They wouldn't shrink the screen. If anything, they'd go luxury with Gorrilla glass and another inch or two to compete with tablets, which is what they should have done in the first place. High spec, OLED PS branded tablet with controls and an awesome library? Yes pls!
I think a Vita XL - for lack of a better term - priced at $249 and a standard Vita at $199 would be a better value proposition.
Edit: And the media really should give it a year before the doom and gloom. How quickly we all forget that the DS was languishing and rotting on the shelves till Nintendo dropped the price by 40%. The device still isn't tracking on par with its predecessor the DS outside of Japan either.
@ above if they went all tablet it wouldn't be any point because tablets need apps and the ps vita wouldn't be profitable to make apps for based on the lack of user base compared to android iOS or even windows.
@vishant101, that doesn't even matter because the Vita is a handheld gaming device first, and a media center second. The Vita doesn't need to an application userbase to compete with other mobile devices... It's for playing games on. REAL games. Not mobile, casual, kitty crap.
What are you talking about? Vita uses off the shelf mobile components and a CPU/ GPU combo that aren't difficult to program for at all. They just need a proper media streamer/ remote-play, some version of office (Docs2Go or Polaris) and possibly Barnes and Noble for books and such. We're not talking about a huge financial undertaking here, just app-enabled services.
Couple that with a larger, nicer screen, 16 GB internal storage, PS Mobile, AND physical controls, and you actually have a unique value proposition within the market. As it stands, the Vita isn't really much more than a pimped out PSP and that won't be enough for it to differentiate from the herd and succeed.
Edit: Reverent. Clearly marketing the Vita as a "portable gaming device" only isn't working. The Vita has had better games from the get-go than almost every console ever launched with more to come. Games alone won't sell the Vita in this market. People want a unification of features and services. I don't know why core gamers are so afraid of change, but I for one would rather play all of my gaming content on the same device that I do portable work on (tablet). Right now my attention and resources are split and it's annoying. Like it or not, we are moving toward a convergence of technology.
Sony at least acknowledges this with PS Mobile and their Gaikai acquisition. They know that the era of set hardware is one of diminishing returns.
I hate the media. They want to see this system fail and they are pulling hard to make sure it happens. These sites are stupid too, because positive news will attract gamers just the same. Also sites that aren't filled with dicks usually get special coverage and I like that. Getting to read and see behind the closed doors material. It's been all doom articles. And then Sony comes to Gamescom and blows everyone away and still it's all doom articles.
There is not one thing at Gamescom that I won't buy. Unfinished Swan, Rain, Until Dark, Tearaway, Smart As, Puppeteer, and all the games previously announced are going to be mine. And my daughter wants Wonderbook like no other. She really wants Walking with Dinosaurs and Book of Spells. So Sony is doing a lot right and I am damn proud that they are innovating and continuing to innovate.
NukaCola said "They want to see this system fail and they are pulling hard to make sure it happens."
You aren't the only one who's noticed this. Certainly a news aggregate site like N4G does a lot to highlight the problem. And it seems like it ramped up all of a sudden as well. We're seeing 4-5 "Vita Doomed" or "How can Sony save Vita" articles a day now despite the strong Vita showing at Gamescon. It's like they're trying to convince us of a problem that doesn't exist, and even if it did exist it's really much to early to tell what it's longterm prospects will be like.
But they did the same thing with the PSP. There were countless articles about how flawed and doomed the PSP was, and in the end the system had a long and prosperous life selling somewhere near 75-77 million. That must really chafe at those who claimed the PSP was on life support all those years, except they're now all writing about the Vita's doom.
All we can do is deny them our hits. They're only doing it because it drives traffic. Although, I have to admit I've come to expect more from gameindustry.biz over the years. There's sites that are obvious havens for flamebait but this isn't generally one of them.
I really hate the media. It's pathetic how they keep on chewing the same bone. In three years time they're going to look really stupid, but that won't stop them. They'll find another bone they can continually chew on and what's the betting it's got Sony or Nintendo on it.
It's such a shame that the two companies they continual slam are Japanese companies. Coincidence? Maybe. Well build those walls high in America, shore up your battlements and burn all those bridges because out here in the bigger world Sony and Nintendo are doing rather well.
Kiddies can jump on this if they want. They can quote sales figures of two games, they can shout loudly about the success of Kinect, they can pretend all is well in the land of free speech (now there's an irony). Like someone said once:
It's called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
So gloat away. It makes the success so much sweeter. And please don't cry foul when sites like this fill with blood thirsty Sony and Nintendo fans. You brought it upon yourself. But you won't remember I've said this, just like I warned people when they gloated about exclusives, like when I warned people when they gloated about 40 million PSPs, Just like I warned people when they gloated about 15 million LIVE accounts. It's going to happen all over again... Hell, it already has with the sales of the 3DS. But those fools came back for more even then, licking their wounds and looking for fresh blood.
