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Yeah, I don't think a tablet is the best place for "productivity". For 500 or more you can get a netbook or even a full laptop that is much better for that and equally bad for games. Anyway, writing text documents is much more, then. Okay!

That's beside the point. This thread is about tablet vs. dedicated gaming handheld, not vs. netbook. A full desktop can do more than any of these devices, but I'm not drawing comparisons. The point is that the iPad will allow you to do a lot more. Don't say that non-gaming functions are unimportant, they are. Otherwise, people wouldn't care about apps like Flickr, Facebook, Netflix, Youtube coming to Vita, right?

 

[Haunted]

I want OP to bold the good part

he already did

 

[Metalmurphy]

I want OP to bold the good part

He did.


*edit* Damn it Haunted! Thought I had this one.

 

[aknbad30]

For practical gaming, iPad needs buttons, not more pixels.

I don't know what ipad3 is really bringing to gaming that previous versions didn't.

Exactly. I don't care how good iOS games look now or in the future, because until it has buttons and control sticks it is nothing more than a casual gaming experience to me.

No buttons = fun 'on the toilet' gaming. Nothing more.

 

[GaussTek]

Looking at the two devices from a publisher's perspective provides some insights into the possible futures of the devices. Looking at the PS Vita, what sort of installed base is likely in a year? Estimates will vary depending on whom you're asking, but considering that the Nintendo 3DS has managed to sell 5 million units in less than one year - which Nintendo has proudly said beats out the DS record by four weeks - given the PS Vita's slow beginning in Japan, hitting 5 million units in one year would seem to be an optimistic goal, but possibly achievable.

What about the iPad 3's sales outlook? Currently Apple is selling the iPad 2 at the rate of about 5 million per month (having sold over 15 million in the last quarter of 2011), and it seems likely that a new iPad 3 with better features at the same price point would sell at least that well. Even if you assume that Apple is unable to increase iPad 3 sales at all for the next year, that would still be an installed base of 60 million units in a year's time, or 12 times the number of PS Vitas likely in the marketplace.

Just to point out... he talks like if 3DS has only sold 5 millions worldwide, when thats the units sold in Japan alone. Worldwide = around 15 millions in less than a year. So yeah, he's clueless.

 

[OnPoint]

I hate how this is a knock against the Vita (and was brought up in the article too). Personally I like buying a device and using it for several years. I dislike the rapid hardware cycle and what good is the graphics on an iPad 4 when I bought the iPad 3 a year ago? Sure apple products retain value pretty well but I have a kid and don't want to tip toe over something I own because I already know I'm going to sell it. I hated when my ipod touch, not even two years old at the time, wouldn't play the games I wanted on it. Sure handhelds have revisions but they will still play everything (not a fan of handheld revisions either, get it right the first time)

I'm not trying to knock the Vita with that. I was more trying to illustrate how they're different and mostly incomparable devices. I truly believe that these two devices, for all their similarities, are competing for wholly different markets and I don't understand why people keep making Vita Vs iPad comparisons.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

12 hours while gaming?

But but article is fair and balance!

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

I don't care if someone's entire gaming life consists of playing Pac Man. They're a gamer. This desire to segment and group people as 'true gamers' or 'casual' or 'hardcore' is simply ridiculous.

 

[Fixed1979]

lol yep. Apparently. My daughter loves playing angry birds and it was thanks to angry birds and smart phone games that she started to become interested in Nintendo games. BTW, she's 3. I'd argue she's a gamer since you know... she enjoys playing GAMES.

I think a lot of people here akin the term gamer to say "movie buff", I watch a movie a week on average, but I'm not a "movie buff". Regardless if you agree or not, I think it's more of an argument of semantics than anything else.

 

[Barkley's Justice]

ipad 3 isnt even out yet! what a piece of trash article!

 

[Risk Breaker]

A true gamer is someone who dislikes a certain type of games/a platform for no logical reason. You can't be true gamer without hate flowing through your veins.

Then ios "gamers" are true gamers as well, because they love hating on handhelds :3

 

[Takiyah]

I don't understand why people keep making Vita Vs iPad comparisons.

Because people thrive on the idea of Sony's failure?

 

[Treefingers]

true gamer: the most obnoxious, dismissive & smug way to say videogame nerd

 

[DaBuddaDa]

lol yep. Apparently. My daughter loves playing angry birds and it was thanks to angry birds and smart phone games that she started to become interested in Nintendo games. BTW, she's 3. I'd argue she's a gamer since you know... she enjoys playing GAMES.

Can you cut it already with the indignant overreaction? Do you really care that much that someone made an off color troll attempt?

There are many articles like this one, all with valid points, but none of them focus enough on analog sticks and buttons. As far as Apple is concerned gaming is not a priority and I cannot see them ever putting sticks and buttons on iPads or iPhones. That alone will and does differentiate the portable systems moreso than anything else.

 

[commish]

Exactly. I don't care how good iOS games look now or in the future, because until it has buttons and control sticks it is nothing more than a casual gaming experience to me.

No buttons = fun 'on the toilet' gaming. Nothing more.

