In what is hopefully an indicator of how most, if not all, PSP titles will be released moving forward, Atlus has confirmed that on September 22nd SMT: Persona will be launching digitally via the PSN store simultaneously with the UMD retail version we’ve already known about. The PSP go doesn’t come out until October, but with the launches fairly close together this clearly seems to be a move on Atlus’ part to be one of the first publishers to please current PSP owners and early adopters of Sony’s digital-download-only device. Atlus always aims to please, after all.
There is one small caveat to this plan, though. When the game launches, the PSN version will carry the exact same $40 price as the UMD version. A UMD, might I remind you, that comes in a Collector’s Edition box set containing a 2-CD soundtrack.
Don’t know about you, but to me $40 seems a tad pricey for the PSN version — if you won’t get the collectible packaging and soundtrack it doesn’t seem fair to pay the same price. When NIS made Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! a PSN-only release the original $30 retail price was cut down to $20, and I would’ve expected something similar here (and in other future releases). If PSN versions are going to sell at the same price as boxed retail copies like this I’m not sure how much of an audience the PSP go is going to attract. Of course, by the time the go launches, Persona will probably be out of stock at most stores and consumers will be stuck with having to find a used copy or settle for the PSN version.
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
I see this as a (bad) sign of things to come … and a cynical reason why part of me hopes the PSP Go falls flat on its face.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlus comes back and changes the PSN price at some point. Atlus PR responded on the PS blog (which is full of commentators complaining about the price) and said this:
“While I have no direct response to your comment (and others’ comments expressing the same sentiment), I assure you that your comment has been seen and noted.”
Doesn’t confirm a thing, but it shows they are listening. And Atlus is one publisher I know takes this type of feedback from fans to heart.
The real problem are the retailers. If games launch simultaneously on PSN and UMD retailers (especially GameStop) will bitch and moan if the PSN version is cheaper.
Atlus … oh yeah, I almost forgot it was them … that means there is a chance.
But you’re right – the retail thing remains a pain, as it has since Half-Life 2 …