So... how successful the PSP2'll be????

[Joelcool7]

jarrod said

Wild guess, PSP2 will sell less hardware, but more software than PSP1.  It'll be stronger than PSP1 was in western markets, but weaker in Japan.

I have to agree a major part of the PSP's success is the fact that out of the box launch day it was already hacked and playing roms. Where as I think Sony will nip the piracy in the butt this time round. I think Sony has learnt from PS3 how to create a platform that isn't easily pirated.

So without piracy being a big issue I think software sales will rise on the PSP2. However those pirates aren't as likely to pick up a PSP2 so it will also hurt sales. Another factor that will hurt sales is alot of PSP owners who bought PSP expecting it to be a better alternative to Nintendo. Many of these gamers ended up buying DS's and now their PSP's gather dust , these gamers aren't likely to pick up PSP2.

Another factor will be the PSPhone, many consumers will pick up a PSPhone and be confused, dumb consumers will likely buy a PSPhone as an alternative to PSP2. This will cut into sales even more as PSP2 now needs to compete directly with itself (PSPhone) as well as I-Phone and other smart phones.

Then of course their is 3DS but I think judging on PSP's performance that Nintendo isn't going to drive the PSP2 into the ground on its own. I think all the factors such as lack of piracy, high price, competition with PSPhone as well as competition from I-Phones and other smart phones. This is what will lead the PSP to inferior sales.

Now Michael Pachter predicts dead on arrival. However I am more optamistic then he is. I think PSP2 lifetime sales may be around 23-27 million, no where near as strong as PSP but good enough to produce profits for Sony. The console I predict will survive a full five year generation. If the console does worse then I predict then PSP2 will probubly be Sony's last handheld game centric device.