Yesterday Atlus announced Shin Megami Tensei: Persona's simultaneous PSN and retail release on September 22nd. For a while it had been unclear if Atlus would initially throw its support behind digital downloads in time for the launch of the PSPgo. Atlus' latest announcement will alleviate the fears of gamers who may have been worried about a lack of support from niche publishers. Unfortunately, gamers who opt for the digital version of the game over the retail version at launch will pay the same $39.99. Furthermore, gamers will not receive the two disc bonus soundtrack.
The high price point of the digital version of the game is no doubt aimed at appeasing retailers. Additionally, Atlus is pushing gamers to purchase the retail version, with the inclusion of spoils. At a price of $40 with free the inclusion of a two disc soundtrack that could easily retail on its own for $30 it's clear which version of Persona is a better value. It is conceivable that price of the digital version may drop over time. Still, a digital release may mean that Persona is always available unlike so many other SMT titles.
Image courtesy of Crispy Gamer.
The high price point of the digital version of the game is no doubt aimed at appeasing retailers. Additionally, Atlus is pushing gamers to purchase the retail version, with the inclusion of spoils. At a price of $40 with free the inclusion of a two disc soundtrack that could easily retail on its own for $30 it's clear which version of Persona is a better value. It is conceivable that price of the digital version may drop over time. Still, a digital release may mean that Persona is always available unlike so many other SMT titles.
Image courtesy of Crispy Gamer.
Obviously if Sony wants the PSP Go to be a success, the entire library - most certainly at least new releases - must be available digitally. Otherwise, their latest and greatest iteration would be essentially useless.
I do fear that the PSP may become a test market for digital-only distribution next year. I'm sure it's something the game-makers want to try after seeing the success of app stores. What better platform to test digital-only distribution on than the less popular mainstream gaming handheld?
Developers don't risk the DS market, and get higher margins on the PSP while seeing if the market pattern holds for digital distribution of much larger programs than on the iPhone.
Personally, I love physical objects. The cases, box art, books and special edition collectables. Digital-only distribution is probably inevitable given enough time, but I will miss cluttering my shelves.
(And I'm also scared to death about the potential lack of continuity should any distribution service goes down, but that's hardly a new fear.)
This is very true. As was mentioned back in June, if they want current PSP owners to make the switch to all digital the option to transfer games over has to be made available. (If if the program was flawless I'd still worry about my Japanese imports.) Sony promises it can be done, so I'm interested in seeing how it'll work out.
But it seems like Microsoft is following a similar pattern with the 360, just not on such a large scale. Soon gamers will be able to purchase games directly from Xbox Live, although new releases won't be available for some time. Others predict that digital-only might become common in perhaps five or ten years time. I also wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo tested the waters with the DSi and DSiWare.
As for physical objects, same here. I can't imagine not having them, although I can see the benefits of going digital. Still, I'd rather have the option to do both instead of it being just one or the other. Just like for reasons you've just mentioned.
A digital version for the same price as the retail version? And with no soundtrack? That sounds great! Sign me up!
And to think, I was all for a digital distribution takeover only around six months ago. But things have happened in that time that make me wish I never thought that. Heck, I just learned something today that makes me want to give Microsoft the finger. Admittedly, Sony and Nintendo are a lot better with that.
So yeah, I'm not looking forward to a digital distribution takeover. I might make a post about it.
Atlus sure does make picking a version difficult, don't they?
As I said, I'm on the fence about it. I can see some of the benefits, but I'm not sure if they outweigh the costs, especially if mark-up prices are included in digital games. Also, what's this infuriating thing that Microsoft did?
Yeah, I think I'm going to skip out on the soundtrack and the nice packaging for a similarly priced digital version. Sure. Man, retailer influence is still pretty deadly.
From the looks of it, I'd say anyone who buys the game digitally is getting ripped off, at least initially. It won't be bad as a last resort if it pulls a Persona 3 and becomes scarce pretty quickly. I decided to work my Microsoft venting into an entire post! I think it turned out OK.
Yeah, retailers are scary.
That's pretty much how I feel with Persona. It's a good buy if the game is released in limited quantities and becomes rare. Otherwise, unless you have a PSPgo on the way there's no reason not to buy the retail version.
I read that, and I agree. Ah, Microsoft when will you learn?