How Sony is Turning the PS Vita Into the Ultimate Indie Device and What it Means for the PS4

Not long ago, the Xbox 360 was the platform for not only some of the biggest names in gaming, but also for smaller, independent developers that thrived by creating great games for Microsoft’s console.

At some point in the past couple of years though, Microsoft’s love for the indie scene stopped.
- PSLS

[TrendyGamers]

Can't wait to start playing almost every indie they have lined up this year.

[dedicatedtogamers]

I'm going to be honest. I prefer handheld gaming. I have a high-end gaming PC, a PS3, and a Wii, but I do the most of my gaming between my DS, 3DS, and Vita. I'm a happy gamer when more and more games come to handhelds.

[thechosenone]

Lets do this indie devs!

http://i.imgur.com/xEh0zDQ....

[Cam977]

I've been on my Vita so much recently on GTA:VCS as I'm aiming for 100%.
Not only is handheld gaming more convenient (turn it off then play 5 hours later at the exact same point), but I can watch TV if I'm doing a monotonous sidemission for 100% completion to brighten it up. EG: GRAND THEFT AUTO sidemissions, especially VCS; there are 3 helicopter missions, loads of races and more. Most of which are repetitive.

I love my Vita so roll on Machinarium (SCEE are behind. Again.), Telltale's TWD, Terraria, LONE SURVIVOR, Stealth ******* which is set to be renamed and many more.

I haven't even touched the joy of playing PS1 games on the Vita...

[Protagonist]

I´ve been like that for years. Loved the arcades as a kid but I also grew up with the donkey kong game ( http://pica-pic.com/)

Def... need to get Machinarium for my PS Vita.

[Sev]

So true. The plans they announced at GDC were genius. I can see it garnering a ton of support from the indies. Let's face it, that is where most of the creativity is these days.

[alexcosborn]

Happy for Sony, but I still don't think it will save the device.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Vita doesn't need saving.

[JetP0619]

The guy above you just went full retard lol. Indeed the Psvita dont need saving.

[Minato-Namikaze]

@jet

You never go full retard, lol

[JoGam]

SMH.

[Veneno]

You concern yourself more with Xbox 720. That machine REALLY needs saving.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

The ultimate indie device runs Android. And that's where the majority of the indie devs are working. That and PC.

[profgerbik]

Not anymore. Developers have straight up said, PSN is a much better market since it isn't nearly as flooded daily with crap like Android or iOS.

[Hicken]

What "ultimate indie device?" You never have any actual details, just something vague to say "Sony's X device is lacking."

Just stop talking.

[dbjj12088]

I know that I love dropping $250 on a handheld for a $10 downloadable that I'll be done with in 5 hours.
/sarcasm

[dedicatedtogamers]

Yeah I know, rite? Because all indie games are $10 or more, and they only last 5 hours, rite?

/sarcasm

[dbjj12088]

You really think these indie games are going to move Vita units out the door? Especially when the SAME GAMES are available on the PS3s people already own?

[TongkatAli]

Ignorance is bliss...... nah, ignorance is just plain retarded.

Paying $10 or $15 for an awesome game with mad reply value, paying $60 or $40 for an awesome game with mad replay value.

Who do you think won more in this messed up economy ?

[Wedge19]

While Indies are great, Vita still needs more hard hitters...

[TongkatAli]

Soul Sacrifice is coming April 30th.

[Viper7]

But indies often hit harder than hard hitters. Doesn't that mean indie can be hard hitter as well?

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Amen Wedge.

Don't get me wrong,
I'm glad Vita is getting more games/developers. More games is always a win. Heck, one of these indie developers could make the next AAA title.

BUT ...
I didn't buy my Vita to play souped-up mobile games.
I bought it to play console style games.

[clintagious650]

Yeah the ps vita is definitely going to go hand n hand with the ps4. Indie devs are a big plus because they fit the handheld market very well.

[Theyellowflash30]

I think Sony needs to support the system with more triple A exclusive games. One of the reasons why the 3DS is doing so well is because of all the big exclusive games.

Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem Awakening, Mario Kart, Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus, Kingdom Hearts, Monster Hunter 4, Pokemon X & Y ect.

I'm not sure if the PS4 is going to help sell the Vita. Nor do I think a console should help you sell a portable. The portable should sell its self because of it's games.

Sony needs to rethink the memory card prices as well, or include a free 4 GB memory card with Vita. Because memory cards on Vita are expensive.

[TongkatAli]

Soul Sacrifice
Muramasa Blade Rebirth
Dragons Crown
Killzone Mercenary
Tearaway
AC Vita sequel
Gravity Rush 2

^
All will be mine. Don't mean to offend, but was that list suppose to make me jelly ?

