Pachter: 3DS Will Survive In Diminished Market, Vita To 'Die Slow, Painful Death'

On the state of the PlayStation Vita:

The sales are horrible. My model says the Vita sold 4.2 million last year. It's a pretty small number and I don't think they are going to build a business selling 4 million a year -- and that number could go down. Vita is a little bit too elegant and a little too expensive. I always feel like I'm going to break it. But then it has relatively few games because they are complicated to make and the market is so small. Very few publishers are spending money to make them. You had Assassin's Creed: Liberation, that cost Ubisoft a lot. It's a whole new adventure. Sony will spend the money with their internal studios, but you're just going to see [Vita] die a slow, painful deat

[PSNintyGamer]

Sounds like his predictions for PS4 and Wii U.

[nidhogg]

I don't even know how this guy is being trusted by bigwigs. Seems like almost all his predictions are complete bogus at best.

[us_army]

I think everyone, including Pachter is looking at the Vita all wrong. They look at overall unit sales vs the other scenarios to making money and deeming a console successful. The Vita is far behind the 3Ds yes, but has in fact sold millions (we fail to remember how big that number is).

Where it stands out is attachment. The average Vita user has about 9-10 games. That is a massive attach rating when compared to other consoles (See IGN).

Long story short, it does not appeal to the mass market, but to PS fans or hardcore gamers on the go, it has been a true luxury. Sony is making good money on the software and truly helping the success with many small, start-up developers. Throw in the mix with PS4 and PSNow down the road, you will see the Vita to sell consistently. Sony is not pushing it to the masses, they are pushing it to the audience that it fits, and guess what, it is working. If you are skeptical of a Vita, you probably dont own one.

[TomShoe]

Didn't the Vita just beat the Wii U in sales this week?

[ABizzel1]

Just like the Wii U, the PS Vita has a chance. I really don't understand what's going on with the Vita. It's a great little portable, but no one's giving it the chance it deserves.

The common argument is that there aren't any games on it, which is a complete lie. However, there is a lack of known, established, AAA franchises from both 1st and 3rd party on the Vita which is likely what they mean.

That part is true, but there are a bunch of good games to play and discover. PS+ alone covers your Vita library INSTANTLY with strong titles like Uncharted, Gravity Rush, and MUCH more. Cross Buy helps with PS3 / PS4 / PSV games as well. FInally the PS4 and PS Now should bring more life to the Vita as well.

Sony needs to focus on re-marketing the Vita demonstrating it's PS4 and PS Now functionality, it's affordable $199 price, have a wave of AAA games come to the handheld throughout the next couple of years (FFX, FF13 Agito port, Gran Turismo, Assassins Creed, etc...), and they need to get those larger Memory cards out at reasonable prices.

The Vita will be alright, they just need a rebranding of the product and get PS Vita TV a world wide launch. It's not going to be a huge seller, but I can see it hitting around 50 million units sold if they start getting more AAA franchises on the handheld.

[Prime157]

I feel like he just throws out predictions left and right to be able to say, "I told you so" when either the left or the right happens lol. All he does is take value of some emotions and current trends to form his crappy observations, imo.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he say (sometime before e3) than ps brand was doomed?

[tiffac008]

Correction! He does not predict, he either make jinx assumptions or states the very obvious. XD

[TBONEJF]

he needs to be punch in the face that's all.

[Elimin8]

lol.. so true

[3-4-5]

You can't trust a guy who makes his living making "money decisions" for people.

Money rules his thought process...it's clouded his judgment.

[Kribwalker]

Kinda funny how millions of units is a lot for vita, but millions of units is failure for Xbox one.

[dcj0524]

Who said the xbox one is failure lol?Both PS4 and XBOX one are doing great.

[Kribwalker]

That's not what 85% of the people on this site would have you believe

[Kribwalker]

I am perfectly happy with my Xbox one, and like I've done the last 3 generations, as price drops hit other consoles I will purchase them and their exclusive only games. I will still play my xbox exclusives and multi platform games on the one, and play the other exclusives I want to play for ps4 and wiiu. The Xbox one has better exclusives right now so I'm in no hurry for my ps4.

