@kspraydad, to clear up the questions, sales of the updated PSP will be considered part of the existing PlayStation Portable (PSP) stock.
It appears the main differences is that the PSP is now a third thinner and lighter due to a smaller battery. It features more flash memory--supposedly to run UMDs faster. The Wi-Fi button has been moved to the top of the device. The D-pad is more responsive.
I would consider these changes to be remedies for the flaws of the original design and not a new console. Sony does not appear to be marketing this as a new portable console.
I think the brightline with these things should be fairly obvious. If every gaming site rolls the thing into an existing console tab rather than create a new one, it is considered the same console. You will notice separate sections for GBA and Nintendo DS, but not one for Nintendo DS lite.
I wouldn't say that one game determines everything. If a developer decides to release a game on the PS3 that requires PS2 emulation, do we split the PS3 stock? I'd say no.
Unless it's a distinct split in what can be run on it (like from the GBA to the DS, or PS1 to the PS2), it should stay combined. If a MAJORITY of new software requires the new PSP (highly doubtful), then that would be different.
Good point Laoldar...but again...say ONE developer decides after 2 years (thus approx 20 million new PSP on the market) to do this to push the machine's limits...what does this mean to us.
If this IS a risk, how do we 'play' the future value of the current system?
While games might run better on the new PSP, I can't imagine how they could ONLY run on the one with more memory. That being said, even if it was possible, what developer would intentionally limit their sales by millions?
I brought this up awhile ago about the PSP...didn't make myself understood and suffered negatives for it but...I'll ask it again now....
With the new PSP design they have included an extra 32MB of main memory. At this time all that is known is that it will be used to cache UMD game titles in order to lessen load times and number of disc reads (thus saving battery).
However...if it turns out...in a year say, that there are games that will ONLY run if you have the 64MB version PSP does that not make it a NEW PSP for tracking purposes?
If this will be seen by SE as a new PSP because of this (unlike DS/DS Lite there IS a possibility of a differential in playable software) we need to factor this risk into PSP original (ie...if original is fazed out now that PSP slim is here the sales are effectively stopped at approx 25 million)....
Sony had said that the new design would allow for faster load times...well the spec sheet shows that the new PSP will have double the main memory of current...
These rumours have been around for awhile....Sony has already stated that they are not willing to take a loss on PSP hardware cost so I can't see how they would make a go of this for $170 when including 8GB of flash AND that huge screen etc etc...
This seems to be the only realistically priced future on here at the moment, if you consider last months sales numbers and the spring/summer season being a slow sales season.
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It appears the main differences is that the PSP is now a third thinner and lighter due to a smaller battery. It features more flash memory--supposedly to run UMDs faster. The Wi-Fi button has been moved to the top of the device. The D-pad is more responsive.
I would consider these changes to be remedies for the flaws of the original design and not a new console. Sony does not appear to be marketing this as a new portable console.
I think the brightline with these things should be fairly obvious. If every gaming site rolls the thing into an existing console tab rather than create a new one, it is considered the same console. You will notice separate sections for GBA and Nintendo DS, but not one for Nintendo DS lite.