@Pillsbury1
LOL! http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Pillsbury1]

Peanut butter jelly time!

[Theyellowflash30]

Jelly? No, but it's not about what you want, it's about what consumers want. And the 3DS games I listed are blowing the PS Vita games you listed away.

I mean, Muramasa is a port, Dragon's Crown is also in PS3, Assassin's Creed on Vita will be inferior to the console version, and Killzone Mercenary.... a shooter.

Sales aren't everything, but I think Pokemon X & Y will outsell everything you listed combined.

But if you enjoy the Vita, cool. Sony has some trouble in their hands. Especially when Monster Hunter 4 and Pokemon X & Y come out.

Those are massive system sellers the Vita just doesn't have.

[profgerbik]

Not including Toukiden that will release in Japan sometime soon. It is published by Tecmo Keoi so there is a chance of localization.

[jrbeerman11]

Agreed, aaa exclusives are important. Vita does have soul sacrifice, p4 golden, uncharted, while sharing some ps ones such as pasbr, disgaea, and mlb the show.

Unfortunately 3rd parties want install bases,and install bases are built by games, so its the chicken and egg argument.

Anything that increases vita sales will help us get the aaa games we want.

[Theyellowflash30]

Sony needs to support their own system. The 3DS isn't getting a lot of 3rd party support and it's selling well.

The problem is Sony is not making enough quality games to push Vita's

[KwietStorm_BLM]

So they should rehash the same IPs over and over again? Yes that might just work.

[Protagonist]

@Theyellowflash30

What does this have to do with Nintendo?
And who exactly are you are spokesperson for?

Go play your system and stop pestering PS Vita articles.

[Theyellowflash30]

True... Imma boot up Fire Emblem Awakening right now.

[Ult iMate]

@Theyellowflash30
What's wrong with Persona 4 Golden or Atelier Totori Plus? I'm playing Ragnarok Odyssey right now.

[Protagonist]

@Theyellowflash30

Do that while I enjoy Persona 4: The Golden on my Vita.

Mitsou takes time to beat.

[CEOSteveBallmer]

I Like Indie games on vita but I dont want the vita to only have indie games and 0 hardcore triple A games like uncharted golden abyss, Assassins creed 3 liberation and etc. I hope they dont forget that and not only focus on indie games. focus on both

[Sithlord-Gamble]

My sentiments exactly.

It needs to be of equal amounts.

[Genuine-User]

@Theyellowflash30

I'm guessing you don't have a Vita and absolutely love your 3DS.

I have both the 3DS and the Vita. Sony is far ahead in quality and quantity in my opinion.

[Veneno]

My brother only buys his son nintendo products. He has a 3DS. When I let my nephew play with my Vita for an afternoon He loved it way more than his 3DS.

But that doesnt mean he would trash his nintendo games for Playstation on3s. It means that Sony just doesnt do a good enough job raising awareness for the Vita outside the Hardest of the hardcore gamers. And they completely screw up on big opportunities like Black Ops Declassified. Had they put in the time and money necessary to make that the game everybody wanted and expected, The Vita would be a huge phenomenon right now in the Western market.

It just seems like Sony doesnt care about making the Vita a huge succes and screwing up Call of Duty is all the proof we need of that.

I personally dont need the Vita to be everything to everyone because I am a hardcore gamer and the Vita provides for the need s of the hardcore, but then p3ople do need to face that the Vita will not be a mainstream success.

[Stefanrules7]

Im not a huge fan of indie games and i think the way indie games gave been represtenting the vita lately has made me wait a little longer before i buy one, at least until some big games come out on a regular basis

[pete007]

im waiting for next gen PONG for vita, some say its the jesus Christ of the system

[_FantasmA_]

So Pong belongs to a cult that is homophobic, pro slavery, pro rape, etc? No thanks.

[nigelp520]

All I want now is a new Syphon Filter

[_FantasmA_]

This is great. While I'm not into these kinds of games at all, I hope they can help extend the life of the Vita enough so that we may see Bioshock, Tomb Raider, Biohazard, Silent Hill, GTA, Syphon Filter, and any new future Sony franchises on the Vita.

[boybato]

I honestly did not buy my Vita to be an indie box.. but hey, I'd rather play them than halfassed AAA titles cough *COD* cough

[Minato-Namikaze]

I'll assume you bought a vita to play great games. Where they come from makes no difference to me. I'd play mines more if i could get a bigger memory card (still a little upset i missed when AT&T had the 32GB on sale for $50).

[Psychonaut]

I wouldnt mind if the Vita became a haven for indie games and CrossBuy/Play titles.