The only thing wrong with the majority of sane people on this site is that they try too hard to be balanced. Well you shouldn't be. You should remember what has been said and drive it deep when your time comes.
Well, games or not the Vita needs a price cut to start selling in better numbers. You price a device like a smartphone then be prepared for the general consumer to compare your device to smartphones when making a purchasing decision.
I disagree on the price cut mainly because Sony are not really in the position financially to do that just yet. And I can't agree that pricing justifies a comparison with something just because it's priced similarly either.
Bundles, yes and of course the one BIG problem Sony need to address: ADVERTISING. They need to stop being arty farty and just push the fun like Nintendo. I just hang my head when Sony advertise. Sometimes they get it right, but most of the time it just misses the mark my a very long MILE.
I'm not concerned for the future of the Vita, I honestly believe it's assured, but I would like to see those numbers rise a little faster in order for 3rd party support to come sooner rather than later.
I look at Sony's Fiscal year target with incredulity, but perhaps they have something up their sleeve for the Christmas period. I'm wondering (if the 16GB PS3 is real) whether they are going to bundle the Vita with it and compete with Nintendo. They have plenty of crossplay games they could bundle with that.
In short: I'm concerned for the low sales, not because I want the Vita to beat the 3DS but because I want the number to warrant the support it deserves. It's not doomed as many articles suggest for hits. It just needs a boost.
At least that i can agree with, GribbleGrunger. Marketing helps and yes, more sales could lead to better support.
Sony also needs to correct their way of thinking that a high end portable gaming device isn't going to grant you huge profits. They tried it with the game console and look at what happened, they lost a major portion of their userbase they built over the years, while bleeing previous profits away. A company like Apple can command a premium but they also have one of the most marketable names there is right now. People love the Apple ecosystem and how the software works within their devices. They also don't have the overhead Sony does. Steam is another example of how to do things right. Have a great relationship with its customers, offer great value and great experinces. While they too don't have anywhere near the same overhead expenses as Sony does.
@ Streets-You said in an article that nobody cares about the Vita when someone said to you Vita has cross game chat as your shitty precious 360, so if you're one of those, then why are you commenting here.... I'm a fan of Streets of rage, but not a fan of trolls!!!!!
Nobody is saying it is dead, they are saying it is dying. Same thing was said about the 3DS and truth is, it WAS actually dying. Nintendo acknowledged their dire situation and dropped the price and released hard hitting games, or in short, they SAVED the 3DS. SONY find themselves in a worse off position than Nintendo because the VITA is selling even worse than use 3DS was during it's dying days. Put simply, VITA cannot continue selling like it has been if SONY want to consider it a success. So obviously some strategy has to be put in place to avoid this, or simply put, they need to save it. Your emotional attachment to SONY is blinding you to the fact that VITA needs to be saved. Or perhaps you see it but just don't want to admit it because the term "save" is being used and implies weakness. Here are the facts whether you and your brethren like it or not: VITA needs to sell more than it currently is or it will die. VITA has been losing 3rd party support or has not been getting enough. VITA needs saving.
The Vita has the advantage of being marketed as a tablet alternative, something which the DS can never be. The Vita is even made of stock mobile parts. However its lacking in application software and still pushed as a high end portable gaming device - it can be BOTH. It should be to survive. But yes, Sony are shooting themselves in the foot with their lack of clear branding or focus.
I wonder why Microsoft Xbox don't get the same treatment???
Maybe because these media creeps are scared stiff?
Because Sony & Nintendo are small puny fry to feed on?
But when these media creeps represent humongous American companies like Apple & Google Microsoft just looks like a George Bush Fly on the fly swatter!!!
What a laugh XD
Amazing what American money can do.
Sony & Nintendo combined is puny compare to M$ in terms of money yet M$ billions did nothing to put them out of the game. Why?
GribbleGrunger: "I really hate the media. It's pathetic how they keep on chewing the same bone. In three years time they're going to look really stupid, but that won't stop them"
In 3 years time the whole landscape will change. 3 years, especially for a portable device, is a long time now. Nintendo corrected its pricing early on, they didn't wait 3 years. It's about supply and demand.
"It's such a shame that the two companies they continual slam are Japanese companies. Coincidence?"
I'm just going to take a wild guess but do you think most of these artcles were written in the U.S. for U.S. concerns and from a U.S. perspective? Perhaps you should be only viewing Japanese media from Japan if you don't like it. Let me guess, you're one of those who must reply NPD data doesn't talk about worldwide sales even though the topic is about NPD sales?
"Kiddies can jump on this if they want. They can quote sales figures of two games, they can shout loudly about the success of Kinect, they can pretend all is well in the land of free speech (now there's an irony). "
That's sounds very immature and kiddish to me.
