If Sony doesn't stop chasing that AAA dragon it's going to kill the Vita

GameZone's Joe Donato writes, "If Sony really wants to kill it at E3, or just start selling Vitas in general, they need to start offering things people haven’t thought of. They need to offer robust experiences in genres that suit the platform."

[brbobcat]

I feel like the Vita has been slowly picking up steam lately

[e-p-ayeaH]

with more indies?

[gear]

Stupid gamer/developer:U know what the PS vita needs is an indie game like PAC man ,pokemon (GBA version) ,all mini games the size of a speck it will boost the vita sales
Smart gamer/developer: what the vita needs is AAA titles or at least a remastering or remake of ps1 titles that will boost the vita sales
So which side are u on?

[Fixay]

i do own a vita but I don't think it really has picked up much steam as of late.

The Borderlands bundle did help a bit from what I could tell here on N4G, but we seriously need some big hitters

[Bundi]

How so? Sales? It sold 3300 units in all of the US in April and has sold less than 70k in total this year in the region according to NPD.
Worldwide the Vita, psp and the VitaTV sold less than 4.2 million in the last 12 months and Sony is predicting a 600k drop for the coming 12 months.

Games? What original games are expected to grace the handheld this year globally?

What is this steam that you see being picked up?

[Golibos]

ps vita slim bonderland 2 bundle..... release date may 2014 at US

[DCfan]

Ugh, i won't even bother with you.
Original games? it has more original games coming up more than all consoles combined.

[Spotie]

Oh, hi, Bundi. Trolling again, I see. You know what would answer your questions about original games for the Vita?

Google.

Amazing what a simple Google search could do. You should try it. It would prevent your from looking so ignorant.

[DigitalRaptor]

"Games? What original games are expected to grace the handheld this year globally?"

You can tell that when a person asks this question, their #1 reason to be here is to troll.

Bundi, if you actually cared, you'd already know the answer to that question.

[Bytor]

That's because there weren't any to buy unless you want to pay 300 dollars on amazon.

[Bytor]

That's because there were none to buy so your numbers don't mean shit.

[theDivision]

Especially if remote play continues to pick up popularity and more and more companies do it. If Destiny supports remote play I think that will be the selling factor for myself on purchasing one.

[MrSwankSinatra]

AAA games on the vita is not the problem it's the whole "consonle-like games on the go" ideology is whats killing the vita. Sony needs to realize that the market doesn't want that when it comes to dedicated handheld gaming. An i'm sure people will disagree but as wise man once said "people lie but numbers do not lie" and the numbers show that vita is not performing. Vita needs more AAA "portable" games rather than AAA "console" games.

[SouthClaw]

Exactly. Handheld doesn't really work well with console games. This is where Nintendo are ruling the market because they know their market. Lets be honest Sony never really understood the market. All I gotta say is PSP GO.

[Tross]

Sony and Nintendo are clearly better suited to different markets, and one could argue that Nintendo doesn't know the console market very well anymore, but yeah, they do know their stuff when it comes to the handheld market.

Sony's obviously approaching the vita from a Japanese perspective. Japan's work culture supposedly makes them so busy that handhelds are more popular, since they can be played on the train. There are people in NA who are also too busy to fit in much gaming time at home, and the idea of console quality games on the go, appeals to them too.

However, most people prefer console quality games, on consoles. Handheld ports of these games, can and do work, but the vita just isn't quite as powerful, and most ports aren't quite as good ad their console counterparts. What the system needs, is titles built exclusively for it. They can be console-esque in nature, but built from the ground up for the vita instead, with effective use of its strengths, and features.

Then again, handheld knockoffs are hardly the answer either, since I don't think there's much of a market for those anymore. There was a time when, say, the psp God of War titles, were well regarded, because even though they weren't quite as good as their console counterparts, they were pretty close, and in addition to being original games, were portable. I think that novelty has since worn off.

That's why I like Daxter for the psp. Ready at Dawn could have made a handheld Jak knockoff, but they chose to make a game that's unique, and tailored to the psp. I can't explain it, but it just feels right at home on the system. The vita doesn't have a game like that, yet. Uncharted: Golden Abyss could have been that, but it wasn't. Instead it was more of a gimmick selling title. Ok, sure, it used the vita's featured, but it felt forced, like it was made to be a big tech demo, whereas Daxter doesn't feel forced. Again, it's hard to explain, but I think the vita could use something like that.

[XisThatKid]

Keep the connectivity but give the console it's identity and keep the good innovative games coming that contour the console well. DROP the price on mem sticks.

