There’s no room for you in the PSPgo, UMD. But, yes, Sony used to say you were awesome. That started six years ago.
You are reading Kotaku’s once-weekly (sort of) journey back to yesteryear. This week, I wanted to commemorate the launch of the PSPgo with a look at the piece of technology not being invited to the party. The UMD.
We go back to May 13, 2003 and Sony is releasing a press release to describe the wonders of the new PSP. The title of the release is “Sony Computer Entertainment Readies for Market Expansion With Creation of a New Handheld Entertainment Platform.”
The foundation of this new platform is Universal Media Disc (UMD), which comprises of a 60mm optical disc (1.8 GB) in a cartridge, developed by the Sony Group, utilizing its latest disc technologies. Compared to the out-dated mask ROM cartridge, optical disc has huge advantages such as shorter turn around time for manufacturing, larger data capacity and lower media costs. The latest copy-protection technology will be applied to offer content developers and publishers a safe and copy-protected environment.
The PSP continues to do better than many thought. But the UMD? Well… Farewell, “out-dated mask ROM cartridge”! Right?
Mr Waffle
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10:02 AMI’m amused that the ad that appeared in the sidebar is for the PSPgo.
Darius
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10:07 AMand IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-E-IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII will always love YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UMD!
glennc
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 12:56 PMmore proof they care more about pushing out new media formats than gaming.
what idiot greenlighted this one. i hope they lost their job. did they not learn after minidisc.
mambodog
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 4:05 PMWell if it got enough idiots to re-buy movies they already owned on DVD on UMD, then I’d say he probably got a promotion.
Jay
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 8:12 PMThere was really nothing wrong with the UMD when used as a gaming disc not for movies.
I think the only reason why Sony has ditched it for the GO is purely a different approach. For example, whats the point of the GO if it has UMD. WOW THE SCREEN SLIDES UP – big whoop.
With their digital only approach, they are trying to find a wider audience with their product to gain more sales. People upgrading and gaining new customers. Not only that, it could be a test for the PSP2 whenever that gets released.