PlayStation: Will There Ever Be a Vita 2? - Podcast Beyond

IGN - The Beyond boys debate if Sony will ever test the handheld market again.

[DanielGearSolid]

Smartphones are all the rage.

Their next handheld has to double as a functioning smartphone to make it.

Idk how they will implement the physical buttons and analogs... maybe slide out, or detachable piece... But a real PlayStation Phone, would be the way to go. Imo

[LOGICWINS]

"Their next handheld has to double as a functioning smartphone to make it"

Agreed, but how would they swing that when they can't even sell their pre-existing smartphones due to their ridiculous unsubsidized prices?

They'd need to workout a deal with Sprint, AT&T etc. to give people a discount on this device when they sign up for a two year contract.

And even THEN, we're talking about a full fledged gaming handheld/smartphone. Thats a hell of a lot of tech to go into one slim device. Its gunna be hot in there.

Smartphones these days ALONE barely last two years because they weren't designed to last that long to give people a reason to upgrade. Got my GS4 last May and the touch screen doesnt respond at all sometimes.

Imagine having to pay $300 every two years just to upgrade to the next version of the Vita phone?

Its just not gunna happen. There are two many barriers in place.

[DanielGearSolid]

That's a good point, by today's standards the smartphone itself would be obsolete in consumers eyes 2 yrs.

Paying another 300 for the next PS phone wouldn't be a big deal to many, bcuz that's the normal phone cycle these days. In my imagination, they can upgrade the specs and apply extra power to the smartphone portion of the OS while maintaining the same maximum output for the games. So that games would be compatible across all sku's

Given Sony's previous console slim downs I don't think fitting the tech in would be a problem. But idk

Overall it does sound unlikely tho....

But if they could find a way to make it work... I'd be all over that

As far as the smartphones they sell now... They use premium materials (glass, etc) which really drives up the cost. For the PS Phone if they use the same materials as the Vita it shouldn't cost too much

[bouzebbal]

what's killing the Vita slowly is the inconsistency in the message Sony has been trying to give.
started all with PS3-graphics games on the go, AAA support and dual analog stick for optimal core experience.
now it's nothing but a very expensive PS4 companion with no AAA what so ever..

I don't hope for them they will release another handheld because that would just not make any sense and for sure i'm going all Nintendo from the beginning when it comes to handheld.

[ABizzel1]

More than likely no there won't be a Vita 2. PSNow fundamentally eliminates the need for it, if they get the pricing right or subscription fee right.

Any mobile device you have pretty much becomes your "Vita 2", for that matter even the current Vita would become a "Vita 2". On top of that mobile hardware advances too fast to really keep up, and Vita is suppose to be a high end mobile gaming device.

Personally I would like it to happen, but there will need to be some chances for it to have the mass market appeal Sony wants.

1. It'll probably need to lose the name PSP / PS Vita, for something simple like PS Tab.

2. It'll have to have android OS powering it, for a chance at mass appeal.

3. It'll need to be affordable but decently powerful tablet. $199 - $299 max depending on performance, being a real Android device can help with the higher price.

4. It'll need good specs. 8" screen 1080p / 2k resolution. Tegra 5 or Tegra 6, 4GB RAM, 16GB internal storage.

5. It can't have proprietary memory cards with outrageous prices. I know it's to prevent piracy, but those prices hurt the consumer just as bad.

6. It needs to be heavily integrated into the PS4 / PS5, even more so than the Vita currently is. Crossbuy is a must, Remote play on par with the Wii U gamepad streaming is a must, PSNow is a must, bundle with a DualShock 4/5 is a must, etc...

I still don't see it being a success to the levels of the PSP, but it should sell as well or better than the Vita (thus making it one of the best selling android devices, and could bring in more sales with each iteration), and it'll need significantly less investment sine everything powering it is proven technology, and the PS ecosystem will be more open by then.