Ah, such ignorance. It will be forgiven

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Then ios "gamers" are true gamers as well, because they love hating on handhelds :3

Really? I love my iPhone. I greatly enjoy playing games on it. I find it an amazing device. But shock! I also purchased the 3DS day 1 and enjoy the Vita as well. But nice try.

 

[Takiyah]

Then ios "gamers" are true gamers as well, because they love hating on handhelds :3

Not quite right. iOS gamers don't hate anything, they hug a lot and talk about how wonderful their iphones are.

/quietlyputmyiphonebackinpocket

 

[tzare]

I don't care if someone's entire gaming life consists of playing Pac Man. They're a gamer. This desire to segment and group people as 'true gamers' or 'casual' or 'hardcore' is simply ridiculous.

then why do you argue about internet browsing and such ? if this is about games, vita/3DS/ >>>>> ipads just because of the possibilities of hardware controls plus touch .

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Can you cut it already with the indignant overreaction? Do you really care that much that someone made an off color troll attempt?

There are many articles like this one, all with valid points, but none of them focus enough on analog sticks and buttons. As far as Apple is concerned gaming is not a priority and I cannot see them ever putting sticks and buttons on iPads or iPhones. That alone will and does differentiate the portable systems moreso than anything else.

Indignant overreaction? It's a constant occurrence especially here on GAF. The need to label folks who enjoy different types of games is ridiculous and doesn't do anything to actually help one's argument. It's the equivalent of people to say you're not a REAL artist if you only draw cartoons instead of say creating paintings that belong in a museum. Or saying you're not a REAL film maker if you aren't working on a $100 million dollar budget movie. It's ridiculous.

then why do you argue about internet browsing and such ? if this is about games, vita/3DS/ >>>>> ipads just because of the possibilities of hardware controls plus touch .

Um, those are two different issues? When talking about a DEVICE it's important to show what the device can DO. When talking about what makes someone a gamer, it doesn't have anything to do with the device they enjoy using.

 

[Risk Breaker]

Really? I love my iPhone. I greatly enjoy playing games on it. I find it an amazing device. But shock! I also purchased the 3DS day 1 and enjoy the Vita as well. But nice try.

I forgot to add "they also love". Most people these days are really really angry about brands and companies no matter their preferences, why? Because new consoles are coming, and now Apple devices are considered consoles as well by the ignorant press. Console wars will reach new heights.

I am happy with my new Vita, my 360, my PS3, my DSL, my PSP and my old Nokia, no apple stuff for me please Will get a 3DS when I like it enough.

 

[Einbroch]

I'm getting both. I have an iPad 2 and Vita should be here tomorrow.

I'm a really false gamer. My iPad is great for web browsing, quick games, checking business stuff, and watching video. It's essentially a low-end, good looking laptop. Which is fine.

I'm sure I'll love both.

 

[numble]

What is more, devices do not compete in the market: 250$ vs 500$. Based on the current life cycles, Vita will last at least 3 generations of iPads. Older generation iPads will not receive latest games, therefore, as a gaming device they will be outdated.

They certainly compete. If I had $500 to spend this Spring, I'm only going to choose one device.
Did the Wii at $249.99 not compete with the PS3 at $499/599?

Finally, most iOS games still use the 3 year old iPhone 3GS as the target platform, since it's still on sale and still sells more than other non-iPhone smartphones. Very few games do not run on the 3-year old hardware.

 

[Kyoufu]

Can't wait for Vita vs iPhone 5 next.

 

[Negaiido]

Can't we just have Smartphone/Tablet vs Handhelds discussions bannable? This is worse then console wars.

 

[Mutanthands]

Thank god for the title change.

 

[Arnie]

I have never owned a Sony handheld, nor an iPad, but if someone gave me the option of either I'd take the iPad 3 every single time.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Can't we just have Smartphone/Tablet vs Handhelds discussions bannable?

Lol.

 

[Takao]

"I" really "like" this "thread".

 

[djplaeskool]

Speculative analysis, hoooo!

 

[Haunted]

I don't care if someone's entire gaming life consists of playing Pac Man. They're a gamer. This desire to segment and group people as 'true gamers' or 'casual' or 'hardcore' is simply ridiculous.

Aside from all the fanboy posturing (I do hope you realised how I was joking on the first page) and speaking purely marketing, it's all about demographics. You have to target the right audience for your product, and identifying the correct subcategory you appeal to is important.

You might call both your grandma playing Angry Birds and the guy with a PCPS360 playing CoD who also owns a smartphone gamers, but as a marketing person I have to recognise that they have very different needs and I have to decide after which I'm going with my match 3/auto-runner/physics sandbox clone (or whatever one-touch genre is big on the phones right now).

 

[DaBuddaDa]

It does pose an interesting (but not unique) question: Will the yearly iterations of tablets and phones made the Vita in comparison feel outdated faster than in the past? An iPad 4 could be out in 2013, only 2 years after Vita, and conceivably exceed it in power.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

My bet: ok in Japan

 

[Einbroch]

Aside from all the fanboy posturing (I do hope you realised how I was joking on the first page) and speaking purely marketing, it's all about demographics. You have to target the right audience for your product, and identifying the correct subcategory you appeal to is important.

