Koei plans major support for PSP + VERY INTERESTING speculation on it's price...

[Ragnarok the Red]

Apologies if someone posted this earlier, but I did a quick topic scan and didn't see it so I assume it's fresh news

Anyhoo, from IGN...

Koei Plans Three for PSP
Big support from the makers of Dynasty Warriors.

November 18, 2003 - Via an announcement during a regular financial briefing held earlier today, Koei became the first Japanese publisher to announce solid development plans for Sony's upcoming PSP portable gaming device.

The company revealed that it currently has three titles in the works for the system. It may end up releasing between two and four titles during the system's launch period. As the launch will occur simultaneously throughout the world, the company is developing titles for a worldwide audience as well as titles specifically targeted to Japan.
In commenting on the PSP, a company representative had the following to say: "We're expecting it to be a success. Considering the specs, we wouldn't be surprised at a price above 60,000 yen (about $555). Of course, the price will likely come down, as will software royalty fees, resulting in lower priced software. However, we wouldn't expect a system pirce of around 10,000 yen ($92), so we feel its market will differ from the child-oriented Game Boy Advance system from Nintendo.

With Koei promising such big support around launch, we can't wait to see what some of the even bigger publishers will have. Stay tuned for more as developers get their PSP dev kits and begin talking.

OK, seriously, Koei's probably WAY off base here, but if their right about this and Sony actually launches the PSP anywhere NEAR $555 it'll be D.O.A. Seriously. Dead On Arrival. No way in HELL anyone's gonna pay five-and-a-half Franklins for that thing at launch. We're talking beyond Saturn's absurd $400 launch tag and closer to 3DO's $700-800 launch here.

If this is the case, Sony had better hope and pray whatever components their using to build the PSP drop sharply in the next year. Because if the first 3rd party to confirm developing software for the system is predicting it'll launch at over five-hundred dollars, you've got some serious potential problems on the horizon...

[haohmaru]

Color me in the "I Could Care Less About the PSP" club.

Seriously, for some reason the PSP is doing nothing for me.

[burgundy]

At that price, I hope they offer financial aid.

[Advocate]

For $555, I'd rather pay off one of my numerous credit card bills! For $555, I'd rather put on layaway a HD TV! That would be a huge mistake. At that price ... it better play DVD's and hold more MP3's than an iPOD! Sony better rethink the price ...

[Grave]

but if their right about this and Sony actually launches the PSP anywhere NEAR $555 it'll be D.O.A. Seriously. Dead On Arrival. No way in HELL anyone's gonna pay five-and-a-half Franklins for that thing at launch. We're talking beyond Saturn's absurd $400 launch tag and closer to 3DO's $700-800 launch here.

I remember the prices people were paying for PS2s upon launch, on eBay and elsewhere. As stupid as it is, people will probably buy this thing for $555. Especially if there's an artificial shortage of them on launch.

Can't say I'll be one of them, though.

[Some Stupid Japanese Name]

all he's saying is that spec-wise, he wouldn't be surpirsed at that price. I think Sony's smarter than that.

[Dyne]

exactly kraft.

jesus leave it to this board to wig out. the thing is still a ways off. hardware prices come down over time. its not that hard. besides they nailed it when they said their target audience will be different. i know i wouldnt want to buy my child (if i had one) a portable system that uses disc based technology. "here you go jut put that disc in your bag and scratch it all up". different market means different money.

[Diff-chan]

exactly kraft.

jesus leave it to this board to wig out. the thing is still a ways off. hardware prices come down over time. its not that hard. besides they nailed it when they said their target audience will be different. i know i wouldnt want to buy my child (if i had one) a portable system that uses disc based technology. "here you go jut put that disc in your bag and scratch it all up". different market means different money.

I figure was gonna have like a cartridge around the CD like a Minidisc.

All this guy's saying is that Sony will probably be taking a loss on the hardware for a while. Is anyone surprised at this amazing revelation? Quite frankly by then Im sure they will be making enough on PS2 to subsidize that loss.

[Critical Overdrive]

Considering the specs, we wouldn't be surprised at a price above 60,000 yen (about $555). Of course, the price will likely come down, as will software royalty fees, resulting in lower priced software. However, we wouldn't expect a system pirce of around 10,000 yen ($92), so we feel its market will differ from the child-oriented Game Boy Advance system from Nintendo.

So the PSP will be between $92 - $555? I could have fucking told you that. This is hardly news worthy of having a geek aneurysm about.

[Frogacuda]

IF this thing launches in the US at more than $250 it's DEAD.

Maybe it'd have a chance in japan, because they're traditionally far more willing to pay high prices for small things, but not Americans.