While Sony was planning a UMD to digital download initiative with the PSPgo, it never got off the ground. With PS Vita, the company seems to be taking things a bit more seriously. Although nothing is set in stone yet, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is considering to let UMD owners purchase digital conversions on PlayStation Network at a discount rate, reports Dengeki PlayStation.

Weighing in at 1.8GB for a dual-layer disc, the UMD was PSP’s format of choice. Often criticized for its loading times and impact on battery life, Sony decided to nix the format with Vita, opting to store game titles on flash-based storage instead.

In an ideal world, owning the UMD should grant you access to a digital copy as well, but this is the next best thing we suppose. Sony’s North American and European arm have yet to comment on these plans, so consider them applicable to Japan only for now.  Vita launches December 17 in the region.

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