Playable UMD Demo Discs with the New “Official PSP Guidebook”
Fancy a magazine with playable UMD demos discs? Robin Parker from MediaWeek reports that Future is to publish a bi-monthly magazine - “Official PSP Guidebook” dedicated to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) beginning April 27, 2006.
By Robin Parker
MediaWeek. 2006-03-17 12:03 PMOfficial PSP Guidebook replaces a series of irregularly-published PlayStation 2 magazine specials, largely covering the PSP console, which recorded an average ABC of 31,859 last year.
On sale from 27 April, this is the third magazine dedicated to the console. Imagine bought the monthly title Go Play from Highbury last year while in January, start-up publisher Evolve Publishing launched the four-weekly title Pure PSP with a print run of 40,000.
Unlike existing titles, the magazine will offer playable demos of new games on a cover mounted UMD disc.
Future is also in the process of overhauling its ailing unofficial PlayStation titles, PlayStation World and PSM2, to cover the forthcoming PlayStation 3 console, following Sony’s announcement last week of a worldwide November launch.
In 2005, PSW’s circulation fell 37.6% to 70,077 and PSM2’s dropped 25.7% to 54,442. Future will re-launch both titles this summer, though Sony has yet to award a license for an official PlayStation 3 magazine to replace Future’s established Official PlayStation 2.
Cool Finally we’ll get to play more games.
I’m already sick of playing GTA.
Is this a hoax or not?
The magazine was supposed to be released 4 days ago, but none of the major retailers sell it. I also checked on the WH Smith website and it doesn’t list it. Further more, a visit to the Future Publshings website also doesn’t list the magazine for sale.
Could someone shed some light onto this subject?
@ConcreteMonkey;
I’ve been looking for it as well, and I still haven’t seen it available anywhere. I hope it’s just late being released, ‘cos I was really looking forward to seeing what demos were on the UMD
I think this is a hoax too. have been all over to countless newsagents and not a thing. searched the internet and nothing. Does anyone know?
Apparently it’s meant to be being published shortly after
Bank Holiday Monday (1st). It was late due to production delays but is definately going to be published as Future did confirm to me that it will. I don’t know any release dates but all I know is that it should be out within the next 2 weeks at the most if all production goes to plan now, without a hitch.
I just don’t have anything to say right now.
Just heard from Future that it will be published next week, I don’t know any specific dates but just keep a look out. There is a chance however it will be delayed again but keep your fingers crossed and hopes up!
@Ice Dragon
Thanks for the update - keep us posted!
I finally picked this magazine up today in our local branch of Smiths’. A bit disappointed with it to be honest - it cost £6.99 and the only new game demo on the UMD disc (it’s mainly old games like Wipeout Pure and Mercury) is LocoRoco - that’s been available to download for free for weeks now
Well there you are my friends! It’s Out! 8 Playable demos and at a price of £6.99. I think it’s not too bad to start off with but just interested to see what they have got in store for the future. Unfortunately they don’t have any information about subscriptions which annoyed me since I would like to get one. Magazine seems just as good as it should be. Only other thing is it takes time for the game demos to load, maybe they’re working on that for the next issue. Overall it’s not bad and you should go check it out!
All I can say is I feel sooo sorry for the other two PSP magazines! Whatever can they do!
oh yeah, just picked up a copy today.good magazine,very similar to those other psp guidebook’s, umd good even if i already have five of the games,but that isn’t to say it’s not worth getting. for true psp addicts like myself you need a first edition to start a demo collection. I think maybe they are a few months behind with some aspects of it and i am sure by the second issue it will be brand new games on the disc(coz that’s really why you buy it).
Just wondering if anyone knows if the magazine will offer a subscription. I’m a little nervous because it says special edition on the packaging which makes me think is it only for like a year. I want this to become an independant magazine just like Official PS2 Magazine. Yeh I’m sure they’re just catching up and since there has been such a big delay they might have just wanted to get it out there quick. Subscription price is my concern if they do one. OPS2M is £50 for 13 issues and each one’s rrp is 5.49 so i think we’re looking at 50-60 but it might just be too much money to even think about offering a subscription.
Price might go down of the magazine if lots of people buy it and it is successful.
Word of warning :
The demo disk is region coded and WON’T run on a US-bought PSP !
Rubbish - I have a US-bought PSP so of course it didn’t work. Was there any warning of this on the cover of the magazine? No? Was there any indication on the umd case? Yes, but only a small icon which you wouldn’t have been able to see until you bought the magazine and took the case out.
Rather poor; I’m taking it back.
Rubbish - I have a US-bought PSP so of course it didn’t work. Was there any warning of this on the cover of the magazine? No. Was there any indication on the umd case? Yes, but only a small icon which you wouldn’t have been able to see until you bought the magazine and took the case out.
Rather poor; I’m taking it back.
Future Publishing’s covermount feedback form is at :
http://www.futurenet.com/support/incorrect.asp
(for anyone who feels a need to complain about the region coding).
