Sony unveils new PSP Go

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Kazuo Hirai, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., displays the new Sony PSP Go at the Sony E3 media briefing in Los Angeles, California. The PSP Go handheld videogame, movie and music gadget is a direct challenge to Nintendo's freshly-launched DSi devices.

Sony on Tuesday unveiled a sleek next-generation PSP Go handheld videogame, movie and music gadget in a direct challenge to Nintendo's freshly-launched DSi devices.

Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai showed off a new PSP Go at a press conference in the Shrine Auditorium as a major Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) got under way nearby in Los Angeles.

"We call it the worst kept secret of E3," Hirai quipped, referring to news of Go news leaks more akin to streams.

"There will be more content that is easier to get on your PSP. It's entertainment everywhere."

Go is half the size of the original PSP and built to download and store video, pictures and games, according to Hirai. Go devices have built-in wireless Internet and Bluetooth capabilities.

"It's built for people who live a more digital lifestyle," Hirai said. "It's designed to bring all kinds of content to the PSP."

All future PSP videogame titles will be available for digital download, skipping any need to buy software on disks, according to Sony.

A new Sense Me feature analyzes music stored in Go devices and then creates playlists to suit users' moods. Go gadgets will also be built with a video delivery service Sony launched last year.

Hot videogame franchises including "Gran Turismo," "Metal Gear Solid," and "Resident Evil" are creating new games tailored to Go devices, according to Sony.

"I think the PSP is getting really hotter," said Hideo Kojima, whose eponymous studio makes the "Metal Gear Solid" franchise whose protagonist is a fearsome soldier called "Snake."

"And Snake is coming back on the PSP."

Go devices will be priced at 249 dollars, or 249 Euros respectively, when they are released in the United States and Europe in October, according to Sony. The gadgets will be available in Japan in April, Hirai said.

Nintendo reports that it has sold more than a million of its new-generation DSi handheld videogame gadgets in the United States since they became available here in April.

(c) 2009 AFP

   

• Ethelred - Jun 02, 2009
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  I am wondering just what incentive there is for retailers to sell that new PSP. The present PSP is sold at nearly a loss. Counting handling and overhead its a net loss. The profit comes from the games and accessories. Now Sony has decided to control the distribution of the games.
  
  Why should anyone sell it for them? I assume I am missing something in marketing plan. Then again Sony has often acted in a consumer hostile fashion.
  
  
  Ethelred
  
  

  QubitTamer
  
  Quantum Physicist, torturer of AGW religious zealots like Ethelred because i laugh at his hysterics.

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• sender - Jun 02, 2009
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  if it had prepaid phone capabilities with topup cards avail at 7-11 or something it's sales capability would likely increase some, suppose between this and the DS functionality is always hitting target markets
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• OBSL33t - Jun 03, 2009
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  Without a second analong stick I just don't think anyone is going to care.
  I sure don't.
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