EA Pooh-Poohs Gloomy PSP

Sony's portable isn't as fun as the DS, so EA is taking its toys to Nintendo's sandbox.

Wondering when Sony is going to do something meaningful with the PSP again? You're not alone. EA, the world's biggest game publisher, says it is rethinking where it will be placing the majority of its portable eggs in future.

"There's no doubt that EA has historically bet more on PSP. I think we were excited by the technology, but the consumers have proven that actually what they want is fun," EA vice president David Gardner told trade paper MCV.

"We must never forget that what we need to focus on is fun and so EA is putting more effort behind DS games - and creative ones that really take advantage of the hardware."

Sony has tried to counter this sombre image, most recently through the infectiously happy LocoRoco, but the game largely failed to build an audience.

The PSP started strong in Europe, boosted by the simultaneous release of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. But Nintendo's portable has since overtaken the PSP, and that's giving publishers and developers pause.

There's been so little that has really grabbed the public's attention that even now, nearly a year on, Rockstar's launch title is still consistently in the Top 5 best-selling PSP games week after week.

"I don't think Sony can afford to sit back," Gardner said. "I think they still have things they can do with the price and performance of the machine - things that they need to address."

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games