[intellegent]

The Vita needs games like a new Crash Bandicoot made by Sony.

[yewles1]

"If Sony doesn't stop chasing that AAA dragon it's going to kill the Vita"

This article is WAAAAAAAAAY too late to the party on this one...

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

[jspillen]

The console games on the go idea really died more than a year ago. It's really been all about smaller title, indies, and ports. However, Killzone Mercenary and Tearaway were the biggest AAA titles. Both were great games anyway.

[goldwyncq]

We need more games like Tearaway - games that take advantage of the system's exclusive features.

[gamedebater]

Have any of you tried remote play? It's sickly accurate. You can play Child of Light on the go! It really works better than I thought. VITA is great, just needs more RPG's / platformers ect

[welly300]

Remote play don't wrk that good for me sky router not upto task.vita Needs more buttons the only thing that lets killzone down is that stupid touch pad at back needed extra shoulder triggers

[gamedebater]

you shouldnt be playing killzone on the vita. More like assasins creed / ni no kuni / resogun. stuff like that.

[majiebeast]

Every Sony studio has moved on from Vita. SCEJ last Vita game will most likely be Freedom Wars or Gravity Rush 2(if that hasn't been moved to PS4).

[Inception]

I highly doubt it, especially about Gravity Rush 2 moved to PS4.

[majiebeast]

SCEJ studio head Allan Becker has already this this in an interview every team at SCEJ is working on PS4 games.

[Inception]

This interview?
http://blog.us.playstation....

In that interview, i don't see Allan Becker said that or they will stop making games for vita. And if what you said is true than i'm sure SS Delta, Freedom Wars, and Oreshika are PS4 only, or atleast make it multi release for PS4/vita.

About Gravity Rush 2 moved to PS4, actually the 1st game is planned for PS3. But they canceled and moved it for Vita. Keiichiro Toyama, the creator and director, said Gravity Rush is more suitable for handheld. So i doubt they'll make another change, since it will divide the fans.

[tiffac008]

Also, Kat has become the poster girl for the Vita, so I doubt they would move a cult franchise and insult a loyal fanbase just like that.

[Inception]

Yup, that's right tiffac. Vita needs an icon and Kat already fill that role.

[SG1_dapunisherX]

Vita needs gta, god of war with new character, gt, rpg, ff, & new ip.plus no more ports sick of it.

[morganfell]

@brbobcat, it is picking up somewhat. There is a larger looming issue that threatens all consoles.

If adolescent self serving websites do not stop making failed ego driven stabs at journalism it's going to kill gaming.

[kingdip90]

It may kill gaming as we know it but gaming will always be around in some form or fashion.

Perhaps what is gaming's current model needs to die in order for gaming as a whole to mature and evolve.

[morganfell]

I think you are missing the point...I despise most gaming media and meant what I said but unbuckle from the seriousmobile for a minuite.

[TheEnigma313]

I just want more jrpgs for the Vita.

[Whxian]

that's the only reason i got a vita, because home consoles more or less were moving away from those, and altho 3ds does have some good ones like bravely default, the majority of it's games are aimed at children.
they have a done a good job of localizing several rpgs this year, and if they keep making / localizing, then i would have no problem with the vita.

[TheEnigma313]

I think the support will come. The PSP had plenty jrpgs.

[Inception]

Well, here the latest list:

- Freedom Wars
- SS Delta
- Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines
- Tales of Hearts R
- Mind Zero
- Demon Gaze
- Disgaea 4
- Soul Sacrifice Delta
- Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 2nd chapter
- Project Phoenix
- Destroyer Trillion

Shahid said there will be more JRPG got localized. And i heard Falcom workin on new Ys for PS4/vita. Maybe they will give some info about that on TGS.

[Baccra17]

Memory card prices is what's killing the vita.

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

Sony are really pissing me off with those ridiculous prices. In turn it probably hurts sales for software too, since you've always got to think about is it worth all the space on your memory card for that particular game. I have a ton of games I never play because I cant fit them on my memory card and it's not worth deleting stuff and then re-downloading them etc. It's actually REALLY bugging me that they won't even acknowledge how ridiculous the prices are.

[incendy35]

IPhone, Android and Windows Phone are what is killing Vita. No way I am carrying a separate device for gaming. Especially when they have so many more games and apps.

[Spotie]

Especially when none of those games are as in-depth or polished as what you get on a dedicated device.

[welly300]

Cant take any game iphone or android seriously. Ok for 5 min but thats it I can play vita for hrs.

