Shiny founder, Dave Perry, thinks UMD needs to take a long walk on a short pier

I’ve never been a big fan of the format, but I’m not Earthworm Jim’s daddy. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Shiny founder Dave Perry had a few choice words about Sony’s PSP and the UMD format — mainly that it’s a waste of money, time, and investment.

Perry told GamesIndustry.biz that Sony “need to restart the PSP program,” and that the recent PSP remodel was a case of them putting their “head in the sand.” By “taking out all of the motors and drives and stuff they have in there,” Perry believes Sony can reduce manufacturing costs, and should begin fully supporting digital downloads. 

So why hasn’t it happened yet? That nasty albatross, known as retail.

“The truth is, the stores will not carry PSPs unless they feel they are going to get a piece of the action on the back end,” he says. “And Sony has not come up with an innovative business model that can support that concept.”

Here’s the ball, Sony — get on it.