TGS09: Sony scrubs UMD transfer service

SCEA reps claim PSP Go owners will not be able to transfer their old PSP titles to the new system due to legal and technical complications.

Sony announced today that PSP owners will not be able to transfer the games they currently own to the new PSP Go system. The news directly contradicts promises made earlier this year at E3 2009 in Los Angeles, where Sony officials soothed consumer concerns with promises of an exchange service for gamers who wanted to play their PSP games on a new PSP Go. A Sony rep told Kotaku at the time they were "looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions," and given our positive impressions of the Go's technical specs a conversion program seemed feasible.

TGS09: Sony scrubs UMD transfer service

PSP owners can forget about playing their current games on a new PSP Go.

"We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time," a SCEA rep told Kotaku this morning.

TGS09: Sony scrubs UMD transfer service

If you want to play your old games you'll have to purchase them again, in digital format.

Instead Sony is offering early adopters an opportunity to claim three free games, but that offer is only valid in Europe. Consumers who take advantage of the PSP Go North American launch in a few days will receive nothing. "We have a dual platform strategy," an SCEA rep explained to IndustryGamers. "PSPgo is the latest offering in our portable entertainment products targeted for the digitally savvy and early adopters who are looking for an easy way to experience entertainment and a wide variety of digital content."

THE VERDICT by Alex Wawro Alex Wawro's Avatar At $249 the PSP Go was already an expensive proposition, and without an exchange system in place Sony is punishing loyal customers for being early adopters.

Comments [22]

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monkbaine

Sony should somehow allow people who own certain games to download them free of charge.

lovetelephone

This is unbelievable. Really is. Sony should be ashamed of themselves. Now I really I don't understand why anyone would buy this machine, and I'm really curious as to WHY Sony thinks this is answer to bringing life back into the PSP world. Lame...

duffmanth

In other words, they want gamers to pay for the same game twice. Assholes!

ALL3

And right there is what has been Sony's problem this gen in a nutshell, the PS3 starts selling a bit and are very quick to get cocky... again, and they assume that the fans will swallow any pill they decide to give them. God their arrogant...Sorry, I just signed off on the Go.

TRUPREDATOR

and you fanboys cry foul when ms does somethin that seems shady.sony has been the king of arrogance in thinking sony fanboys will jump no matter how high they say.this is bullshit in my eyes i was lookin forward to pickin this up.now not so much.ill prolly just go with the latest model since my original psp broke.

MacenWolf

I am calling it right now folks. PSP GO October 1, 2009 to January 1,2010 Rest in Peace!

themave

Why anyone would want a download only game machine is beyond me, you can't sell your used games, nor buy a used game. which off coarse is the point from Sony's point of few.

At least with the iphone the games are only a buck or so. you know the psp go downloads will not even be discounted from the former umd price.

they are going to cut out the middle man, charge you the same amount and you can resale your own games.

melpogi

"Another stupid move brought to you by the people of Sony."
- this SHOULD be Sony's newest marketing line.

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