[LOGICWINS]

too*

[C-H-E-F]

The vita should last this whole console gen. there's no need for a vita 2 they just need to put more focus on AAA games first and 3rd party vita exclusives and i'm sure it will pick up. Vita 2? what's the point? I don't see a plus in making a Vita 2 when they can't even focus on the Vita.

[LordZ]

Agreed.

The vita has power to last this entire gen. Once the ps4 domination is complete, they will do a vita re-launch with a new model, price, games.... My guess is 2016.

[dodgemoose]

They've already done this - the Xperia Play -> http://en.m.wikipedia.org/w...

As far as I'm aware, it was a complete flop.

[iamnsuperman]

Not going to happen. They will just put remote play on their current, popular smartphones. There other playstation focus will be PS Now. A playstation phone has been done before and it flopped.

[SuperBlur]

It'd be awesome if they released a bare bone vita for remote play, could still play digital vita games by streaming it from the ps3/4. A lot of my friends would jump on that, its range surely would surpass the wii u controller , i cant even get to the bathroom without the darn screen freezing.

[beerzombie]

I would buy that. that's what I though the windows phone would have turned into but sadly not.

[Magicite]

No there wont be Vita 2, same as there wasnt PSP 2, there will either be some new name or no handheld at all.

[3-4-5]

Smart phones are GREAT.....for making phone calls & surfing the internet.

They SUCK at gaming though outside of HD graphics.

[gangsta_red]

Will There Ever Be a Vita 2?

No...end of convo.

Sony is moving on to tablets, set top box and focusing on their VR and PS4 machine. Maybe they might go back to their phones, that would be a good move. But releasing another Vita? No way.

Edit:
Now where is Spotie to reply to me some crazy, non related, fly off the handle comment?

[MasterCornholio]

"Now where is Spotie to reply to me some crazy, non related, fly off the handle comment?"

Your expecting him to ask you out or something?

;)

[gangsta_red]

That's pretty much what I would expect from him to tell you the truth.

[ritsuka666]

Will There Ever Be a Vita 2?

Nope. I doubt Sony will release another portable after the failure of Vita.

[WitWolfy]

Vita a failure; Could you please provide us a link where Sony admitted the Vita being a "failure"??

Being a Vita owner myself, I think its one of the best device I ever bought.

[DualWielding]

I'm also a vita owner and love it, but you have to be blind to argue it has not been a commercial failure... the only reason I think Sony may try again is how well the 3DS is doing in Japan, I can see a Sony executive walking on the streets of Tokyo seeing virtually everybody carrying a 3DS and thinking 'I want that market for myself?'

[iamnsuperman]

@DualWielding

But they do not have Pokemon. That is a major crux of the issue. Sony will always struggle to be that total dominating force on handhelds because they don't have Pokemon. Pokemon will sell handhelds. There best bet is to give those people a reason not to buy a handheld in the first place and try to erode the market further. Remote play and PS Now could be that reason (of they sort the pricing out on the later). I mean I think a Sony executive would be more pleased if all those people in Japan are playing 3DS but they all have Xperia phones in their pockets.

[bouzebbal]

Vita is a failure in the sense that it completely fails to deliver what it was made for in first place and what people have bought it for. People have seen it as a definite improvement of the PSP with dual analog sticks cause what limited the gaming on PSP was the lack of a second stick.

Sony are clearly not gonna release any AAA from their big studios and are promoting Vita now as an indie station. nothing is wrong with indies but i really dont only want indies and on top of that since tearaway no game uses touch pad and screen anymore.

[TongkatAli]

Please buy Danganronpa, I want you to have a good time.

[Torque_CS_Lewith]

Commercially it IS a failure and no amount of creepy machine ero-love can blind you from that fact.

I put it simply for you. Vita sales forecasts have been lowered and adjusted by MILLIONS by Sony and yet Vita has failed to achieve a single one of those forecasts. That is commercial failure for 3 years in the eyes of Sony.

[irishyort]

If nothing else this device is a great indie, Borderlands 2 and PS4 portable machine, I love mine. Diablo 3 (however gross but, on the toilet for a while) is fantastic.

