer firmware version really has me jazzed. As a developer by day, I can really start to work on my Flash programming skills and start to make that game I can tweak and play on the road anywhere. I think this is what most people are looking for. Flash really offers a new legitimate vehicle for producing fantastic games on the PSP from the homebrew community without voiding your warranty. If Sony keeps putting more value into the platform through firmware updates, it will keep me from wanting to explore a hacked firmware option.
Overall, it's been a great year for the PSP. The only problems the platform has seen is some mediocre games, a UMD movie format that is sinking into oblivion, and an MP3 player that could use some good tweaks. Sony needs to work on homebrew support, and improve the platform as a true utility device. Give me cheap memory sticks, and I think we're good to go!
and I knew I wouldn't be playing it online. See, I only usually play my PSP on the subway, in waiting rooms, or... wait for it... even the bathroom. Field Commander has been in my PSP since the weekend, and I am thrilled by it's simple gameplay. It reminds me of those wargames I used to play when I was a teenager on those large hexagon maps, but without all the cumbersome dice rolling and unit maintenance. Field commander keeps it real, and keeps it fun. I anticipate many many hours of crazy game play with this puppy. I also think that the quick battle and make your own mission is going to help me keep this game in my collection for the forseeable future. See, I've held on to 3 games for the longest time (Lumines, Wipeout Pure, and Ridge Racer) because they are all extraordinary games. Games with amazing replayability stay in my library, period. GTA:LCS is also a recent addition to my collection, and I think that one's going to stick around for a while too.