And you wanna talk about doing your homework, the vita has been out for 2 years. In 6 months the xbox one will surpass total sales. At double the price. The 3ds has had no problem selling, it's the terrible support of the vita from sony that is dooming it

[Exari]

didnt patchter say that the vita is already dead? now its GOING TO die slowly? spoiler alert: next episode, the vita is going to fight death and will be back to life, then final episode, the vita is a great handheld game console.

[teflontactics]

Only if by "slow painful death" you mean "keep delivering awesome games I can't help but play" - I've barely put my Vita down since I got it Christmas 2012 and my backlog just grows and grows.

There may only be seven or eight million Vitas out there, but they're selling software for it like hotcakes. I've got around 50 Vita games and almost everyone I talk to who has one of these amazing portables has at least 10-15 games in their collection (if not much, much more).

The Vita's dying... pfft. Someone fire this guy.

[bothebo]

Are you serious!? First off, let me say that I myself own close to 30 vita games. However, I would only say that about half of those games are quality software. Yes I'm crapping on indies because the majority of them contribute next to nothing to the system and offer little content. Only AAA software will really move consoles. Example, Bioshock Vita which was supposed to have been done by now but Sony is too cheap to pay 2K to make the game even though there would be a high long term return.

Let's look at sales. The Vita has only sold 7.3 million units in almost two years. THAT IS AWFUL!! So in seven years the Vita will sell 25.5 million units? Lol, you're stupid to make such a remark because developers are businesses and they need money. AAA studios take risks, indies do not, hence they need a large install base to get a return. Software sales for the Vita are below every other console in the world except the PSP according to VG Chartz!!! Now this doesn't include digital, but it still points to the fact that people are not satisfied with the library of big games hence, why they are turning to digital sales. Three of the four highest selling games on Amazon haven't even released yet!!! Oh wait why don't you check Gamestop: same story. PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT SOFTWARE. Myself included, you do not even have the right to speak on behalf of Vita owners because everything points to the fact that you are wrong. People are not happy with current software on the Vita.

[teflontactics]

If we're speaking in terms of money made, now that you've bought those 30 games (whether you like them or not) they've already made their profit off you and your point is moot. You can bitch about needing AAA titles and indies sucking all you like, but regarding you as a consumer, they're in the black which is a sustainable business model.

It doesn't matter if they sell 1 unit or 100 million units, if they're netting a positive income off the consumer on average (instead of losing it) that's called profit and it's perfectly sustainable.

Sales numbers on consoles do not directly equal success or failure, get your facts straight.

[kreate]

are raging cuz of the vita's sales?
or are u raging about the software?
or are u raging about sony?

sony is making games for ps3, ps4, ps vita.
what's ur problem exactly?

cuz it just sounds like a hater rant.

[kayoss]

@bothebo
How many IOS game that are considered crap but still made thousands of sales? Indie games are not AAA games, they rely on the same model as IOS and Android games. They're cheap and people will buy them to try it out to past the time. I agree that AAA games are what move hardware.
My main complaint is that SOny have not really advertised any Vita games. I dont remember seeing any Vita game comercial so far. Even if there was a AAA game being released, the only people who knows about these are hardcore fans and Vita owners. Potential consumers will most likely not hear about it.

[kopicha]

I have more than 30 games. I can say that I am satisfy with at least more than half of what I own. And it makes me even more a happy owner with how well it work out with my PS4.

[for we are many]

Lol, vita is already dead.

[NYC_Gamer]

PSV is such a solid piece of hardware without any real type of support..I don't think the handheld will last long unless a major change in direction happens..Where's all of that promised support?PSV/Wii U are in the same boat right now.

[bothebo]

Lol thank you, the change has to come from Sony. They need to be aggressive in bringing developers to the platform and this does not mean indies!

[360ICE]

Why on earth does it not mean indies? Right now, this is the only dedicated handheld console that you can play games like Terraria, Hotline Miami and Spelunky on.

I'd love to have Mark of the Ninja, Rez and more on the machine.

[SpiralTear]

Sony needs to stop just letting the Vita sit there on the market and actually do something with it. As everyone says, it's a great piece of hardware (aside from the rear touch pad, which is terrible). Big screen, solid controls, awesome layered dashboard: it's a great piece of hardware and Sony thinks that the hardware will magically carry it to success. But it won't. It needs more games, plain and simple.

