bigtroyjon
Member
Unless of course we are comparing 360 vs PS3 sales. Then all of a sudden all these small territories are hugely important and prove Sony has worldwide appeal.
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Ultra Bomba: Major Australian Retailers Dropping Vita
- Thread starter Box of Bunnies
- Start date
Unless of course we are comparing 360 vs PS3 sales. Then all of a sudden all these small territories are hugely important and prove Sony has worldwide appeal.
Box of Bunnies
Banned
It's not a sensationalistic or misleading title, though.
One store is outright not stocking the Vita, two others will not be stocking it at launch and have only said they "may be" offering it in the future.
TwiztidElf
Member
Having been an Australian gamer my whole life, I can tell you that Australia can be a measure of an expanding/contracting market.
Like the outer edge of a puddle that fills up when it rains and is the first area to dry out as the puddle evaporates.
If Vita fails in Australia, an admittedly insignificant market, it isn't a good sign.
Big W is owned by Woolworths. You get them in the UK as well. They are pretty much identical to Target and Kmart (big stores, catering for the lower end of the market). As someone said, the fact these three stores are not stocking the Vita is hardly a sign of doom, as their usual demographic is not the one that the Vita is currently aimed at.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_W
I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, but historically, Australian hardware launches are within a month or two of international releases. Sometimes a bit longer, like 4 months for ps3 and 6 months for psp. Since about 1999, most hardware launches have been reasonably close to American dates.
But I've never seen a retailer, let alone 3, not stock a Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo system except for Harvey Norman with the Wii. And they soon changed their tune.
Vita is treading brave new ground here, and could be in trouble. But most sales are probably through jb hifi or eb games as far as their target demographic goes, so it might not be a complete flop. Just a very soft launch.
EB Games didn't stock the PSP Go.
That came out here?!
Allegedly
Agreed. We're a first world country with one of the highest standards of living, with people that buy a large amount of technology considering the size. One shouldn't just ignore this issue because of our population, that's not smart.
Kazuma Kiryu
Member
to dismiss any market is ridiculous. not having vita in major australian stores is certainly bad.
Terbinator
Member
Lol @ Woolies comment.
Yep, they were the first "big" UK stalwart to go during the recession.
Yep, they were the first "big" UK stalwart to go during the recession.
I don't really agree with this line VOOK.
It's an Apple product. They always get away with charging exorbitant prices because there'a always such a large demand. Sony doesn't have that sort of sway anymore and I'm sure retailers know it. Besides, I think most people would be comparing the price of the Vita to the 3DS and not a tablet.
Stores in Australia usually stock products on launch day, of course. As RandomVince mentioned, Harvey Norman didn't stock Wii, but they had given up on stocking GCN early and had a poor relationship with Nintendo, and when it was clear it was a big success they renegotiated and got stock in.
A lot of people in this thread are putting too much stock in the responses from the retailers that they 'may' stock Vita in the future. No one wants to commit to not selling something if there's a slight chance it will become a hit, but the truth is that this news means the stores effectively have chosen not to support PS Vita.
Heh.
Dead on Arrival.
See, the world should've looked to Australia on the day of the Dreamcast launch.
Either Steve O'Leary is involved or the stores aren't stocking the Vita cos it's R18.
Box of Bunnies
Banned
This is
I don't even
How can they possibly think this is a good strategy?
I don't even
How can they possibly think this is a good strategy?
It's not a good strategy if it's actually true. Cutting out three of the biggest department stores in the country is not good for sales, market awareness or cultivating good business relationships.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
Are Sony actively trying to kill their own device?
OneMoreQuestion
Member
I guess you could say that us Aussies are...
Livin' La Vita Bomba!
Livin' La Vita Bomba!
Mariah Carey
Member
Is it so hard to cut through the PR bullshit?
Obviously what they're really saying is "We're only shipping to specialist retailers because we don't think it will sell at the other chains."
Hell, they're probably really saying "We're only shipping to specialist retailers because the other chains won't buy it."
Kmart specifically stated it was too expensive as to why they wouldnt sell it. To try and say it is a trategy to sell it at less retailers is hilarious spin
I guess you could say that us Aussies are...
Livin' La Vita Bomba!
lol
You dont think ULTRA BOMBA qualifies as sensationalistic? Because those are literally the first two words in the topic that are hard to ignore.
Ok then, but please know I find that opinion to be just a tad bit crazy.
Box of Bunnies
Banned
It's a bit of levity. Not everything needs to be serious business.
That doesn't change my point or it's validity (and now I am just realizing you created this topic heh).
