14 DAY TRIAL // Sony seems to be abandoning all the plans to allow gamers who own titles on the old UMD format for the PlayStation Portable to get them as a digital download on the new Go console, which is set to be released on October 1. Initially, Sony said that it was looking into the possibility of setting up a program allowing a gamer to move their games from one device to another but there were both technical and legal reasons that ended the possibility.
The PSP Go has no UMD drive but does have an internal hard drive and supports memory drives. The user needs to maintain an Internet connection in order to purchase and then download a videogame or another program that they can then use on their handheld.
The new device is set to retail for 250 dollars when it comes out and will be offering a longer battery life, a better screen and an internal microphone along with a fresh, sleeker design.
Back at E3, Sony was stating, through the voice of Brian Keltner, that “We are looking into programs for owners who have previously purchased UMD titles and want to exchange them for digital versions. It's something we are still hammering out the details. As soon as we have solid plans in place we will make an announcement.”
The news might actually hurt the sales of the new console as a lot of players will not feel comfortable getting rid of their UMD-based game collection while also shelling out for the rather price new hardware, which is just 50 dollars cheaper than the new PlayStation 3 Slim. Of course, a lot depends on the titles that Sony will be delivering on the PSP Go and on how it will be pricing the content offered via a special section of the PlayStation Network.