Sony Computer Entertainment America made an interesting announcement on Wednesday during GDC Austin.  Looks like the PSPgo Minis will be losing some key functions most of us take for granted: wireless multiplayer, DLC support, and software updates.

All in the name of greater efficiency, according to SCEA senior account manager Justin Cooney.  Dropping these features would greatly "accelerate the approval process."  After a GDC session, Cooney explained:

When you look at it from a testing perspective, you have to do more QA.  [Allowing those features] would defeat the purpose of having a dedicated service for smaller content.  It increases the barriers.

From our perspective, if we're going to reduce the time it takes to get through our internal process, it helps that we don't have to check multiplayer features.

He went on to say that the QA (quality assurance) process for PSPgo Mini games is currently three to five days, which is significantly shorter than the average two weeks for original PSP titles. 

Removing downloadable content and software updates are just steps in Sony's "streamlining" process for the PSPgo.  These downloadable Minis can still include "hotseat" multiplayer, which has players pass the handheld around each turn.  Because you know, that's totally the same thing as wireless MP.

It's possible that Sony plans to target a completely different audience with the new Mini games, having eliminated features most core gamers expect from PSP titles.  Mini games will likely attract developers and gamers outside the core market we're used to, essentially ensuring that the original PSP maintains its image.  After all, Sony is no stranger to juggling multiple consoles across generations; we see a similar strategy with the PlayStation 3 and PS2.