OXM: why we don't need an Xbox Vita

OXM's Edwin writes: "Hey you, the elephant in the room! Bring that massive, touch-sensitive backside over here for a second - it's time for a few home truths. Gosh, you're bigger than you look in pictures. Shinier, too. Must be a real slog getting rid of the fingerprints. Have I mentioned how much I love your thumbsticks, your high res screen and your compact solid state storage format? Because I honestly do. But here's the thing: as tasty a machine as you undoubtedly are, you're not the only elephant in this particular room. There's a bigger beast behind you, a beast with a few cautionary tales to tell. You should be familiar with him. He's your older brother."

[LX-General-Kaos]

Japan would neglect it just because it was made in the states. That is reason enough as they buy and support hand helds the most.

[dirigiblebill]

Japan "does" portable gaming in a way the West just doesn't. The wireless hotspot culture is something else, it's bizarre.

[darthv72]

it would be neglected if it didnt offer something different. Ipod was basically like any other mp3 player. what made it the success was the service.

IF MS were to try and take on the portable market then they would need to do something that the others have not. A good example would be make the unit be more than just a portable game platform.

Make it a home console as well. Meaning that when you dock it to a tv it serves the purpose as the central media hub for games and entertainment. Much like the current 360/ps3 do but double as a portable when you want it to.

It would seem strange if it were MS to do that considering that i would think sony would go that route first and they still might. The PSP go is a good example of what works in spite of the social damnation the go received.

I use mine on a docking port to watch vids and play games on the tv and then undock it when I want to take it places. Hell even Sega toyed with that idea with the nomad. That was then...when things were expensive to do such ideas.

Now it is technology getting smaller and more convenient that it seems to make sense that the next wave of home consoles could double as portables. The big question mark is the tablet/smartphone market. it is so hot right now that a system that plays games and media just isnt enough in the general consumers eyes.

They want productivity (work related) and communications alongside the entertainment. Basically shrinking down the power of a pc and console into the palm of the hand but still being able to connect it to other devices at will when not on the move.

Then again...brand recognition does have its place so who knows how well something like this would be received if it came with a name like MS or Sony or Apple on it.

[Jam_sponge]

Bad idea. Apple already have that market hugely cornered, Xbox should stick to doing what it does best.

[darthv72]

thing is, there were already plenty of media players on the market before apple brought out the ipod. It wasnt so much the device as it was the service and what it offered.

People jumped all over the ipod because of how it was marketed and it just grew from there. The ipod as a player is pretty basic and there are others that beat it with more features or flexibility but because the trend was all about itunes...those devices didnt get the level of exposure the ipod did.

[NYC_Gamer]

MS should just stick with the smart phone/tablet/home console market

[PetitPiPi]

Agreed. I can't wait to get my hands on a tablet running Windows 8.

[darthv72]

but what if they were to combine those features into one system? A mobile device that doubles as a console when docked.

We are seeing this trend more and more with tablets and phones but they are lacking real gaming support.

If anything, that is where we are headed in the next few years in regards to game consoles (IMO).

[hazardman]

Their Zune HD players are very underrated in my opinion, I can easily see a bigger Zune HD looking real nice as a tablet.

[darthv72]

has the 4gb zune and i was impressed by it in comparison to his friends ipod of the same size and capacity. It seemed more flexible with downloading songs and videos to it.

As for that, I know the "zune" itself is no longer in production but the idea of it lives on in the new windows phones and 360. It will too on the tablets.

People will criticize the zune because it came late to the party but it seems it is more criticized because it has MS name on it. Anyone who really gave it a chance would see it is on par if not better than the comparable apple product.

[BigBoss1964]

I gotta say I would at least like to see an Xbox handheld

[MK24ever]

With almost a non-existing first-party support, it would be a hard war to fight... Nintendo and Sony have plenty of franchises, Microsoft has Gears and halo, and both games were to milked already to make a big impact.

[AmaZinG]

Xbox Portable would be even a worst failure lol

[MaximusPrime]

Owner of ps vita for third day running (yes I got it on the 21st) and still impressed.

I think MS should try out handheld market, halo on handheld, forza on handheld, any top games on Xbox will be awesome on PS Vita-like console.

That's my opinion btw

[delosisland]

We don't need hand helds, we all have smart phones for internet and time waster games. If I'm not home or on vacation, I am not playing video games. I am doing fun stuff. Some people need to realize there's more to life, and this is coming from someone who LOVES gaming. Get outside, don't buy $300 portable game machines. Try something new, find a new hobby or visit some place outside your city. That is all, good day.

[Rainstorm81]

People do all of that and still use Handhelds and for people who like depth from their games, smartphone time wasters wont be enough..... i work, travel and still picked up a Vita for my downtimes with nothing to do,

So get off your high horse and let people enjoy what they enjoy, That is all

[shaun mcwayne]

I think ms are incorporating more into the connect to your xbox through your mobile phone, with the windows phone.

[dcbronco]

MS is concentrating on getting all of their systems working together. Phones, tablets and PCs all have the power, or near it with the phones, to run 360 level game. If all of those different platforms are running Windows 8 or some form of it, why build a totally new system? Open Arcade and 360 games to the other systems for an instant catalog. A catalog far better than what the other portables offer and concentrate on bringing new experiences to them. I know I'd rather play Skyrim on my phone instead of Angry Birds.