In a statement to the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, a Sony executive said the company won’t challenge adult companies.
"It is utterly undesirable, but we cannot stop software makers from selling such videos," Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Koichiro Katsurayama said. “It is difficult for us to impose restrictions."
Katsurayama said Sony had shared the specifications for UMDs, which do not need approval by the company, unlike PSP game titles which are licensed.
The hand-held PlayStation uses the universal media disc, or UMD, format, enabling the console to play games or videos recorded on optical discs 2.3 inches in diameter.
Similar to the DVD, UMD discs that hold up to 120 minutes of content can be produced and distributed by any company. Released in March, the PSP is a proprietary media-storage device for playing games, music and video. The $250 gadget is essentially a handheld PlayStation 2 console that features stereo sound and a sharp, 4.3-inch color screen.
Sony’s decision to give its blessing for PSP adult videos comes after a number of announcements.
U.S. content provider Porn2Go recently said it would offer a series of videos and pictures formatted specifically for viewing on PSP.
Two Japanese companies, h.m.p. and Glay’z, also plan to release adult videos on the UMD. The videos — which include titles such as “The Nurse of A Big Breast,” “High-Grade, First-Class Soap Mistress” and “Erotic Terrorist Beautiful Body” — are scheduled for July release. Prices for the full-length videos will range from $18 to $32.
Another Tokyo company will launch three titles in mid July.
In April, Playboy Enterprises offered content specifically formatted for viewing on the Portable PlayStation. Two nude galleries and a two- to three-minute video feature was available for Cyber Club subscribers on Playboy.com. The video featured 2005's Cyber Girl of the Year Amy Sue Cooper.
