Publisher, music issues keep Lumines off PSP Go
- October 20, 2009 00:00 AM PST
Q Entertainment drops vague hints about the difficulties of selling their popular puzzle game via direct download.
A series of messages posted to Q Entertainment's Twitter feed suggest the developer has encountered significant problems in bringing hit PSP titles Lumines I and II to the Playstation Network Store.
One of the greatest strengths of Sony's new PSP Go handheld is also it's greatest weakness: no UMD drive means consumers are limited to playing the titles available for download on PSN. For some gamers (like GamePro editor Dave Rudden) a lack of classic titles like Lumines can be a dealbreaker when deciding whether or not to upgrade from their trusty PSP.
While publishers like Rockstar seem eager to get a digital version of their PSP games up to supplement the UMD release (Chinatown Wars was available on PSN the same day boxed copies hit shelves,) Q Entertainment's struggles with Namco and music licenses suggest the process may be more complicated for bringing older titles to the store. While Q remains hopeful, PSP Go owners looking for a taste of classic Lumines action will have to wait a little longer.
UPDATE: Q Entertainment has updated their Twitter account with more details of Lumines' absence from PSN. Regarding the music issue, two songs were licensed for UMD (Shinin and Lights), but would have to be re-acquired for the game if it were digitally distributed. Later on, the developer addressed the other hurdle, saying that the decision to put the game on PSN ultimately lays with Namco-Bandai.
If Sony wants consumers to trade up to a download-only handheld, they need to encourage developers to bring their best titles to PSN.
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Comments [5]
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- Oct 20 2009 at 08:03:38:PM PST
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More BS related to music licensing...this crap happens all the time with DVD releases of older television shows. A prime example is Malcome in the Middle. Season one was released years ago, but because of music rights, we've never gotten any further releases. Same goes for EVERY season of The Wonder Years, which was a very musically enhanced show. It just sucks they can't figure this stuff out already...
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I've had a PSP Go for about 2 weeks now. The system's library of games is horrid.
The PSP Go has yet to impress me, but I'm still spending a lot of time with it (thanks to Guilty Gear, MC LA, and FF VII)
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PSP/PSPgo have one of the best line up of games this year it have to be the 3rd best line up. but i would think publishers would jump through rings of fire to go digital.
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