I totally agree, see a few posts down :)

[iSuperSaiyanGod]

As a fellow vita owner , the vita is a failure . Are we gettin the new madden that launched this week? Are we getting any new assassin creed games? Are we getting a wwe game? . I'm just saying even the psp got regular games like other console did . They're not even trying to support it like they did the psp . Like I've said before . It I didn't use it for remote play . I wouldn't use it at all . Pretty sad honestly .

[ritsuka666]

Could you please provide us a link where Sony admitted the Vita being a "failure"??

In the last NPD VITA sell only 15 k units. This not a failure?

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boa...

[DualWielding]

@iamnsuperman

They would never have Pokemon but if they are willing to invest they could get Monster Hunter back, or even Yokai Watch which has become the pokemon killer

[DigitalRaptor]

Definitely not.

I think Sony has the answer to handhelds pretty sealed up. They will keep selling the Vita for the next few years, possibly until the end of this gen, but investing in another one (more powerful) is an obvious risk, unless they learn why 3DS is popular and do what Nintendo does.

[WeAreLegion]

Buy The Pokemon Company?

[irishyort]

99%.

Well that and Mario franchise to finish it off :)

Get Kart and (headbutt) Mario on board and done.

Why are people comparing Nintendo here... It's a Vita article!

See it's all well and good to go on about this vita vs 3ds issue for some people, but WiiU is in a worse position but the 3ds is saving it. Same goes for the ps4 at the moment with saving the vita..

So who looks better..

In AUS prices for a non selling WiiU are around the $499 mark and a 3ds is $159

A ps4 is $549 and a Vita is $199.

Now I don't know the profits on the machines but i'd say the consoles are making more $$ than the handhelds.

So that being the case Ninty is in serious trouble being that the WiiU is a dismal failure even more so than the Vita so..... where is the point you are making here.

PS4 vs 3DS... PLEASE!

[Kevlar009]

Pokemon, Zelda, Mario (both platformer and Kart), Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem are what I believe to be the cornerstones of the 3DS library. Who else makes games of that type or quality? And they're games you can play for short intervals at a time again and again, even once you beat the main game. And they work offline so you don't feel like you're missing out going solo.

3DS is also much more kid/general population friendly than the Vita. Combined with a ton of memorable Nintendo franchises (which also have a wide base) gives the 3DS a fighting chance against the competition. The Vita tries to stick by its bigger brothers but ends up getting hand-me-downs, it doesn't have as good of a focus. The Vita is the console gamer's handheld but doesn't have what it needs to back it up. The jrpg market on the Vita is healthy, but I does the design and cost of the Vita really sync up with those games?

[Klonoa-dreamtraveler]

if they do hopefully the memory cards arent crazy expensive like they are now.

[MasterCornholio]

I think after the Vita I'll just buy an 8 inch Xperia tablet. Tablets are getting more powerful every year and its up to developers to stop making casual crap for them and start making real games. The only problem are the controls though which can be fixed if you can connect a good controller to them.

[WeAreLegion]

I have an Xperia Tablet Z, Cornholio. It was made for a DualShock 3. It's even in the settings menu. :D Works great for everything but Minecraft. :/ Still no controller support on that one. Wonderful for emulators though!

[slivery]

I find all the comments here really ridiculous. First off none of these gaming companies need to cater to this smartphone and tablet trend to that extent or for that matter build their devices around phones.

Another thing, with the success that was the PSP, I seriously doubt Sony is just going to stop after the Vita as it is doing a decent job in Japan. Which is probably enough incentive for them to make another.

That is like declaring this will be Nintendo's last console just because the Wii U isn't doing as well as they hoped either. It isn't like the Vita is killing Sony, it just hasn't performed as good as they expected it to.

The idea of needing dedicated gaming systems to be more like phones is completely ass backwards when phones have become the only things mimicking PC's and consoles/handhelds. It should never be the other way around. I truly feel the gaming fad on the phone side will die eventually because PC and console/handheld gaming will become far superior to anything you will ever see on phones let alone tablets, people just won't be happy with mediocre games anymore.

