Speaking in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft UK MD Rob Cooper admitted the publisher's PSP support is lacking, but believes there is a very valid reason for this; Sony lack of direction with the handheld.

"Certainly, we still see it as a viable format," he said. "But we're not developing too many games on it until we get some direction. They've got to decide what they want to do with it, and come out clearly and say, 'this is our strategy, this is our process and this is how publishers can get behind it'."

Cooped added: "I don't think it's a pricing issue. As a publisher I'll always say pricing is not the first point of call. I don't think dropping the price of games is going to sell more product or hardware."

"It's direction, a real strategic decision by Sony as to what it wants to do with that product. It's a great shame that sales are at the level they are, because you've got a hardware system that is absolutely beautiful."

It's difficult to disagree with the man. Although sales of the handheld are skyrocketing in Japan (mainly thanks to Crisis Core and the Monster Hunter titles) other regions in the world aren't picking up on the handheld so swiftly.

The PSP has often come across to me as a handheld aiming to do lots of things at once, but never focusing on any one aspects of its many capabilities, be it media or gaming.

In what direction do you believe the PSP should be heading?

Tags : Direction : playstation portable : Rob Cooper : Sony : Ubisoft

Comments

By: ApplesauceNinja On: 05:30 Jun 5th, 2008 Offline	Two words - good games. The PSP, like the Nintendo Wii, has precious few of them. God of War Chains of Olympus, Patapon, and Crisis Core (for the FF fans) represent the bulk of the system's quality offerings. I have one, but I rarely actually play anything on it, as even the best of the games I own still seem lacking in many respects.

By: Dragonsoul On: 05:59 Jun 5th, 2008 Offline	Jack of all trades, master of none? That's what the PSP seems to be. It lacks any particular area that it dominates in, so it's getting its ass kicked by everything else. As much as I like a multi-purpose device it seems that indeed the PSP is adrift and yes, focus needs to be given. Games really are a criticial point, and a larger share of the profits to be attained, however it's very difficult to do with such handhelds as DS out there that are already doing so very well. Shame really, I rather like the PSP, now if only I could get my hands on one....>>

By: Evren On: 06:58 Jun 5th, 2008 Offline	Bah, Ubisoft are just silly. Not developing games on the format is silly idea, especially when the PSP has the most hardcore gamers. And not many games? Loco Roco, MGS PO, Katamari, Untold Legends. MONSTER HUNTER!?!?! Amongst some of the rarer Japanese RPG's that generally wont come out apart from on the PSP.

By: SwitchxA On: 09:01 Jun 5th, 2008 Offline	I totally agree with Evren. It makes no sense not to develop for the PSP. The the sort of idea of the PSP lacking no direction is just Ubisoft complaining that the system isn't all about games. The PS2, PS3, and PSP have all focused on multi media and integrating Sony's other property's. I know plenty of people personally and professionally who bought the PSP just for the media part of it. The fact that you can get music, movies, and internet all in good quality is very attractive. Of course the good portion of PSP owners bought it for the games which ARE there. The stipulation that they are not is now to old. The J-RPG, Shooter, action-adventure, music, and puzzle genres are covered. You can also download some really good titles from the Playstation Store including PS1 games that all work without a PS3. I have loved mine since I got it and have not been able to put it down.

By: boa On: 09:48 Jun 6th, 2008 Offline	I would comment, but SwitchxA has said everything I was going to. Anyone who thinks there aren't many games hasn't given the library a decent chance.