You might call both your grandma playing Angry Birds and the guy with a PCPS360 playing CoD who also owns a smartphone gamers, but as a marketing person I have to recognise that they have very different needs and I have to decide after which I'm going with my match 3/auto-runner/physics sandbox clone (or whatever one-touch genre is big on the phones right now).

Endless runners. It's really kinda pathetic.

 

[Pinzer]

The best developers in the industry don't develop for iOS, so the best games won't appear there. One and done.

 

[Castor Krieg]

My bet: I don't give a fuck, I just want Type-0 and DJ Max. Hey, I bought a Gamecube!

 

[aknbad30]

Ah, such ignorance. It will be forgiven

Hey, what can I say......it's just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love iOS/Android games, I just don't like playing certain games on it.

 

[Haunted]

lots of fanboys here, I should have known better.

well, have fun, guys

This post appears doubly salty with the recent title edit.

 

[Uno Venova]

Good title change.

 

[Risk Breaker]

Can't we just have Smartphone/Tablet vs Handhelds discussions bannable? This is worse then console wars.

I wish

 

[Haunted]

Endless runners. It's really kinda pathetic.

I did mention auto-runners like Canabalt.

 

[aknbad30]

I have never owned a Sony handheld, nor an iPad, but if someone gave me the option of either I'd take the iPad 3 every single time.

That would depend on my intentions with it. For pure value and flexibility, sure I'd take the iPad. For pure gaming, 3DS/Vita.

 

[Gueras]

5 million 3DS in one year? the console has only 11 months...

and it sold 16 million until now, problably will sell 17mi on first year...

there's no sense on this article...

 

[RooMHM]

How could this be a "good" "analysis" if its Vita vs iPad3?

 

[Einbroch]

I did mention auto-runners like Canabalt.

I know, I just wanted an outlet to show my disgust! Come up with something original, people!

 

[Haunted]

I have never owned a Sony handheld, nor an iPad, but if someone gave me the option of either I'd take the iPad 3 every single time.

If someone offered you a 500 dollar product or a 250 dollar product, you'd take the 500 dollar product every time? Shocking.

I know, I just wanted an outlet to show my disgust! Come up with something original, people!

Ah ok. I'm sure there's plenty of originality in phone development (although the PC is probably the premier platform for that atm), but those will never be the most popular.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Aside from all the fanboy posturing (I do hope you realised how I was joking on the first page) and speaking purely marketing, it's all about demographics. You have to target the right audience for your product, and identifying the correct subcategory you appeal to is important.

You might call both your grandma playing Angry Birds and the guy with a PCPS360 playing CoD who also owns a smartphone gamers, but as a marketing person I have to recognise that they have very different needs and I have to decide after which I'm going with my match 3/auto-runner/physics sandbox clone (or whatever one-touch genre is big on the phones right now).

Thank you for clarifying. I actually didn't know you were joking. My apologies. And I definitely agree, that when trying to decide what type of game you're going to create, invest in, produce, etc., you have to research if there is a demand for such a game, the population that is interested in said game, and the budget of said population. I don't have a problem with that at all. My issue is more so with this idea that there is a 'true gamer' category.

 

[mckmas8808]

I think the last three paragraphs are actually pretty poor on a number of levels, surprisingly so for a site like industrygamers.

They compare the software pricing as if the content were apples-to-apples which is practically impossible to do, they ignore the emergence of Suite wrt smaller developers (and yeah, that's a 'potential' thing, but I mean...iPad 3 isn't even announced yet ) and the point about iPads eventually eclipsing Vita's hardware power is a pretty irrelevant one.

I dunno though. I'm sure putting Vita and iPad 3 in a headline is good for SEO.

I agree. This article is created just for the headline and headline only.

 

[tzare]

Um, those are two different issues? When talking about a DEVICE it's important to show what the device can DO. When talking about what makes someone a gamer, it doesn't have anything to do with the device they enjoy using.

this is a gaming forum, so i expect people to buy devices because of that. We all know there are a number of devices out there that do a lot of things, pcs, tablets and smartphones, and some are very succesful, samsung just reached 20 million galaxy s II sold, so good. i do own a tablet and a smartphone too. But constantly comparing vita , a dedicated gaming device, to downplay it is as tiring as those saying that ios gaming is all shit.

Because if it is about convenience, there are cheaper laptops that do all you ask for , gaming, browsing the net, and applications, much better than your ipad or a vita or a 3ds.

 

[Treefingers]

I know, I just wanted an outlet to show my disgust! Come up with something original, people!

Cause PS Vita games are the prime example of originality

 

[railGUN]

Until the iPad / iPhone adopts some kind of universal controller, I think dedicated handhelds will rein supreme for most game genres, like FPS, fighting games etc. That's not to say they will dominate the market because of this, but in terms of awesome, immersive gaming, you really need sticks and buttons.

Having said that, I have a feeling that Apple will release a universal controller eventually. To me, it seems like the iPad / iPhone has far more room to improve into an awesome portable gaming device, versus the Vita / 3DS which will never become awesome web browsing, eReader, music / art creation, lifestyle app devices.