Unless of course you think everyone views that the same way you do, which is not the case, especially when it comes to a new system launching. Bomba in the title is like a batsignal to fanboys and trolls, so what is ULTRA BOMBA? And how is it being dropped when they are just not supplying launch units?
The intent is obvious, just accept it. No need to create excuses as to why. Trolling is trolling.
The problem with Sony's Vita plan in Australia is that 'active gamers' will shop where its the cheapest. If its not cheap, they won't buy.
There is no brand loyal to these retailers (EB, Game, JB). They're also cutting out average joe who shops at these stores, sees the catalogues and TV ads.
That or Sony just doesn't have enough stock to support all of them anyway. Either way, its a mistake.
They might not want 'average joe' now, with this move they're not going to get them at all.
There is no brand loyal to these retailers (EB, Game, JB). They're also cutting out average joe who shops at these stores, sees the catalogues and TV ads.
That or Sony just doesn't have enough stock to support all of them anyway. Either way, its a mistake.
They might not want 'average joe' now, with this move they're not going to get them at all.
CrankyKong
Member
bigtroyjon
Member
bomba threads on Gaf are a dime a dozen, no need to be melting down over this.
it's not a meltdown, don't be a drama queen. /hyperbole alpha counter
But you do bring up a good point about the abuse of bomba memes. The only one I've seen use it effectively and with humor was Wario. But I guess its better than the ____ IS DOOMED meme.
For the new page:
There is a long term vision for our revolutionary new hand-held platform, in the same way we had a long term vision for PS3, and anticipate that in line with this we will broaden channel distribution in the future.
So its quite possible they just staggered the international release in certain markets. No reason to freak out or anything.
Oh well there goes any chance of getting a good deal on the Vita for a long time in Australian stores.
EB/GAME etc will pump the price as hard as they want with no competition from the large retail stores.
If I want one looks like another person that will head down the import route.
EB/GAME etc will pump the price as hard as they want with no competition from the large retail stores.
If I want one looks like another person that will head down the import route.
Pretty sure 3 stores, that sell every other system, not selling Vita does kind of qualify for what the topic titles going for. If this happened in America it would be doomsday.
Of course, but obviously the markets are very different. I'm not trying to come off argumentative, it just seems to me that they are staggering their release plan based on how well the other territories go. Given how the handheld market is now, the pricepoint of the vita/games and the competition from smartphones and such, I imagine its a lot different to sell current gen handhelds vs traditional consoles than it was just last year. Plus as someone already mentioned, they need to find a way to wash the stink of the PSP off of the brand.
I just think its a little early to get all doomsday I guess.
TerryWogan
Member
Sorry man, but you're happily gobbling down Sony's PR spin and ignoring all other possibilities. Do you work for them or something?
RadiantRule
Banned
Why would they stock the Vita at these stores? No, seriously? People who go to these places are not the kind of people who can shell $350 without thinking twice.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
I think if those stores wanted the Vita, they'd have it. They obviously don't want to touch it.
Because they normally do? Because they stocked the $999 PS3 when it came out.
Because they sell $500 LCD panels, and when they do there is a line.
If you're Australian you'll know why.
Do you even know what your talking about?
Big W along with JB are the cheapest when it comes to gaming in Australia. Belive me alot of people go to Big W for gaming.
Lets forget whos the cheapest for a second, this hurts brand awareness for Average Joe/Soccer Mum who doesn't visit forums or look this stuff up on the internet.
Yeah, thats why they sell ipads, consoles, 3ds, tvs... etc...
Infernal Monkey
Member
Hmm? How are the markets "very different"? How is three of Australia's biggest retail chains not selling the Vita any less of a concern for the market than say, three of America's biggest chains not selling it? You seem to be trying to sweep this situation under the rug by blending it together with the rest of the world.
This is a massive deal to the Vita's chance of success in Australia. The BOMBA in the title is justified, because the system is basically fucked with no support from the main retailers.
TerryWogan
Member
Let's just get one thing straight. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Sony, Apple, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung - any huge corporation that makes money selling a product - wouldn't want their products in every single store everywhere. That's the ultimate dream. Your product, everywhere. There is absolutely nothing bad about your product being in stores, no matter what sort of store they are and who shops there. Nothing.
If you honestly believe that Sony have CHOSEN not to stock the Vita in these stores and not the other way around, you really need to expand your blinkered fanboy views.
If you honestly believe that Sony have CHOSEN not to stock the Vita in these stores and not the other way around, you really need to expand your blinkered fanboy views.
Pretty sure most of us here aren't Vita fanboys (we're not 12 either). So you think the main chains have chosen not to stock it? Despite at least Big W saying they're wanting to (and stocking accessories).