Cant wait check the last page of the magazine the next magazine is out June 22nd cant wait and should have a umd with it too as in the first oages it says [Regulars]- (UMD, Reviews etc.) woo hoo!!!
what game demo’s do you reckon there will be? smackdown, tomb raider or fifa world cup maybe?
Well yet again the issue is late. 22nd June as it says in the magazine and there is no sign of the next issue. Future Publishing are going to have to sort out this problem with the issues being late. Obviously it is because of the UMDs and writing the games and media to the disc. I assume that because it will have all been done by Sony that that is the reason for the delay. I saw Pure PSP Issue 7 today which actually looked quite good in terms of the free face plate for the PSP (Branded with the game Juiced: Eliminator). I would think they will put on a few games that are already out to fit in with the ‘Greatest Hits’ thing they are doing but also some unreleased games too. Hopefully they can stretch it up to 10 or 11 demos this time to make it really worth your dosh.
This is something pretty amazin Future has done it is just a big pity they can’t stand by their release dates. This is two issues now that have been late. How long will this go on for?
where is it has anyone seen it in their local newsagents or WHSmiths???
Nope I haven’t seen it at all. I think it’s just gonna be a case of checking WHsmiths every few days to see where it is. I wish Future would put the magazine on their website or find some way to tell us whats going on because we have no idea on earth where it is.
Ok well I’ve heard from future that it has been delayed AGAIN! And that it should be out on the 6th July. This is just getting a bit rediculous but anyway at least we have a date now. Just another week of waiting.
good work Ice Dragon, I appreciate your efforts.
Perfect, thanks alot. I was wondering where it was, I sent my brother out to find it tol, little brothers are great.
But I agree with comments about having details of the latest issue online somewhere. I already sent them an email about it, any chance we can get that done, or at least tell them what we want? im looking at you ice dragon…
Lol! Ice Dragon Rules! It’s no prob guys, I just want that damn magazine out as soon as possible! Well I have emailed them saying when are they gonna get this problem with the late issues sorted and also asking about a subscription for the magazine. I could organise a petition that people can sign maybe and send that in an email to them? Any other suggestions? I guess we also gotta catch em a little slack because it must be pretty damn hard getting the magazine on time considering the issue with the UMD and it only being available through Sony. The other thing is that they are working on two magazines at the same time OPS2 and OPSP (I like that name dnt u). Let me know wot u guys think.
yea i agree with you. the 6th defo ye? OPSP
Not Definately I’m afraid but pretty sure. Around then at least. Ok I’m going to create a forum dedicated to PSP Magazines for people to talk about them and They’ll be a bit where you can sign a petition to get Future to put up info on OPSP on their site. Please spread this website to as many people as you can! I want this to be successful! I couldn’t think of a good name for it so it’s just going to be ‘PSP Magazine World’.
i’ll definately join that. even if Future wont put the details of the mag up online, at least someone who buys the magazine will be able to post its contents and UMD contents on the website on the day its released. Then i’ll know if i want to buy it before going down the shops. A subscription would be cool too.
Whats the link to the site?
Oh my god !!! NO NEW DEMO! instead 2 books:
- Cheat Book
- Wifi book
And yet again no subscription, just at the back, were it says about the next issue (August 17th - maybe) a little cut out thing which says:
Please Mr. Newsagent, please send me the mag etc.
stupid! NFS Carbon looks wikid though
Also it isnt a real mag - OPSP - coz its always OPS2 special edition coz this one says - Issue 24 *£4.99*
OOh check out - http://playstationspot.co.uk/ - oxford st. GAME here i come!
hey its the 6th! anyone been out to see if the mag is out yet? Some details on the demo disk and main features would be nice
Sorry ignore my last comment, must have been posting at the same time…
Sucks that there’s no demo, why the hell did it take so long?
Oh I thought this might interest some of you. If you dont have a wireless connection and dont want to splash out on a router, or dont have the right modem, or plain just dont understand what the hell youre doing, then this might interest you:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FS9R1U/202-6088868-1137469?v=glance&n=300703
The Thrustmaster Wifi USB key is designed specifically for providing wireless access for PSP. It plugs into your computer through the USB and shares your internet connection no matter what kind of modem you have… at least i think thats true. Aparently the installation is really simple and it guides you through it all, as well as your first surf using your psp. I havent bought this yet, but as I have not been able to use the web browser yet, i think this would be really useful. Here’s a review of the USB key, if youre interested:
http://uk.gear.ign.com/articles/716/716001p1.html
also, some shots of the new PSP eyetoy:
http://uk.gear.ign.com/articles/715/715833p1.html
anyone seen a new one?
I have bought new one today but unfortunately there is no umd bur instead 2 booklets again. For me it’s a waste of money- it’s always late and now they don’t’ give demo umd anymore
Hi, Does anyone know the next release date for the new issue of OPSP? I know they are planning to do another UMD demo soon but I’m just hoping they continue to make them for ever issue soon. Cheers,
I.D.
when is the next mag with umd demos
if you are trying to download demos on the psp web browser visit psp.pspdemocenter.com on your psp to download all the demos available ps you have to download killzone on a pc and send it to your psp through a usb cable
have you any info on the next english umd demo