Sony is looking at both sides of the fence when it comes to digital distribution. On one hand they are simultaneously releasing first party PSP games on the PlayStation Store and in retail. On the other they are bundling PlayStation Network games onto UMDs.
The same strategy was applied to PlayStation 3 software with games like Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Siren: Blood Curse netting dual releases (well for some regions) and packing PSN games like the PixelJunk series on Blu-ray discs. The next game getting the PlayStation Network to retail treatment looks like The Last Guy.
Japanese retailer Game Star says a retail version of The Last Guy is scheduled for release in May at the suggested retail price of 3,480 yen ($35). Order directly from Game Star and you can shave 300 yen off your purchase. (Yeah?) Even at 3,180 yen The Last Guy is an expensive purchase. Yes, games are more expensive in Japan and this price falls in the “budget release” category. However, the digital version only costs 2,000 yen ($20) in Japan and $8 domestically. The extra ten bucks over the Japanese price goes towards video features and three exclusive maps.
This package doesn’t have nearly enough content for me to buy the Last Guy again, but people who prefer their games on physical media may want to be on the lookout for these kinds of re-releases.
