Supermanisdead
Member
Why does Australian Kotaku look so much better than US one???? That's the real story here.
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Ultra Bomba: Major Australian Retailers Dropping Vita
- Thread starter Box of Bunnies
- Start date
Why does Australian Kotaku look so much better than US one???? That's the real story here.
I have a vita and think its a good machine (so far), that shouldn't be a problem. It has nothing to do with "gobbling any spin". But I assume the opposite is saying its doomed and somehow knowing all the doomed possibilities? I don't see why it has to be one and not the other, the machine isn't even out yet globally. Sorry man, I dont work for them, but I have worked in the industry since 2004.
Correct. The speculation as to why wasn't just from Sony's perspective, but I imagine heavily from retailers as well.
How are the US, East Asia and Europe markets very different than the austrailian? Besides content standards, release schedules, market sizes, etc? I'm not trying to sweep anything under any rug, and I'm not sure why people are so eager to label someone as a defense force. I'm just speculating a different angle than the popular (It seems) OMG DEAD perspective. I don't see why it's responded with negativity.
If those are the main retailers, why is it a problem to wait to see how the machine does before committing? Are there literally no other places selling a vita in that territory?
Not only does it look better it also has better non-troll writers than the US one. The only flamebait you see on the Aussie one is just reposts from the US site.
TerryWogan
Member
I never mentioned it being doomed. I just find it hilarious that you seem to believe Sony's spin on the story rather than the actual story.
It's alright though - I know how you feel - I bought a Dreamcast! Queued up on launch night and everything. You can still enjoy your new toy without defending it to the hilt in the face of massively contrary evidence, you know?
Mushroomer25
Member
I'm really not that suprised. The thing so far hasn't proven to be a safe bet. Frankly, if the thing doesn't move units in that opening weekend - expect a few more big box stores in the US to start ignoring the thing.
Conspiracy sidebar - Is it possible that this is retaliation for PSVITA games being cheaper on PSN?
Conspiracy sidebar - Is it possible that this is retaliation for PSVITA games being cheaper on PSN?
TerryWogan
Member
Well, er, that's what the new story in the OP says... *scratches head*
Think about agendas here. What advantage do the stores have in straight out lying about choosing not to stock the Vita? I'll answer for you, none. No advantage.
What about Sony releasing a carefully worded statement about 'strategy' implying that they chose not to allow these places to stock the Vita? Hmmmmmm.
Everyone stocked the PS3. Everyone.
Sony has since updated saying they're choosing not to stock there. Whether we believe them or not is another thing.
toddhunter
Member
TerryWogan
Member
Well I thought you WERE choosing to believe them based on your posts? Else, why are you even responding to me?
And let's not forget the kicker: Sony's response, if you actually read it at source rather than read someone else's interpretation of it, is a very carefully worded piece about 'retail channel strategy', and doesn't respond directly on the issue of any of the three aforementioned retailers. It's classic PR spin. They're not lying directly - they're leaving it to the reader to draw the inference from it that that is what they're referring to.
and I wasnt specifically referring to you. I dunno why you invest so much effort in trying to discount my opinion, even when it has nothing to do with a spin (since I am also speculating on the perspective of the retailers). But this is GAF and what not.
I didnt need to que, got it (3gs), uncharted and a bunch of other stuff for a nice price. So no, I dont need to fanboy it up as I only got it because of that deal. I'm not even discussing the actual machine, so I don't know why you keep bringing it up. I also have a ipad, iphone 3gs, 3ds, neo geo pocket, wondersawn, gba micro, gba sp, psp, psp go, wonderboy, so I like gadgets.
Dreamcast was awesome and lived a good life, but I worked for Sega and didn't need to buy one for full price. Enjoy trying to belittle everyone with a contrary opinion to yours.
I shall good sir. I shall. The dpad is the best thing ever for fighting games! and the screen, OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
Big W have loss leaders on high profile games/DVDs/BDs etc. So specific games at specific times are marked down in price.
Outside of this, their prices are all over the place. Some as low as JB's, some high enough to even make EB or GAME wince (when I went to buy Halo CE Anniversary, it was around $65 in Big W, under $30 in JB).
So you can get bargains there for sure, and but they're too inconsistent with their pricing. You never know which games they'll discount and which ones they'll stick at full RRP.
This is not true. Depending on the store and the demographic is serves, its expected margins and level of discounting, it is completely normal to not push a product to every possible retailers or reseller.
Using the example companies listed, in the three Aussie stores in question, while they stock TVs, they stock low end models from the more obscure manufacturers. You won't be able to go to Big W or Target to buy a Panasonic or Samsung TV. Apple are picky over which stores can sell their products, and you can imagine Apple are in the position of being able to dictate price, floor space, POS advertising etc.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Anyone know a good website to get the Vita from the US for $250AU? Amazon wont ship to Australia. Help?
I've used Buy.com before with success. Free shipping and no tax.
http://www.buy.com/prod/playstation-vita-wifi-only/222595834.html
bigtroyjon
Member
You sure make it seem like you work for ND in various Uncharted 3 threads, including one from a few days ago about bugs.
TerryWogan
Member
Hmm. In the UK you can buy Apple products in supermarkets. They're everywhere these days. Gone are the days of seeking out an authorised re-seller. It's totally down to the retailers. Apple and whoever else are not going to turn down footfall on the basis that it 'devalues the brand'. They still dictate the prices.
Plus, even ignoring that completely, let's look at the discreet facts of this particular case: these stores stock games and all of the other major consoles and handhelds, including the PS3. I guess Sony believes the Vita just doesn't 'fit in' amongst those other products, eh?
ND works for SCEA, which isn't Sony hardware. I care about making U3 as bug free as possible not if the vita sells well.
But if working for a PS3 first party makes my opinion tainted that's a bummer.
This is my point entirely (although not just from Sony's perspective but from large retailers as well). Why is it unreasonable to assume that this product and this part of the business is in flux and everyone wants to wait for it to develop further before committing. This doesnt just apply to the vita, but to the 3ds redesign and ipad 3 as well.
I want Vita to succeed as it's a sexy handheld and will keep fierce competition for Nintendo....
....but I must say, I am enjoying the doom and gloom. There's something that tickles me on the inside at the thought of an absolute disaster system. Maybe it's why I slow down when I see car accidents.
....but I must say, I am enjoying the doom and gloom. There's something that tickles me on the inside at the thought of an absolute disaster system. Maybe it's why I slow down when I see car accidents.
So does this mean everyone should just wait for a price drop just like when the 3DS got it's bomba?
Really afraid getting first launch due to that experience from the 3DS
I'm always a sucker for buying consoles at launch. I'm already a 3DS ambassador, if the price does drop I'll be a Vita ambassador too lol.
bigtroyjon
Member
Any employee working for a Sony owned subsidiary is going to have a vested interest in the health of Sony as a whole. I think it's fairly obvious you have an agenda, just take a look at your first post in this thread.
TerryWogan
Member
Hahaha! Because a big install base isn't important to a first party developer! This is the bomba right here. Totally busted.
huh? Because I try to help people with bugs I can't talk about the possible reasons for this scenario? The vita is the same as a walkman or TV in my eyes.
troy, that that quote was a (what I thought at least, obvious) attempt at pointing out the trolling in the subject title.
troy, that that quote was a (what I thought at least, obvious) attempt at pointing out the trolling in the subject title.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Hope they can make some ends meet there. I hope it tears it up in the US. Best handled ever bar none. At least from a gaming standpoint. It's amazing.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Thanks!
TerryWogan
Member
No I don't think that's quite what I was getting at...
You work for a Sony first party developer, right? If so, end of discussion. Your 'opinion' in this thread is no longer valid in my eyes.
I really don't know what you are getting at, but you've been passively attacking me for a little bit now. So you might as well get it out already. And I'm not in development, and don't work on vita games. So you can point your crosshairs at someone else. I never even saw the hardware until yesterday.
Not true at all. I've been at multiple companies and developers, and you just go with the flow of the game industry. That's all I can really describe without experiencing it first hand. Since you are post searching, I'm sure you can find ones that don't support this "agenda" theory. But don't check the western vita launch topic because I have a bunch of positive feedback posts in there. What possible agenda would I have or be able to accomplish by saying "hey the market is changing and possibly this could be a result of that."
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
Site says free shipping isn't available to international orders?
So does this mean everyone should just wait for a price drop just like when the 3DS got it's bomba?
Really afraid getting first launch due to that experience from the 3DS
The difference is 3DS had competition at the start. I got mine for $280 + a game at launch.
With less retailers involved I really can't see any price competition, and no need for a price drop. 'The hardcore will buy it anyway' is Sony's thinking, I guess! Be surprised if they sell over 1000 of these things at launch in Aus.
bigtroyjon
Member
You denied working for Sony and yet you do work for Sony. No need to insult our intelligence by pretending you are a neutral observer in all of this.
So does this mean everyone should just wait for a price drop just like when the 3DS got it's bomba?
Really afraid getting first launch due to that experience from the 3DS
Im not sure really what to think with what Sony is saying worldwide. Its almost like they are aiming for small sales while they wait out the production cost decreases so when they cut the price its not going to be a massive blood letting cut.
