Update: Sony's released an official statement, which sadly doesn't provide any real new details on why the program isn't coming over.
"SCEA will not be offering the UMD Passport program. U.S. consumers who already own digital versions of select PSP titles will be able to seamlessly transfer those games to their PS Vita system. What's great for PS Vita owners is that they can enjoy PSP games with upscaled video quality that's ideal for the system's 5-inch OLED screen, along with controls that are optimized for its features such as the dual analog sticks. More than 250 PSP titles (including minis) will be available at the launch of PS Vita, and hundreds of additional titles will be available post-launch."
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Given how strange, messy and expensive the UMD Passport program was, it’s not surprising to read on Kotaku that Sony Computer Entertainment America won’t be bringing it here.
UMD Passport was a Japanese initiative that allowed UMD owners to pay a fee in exchange for a digital version that would work on their Vita, as Sony’s new handheld does not feature a UMD reader.
The fee proved a point of contention, as there was not a standard UMD-to-digital price, a consequence of publishers being allowed to dictate to dictate pricing. Even Sony didn’t have much consistency, with Patapon 3 and Gran Turismo costing 1,000 yen ($12.89), while Hot Shots Golf 2 cost 500 yen ($6.44).
Many games weren’t even part of the UMD Passport program, severely limiting its overall use.
Still, in general, if the game was available, the price was cheaper than purchasing a brand-new copy of each one, which meant there could ultimately a degree of usefulness for some consumers.
Sony has not yet responded to my request for elaboration on the decision.
It wasn't a great program, but it's disappointing that we're given no option in that regard. There are some titles I would like to digitize.
Wait...people care about the vita?
People should stop being dirty poors and just rebuy their games to support the developers. It disgusts me when people look for a "free hand out" just because they already bought a game. I don't get a free hand out when I bought a Burger King Whopper and I eat it and want another one. Why should video games get one?
@holybins said:
.........Good one.
@Godlyawesomeguy said:
I sure do!
While the program was flawed, I would have used it for just a couple of my UMD's because it would still be better then rebuying it.
Pretty dumb considering it's just going to make buying a Vita less appealing to even more people.
I sold all my old PSP games anyway. I'M PART OF THE PROBLEM.
Just sell your UMDs on Amazon and buy the digital version. I guarantee you'll get more that way than you ever would have otherwise.
@Methodis said:
Because we don't feel like rebuying a game we already have? There is a big difference between buying a fucking burger and buying a video game. It has nothing to do with a free hand out, it is wanting the ability to play games from your past generation library on your new console.
My PSP still works, so, whatever.
[Sarcasm]Awesome grammar in the caption for the Patapon picture.[/Sarcasm]
Surprise!!!...not really.
If I can't transfer my psp games to Vita for free, I don't want to transfer them at all. I'm not disappointed by this decision.
Sorry, dude, but that is a terrible analogy.
I stopped caring after a while, I was keeping my old PSP around to play a few import titles I picked up anyway.
It's almost as if all those people saying there were no advantages to buying digital versions of PSP games back when the PSP Go launched were wrong!
@MormonWarrior said:
@Vorsic said:
This and this.
It didn't happen for the Go and that didn't have an entirely new platform's worth of games for it. I don't see why anyone was seriously expecting anything but this.
Got 2 PSPs that still work. I ain't that sore.