Sony Rumored to Be Readying PSPgo App Store

The PSPgo is getting rid of the handheld's UMD drive in favor of digital distribution, but according to a new rumor, that digital distribution could extend beyond standard retail games. Destructoid reports that "sources close to game development" have told them Sony is planning to reveal an app store for the PSPgo at Games Con, set to take place in Germany in August. 

According to these sources, Sony is encouraging developers to create "small, non-retail" games and applications that would sell through an updated PlayStation Store at significantly lower prices than full retail games. Sources say Sony is considering a tiered pricing model, with content priced somewhere between $2 and $6, and with developers having the option to release free applications as well.

File sizes for these smaller games and apps will be limited to 100MB, but otherwise, developers will have free reign to create what they want. Apparently, Sony specifically encouraged the creation of "non-game apps" and 2D titles. Lastly, Sony reportedly said this app store could be available by the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

Destructoid contacted Sony, and although they wouldn't comment on these specific details, they didn't exactly deny their intention to expand the PlayStation Store, either. "We are making a concerted push towards expanding the content available on the Store, particularly with the demand for digital content that will spike when the PSPgo launches this fall," responded Sony Computer Entertainment America's Al de Leon. "This push includes new titles that are also launching on UMD, PSP catalog titles, PSone classics -- double to nearly 60 titles -- and PSN exclusives."

On top of this, de Leon reiterated that Sony has dropped the price of obtaining PSP development tools, saying the move is meant "to support development of smaller titles from a broader range of developers and publishers. As part of this effort, we're also streamlining the development process, including concept approval, licensing, and publishing."

Put it all together, and it sure sounds like an app store lies ahead in the PSPgo's future. Looks like we'll all know for sure when Games Con begins this August.