"So gloat away. It makes the success so much sweeter. And please don't cry foul when sites like this fill with blood thirsty Sony and Nintendo fans. You brought it upon yourself. But you won't remember I've said this, just like I warned people when they gloated about exclusives, like when I warned people when they gloated about 40 million PSPs, Just like I warned people when they gloated about 15 million LIVE accounts. It's going to happen all over again... Hell, it already has with the sales of the 3DS. But those fools came back for more even then, licking their wounds and looking for fresh blood. "
And even more immaturity. Instead of discussing a price drop and why the author believes Sony needs to on both Vita and PS3 you go off on a tangent about Live memberships? Then you totally contradict yourself by mentioning the 3DS which was corrected with a price cut.
"The only thing wrong with the majority of sane people on this site is that they try too hard to be balanced. Well you shouldn't be. You should remember what has been said and drive it deep when your time comes. "
You're already imbalanced because you think this is East versus West and your bias in favor for the East is quite apparent.
It's enough to get the most awarded game in history exclusive to there console, Its enough for constant game of the year titles, Its even enough to bring unique interesting titles to consoles.
Is it boasting or is it taking risky financial opportunities to make sure the consumers get quality products?..
It's this reason i don't understand why people hate Sony so much. They're the only console maker still bringing through fresh IP's and innovative games.
How is it empty boasting? The overall quality of the product has nothing to do with sales! As long as sales are large enough to perpetuate existing I.P's, and Sony continue to push the boundaries in relation to artistic freedom within titles, then it's a win win situation for gamers.
uuumm CommonSenseGamer is spot on. Sony are running a business not a charity. They'd swap all those GOTY and other awards for market dominance in a flash. You guys are horribly immature and take this personally for reasons unknown to rest of us.
Once Nintendo lowered the price of the 3DS, sales followed. Same thing is going to happen for the Vita, but I guess it's best to slam it now like we all don't know what's coming..
I believe Sony is taking the correct approach by not slashing price so suddenly, but offering bundles instead. I know many early adopters would have felt ripped off if Sony cut the price within the first months, myself included.
Maybe ! I think for a lot of people are going to buy it if the price is becoming like $200 ( Memorycard included). That is the sweet spot for many friends of mine.
You get what you pay for. $250 isn't too much to ask at all considering the quality of the device, It's generous of Sony to even sell it that cheap imo. If you're not willing to pay that much for a handheld, tough shit. Would you rather they made a cheaper handheld with half the features? That's not Sony's style. Sony priced the Vita just right and they shouldn't have to lower the price this early on. You get serious bang for your buck with the PS Vita.
I agree with half of the headline though, Sony's software is brilliant. PS Vita is a must have for gamers. I've had my Vita about two months now and have experienced some of the most amazing games I've ever played on a handheld. Games like WipEout 2048, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Lumines: Electronic Symphony, Mutant Blobs Attack, Gravity Rush and Sound Shapes just to name a few of my favorites. You won't find games like this anywhere else.
The future looks very bright for the PS Vita in my eyes. I can't wait for PS Vita exclusives such as LittleBigPlanet PS Vita, Ragnarok Odyssey, Persona 4 Golden, Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, Soul Sacrifice, Killzone: Mercenary and Tearaway. Thanks to Sony being so kind as to give us free Vita versions of games by purchasing the PS3 version, I can't wait for cross play games such as PlayStation All-Stars, Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, Guacamelee and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. Not to mention that PlayStation Plus is coming to PS Vita. Anyone who doesn't own a PS Vita is going to be missing out big time.
The higher price scares off many of the potential customers Sony needs. I wasn't of the opinion $50 or even $100 was a big deal over a gaming investment that offers 5-7rs of service (speaking of 360 & PS3 with 7yrs). But PS3 proved that people are REALLY stingy, & would rather buy old tech that is actually more expensive for what it is.
And still, many are opting for the cheaper 4gig (which is useless) slim 360, over a PS3, that is barely any more expensive (maybe $50-$60).
So it's kind of proven that people, especially casuals, soccer mums buying for kids, would prefer to get the kids the least expensive of the 2, which is understandable in that case, as most kids fail to look after such expensive entertainment. So, a machine with 2 screens, that does 3D, that is cheaper by a game or 2, is incentive for parents to buy for kids. They don't care that the PsVita is waaaay better tech The sales people in game shops really are no help either, as they do the bigger sell on the machine they may be biased towards, or the one that has the most games, peripherals & ad on that they can get extra sales from.
