Sony opens up PSP game store for the PC

By Ed Oswald | Published November 21, 2007, 4:31 PM

Sony debuted Tuesday a PC version of its PlayStation Store, aimed at replacing the old download service for the PlayStation Portable.

Users of the former service will need to transition to the new service by the end of January. Instructions will be given to users on how to use the PlayStation Store and transfer their purchased content.

The look is similar to that of the store launched for the PS3. Content can be transferred from the PC to the device in two ways. The user can download content to a Memory Stick and then to the PSP, or content can be transferred to the device via a USB cable and Sony's download manager.

"The new PlayStation Store for the PC marks the first time that we've made the PlayStation Network accessible to the millions of PSP owners who don't own a PS3," PS Network chief Eric Lempel said.

At launch, the site includes two games, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops and Wipeout Pure. In addition, it will include 15 original PlayStation games, two demos, five themes, nine wallpapers, and about a dozen various videos.

Demos and trailers are available at no cost, however full games will be offered at $9.99, while classic PSone games cost $5.99. The service has launched in a total of 25 countries.

Sony says it will update the store at the same time it updates the PS3 version. Anyone can browse the service for free, although an account with the PlayStation Network is required to purchase content.

Comments

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Given its from Sony I'd wait for some security experts to have a close review before dropping this onto any PC...

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This is just the start of something big. The evolution of the online/offline gaming hybrid begins...

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This is neat! I've been waiting for this to happen!

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"Anyone can browse the service for free, although an account with the PlayStation Network is required to purchase content."

So what did opening it up to the PC do?

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Are you an idiot?

It allows you to download games to the PSP via a PC.

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Forgive me for not being a PS3 fanboy, but don't you need a PS3 to sign up for the PlayStation Network? That's the way it is for Xbox Live anyway. I must have hit a 'raw nerve'.

If you don't, how would I know that anyway without having a PS3? There's no point for me to sign up for it. Not to mention that I'd really want to go out and pay more money for games that I've already played.

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Maybe its the only non negative news about $ony available and that in itself its newsworthy enough.

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No you don't. I signed up to the European PlayStation network back in December 2006, despite the fact that the PS3 wasn't out for another few months.

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Nope! not anymore, now you can just browse with your PC, buy whatever you would like, transfer it to your PSP and off you go!. They have their own little download manager tool that you need to transfer it though, I don't know, I haven't really messed with it...I'll give it a try later.

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So basically all this is for is for people who own a psp but don't want to buy a ps3, to get their content.

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"Are you an idiot?"

The world doesn't revolve around Sony and the PS3 you know. Not everybody worships Sony and reads up on every single aspect of the company...actually, I think you might be the only one.

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