@360ICE

Sony has been very respectful to the indies. There's no need to pitch to them any further, because they've already proven that the Vita is a good system for them. Sony needs to put in the extra effort and get a big game. A really big game. Tearaway and Soul Sacrifice are great, but Sony needs something much more substantial to make the Vita look as powerful as its hardware implies.

[imXify]

Aggressive ehhh ?

PS4/Vita bundle WHERE ARE YOU !?

[nidhogg]

Okay so the Vita is gonna survive then! All hail Pachter and his back-firing predictions! .... seriously, someone fire this guy. Anyhow, adding my opinion on the Vita, I'm currently enjoying everything it has to offer right now. Despite these so-called "predictions" the game machine just can't find its own space on public interest as of yet. I understand that smartphones are the way to go but give it time... just a little more time until Sony decides to use some of its IPs for development on a Vita game. I'm knocking at you Infamous :) in short, I love and will continue to support my PSV! More of those awesome RPGs please!

[CocoWolfie]

dont agree with his portable console predictions.. the market its self wont die, there will always be people who want portable actual games. as for the vita, the games costs less because its not that powerful, thats a good thing, from what i heard assassins creed made its money back, it sold like 700,000 copies from awhile ago. the vita needs to push forward to survive, no way people/fans will let it die.

[kayoss]

I would ignore any of his predictions. He predicted that when the PS4 and Xbox one they will not succeed because of the mobile gaming industry. Ipads and tablets will take over home consoles. Its funny how the Xbox one and PS4 sold millions in its first few weeks of release.
Patcher dont use a crystal ball to make his predictions, He get his predictions from sticking his head up a donkey's Ass, thats why his predictions are full of crap.

[fonger08]

I feel gross for even admitting this but "part" of the market is gone, switched to phones/tablets for mobile gaming... little kids are impressed by even the crappiest $1 games. It's not that the dedicated hand-held market will die, but how much of the pie is left? How many pieces of hardware or software must sell to break even or make a profit especially with some of these high-end games? I mean the numbers don't lie, the 3DS and Vita aren't selling as quickly or much as their predecessors. I guess what's the equilibrium level for developers and hardware manufactures to make money in a smaller market?

[fonger08]

There's nothing wrong with the Vita outside of it just being great system with bad timing. Truely only hard-gamers are the ones that appreicate it, but Sony's message and advertising for it is just confusing, is it a controller or a portable? What games does it have? Many core gamers who just read negative articles about the Vita much like the Wii U, are often left wondering why bother?

[respekanize91]

Love my vita, I will be honest though it is mostly used in airports/vacations, casino hotel rooms, power outages, and remote play with my PS4. ps3/ps4 get the grunt work when I am in my home. I still buy games but i keep them backlogged so i have something to do in those scenarios..

[theshredded]

oh really?still waiting for the new version to release

[KrisButtar]

I own a Vita and I couldn't recommend it to anyone while giving it my honest opinion. I've even told a few friends to skip it until something changes.

[mcstorm]

I agree. I sold me PSV not too long ago. I was really excited for the PSV when it came out but to me its not had the games I wanted to back it up. LBP was fun but too short imo and did not offer much different than the 1st 2 games.

I felt UCGA was too hand holding but looked nice.

MNR which I loved on the PS3 was poor and got old quick with the lack of online MP.

Resistance was ok for a 1st fps game on the PSV but MP was no the best.

I did not grab KZ as by the time it came out I decided I was getting read of the PSV as there is more on the 3DS that im interested in down the line.

I do hope Sony can turn the PSV round as the hardware is grate but for me its lacking the games I want I also think they need to open it up to none gamers too as it will help attract more people to the console too. If the games come out for the console I fancy down the line I will look to pick another one up but at this moment in time its not for me.

[KrisButtar]

I bought mine for AC3L. I had a bit of fun with a couple games and I haven't sold it yet. Don't want they turn things around. All my friends have PSPs and love them but I'm the only one with a Vita. None have interest in the Vita.

I'm not interested in my Vita anymore. I only ever play my handhelds at home so, I really was hoping for a adapter to be released for it that allows me to connect it to my TV like my PSP can do. I still play my PSP a lot, and hooking it up to my TV is the only reason I do. This reasoning is also why none of my PSP friends have jumped to the Vita even though they want to play Vita games, they won't buy one until then.

