Why the hell are UMDs cheaper than PSN downloads?

I thought the whole point of electronic distribution was to get rid of the need for physical media and distribution costs.... SO WHY are UMDs of new games like GT:CTW and FF:D more expensive on PSN!!!!

UMDs can wear out break if your not careful. If anything happens to your DD, just redownload it. :)

UMDs can wear out break if your not careful. If anything happens to your DD, just redownload it. :)

mralspsp

Valid point - but not enough to justify the higher price tag IMHO. If Sony are serious about making a "go" of the PSN then they need to look closely at the prices!

I always thought that too, but I guess Sony doesn't care about what we think, especially when people are buying it.

I thought the whole point of electronic distribution was to get rid of the need for physical media and distribution costs.... SO WHY are UMDs of new games like GT:CTW and FF:D more expensive on PSN!!!!

thetruespin

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

Sonys sick money scheme

Well, Sony have no competition..

There not introducing a UMD transfer system..

but UMDS, still much better

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

Phoenix534

Well, you will never lose a digital download.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

megagene

Well, you'd have to pay the full price of what the store is charging.

Because Sony is trying to get more moolah from those who unfortunately bought a PSPGo.

You would THINK Sony would want to make the digital download an appealing medium and cut some deals here and there. Especially since all the profits are going to them, as they've cut out the middleman. Instead, they price many of the downloads above what the UMD would cost. I think part of this is that they don't want to completely cut out the middle man and piss off retailers. Part of it is just greed - they have a monopoly on the source of games if you have a PSP Go. Also, if you've ever noticed,sites like Sony.comare always the last to drop a price on a game, even though you think you might get a deal by buying directly from them. They try to keep it going at original retail value as long as possible.

a lot of you are talking about used UMD prices when you say it can be found cheaper, though. Granted, you can fine UMDs brand new at slashed prices, as well.

Not sure but it's a quicker way of Sony making more money. People say you can't lose a digital download yes you can if you download the game more then 5 times thats it you have to pay for it again. If your PSP Go dies out eventually then you will have lost it. I'd rather have them on a disc then I know I've got a backup of the game plus it's taken up other memory and if I don't like the game I can get rid of it a digital download isn't worth anything.

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

Phoenix534

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

roosuu

You can only use a UMD one lifetime. If it breaks, it's broken. No free replacement. So, with UMD you're paying for one copy, and with download you get five.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

roosuu

[QUOTE="roosuu"]

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

When downloading, we're practically buying multiple copies to use if one of them gets corrupted. You can't do that with UMDs; you'd have to buy a new copy at full price. Also, there are no other companies competing with PSN, so they can price the games however they want.

Phoenix534

You can only use a UMD one lifetime. If it breaks, it's broken. No free replacement. So, with UMD you're paying for one copy, and with download you get five.

Never in my lifetime have I broken, or seen someone break a UMD through routine use.

Because you actually bought the PSPGo. :PVexx88

:cry: i know!! Bummer!! Dissidia is 40$ on PSN!!! Ridiculous.... I guess no awesome FF battling action for my broke ***

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="roosuu"]But, you can only download 5 times before you have to buy it again....

lostcali8

You can only use a UMD one lifetime. If it breaks, it's broken. No free replacement. So, with UMD you're paying for one copy, and with download you get five.

Never in my lifetime have I broken, or seen someone break a UMD through routine use.

Neither have I. But crazier things have happened.

First of all, most PSN downloads are either cheaper or the same price as the UMDs, and second of all, PSN gives 5 downloads for one good price, finally GTA:CTW is the same price on UMD and on PSN, sheesh get ur facts rite

First of all, most PSN downloads are either cheaper or the same price as the UMDs, and second of all, PSN gives 5 downloads for one good price, finally GTA:CTW is the same price on UMD and on PSN, sheesh get ur facts rite

bowchikawowowow

If you go to a standard game store, then yes you are correct. But you can find games either used or on the net for WAY cheaper then the normal asking price. DD are supposed to be much cheaper because of the above reasons at the beginning. Extremely valid points. PSN is simply a rip off. I love the games to death but I cannot bring myself to pay 40$ for a digital copy...

[QUOTE="lostcali8"]

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

You can only use a UMD one lifetime. If it breaks, it's broken. No free replacement. So, with UMD you're paying for one copy, and with download you get five.

Phoenix534

Never in my lifetime have I broken, or seen someone break a UMD through routine use.

Neither have I. But crazier things have happened.

True that.

When you buy a DD from PSN, you can download it as many times as you want. The downloads are limited to 5 registered PSP devices.

I've always hated UMDs because they're soo noisy

I've always hated UMDs because they're soo noisy

blacknight06

I always envy people that do that because i've always been loyal and now i have to put up with steep digital download prices ; (

PSN downloads should be cheaper. How do you think iTunes became so popular, not by charging $14.99 a CD like retailers do.

I think that the main problem with the PSN isn't the prices. It is the fact that not even half the games are available for PSP Go users

I think the whole PSP library needs more games...

