PSP to Get Classic Game Download Service

Krishna Dagli writes to mention an Ars Technica story about a classic game download service for the PSP. It's supposed to work with the PS3 as well, and will at this point mostly consist of old PS1 titles. From the article: "According to Kawanishi, the new service will work either through a PC with a broadband connection, or through the PlayStation 3 itself. The user will be able to download games designed for the original PlayStation 1, which according to the Sony head works well. 'As for emulation power there is no problem,' he said, although he added that some changes have to be made to the games because the PSP only has a single analog stick and fewer control buttons than the PS1. He did not mention which titles would be made available, but he mentioned how Amazon had a list of "all books," indicating that Sony probably wants to put a large number of games on the service."

Re:Sony Innovation

[powerlord]

Well ... considering Sony's first entry into the Console arena WAS the PS1, just which games should they be providing?

They will probably make other games available later on, but remember that part of the issue is not just providing a game that can be downloaded for the PSP, and porting the controls (or creating a universal way to handle porting the controls ... which probably won't work), but creating the infrastructure and network that can support this sort of thing. Since they are already creating it for the PS3, it makes sense to tie in the PSP.

The article also mentions that you can download UMD movies (i.e. to a memory stick and the computer/PS3's hard-drive ... probably the reason the HD was NOT optional on the PS3, unlike the XBox360). Yeah, they are still DRM encumbered (as are the games), but this seems like a great step in the right direction (depending on the price).

The fact that they expect the service to work either through a PC or the PS3 also underscores the idea of making the PSP and PS3 integrate (and perhaps explains Sony's position that the PS3 is a computer, not merely a "console"). Personally I think it bodes well for the platform.

Re:My advice:

[tacarat]

It'll be interesting to see [i]who[/i] the copyright holders are, especially for dead companies. Still, it's nice to see that there's finally going to be some action on this. I hate the idea of folks getting sued/arrested because a company is "defending" the copyright to a game that they won't publish anymore and isn't in the stores. Of course, I'll be equally PO'd if they try to sell them at premium collector's prices too.

Re:My advice:

[gutnor]

Not very difficult to avoid spywares. Especially because ROM, once you get them, cannot really be infected since they run in an emulator which is generally an open source project you download from sourceforge directly.

However there is more potential trouble using EBay and you are using real money in the real world. EBay is just an interface that put you in contact with person and you cannot just run "McAffee something" to filter the crap.

That said, I don't think there is a lot of problem on EBay for that kind of product. There is not much money involved and limited market. And I guess finally this just an excuse: it is much more convenient to download several ROM and play everything on you PC whenever you want it, than keeping for 2 or 3 old consoles hooked on the TV.

Re:bound to fail

[iainl]

Short answer? Because this is for PS1 games on the PSP, and there is (a) no current PS1 emulator for the PSP, (ii) Sony are actually doing a bit of work on the conversion to sort out the way the controls will map to a single analogue and two triggers and (3) I can't find a copy of Symphony Of The Night in any shop here anyway, as it was a very limited release in the UK.