Instead of an adapter they come out with Vita TV. which seems like a money grab to me as it can't play all the games and you can't even use an actually Vita as a controller. So it can't even be used as a glorified adapter. All Sony did was make a big mess in there handheld department.

[mcstorm]

I agree about not being able to connect the psv to the TV but then bring out vita TV they should give the option on the psv too.

I know people on this site don't like any negative news about Sony but I have to agree. For me I was mega excited for the psv and my other half even went out and pre ordered me it for day one without me knowing as I was going to pick it up a month after it was out.

I can't fault the hardware (apart from the price of the memory cards) but the software is really lacking and as I have said nothing has had me excited on the psv where I thought the 3ds would be the console out the two I play the least but far from it Pokemon, Mario kart, Mario 3d land, resident evil, pilot wings, Zelda and more have been battered on my 3ds.

It is each to there own and I don't want the psv to be a failed console but I just don't see anything in its line up that seems to be the killer app so to speak. PS all stars was another game I got excited about but again felt let down by it as for me it did not have the quality of gaming or generate excitement like super smash bros dose when playing it on the psv or ps3.

At the moment for me Sony seem to be getting the hardware right with there new gen consoles in the psv and ps4 but at this moment in time are lacking the software to go with the hardware.

I'm sure Sony will pull it round and some of the games coming to the ps4 soon like driver club seem promising but only time will tell for me anyway as I say its each to there own.

[JohnnyTower]

A Vita/PS4 bundle would make this argument moot. As long as PS4 supports Vita, they will be intertwined. The vita can ride some of the success of the PS4.
As for the 3DS, it is the perfect handheld. I cant say enough about it. They are still selling like hotcakes and with good reason. They have a solid lineup of games and more on the way. I cant see it slowing momentum anytime soon.
Cell phone games are garbage. There isn't a single game on the apple store that is even close to Fire Emblem or Link Between worlds. I cant see them being a threat to hand held consoles right now.

[Inception]

Lol pachter, not this clown again

[InTheLab]

I think it speaks volumes that the best use for Vita that Sony has come up with is to use it with the Ps4 and stream last gen games through PSNow.

It just feels like Sony never really tried with Vita and I think sales reflect that.

Vita is dead and it's Sony's fault. No internal memory. No mini hdmi out. No controller support. A decent to mediocre lineup of games but only a few must haves.

[noxeven]

I love my vita and i love my 3ds. Only reason i don't own more then 5 games on vita is the fact that everything i want doesn't get released over here. There are a few games that came out digitally ive love to get but i already own there counter parts on ps3 and 360. Other then that Id love for tales of heart r to get an English translation of sorts. Needs less to say conception II and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc are pre-ordered and payed for I'm just waiting for release

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

Vita will be fine its almost ahead of the dreamcast. Lol. Srsly tho it will be fine sonys not gonna drop it or anything they'll keep churning out games no matter how bad it gets.

[StockpileTom]

"Vita is a little bit too elegant and a little too expensive. I always feel like I'm going to break it."

I have dropped mine a few times from 4-5ft high onto a ceramic tile floor. It has a few chips on the triggers but otherwise it is solid and works perfectly. I'm actually impressed with it's toughness... better than my PSP-1000

[teflontactics]

I dropped mine down a set of four cement stairs and then it bounced and slid about fifteen feet on ice. Chipped a little silver paint off it (no protectors) and put a few little marks in my analogs (slid face down), but it works fine.

I bet he thinks stuffed bears are fragile too.

[psDrake]

Vita will live in Japan for years to come and Japanese games will continue to support the platform but for other regions, I think Vita is sort of dead already based on sale numbers.

You can defend all you want, I am a Vita owner but numbers don't lie

[DanielGearSolid]

I assume Pachter is referring to the US, the Vita is picking up in the EU and JPN

[brettyd]

I like my Vita more than my 3DS but thats just me. It's a great piece of hardware just needs some support from bigger franchises. I wish R* would port over the old GTA games while they're making the IOS ones that no one cares about.

[izumo_lee]

I just wish all these 'Vita is dead' articles will go away. I bet the Nintendo fans feel the same way when talking about the Wii U.

