Spartan_X Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Electronic Arts CEO calls on Sony to introduce lower PSP price point Ellie Gibson 12:18 01/12/2006 Smaller version of handheld is likely, says Probst Electronic Arts boss Larry Probst has said that Sony should consider slashing the price of PSP and introducing a new, smaller model in order to boost sales. Speaking in an interview with Newsweek, Probst said, "I think what moves the needle is a new form factor that's smaller than the existing unit, at a lower price, and hopefully that price is US$100 or lower. "I think the price point needs to be lower, and I think you're going to see that next year, along with a different form factor," he added. Whilst Probst was careful to identify his comments as "pure speculation", he said it "would not be hugely surprising" if Sony was to cut the price of the PSP to US$149, offering "a more fully-featured upscale unit that retails at US$249 or US$299". Probst dismissed suggestions that EA is focused on producing new IP for the PSP, stating, "It's more likely that we would target platforms like the PS3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii if we had an original in mind. Our strategy on PSP has typically been to take the franchises that we build on other platforms and exploit them on the PSP." However, he went on to concedethat consumers won't necessarily want to buy PSP versions of a franchise title if they already own console versions of the same game. "If someone owns Madden on multiple systems already, they're less likely to buy it on PSP. It's true. If you've got Madden on PS2 and Xbox 360, how likely are you to buy it on PSP?" According to Probst, EA is "interested in interoperability between PSP and Sony's other platforms, and if we can do something along those lines, that would be helpful". Earlier this week, SCEA declared that sales of the PSP in North America were up by 280 per cent over the Thanksgiving period, with software sales also on the rise. But Nintendo's rival handheld continues to perform well around the globe, with the company claiming that the DS is outselling PSP by a rate of more than 2.5 to 1 in the UK. Source: GamesIndustry.biz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1759 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 If Sony agrees, then they should make EA release better, less buggy and less rushed games. And it's somewhat telling how he mentions that EA basically just shoves PS2 games onto a UMD. Although most of their DS titles haven't been outstanding either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL_ Veteran Posted December 2, 2006 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2006 It won't happen. We would then have five SKUs. And you thought two was a bad idea... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheppard Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Whats the point in making it small, the whole appeal of the PSP for me is the huge widescreen tft screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnerhkjp Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 They don't have to make it smaller. They just have to improve a couple of things, like load times and battery life and if possible lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Teej Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 EA's been running their mouth off a lot lately, why don't they improve the quality of their own brand before slagging off others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Haze Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 PSP doesn't necessarily need a drop in price IMO - it needs a) a second analog stick and b) more good games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danrarbc Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 If Sony agrees, then they should make EA release better, less buggy and less rushed games. And it's somewhat telling how he mentions that EA basically just shoves PS2 games onto a UMD. Although most of their DS titles haven't been outstanding either. Their DS titles are downright crap. It's pitiful. The only good one was the first FIFA they released. Even FIFA Street sucked hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts