Japanese retailers flustered by PSP Go: But we’re partners, right Sony?
I think people saw this coming. With the announcement of the PSP Go at this year’s E3, the excitement easily morphs into uncertainty, especially for retail shop owners in Japan. Itai News, via Sankaku Complex, describes the scenario as game retailers being filled “with terror and anger” upon being hit with the realization that Sony just might have put the final nail on their business coffins.
I think people saw this coming. With the announcement of the PSP Go at this year’s E3, the excitement easily morphs into uncertainty, especially for retail shop owners in Japan. Itai News, via Sankaku Complex, describes the scenario as game retailers being filled “with terror and anger” upon being hit with the realization that Sony just might have put the final nail on their business coffins.
One retailer expressed his concerns:
With this PSP Go and its download only system, is Sony saying they don’t need us in the retail distribution channel? We’re no use to them?
But we’re business partners aren’t we? Shouldn’t there be some way we can improve distribution? If they go ahead specialist[sic] shops are going to be in trouble. My own motivation is really suffering from all this uncertainty.
Has the time for us to have to think of getting out of the business completely?
Well they’re not exactly partners in the strictest sense of the word. Although it is true that they are (were?) an important avenue for Sony and its products to reach the market. However, seeing as what PSP Go was really designed for — fully enter into the digital distribution market — yes, putting up another business would seem like a darned good idea at this point.
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Via Itai News