As a happy Vita owner it frustrates me to no end how every so called expert is all of a sudden foreseeing a demise to the system. Do they have some kind of crystal ball or built a Delorean to travel into the future?

Every Vita owner i know are 100% satisfied with their purchase & if they had the chance to do it again knowing what we know now they would do it again. Look the 3DS is a marvelous device that Nintendo knows their audience very well & every handheld that does not have the name Nintendo will ALWAYS be at a disadvantage. Like i said many times that these so called journalist fail to realize is that Sony is the first to actually make a dent in Nintendo's handheld division. That alone is a win.

What i love about the Vita is that i have the luxury to import games cause of it not having region locking. I have bought 10 games from Japan that usually has no chance of coming over.

The Vita's attach rate is huge cause there are good games on it. Just cause it doesn't have the brand name people know doesn't mean the games aren't good. Many people are blinded by fanboyism & fail to see that the Vita is a great handheld with many great games & more to come.

When Playstation Now is launched it will really show the Vita's multitasking ability. Being able to play any game any where is something you just can't ignore.

[mamotte]

The big mistake is Sony still marketing the poor Vita as "a home console in your hands", and making console games work in the Vita. What the Vita needs is games made for Vita, and stop saying it's the PS3/4 little brother. Nintendo treats the 3DS as a completely different console, and it's working wonders for'em.

I mean, PS Vita has power, touch screen, back touch screen... it's a great hardware. But original games? The only reason I'd buy a Vita is Gravity Rush.

Please Sony, take the Vita out from the shadow of the consoles. It's all it need.

[Inception]

There's original games on Vita beside Gravity Rush. Soul Sacrifice, Toukiden, Tearaway, Freedom Wars, Dokuro, or Escape Plan are some example of games that build up from the ground for Vita.

The problem IS a lot of people "hated" new IP and only want popular franchise & yearly release like CoD, AC, or FIFA. Just look at how much CoD sell every year VS new IP like Tearaway. It's saddening and this is the main problem of gamers & gaming industry this day.

[RosweeSon]

Vita, Ps+ free games and a memory card (£200 max for the lot) console paid off in about 6 months what's not to like? They giving the games away, I love mine ;) and yes I always own a 3DS XL

FANBOY!!! Pfffft!

[WillGuitarGuy]

Why are Pachter articles still allowed on N4G? Smh.

[ajax17]

I for one don't like gaming on tablet/phone gaming. It feels much better when you have actual buttons. Plus Sony has some great first party stuff anyway. Vita isn't going anywhere, but it will need a hardware refresh soon. Outside of Japan, anyway.

[thejigisup]

At this point the vita's life is going to hinge on the fact that marketing needs to be increased along with title support. Its got a decent library but nothing mind blowing. People are buying new consoles because they expect an exceptional experience. People aren't buying vitas because there isn't enough positive word about it and they haven't been able to expect anything extraordinary. If sony markets this thing better support and demand should go through the roof. I love my vita and use it often, remote play and all it's quite amazing.

[TwilightSparkle]

I hope they all survive I have all console / handhelds I don't wont any console to die. Cause that means I wont have any games to play on on my devices

[Gamer-40]

3DS Will Survive In Diminished Market, Vita To 'Die Slow, Painful Death.

Another fail Sony. (PsP GO).
PSV cool and nice console, but the exklusuve AAA games..1-2. Weak list, very weak.

[Mackonthemoon]

I just bought a vita a few days ago. I have so many great games on it to catch up on in addition to excellent titles being released in the near future. No way the Vita is going to die a "slow painful death." It just needs more games that appeal to the masses. I'm more than satisfied with all the RPGs and great Japanese titles I've been playing.

[jspillen]

Does Pachter ever actually get predictions right ? Or does he just explicate hot air?

[CocoWolfie]

"You had Assassin's Creed: Liberation, that cost Ubisoft a lot." Feb 2012 (600,000 units) http://www.pushsquare.com/n... dont you dare tell me that that didnt pay off, a game as big as assassins creed deserves money put into it, that was justified, how many sales now 11 months on?

[Doletskaya]

I bet deep down Sony regrets ever developing and releasing Vita. The system is destined to die and fail as soon as its release because it has absolutely no appeal to anyone other than the most hardcore Sony supporters such as those who comment on every Sony article on N4G and that's simply not enough for it to survive.

