2009 is looking to be a big year for Sony’s once written off PSP, and ahead of the announcement of a redesigned unit at E3 next month Sony has revealed a new marketing drive aimed squarely at the 8-15 year old market.
The move will place PSP as a more direct rival to Nintendo’s 100m plus selling DS, and will centre on a new online PSP community hub – pspinyourhands.com. Sony will encourage users to upload images related to their interests in a 3D gallery.
New Media Age reports that Sony will also be working with a number of children’s websites and will offer prizes such as summer holidays.
“PSP is going for a younger market, which isn’t something we’ve really done before,” SCE UK product manager Claire Backhouse stated.
“Our heartland is 16-24 year old men and always will be — they won’t be neglected in the slightest. But the summer’s game releases, such as Harry Potter and Petz, as well as the launch new PSP colours, are certainly appealing to an 8-15 year old audience.
“The hook of the campaign will be to encourage kids to come to the site, build their own world and create a community."
Though there’s still no official word, CasualGaming.biz understands that the heavily rumoured new PSP that will be revealed at E3 will be called the PSP Go! – a brand that Sony has already used for non-gaming PSP lifestyle products such as its camera accessory and travel series.