XSeed Games on PSN

[JiggiUp]

I'd love to see Brave Story: New Traveler go up on PSN. Not because I don't already own it, but so I can recommend it to people with Vitas.

[Minneyar]

I'd love to see Brave Story: New Traveler go up on PSN.

It used to be on the PSN, actually, but XSEED's licensed to it lapsed, and Sony took it down. People who had already purchased it can still download it, but the only way for people to buy the game now is to find a physical copy.

[JiggiUp]

See, this is why digital-only is BS. You can track down physical games over 10 years after they go out of print thanks to Ebay, but when the publishers lose the rights, digital games are completely wiped off the map, with no way of obtaining them if they've got DRM. Spelunker HD would be lost to history right now if Tozai Games hadn't rescued it.

[Fabrizo]

See, this is why digital-only is BS. when the publishers lose the rights, digital games are completely wiped off the map

Try and get a hold of "Marble Blast Ultra" for 360 these days. I really liked that game, but its been delisted on XBLA, the PC version was only available through a service that no longer exists. The only way left to get it is to find a (VERY rare) unused voucher for the game or maybe pirate it.

[JiggiUp]

I should make a clear distinction between digital-only games on consoles and PCs. PC content is much more easily preserved and disseminated, even with DRM (everything gets cracked, without fail). So getting a hold of Marble Blast Ultra isn't a problem if you really want it.

[Wyrdwad]

PC content is much more easily preserved and disseminated, even with DRM (everything gets cracked, without fail).

Honestly? The same is very much true of digital content on consoles and handhelds. It may not be as "mainsteam" yet... but for better or worse, it's getting there.

I think this is a conversation best halted here, however, as I'd prefer not to get into the realm of illegal distribution. Were we to progress any farther down that road, I might be compelled to begin moderating messages.

-Tom

[JiggiUp]

What I was getting at is that digital PSN games are tied to an account and a device. As far as I know there's no way of getting around that. All the pirated rips of PSP games I'm aware of originated from UMDs. This also goes for the 360 and its XBLA platform--and XBLIG games even require a persistent internet connection. So the future availability of digital-only console games is always in question.

Like it or not, pirates serve an important role as archivists and preservationists of digital media. There are so many classic games that would be completely lost to history if not for emulation.

[Wyrdwad]

As far as I know there's no way of getting around that.

Yeah... there is. And it's not very hard, either. People do it all the time. That's why you have sites that offer PSP demos -- including those that are still licensed to specific accounts, which is the majority of PSP demos -- with all their DRM stripped out completely.

And that's the last I shall speak on this matter. And I'd suggest it be the last you speak on it as well. (:

-Tom

[Takao]

See, this is why digital-only is BS. You can track down physical games over 10 years after they go out of print thanks to Ebay, but when the publishers lose the rights, digital games are completely wiped off the map, with no way of obtaining them if they've got DRM. Spelunker HD would be lost to history right now if Tozai Games hadn't rescued it.

The only reason Spelunker HD would've been in a position to be removed from existence is due to Tozai Games buying the license. Obviously IREM can't be publishing games they sold the rights to on PSN.

[Kovaelin]

Any chance that xseed will buy back the license for Brave Story? I wouldn't mind that making a return on PSN.