Sony is angling potential poor sales in North America with the PR spin of targetting a very specific audience etc
frankie_baby
Member
1000 at launch even for me sounds ridiculous, though overall I can see the western launch weekends (Americas Europe and Australia) hitting less than 350k
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
ok then. I honestly had no "agenda" and have been posting here since '08 with whatever my opinion was regardless of what studio was owned by whatever publisher that developed games for whatever platform. But I don't expect you to believe that.
TerryWogan
Member
Just to clear up any potential ambiguity: ultra massive global consumer electronics companies don't ever 'aim for low sales'. You're absolutely right, the 'targeted' line is complete PR spin.
Mariah Carey
Member
Ok, but, um, you do realize that what you just said is basically just a nice way of saying "people think this product is going to bomb and everyone wants to wait for it to actually not bomb before committing." It's pretty bombtastic.
well twisting words sure.
It's only bombastic in the sense that its a new scenario, and (still speculating) since the PSP was handled poorly people are cautious about letting their guard down again.
Along with that, you have the dramatic 3ds price drop, the ambassador program.
TerryWogan
Member
So, are you agreeing or disagreeing that Sony's PR line of 'targeted' retailers is bullshit?
Do you honestly believe Sony chose not to stock in these stores or the stores themselves decided?
Do you honestly believe Sony chose not to stock in these stores or the stores themselves decided?
Para bailar La Bomba
Banned
People with low self-esteem who want to see Vita bomb in order to feel better about themselves are amusing to me.
RadiantRule
Banned
People go to these places for clothes and home wares. Definitely not the crowd that would spend $350 on a handheld gaming. Granted Big W has low prices on new games. As for $500 LCD panels, that's a more mainstream item (still on the cheap end though).
Sony decided to concentrate on the hardcore gamers as opposed to the mainstream crowd. Nothing wrong with that.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
You can talk about it, it just means people have a lot less reason to listen to you. Your livelihood is caught up in Sony's continued success and the perception of that success. Of course you'll take their side.
See also: oil company geologists' opinions vis a vis climate change.
RadiantRule
Banned
Maybe they're supply-constrained. At the end of the day, people who don't know what they are talking about are making a big deal out of this.
I doubt its anything that cut and dry. Maybe it came down to politics, bad timing, or retailers feeling slighted or burned. Maybe some of them feel its actually doomed.
It's possible that they chose to not stock them at this time because their terms and conditions weren't met, or retailers weren't bending over backwards to push them.
Of course I think that Sony wants them everywhere as much as possible, but its also entirely possible that they have some weird gameplan or want to leverage something.
This isn't a "sides" thing and I'm sorry if it seems I'm communicating it in that way. But I do understand your point. I'm saving the vita praise for the right topic though and just discussing my impression of the info. However I think you'd be surprised to find how non caught up you can be working at a developer vs working directly for the company. Even with that, Sony has made hardware risks before and I don't need to blindly support them just to support my livelihood. But I also understand that might not be believable especially on GAF. But I bet you'll actually find that happens more on GAF than most places.
Summary of vita for retailers:
*It retails for $350 and comes with no games
*You can't play any games on it until you buy a memory card.
*Memory card prices = lol
*People can buy games online cheaper than what they can from retailers
Isn't this the most obvious reasons/concerns some retailers are dealing with & how terrible the launch price/deals are and how slow it will possibly move?
*It retails for $350 and comes with no games
*You can't play any games on it until you buy a memory card.
*Memory card prices = lol
*People can buy games online cheaper than what they can from retailers
Isn't this the most obvious reasons/concerns some retailers are dealing with & how terrible the launch price/deals are and how slow it will possibly move?
How does 'concentrating on the hardcore gamers' = not even supplying the system to those stores? Sony had no problem supplying the overpriced PS3 to these stores, but with the Vita they suddenly decided onoez it's too much money for them?
It would be like Sony, Nintendo or MS deciding not to supply Sears in America.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
Roll over the free shipping green sticker and hit 'details' :
"FREE Budget Shipping is not available for International orders or shipments to Alaska and Hawaii."
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Buy
Box of Bunnies
Banned
The idea that people don't buy games/consoles from department stores is the real news to come from this for me. Really? Only system I ever bought from EB was my Wii, and I was straight to Big W afterwards to get some games to go with it.
Sure I buy games from JB or EB now and then, but every system I've ever gotten besides the aforementioned Wii (and my 3DS, which came from Dick Smith's) was from Grace Bros, Kmart or Big W.
Sure I buy games from JB or EB now and then, but every system I've ever gotten besides the aforementioned Wii (and my 3DS, which came from Dick Smith's) was from Grace Bros, Kmart or Big W.