Ive owned umd's for 3.5 years and not one has broken. This point is invalidsoulpiper

yeah i have never had a cartridge, CD, DVD, or UMD ever break on me. and i've been gaming for like 29 years. your psp is more likely to break than a umd.

but anyways..... to the TC: I dont think UMDs of NEW games are actually cheaper than NEW games on the psn. Can you tell me ONE good example of a UMD version of a game cheaper than it is on the PSN? Gran turismo, God of War, Ratchet and Clank, Motorstorm, and all the GTA games seem to be the same price NEW in stores as they sell for on the psn.

edit: of course buying a Used UMD game is WAY cheaper than buying a digital version OR a new copy of the game. Thats just common sense.

The PSN prices really need to go down. But I guess another point to the advantage of DD is that your games will be on your PSP and you wouldn't need to switch UMDs or carry cases around. But I haven't bought any games cause I have no space on my 2000, lol.

[QUOTE="soulpiper"]Ive owned umd's for 3.5 years and not one has broken. This point is invalidTalldude80

yeah i have never had a cartridge, CD, DVD, or UMD ever break on me. and i've been gaming for like 29 years. your psp is more likely to break than a umd.

but anyways..... to the TC: I dont think UMDs of NEW games are actually cheaper than NEW games on the psn. Can you tell me ONE good example of a UMD version of a game cheaper than it is on the PSN? Gran turismo, God of War, Ratchet and Clank, Motorstorm, and all the GTA games seem to be the same price NEW in stores as they sell for on the psn.

edit: of course buying a Used UMD game is WAY cheaper than buying a digital version OR a new copy of the game. Thats just common sense.

Almost every game you've mentioned has gone on sale brand new at a cheaper price already. Motorstorm is 29.99 as it's used counterpart is now 24.99..

Gran Turismo was just on sale at Best Buy, forget what the price was but it was 5 or 6 bucks cheaper on Amazon as well. Ratchet and Clank is 9.99 new, 6.99 used. Resistance is 19.99 now, compared to it's release day price of 39.99 via PSN. Secret Agent Clank is 19.99 now, 39.99 at launch. Driver 76, Gangs of London, Swat Target Liberty, all have dropped to bargain bin prices new, and there still a good 19.99 on the store. (Gangs of London being 22.99 FTW). The Warriors is 14.99 new, it was 19.99 at launch (just picked that one up at Best Buy actually). I could go on and on.

The prices on the US PSN are terrible. Don't kid yourself.

Not to mention buying used, which drastically lowers the price, and nets you a pretty sweet return deal in the process.

But I'm not against digital content by any means, even feel kind of bad for all the GO users. The starting prices on their game selection is just ridiculous. Electronic licensing rights/downloads should never be more expensive than tangible media..

I think the whole PSP library needs more games...

blacknight06

[QUOTE="blacknight06"]

I think the whole PSP library needs more games...

barny0111

You can only use a UMD one lifetime. If it breaks, it's broken. No free replacement. So, with UMD you're paying for one copy, and with download you get five.

Phoenix534

I do think Sony missed the boat on using the PSP back catalog to shame the iPhone with cheap games. Any game that has been around for a 1 year should be $19.99 max, 2 years $9.99 and 3 years $4.99.

However one thing that is good for me with digital content is we have 3 PSP in my family. We ALL get a copy of the game for the download price.

I do think Sony missed the boat on using the PSP back catalog to shame the iPhone with cheap games. Any game that has been around for a 1 year should be $19.99 max, 2 years $9.99 and 3 years $4.99.

However one thing that is good for me with digital content is we have 3 PSP in my family. We ALL get a copy of the game for the download price.

dpeete1

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. (Especially with physical games...games can have been out forever, and still not geta price drop)

The whole reason because the UMD's are chepear is because they wanna get rid of them. The PSN downloads are being promoted so they can eliminate costs.

I like DD because of no tax $20.00 purchase is just that.

I like DD because of no tax $20.00 purchase is just that.

Bigboss232

Unless you're using a PSN card...because don't you have to pay tax for those in-store anyway? So I'd think that unless you're using a credit card, you're still paying tax.

[QUOTE="Bigboss232"]

I like DD because of no tax $20.00 purchase is just that.

Luigi12901

Unless you're using a PSN card...because don't you have to pay tax for those in-store anyway? So I'd think that unless you're using a credit card, you're still paying tax.

You're not paying tax if you use a debit card.

[QUOTE="Luigi12901"]

[QUOTE="Bigboss232"]

I like DD because of no tax $20.00 purchase is just that.

Phoenix534

Unless you're using a PSN card...because don't you have to pay tax for those in-store anyway? So I'd think that unless you're using a credit card, you're still paying tax.

You're not paying tax if you use a debit card.

Credit card/debit card...same basic idea (unless you want to get into economics on a gaming forum.......). Unless you're using one of those directly (via PSN), you're paying tax.

because it is downloaded media making it a huge file that in a way is easier for buyers to get. The stores have lower prices to continue to compete in the psp market which got harder since the go lacks umds! So in a way sony thinks it can get more money out of you by making your life easier so not to go out to the store!