So PSP Go is going all digital and will be in your hands on Oct 1. Launching with it will be the new PSP Minis section that will feature small, cheaper download-able games. Several iPhone developers have made the jump over to port some of their titles as well as get started on original titles. The long awaited GT Mobile will be launching that day as well. This all got me thinking; if the Go is all digital, what will happen to those pre-orders that everyone seems to love?
Paper or Plastic?
Recently you would have noticed that more and more PSP games are being offered as downloads. You should have also noticed that for some download-able titles an empty box is placed on a retailers shelf that includes a game manual, some other random item and a redeem code for an extra fee. So you get to keep an empty box with no disc. This is still a good idea, outside additional price but it’s understandable, as consumers can still see that there is a product available even if it is for download only. You also have some titles that are still present via UMD disc for all current PSP models. How long this practice will stay up is beyond me.
Pre-Order Please
So now that you know the delivery methods for future PSP games, what about those pre-orders? A PlayStation.Blog user asked that if he purchased the upcoming Motorstorm Artic Storm from PSN, how could he get the pre-ordered items? The response was that it would be made as a download the first 30 days for those that purchase the game via PSN.
More Than Just a Pre-Order
If a publisher chooses to release a PSP title digitally and opt out of releasing a retail copy of the game, I hope they would still feel inclined to provide a pre-order bonus. How will this work? Simply give a deadline to pre-order the game before it is released. I am thinking of a two step pre-order process:
- Make pre-order available before game release date with an additional item for user that ends on game release date,
- Make a second pre-order gift available for a limited time after the game release date.
The main goal I see is to spur first week sales and garner attention pre and post release. Most titles can do this but if the pre-order items are compelling enough then maybe you can get many to commit before they get the game. Since Fat Princess was announced, I knew I would be purchasing this game and I would have plopped the money down earlier if I could.
How Do You Pre-Order
Another thought running in my mind regarding pre-order is pre-loading. When users pre-order, they can download the game that requires an unlock key to activate. This activation key can be a manual download or simply a timed activation similar to the video store movie rentals. The pre-order can even be the activation key itself with users downloading the full game on release.
Enough Rambling
This certainly isn’t restricted to PSP titles or PSN titles as well. Sony could offer their own pre-order bonus from the PSN store by providing a discount code for that retailer, or actually allowing you to select your retailer of choice via PSN to pre-order. Well, I am getting ahead of myself here. Let’s see if they head in this direction or pick up on some of the things Valve’s Steam does. I can dream can’t I?