EA’s Larry Probst on the PSP: “I think the price point needs to be lower…”

During part 2 of N’Gai Croal‘s interview with EA CEO Larry Probst, the CEO voiced his opinion on matters regarding the PSP. For one thing he says that when it comes to the PSP, they’re not really keen on making original content for Sony‘s handheld. He says:

It’s more likely that we would target platforms like the PS3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii if we had an original in mind. Our strategy on PSP has typically been to take the franchises that we build on other platforms and exploit them on the PSP. I think the price point needs to be lower, and I think you’re going to see that next year, along with a different form factor.

Of course he goes on the clarify that they don’t really know what Sony’s plans are but, according to him, it wouldn’t be surprising if they had a lowered price unit at US$ 149 and a more fully-featured upscale unit at  US$ 249 or US$ 299.

According to him, the compelling argument to get games for the PSP is that it’s portable. However he does also say that he agrees to the thought that if someone own Madden on multiple systems already, say one for the PS2 and one for the 360, then they’re less likely to buy Madden on the PSP.

He says that if you’re looking for a PSP breakout hit, it really has to be something original or unique to the platform. That’s not EA’s strategy for now though. So what is their plan for the PSP? Here’s his words:

We’re interested in interoperability between PSP and Sony’s other platforms, and if we can do something along those lines, that would be helpful.

While it’s a bit of a downer to hear that another company isn’t interested in making original content for the PSP, it is pseudo good news to hear that they’re looking to take advantage of the PSP-PS3 connection. A mobile way to control your PS3 game perhaps? Time will tell.

Via N’Gai Croal

During part 2 of N’Gai Croal‘s interview with EA CEO Larry Probst, the CEO voiced his opinion on matters regarding the PSP. For one thing he says that when it comes to the PSP, they’re not really keen on making original content for Sony‘s handheld. He says:

It’s more likely that we would target platforms like the PS3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii if we had an original in mind. Our strategy on PSP has typically been to take the franchises that we build on other platforms and exploit them on the PSP. I think the price point needs to be lower, and I think you’re going to see that next year, along with a different form factor.

Of course he goes on the clarify that they don’t really know what Sony’s plans are but, according to him, it wouldn’t be surprising if they had a lowered price unit at US$ 149 and a more fully-featured upscale unit at  US$ 249 or US$ 299.

According to him, the compelling argument to get games for the PSP is that it’s portable. However he does also say that he agrees to the thought that if someone own Madden on multiple systems already, say one for the PS2 and one for the 360, then they’re less likely to buy Madden on the PSP.

He says that if you’re looking for a PSP breakout hit, it really has to be something original or unique to the platform. That’s not EA’s strategy for now though. So what is their plan for the PSP? Here’s his words:

We’re interested in interoperability between PSP and Sony’s other platforms, and if we can do something along those lines, that would be helpful.

While it’s a bit of a downer to hear that another company isn’t interested in making original content for the PSP, it is pseudo good news to hear that they’re looking to take advantage of the PSP-PS3 connection. A mobile way to control your PS3 game perhaps? Time will tell.

Via N’Gai Croal