[fight4love]

Well, I'm no Patcher but i bet that Vita is sony's last handheld.

[Inception]

A lot of people said that when PSP doesn't sell as much as NDS. Or back to 2006 when a lot of people said the same thing about PS3 as the last sony console and sony will follow sega footsteps. But it turns out those people used a broken crystal balls.

If Vita doesn't sell as much as PSP in it's lifetime, i'm sure sony still continue making new handheld.

[ninjahunter]

"Diminishing market", sells millions upon millions.

[Nanux]

I bought PS Vita and PS4 about a month ago :) And by this day I'm loving vita more than PS4. And if PS Now will be good on vita i can't really see it dieing.

Ps.: I have good PC. So most multi-platform games i play on PC, if not shooter with controller.

[BenqMagician]

Sony needs to sell a mini version for kids( with a little smaller screen & no back touch function) but still sell the normal size vita too(also include a 4gb memory card with it). Look at Nintendo there's 3 different models because it gives choice too gamers. I own a vita it's the best handheld ever made period. Sony needs too look at why Nintendo is so successful(take a page from there book if Nintendo can save the 3DS then u can save the Vita).

[Blacklash93]

Vita's biggest strength right now is the classic backlog and indie titles. I'm definitely going to downplay that there's a lot to like in those libraries and I'm speaking from experience, but they're just not enough to support a system and most of those games are available on several other platforms (albeit not necessarily in portable form).

Sony needs to pump out the system sellers and start a new marketing campaign to coincide. It needs more big-name projects like Tearaway and the upcoming Gravity Rush 2.

The Vita is a system that deserves to succeed and all the framework is there. Impressive handheld-hardware specs, PS+, Remote Play, the upcoming Playstation Now, and the open multimedia options have all the making for a great system. We just need the big titles like Sony pushes for on PS3/PS4.

[BenqMagician]

Big price cut and release a system seller game.

[BenqMagician]

I know it won't happen but if MS has no plans too release a handheld in the future sony should try too get halo 1 for the vita(it would be amazing and it's not like MS won't make money on it). Also if anyone is thinking MS won't have anything too do with sony then why is XB1 using Blu-ray disks.

[tubers]

I'm sure MS would rather do HALOs for their Windows portable devices.

[_FantasmA_]

I've had a Vita for about a year and a half but I barely play it. I use it for looking up trophy videos while I'm on my PS4/PS3. Lets be honest, its at 7.3 mil sold and nobody is making games for it. Where are the big developers at? Where is Ubisoft, Rockstar, Konami, etc?

Don't talk to me about indies. Indies are not going to make a big impact like a huge title like MGS or GTA. It seems like developers still think the Vita is at 2.2 million sold because it was there for the longest. But Sony needs to the train rolling in order for other 3rd party developers to take notice. Where is GT for Vita, God of War, the next Sony Bend game, etc? The only big game they've had in Killzone Mercenary but it needs more.

[lobenski]

"Vita is a little bit too elegant and a little too expensive. I always feel like I'm going to break it."
You must hold it pretty firmly then.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[DualWielding]

Vita would survive, it won't be a major success but its also not going anywhere until at least 2017

[mrpsychoticstalker]

I had a psp..... sniff. RIP vita. Nintendo dominates.

[gear]

All the vita needs is "OPEN WORLD" games to be published more.......
I have noticed DBZ,Borderlands r new open world games there r good but we need new franchise like this yakuza isshin(which is only in japan should have been ported to the west too).

Well now for patcher comments it is true only in the western market and europian but not in japan market if u notice vita is selling there like hot cakes...
it just shows that vita can sell well but the developers are just ignoring it and treating the vita has a 3DS

I personally own that shit game that many users praise it "Uncharted the golden ASS",YES the game SUCKS dont be a dumb fanboy and say its good,its a must buy,and all that bullshit games like them make the vita fall and even AC-LB(look at its rating on pc port too its still lame a failure to the asssain creed series) so if the developers r that stupid they will continue to make stupid games that r for 4+ like terraway the shit.
for sure i will get disagrees but the point here is if u dont want the vita to fall or make patcher to loss his job for good start supporting really A+ games and that r meant for adults like dark souls,etc