PSP redesign in the works

By Mike Bantick
Wednesday, 14 March 2007 04:35

Opinion and Analysis

Denied not so long ago, it would seem that the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) is to be redesigned after all.

Comments made by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) executive Ray Maguire indicate that the long awaited redesign of the PSP is planned.

Not many details available at this time, but one thing Maguire did confirm is that the praised PSP screen will not be part of the redesign.

In an interview with gamesindustry.biz Maguire stated that the current PSP is just the “first iteration” and the aim of a revamped PSP strategy was to make the console “smaller [and] lighter” in the future.

From the gamesindustry.biz article; Responding to a query on Sony’s plans for redesigning the system, Maguire added that any changes to the industrial design would not affect the size of PSP’s screen - widely seen as one of the system’s key strengths - which is "fixed". He did not offer any suggestions as to when the new iteration might be released.

There has been much speculation around the PSP redesign of late, mostly around adding a Hard Drive or similar increase in storage and a change in the control system.  The UMD format has turned out to be somewhat of a failure, with the UMD movies failing to ignite sales.  From a gaming perspective, issues with load times also plagued the format.

I imagine that UMD will remain in a redesigned PSP, if merely for backwards compatibility, Sony would look forward to a different way of delivering content however, most likely in an extended form of digital delivery online.