The biggest mistake Sony made with Vita, & the reason I WILL not fork over that much cash is the fact I would need 32gigs of memory AT LEAST, & those stupid proprietry cards were the biggest mistake Sony ever made, especially after the Memory Stick Pro Duo PSP, Digital Camera, Vid Camera balls up they made for there customers. I mean, I bought 16gig MSpro duo's (2off) that are absolutely useless to me now for anything but my PSP, & Sony don't even make them anymore. So, seeing Sony didn't even bother making the Vita be capable of running miniSD cards, along with these proprietry things, they will need to include at least a 16gig card (none of this 4 or 8 sh1t) with the machine in future...hell, 32gig included along with a $100 price drop in my country (Australia), which is expensive a$$ in terms of games, will get me interested in actually purchasing Vita. But at $330au, see ya later, I ain't paying nowhere near that for a pocket game machine that has no memory included, or 4gig at best (not sure, maybe they are offering 4gig cards with that $330 outlay, hell, for that ammount they need to be throwing in a 32gig card & 3-4 of the very best games).
You know something, though? We were expecting the Vita- with all its features- to cost a hundred dollars more than it does.
I think it's more a stigma against buying such a highly-priced accessory, as I doubt many would have had a problem with spending $400 on a 32GB Vita.
This is still before the 3DS price drop, which changed everything. I think, even if the 3DS had its current sales, nobody would be complaining about the Vita the way they do if the price was still at $250.
That's what I was thinking. It made me wonder that if Nintendo could drop the price that fast and that low then they were completely over charging customers from the start. I don't remember them saying they lost tons of money for the price drop. Maybe they did but I don't remember a statement about that. I would of been so pissed if I got a 3DS and then a huge price drop came. Lol.
Looking at the (Australian) JB Hi Fi website, no the Vita does not appear to come with a memory card. Just like the 4 GB Xbox 360 and Wii U, extra memory will need to be factored into the purchase price. Proprietary memory cards are ridiculous just like the proprietary over priced hard drives for the Xbox 360. At the expensive pricing of the Vita in Australia, along with the over priced memory cards (8GB $43, 16GB $65), the Vita will likely not do well here.
"Sony's Software Brilliance" i thought i would never seen this coming from a game journalist lol, i love the fact that sony has 2 of its ELITE stuidos working on the next wave of AAA vita titles that gives me hope to see others follow that initiative like Sucker Punch, Naughty Dog, Santa Monica and Polyphony Digital.
with playstation plus, playstation mobile, psone support and other ways to make use of your vita handheld like use it as ps3 controller and second screen add more value to the system, i dont think sony will do a price cut these holidays but its bound to happen, perhaps at the beginning of next year. But they want to sell as many vitas as they can offering bundles before making a price cut, i think bundles are almost the same as price cut.
But the thing that interest me the most is games and i like the message sony sent at Gamescon, hopefully they get more third party support on board.
It seems nothing is ever good enough for some people around here.
They so want Vita to be a failure and for what? They want the Wii U to be a failure and for what?
AS I just told someone it just seems like most people come here to hate on things they have no interest in. It's honestly confusing to me. Neither Sony or Nintendo are going anywhere any time soon. The two best gaming companies and yet some people want nothing more than for them to fail.. How can you be a gamer and want the companies that bring you games to go out of business?
I feel all the games being bundled with Vitas this holiday is just as good as a price cut
I really hate the media. It's pathetic how they keep on chewing the same bone. In three years time they're going to look really stupid, but that won't stop them. They'll find another bone they can continually chew on and what's the betting it's got Sony or Nintendo on it.
It's such a shame that the two companies they continual slam are Japanese companies. Coincidence? Maybe. Well build those walls high in America, shore up your battlements and burn all those bridges because out here in the bigger world Sony and Nintendo are doing rather well.
Kiddies can jump on this if they want. They can quote sales figures of two games, they can shout loudly about the success of Kinect, they can pretend all is well in the land of free speech (now there's an irony). Like someone said once:
It's called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
So gloat away. It makes the success so much sweeter. And please don't cry foul when sites like this fill with blood thirsty Sony and Nintendo fans. You brought it upon yourself. But you won't remember I've said this, just like I warned people when they gloated about exclusives, like when I warned people when they gloated about 40 million PSPs, Just like I warned people when they gloated about 15 million LIVE accounts. It's going to happen all over again... Hell, it already has with the sales of the 3DS. But those fools came back for more even then, licking their wounds and looking for fresh blood.
The only thing wrong with the majority of sane people on this site is that they try too hard to be balanced. Well you shouldn't be. You should remember what has been said and drive it deep when your time comes.
Sony's software brilliance still isn't enough
It's enough to get the most awarded game in history exclusive to there console, Its enough for constant game of the year titles, Its even enough to bring unique interesting titles to consoles.
Once Nintendo lowered the price of the 3DS, sales followed. Same thing is going to happen for the Vita, but I guess it's best to slam it now like we all don't know what's coming..
Maybe ! I think for a lot of people are going to buy it if the price is becoming like $200 ( Memorycard included). That is the sweet spot for many friends of mine.