[USMC_POLICE]

San Andrea stories would be a start!

[breakpad]

just BRING A proper MONTER HUNTER game on VITA and then you ll see what VIta is worth for ...and all the pseudojournalist will praise the system and its library..the only mistake that Sony did is that left this awesome perfectly fit for Vita franchise to be taken and go multi so easily

[cyclindk]

What is a "AAA Dragon?"

[Odoylerules000]

I have no idea.

[Whxian]

reference to southpark's heroin hero, check it on youtube

[DCfan]

Sony should let Atlus handle the vita at this point.

[jakmckratos]

Sony needs to stop focusing on ports saving the Vita and focus on getting grea games like tearaway and Gravity Rush on there. A Ratchet and Clank never hurt anyone either...I think the PSP one was one of the best...let some long lost console based series have their next sequel on the Vita....Jak 4, Ape Escape, Parappa 3(would be fun as hell with the touchscreen controls), Heavenly Sword 2, Medievil 3.

And get some good spin-offs like PSP did... a non-rushed Resistance, Uncharted WITH multiplayer, God of War featuring Kratos' brother in the underworld, Infamous with a water based hero.

Oh and make a new RPG that can rival Pokemon, that's a MAJOR reason for Nintendo's handheld success....if Ni No Kuni came out on the Vita instead of the PS3 I think it coulda been the killer app...so get someone to make you a Pokemon-inspired(not ripoff necessarily) game and you'll be set.

[remanutd55]

I agree with everything you said and i would add two more games there: A proper Motorstorm game, i think Motorstorm Arctic Edge on the psp was superb!!! and Gran Turismo.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

That all sounds pretty good but I doubt Sony will make any of that happen. Especially an RPG rivaling Pokemon thats asking quite a bit from Sony. Maybe E3 will tell a different story tho.

[Skate-AK]

Still love my Vita. Play it nearly every day.

[Inception]

Me too. Right now i'm playing Dokuro and some PS1 classic until Mind Zero release.

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

Love playing PS1 classics on the Vita.

[rhap]

With the backlog of JRPGs I got on my PSV all I can say it's awesome. :D Where the PS4 fails to deliver so far, there's the Vita.

[Smokingunz]

I agree with tross and mrswank, tbry couldn't have said it better.

[drecko0369]

you know i was thinking why dont they put battlefield on the vita with full 32 players or atleast 16 that would give many the console experiance they been itching for or even better cs source the vita allegedly has the power even if the play count was only 12 because even though kzm rocks it lacks the head count also i wish it had search and destroy

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

They can't even get Battlefield working on consoles/PC let alone a handheld. Would be cool if done properly though.

[DualWielding]

Exactly, more personas and more dagganrompas, less borderlands and less killzones

[slivery]

The perception that Sony hasn't been doing this is a bit absurd by now. I won't act as if they could not have marketed it better but I am so tired of hearing about the Vita's games already.

Just irks me, people complain all it has is indies or small games before, now people are seriously complaining about AAA games on the system? Then you have IGN putting stupid ideas in peoples feeble minds, that the last AAA games the Vita will get is Borderlands 2... I mean what the hell can Sony do to make you happy?

Another thing I find annoying about all consoles in general is that a lot of people think JRPG's can save any system. It just cannot grasp what you want, you people want more games for the system but then you only want a specific type of game..?

For christ sakes, It has good games and a good variety of them, sadly the very good games, for instance games like Tearaway, no one cared about or really bought? So is that necessarily Sony's fault because to say Tearaway didn't get a ton of exposure is total bullshit.

Lastly before I start tapering this rant off, a lot of people also have this misconception that Sony told everyone the Vita was a portable PS3? They never said that, they said the Vita can offer a console like experience and it does that very well. The only people who said it was a portable PS3 were idiotic journalist comparing every game it has to the PS3's.

So are people going to start writing articles about the Wii U and how Nintendo should stop making AAA Wii U games because they aren't selling as well too? I mean what difference is there between the two game wise? None in my opinion, both have great games but they just aren't selling that well.

I don't compute, just boggles my mind and no nothing is 100% perfect, so don't think I am saying the Vita has no faults but you cannot tell me there are any gaming systems out now that don't have any.

[Emanno]

I want an old classic Crash Bandicoot return to Vita but Activision doesn't care. All the company cares about is Call of Duty and Skylanders. In the hands of Activision, their won't be any games from the franchise, unless Ubisoft or Sony takes the license IP.