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I’ve talked about digital distribution in another post but I recently read that Logitech may be working on a UMD attachment for the PSPGo which if true interests me a great deal.

Assuming this attachment is real, there must be significant demand for such a product in order for it to be made. This is the last thing Sony needs if its experiment into digital distribution with the PSPGo is to be a success. They are already on shaky ground with some games still only releasing on UMD, digital PSN titles not always available alongside the UMD release, and most importantly, to the best of my knowledge there isn’t a complete digital catalogue available (as promised) for gamers to exchange physical UMD’s for to use on the new system yet.

The PSP has already been suffering from low sales compared to other handhelds and consoles on the market, and piracy is all over the device like white on rice. Now Sony has split the PSP user base in half and PSPGo adopters cannot use software they may have already bought for the system. Not a great state of affairs for anybody. Throw in a UMD attachment and any future plans Sony had for digital content are swirling around the toilet bowl ready to be flushed.

So is it a failed experiment? Well perhaps, but more importantly it was a failed experiment in an already failed area of Sony’s product line. If the PSPGo fails in digital distribution it will be less of a problem than it would have been trying this out with the PS3 slim. You could say this is a smart move by Sony enabling them to test the digital distribution waters without crippling the flagship product.

It will be interesting to see how other companies pay attention to this. There is a very strong chance that should the PSPGo fail (and if pushed I’d bet it will), other companies may become wary of attempting a move into the digital distribution model. Sony’s failure will underline the concern that perhaps the market is not ready for digital distribution just yet.

Personally I do not feel that pushing digital only devices such as the PSPGo is the way forward. Good implementation and value for money in DLC will do more towards converting people to a microtransaction/digital only model in my opinion.

I know the industry wants us to go to digital downloads for everything, Sony are already trying to force it on customers with the new PSPGo, but I’m not convinced yet.

Firstly, I like to have a game collection. I like cases. I still have C64 games in the original cases. Digital downloads are going to require a large incentive to stop me wanting an actual physical product for my money.

Secondly, I don’t like the idea that game companies are trying to take away my right to sell a game on. Or for that matter, trying to take away the ability to try before you buy with game rentals. The way game sites and reviewers hype things up these days, I prefer to rent things I’m unsure on first and form my own opinion before throwing down £40 for a game.

Thirdly, what is going to happen to the Christmas games market with digital downloads? You cant wrap a digital download.

It seems as though digital downloads should be a great thing for gamers if you listen to the promotional bullshit. In reality it’s heavily restricting gamers choices and rights by taking away the preowned and rental markets. Lets not forget the extra cost to the consumer in bandwidth charges and monthly limits.

The only positive I can see come of it is hopefully less console failures. Take away the DVD drive and you take away a large portion of a consoles problems.

We are already seeing some companies not supporting digital downloads. Several new PSP games have been released only to UMD with no option to download them from the PSN store. Not a good start for the PSPGo or ideas of a digital download only market.

I can only hope that people see sense and oppose this move to digital downloads, if only so we can all keep our boxed games safe on our shelves.