Sony: No UMD-To-Digital Conversion For PSP Upgraders

The question of what PSP owners who want to upgrade to a PSPgo will do with their UMD discs has lingered in the months leading up to the new download-only handheld's launch, but it's now clear they won't be able to transfer their discs into digital files. Although Sony has said it will continue to support UMD alongside digital formats, the company has been candid about the fact that it hasn't exactly decided on what to do for PSP owners who've invested in UMD libraries but now want to go digital with PSPgo. The company has said in the past that it was exploring conversion programs, but now tells consumer weblog Kotaku that such a thing just isn't possible after all: "We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time," a Sony Computer Entertainment of America spokesman told the site. Yesterday, however, Sony said it would offer a voucher for three free titles via PlayStation Network from a list of 17 games including LocoRoco, Patapon and Wipeout to PSP owners who upgrade; the company thus far has only specified the program for Europe, but is expected to pursue comparable initiatives in other territories.