The problem with phones is they aren't specifically made for gaming or even come close to what a actual PC is capable of doing in terms of processing, they have horrible battery life because of how small they are (in regards to heavy usage like gaming) and more importantly power requires bigger chips, with phones everything is trying to be thinner but that actually causes problems when shrinking chips, problems that can greatly affect performance due to having to shrink the copper wire channels or could even lead to a chip that just doesn't function properly because of so many short circuits. The only way around that is coating them with cobalt instead of tantalum, but doing that would also significantly increase the price of these already outrageously expensive phones and tablets.

It can only go so far with phones and tablets, with PC, consoles and handhelds you don't have to worry about that as they are a bigger and their main goal isn't necessarily trying to be that small or that thin which is a common theme with every new phone you see or tablet, it is thinner or more compact in some way.

Also did everyone forget what a failure the Xperia Play was...? People call the Vita a failure without mentioning that abomination? Yea sure, just assume turning it into a smartphone will fix everything when Sony already gave that a shot. I don't want some crappy gaming device at the cost of it being smaller or having a lame slide out control scheme.

The day everything we do is on a damn tablet and phone is the day I seriously will never use another electronic device like that again. It isn't me being a snob, it is just the fact it's completely and utterly retarded that we are back peddling with all the progress we have made in history just for the convenience of having it all in the palm of our hand at the cost of quality, performance and functions.

It is god awful enough as it is now, that every where I go, every freaking idiot it seems has their head buried in a phone 24/7 as if the world around them doesn't even exist anymore.

Sadly 99.9% of all these people who buy these expensive devices don't even use them for anything important or to actually better themselves, so it isn't like it is making people smarter, just making them lazier and more ignorant. Now I am not saying smartphones and tablets are completely useless but you get my point, they have many uses but I truly believe they will never replace dedicated gaming.

[irishyort]

I'm totally with you here.

Remember the Nokia Game Gear too....

[irishyort]

Only one reason for a Vita 2.

They haven't really supported the 1st one enough to justify it for vita games.

And to be honest, it could, with a little effort play most modern games anyway so why upgrade a barely supported machine.

I have logged over 70 hours on the Borderlands 2 game and still loving it. in saying that if it was on my PS4 and I was remote playing it, I'd love it even more though.

However, I am now playing Diablo 3 a lot on the vita. Maybe people should see the potential of the vita by playing their ps4 on it too.

in short - no reason for a vita 2 unless they find a way to remote play your PS4 games far quicker than having to be in the same house as it.

[worldwidegaming]

Hardly anyone wants a Vita! Its not cool like a PS4 is...
Remote play? I would suggest you buy a Wii U because you will have a better time with it now and in the long run.
Numbers do not lie...opinions can not beat sheer numbers.
PS4 is selling like crazy worldwide but Vita is on the same sinking ship that the kinect and move are on...
It would have been cool that those 10 million owners of the a PS4 would have bought a Vita but then we know better now don't we.

[irishyort]

Are you stuck in the 90's. You sound like a geriatric idiot.

What games are a better experience on the WiiU for remote play???

Good luck with Mario while I'll be playing:
Diablo 3, The Last of Us, GTA V, Watch Dogs, Destiny and Far Cry 4 on my Vita remotely while you are crying in the corner with your 2 games...

WiiU doesn't have great AAA or indie games announced for it, what the hell are you thinking about comparing remote play in this case...

Think before you comment dude, it's common sense!

[worldwidegaming]

Thanks for assuming I am a FanBoy and not a Gamer.
Never been disappointed by a Nintendo game that I have purchased yet. Same goes for Vita games.
I have been with Xbox one and Ps4 games...
Diablo 3? Enjoying it!
The last of us? beat it.
Watch dogs? On my PC not so great!
Destiny? Day 1.
Far cry? Day 1.

People buy Nintendo for exclusives!
Its as simple as that, and I think it would be sad if you let hate and being a fanboy mess up your chances to enjoy the Halo,Uncharted or mario worlds.

[TongkatAli]

All gamers should make a campaign troll for the Wii U like the Nintendo fans did to the Vita. They have trolled it mad hard since day one.

In the words of Monokuma "Now I'm really angry, hehe" X )

[Qrphe]

If anyone hardly wants a Vita than neither do they want a Wii U. Both devices are commercial failures.

[Sheed]

yeah this is no secret.
But, at least Wii U has some games on the horizon that people want unlike the Vita

[nevin1]

Forget Vita2, PSP2 will a better choice.

[Ryuk_2007]

No, the vita has failed. Sony ignores it, turned it from a next gen handheld to a remote for the ps3, then a remote for the ps4, now a indie machine and finally to the junk bin.

[Xb1ps4]

If they did I wouldn't buy it...

The price of memory cards is what killed the vita, I wonder if sony even realizes that? Most like they don't because the prices are still ridiculous...

[Illusive_Man]

No. If anything they should just let any phone access PS Now titles and maybe launch a controller that could fit around any phone model. But dedicated gaming handhelds are pretty much dead unless you are Nintendo.

[qwerty676]

nope, although they wont admit it. they've pretty much given up on the vita for the western crowd.

the fact that they've done nothing to even promote the thing at e3 or gamescom is evidence enough.

[HentaiMasterRace]

No! Sony should instead focus on the Vita, and try to pick it up again. They shouldn't even think about making another portable without saving this one. It's doing well in Japan so if they even did, then it would probably be a Japan exclusive device. Which is probably for the best.

[qwerty676]

if they were focusing on the vita they would have promoted it more at e3 and gamescom.

[Spotie]

"Sony SHOULD focus on the Vita."

Reading comprehension is sorely lacking on this site.

[LordZ]

The vita has power to last this entire gen. Once the ps4 domination is complete, they will do a vita re-launch with a new model, price, games.... My guess is 2016.

[KakashiHotake]

I seriously doubt it. Sony has very ambitious plans for Playstation Now, and the very smartphone or tablet that you already own could potentially be the Vita 2. In fact that PS Now has the potential to completely change everything. It could come in the form of an app you download on your computer or come installed in your new television set that comes bundled with a DS4.

Some people think it's a bad thing but by not having the burden of having to manufacture millions of consoles, all PlayStation games can be done on more powerful dev kits and streamed to your TV of course that's all in theory and bandwidth plays a huge role but the internet is improving at a faster rate than anyone ever imagined so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Sony now understands it's much easier and profitable to sell software and services than it is to sell hardware which is a far more risky affair.

[desertpunk86]

i like the vita but extra credit explains why the vita failed http://youtu.be/REaUzHef9h4 and a vita 2 is a big no no for a company that spent most of last gen loosing money.

[feraldrgn]

I wouldn't call the Vita a complete failure, it's still got a decent bit of support from the community (& Japan).
Disgaea 4 A Promise Revisited just may be the title to push me to get one:
Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

I enjoyed the PS3 version, but this one adds far more.

Then there's a couple more like Gravity Rush, Soul Sacrifice Delta, FFX with FFX-2 HD (maybe), Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment, Ys Memories of Celceta & Muramasa Rebirth.
Those are the titles I'd get & I'm pretty picky.

[worldwidegaming]

A bunch of RPG's all coming from Japan.
I have almost all of them and some purchased twice (Disgaea for example...) When you look at the games being released you see a trend where there are hardly any non Japanese developers making games.
Companies want to make money and feelings do not keep companies in business.

I FEEL that Sega should release Phantasy Star already! been waiting like 2yrs already!

Sega obviously sees the Vita sales numbers and does not think its profitable..If they did they would have released it already!

[Sheed]

Unless Sony wants to lose money...
Nintendo's grasp on the handheld gaming market is just too strong.