I've got a couple questions that maybe someone can help shed some light on.
1. People attribute the rise of the PSP's fortunes to the redesign and Monster Hunter. While I certainly understand the lift from Monster Hunter, I really don't get why the redesign gets so much credit. Yes, sales always spike when a new revision or color is released, but this redesign was, IMO, extremely minor and not terribly exciting. It seems to me that, in this case, MH should be getting most if not all the credit for the PSP's continued success over the past couple months. If they had not redesigned the system, but still put out the new colors, and launched MHP2G and FF7 CC, would we not still be seeing similar sales at this point? Was that relatively small size and weight reduction really such a large trigger? I'm asking from a consumer's point of view, not the numbers, since we all know they spiked. It's the WHY I am interested in.
2. The PS3 plan from Sony and the analysts is that they will turn things around at some point and the PS3 will be a success in Japan. This will happen as a result of some breakout software and future price-cutting, and possibly a redesign. Basically a mirror of the PSP situation. Since this is going to take a while to happen, the generation will have to be a longer one. Is this a realistic expectation at this point? Is there any real credible evidence at this point that the PS3 has pent-up demand from Japanese consumers who are waiting for said titles or a certain price point? By the time this happens, what will the Japanese 3rd party situation be like on the PS3? Will they keep making games for the platform looking for a light at the end of the tunnel, or will they stay wary, causing a "chicken-and-egg" scenario that endangers the PS3's "rise from your gwave" scenario?