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[DjangoReinhardt]

The vast majority of people didn't want an expensive console-lite in the pre-iOS world, so why would they want one now? Hell, Nintendo failed in their attempt to go upmarket with the 3DS and weren't able to get momentum until they cut the price and had some exclusives that a meaningful number of consumers wanted.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

I was going to make this point myself (Using you as an example), but you beat me to the punch.

Heh. I guess I am now a Nintendo fanboy. Who would of thought it!

 

[Tobor]

Well, thats the point. For many, it is an either/or situation. Unless Sony sold the console/handheld game for like $70 or so but they're trying to sell combos for $90 I believe? That isn't going to work.

The MLB combo was $80, and I think that could work for AC, but it's up to Ubisoft. I'm not buying AC Vita for $40, that's for sure. I'll wait for a bomba price drop.

I think the problem with that amounts to timing. With AC, Uncharted, and Black Ops, the handheld "experiences" are launching to close to the mainline console titles. I'm not saying that spreading them out further from the main games would suddenly make them super successful, but it would've likely helped them do a bit better overall.

More importantly, though, I still think the problem is that B-teams are making these experiences (for the most part), and consumers know that, and it keeps them from buying the games.

Agreed on all points, but I don't think it matters. It's a "Damned if you do, damned if you don't." scenario.

If AC Vita flops, this is over, by the way. Ubisoft pulling support would put a bullet in the Vita's head.

 

[Metallix87]

Is anyone here not expecting them to drop the price of the Vita by the end of the year? A price drop is the only way that Sony has any chance whatsoever of meeting their sales projections.

I don't think they drop the price this year. If they haven't done so by now, they definitely won't for the Holidays. Vita is likely being sold at a loss, with the memory cards covering said losses, so dropping the price so soon could potentially cause a lot more bleeding of money for Sony that they simply can't afford right now.

 

[Tookay]

The Vita hasn't even been out for half a year outside of Japan yet; it's a little too early to be calling it dead. People were calling the 3DS a disaster early on as well but they managed to turn things around with a price drop and a stronger lineup of games post-launch; it's quite possible that Sony will be able to do something similar.

These kinds of posts are really tired. Just because 3DS turned itself around doesn't mean that Vita can too, because the factors behind each are entirely different.

The Vita isn't in a position to adjust its price like the 3DS. Not only is its BOM probably higher than the 3DS, Sony isn't in a financial position to take a huge loss on the hardware like Nintendo can.

And the software ISN'T there. Sony doesn't have a stable of game-changers the way Nintendo does. They can't pull a Pokemon, 2D Mario, or Kart out of their hat.

There comes a point where, even a year in, you can see that there is no foreseeable path for the Vita to "come alive."

 

[Diablos54]

Heh. I guess I am now a Nintendo fanboy. Who would of thought it!

I sure as hell wouldn't have thought it! Soooo, Wii U to smash the HD-er twins now, yea? Come over to the darkside, you know you want to!

 

[Derrick01]

I'm going to pull a Gaben and say at this point they should just cut their losses and move on. It's been a disaster on a spectacular scale and it's killing Sony. Just focus on the PS4 and save what little money you have left.

 

[Tobor]

Uncharted: Golden Abyss wasn't released day and date with Uncharted 3, though.

True, but it was close on UC3's heels. I definitely remember people thinking it was too close.

Regardless, as I said above, I don't think it matters that much.

 

[Metallix87]

If AC Vita flops, this is over, by the way. Ubisoft pulling support would put a bullet in the Vita's head.

Absolutely. I'm not sure how much it has to sell to not be considered a flop, though, given how much it likely is costing them to develop.

Of course, I'm positive that Ubisoft is ready to port that game to Wii U, PS3, and 360 sooner or later, regardless of whether or not it bombs, so they'll likely not be too damaged by the Vita's failure in the long run.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

I sure as hell wouldn't have thought it! Soooo, Wii U to smash the HD-er twins now, yea? Come over to the darkside, you know you want to!

NEVER!

 

[slaughterking]

The Vita is pretty much the Persona 4 Golden machine for me and possibly many others.

It's literally the only Vita game I'm really looking forward to.

 

[butter_stick]

Why does Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

 

[we.are.the.armada]

Is anyone here not expecting them to drop the price of the Vita by the end of the year? A price drop is the only way that Sony has any chance whatsoever of meeting their sales projections.

And unveiling of Cthulhu Saves the Universe for Vita/PSN, right?

They need price drop on hardware, memory cards, and they need more games.

 

[Metallix87]

Why dues Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

Does Sony even have an answer to any of those questions? I'm guessing no, honestly.

 

[Diablos54]

NEVER!

But ClovingWestbrook... I AM YOUR FATHER!! SEARCH YOUR FEELINGS, YOU KNOW IT TO BE TRUE!!

 

[Derrick01]

Why dues Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

Sony said it's for PS3 owners. They're finding out the hard way how little sense that makes.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

But ClovingWestbrook... I AM YOUR FATHER!! SEARCH YOUR FEELINGS, YOU KNOW IT TO BE TRUE!!

 

[we.are.the.armada]

Why dues Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

Contrary to Sony's stupid commercials for the thing, it's for ultra-core gamers that want things like niche JRPGs in HD and/or obscure third person action titles that flesh out their franchises' fiction.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

If people in the west already dont give a damn about the 3DS at 170 dollars, why are they going to give a damn about the 3DS XL at 200? For a Mario game that's getting mediocre reviews?

Mario sells systems, but anyone that thinks NSMB2 is going to do for the 3DS what the original did for the DS isn't paying attention.

Yeah, Nintendo fans keep moving the goal posts. It's kinda funny.

Funny indeed!

 

[butter_stick]

Contrary to Sony's stupid commercials for the thing, it's for ultra-core gamers that want things like niche JRPGs in HD and/or obscure third person action titles that flesh out their franchises' fiction.

So it's designed to be unprofitable.

Sony

 

[LuchaShaq]

Sony said it's for PS3 owners. They're finding out the hard way how little sense that makes.

If they cut and run on the vita this fast I know many people would wait 2-3+ years on the ps4 even if they wanted it fearing a dreamcast/vita situation where Sony just says fuck it and bails. Many of these same people waited until 2008-2009 for the 360 due to how abrupt the end of xbox 1 support was.

 

[Tobor]

Why does Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

I own one and can't answer that. I'm not sure why I haven't sold it yet.

 

[herod]

The games are too similar to their big brother's versions. I don't see any value in paying £250+ just to get access to a handful of sequels in what are now very long lineages of sequels.

It's all very well saying the graphics are good, and while they are impressive for a handheld, it's difficult to get blown away by them because they still lose out significantly to the home consoles. I don't see that 'relatively impressive' is of much value at all. I just don't see any reason to expect it to sell in significant numbers.

 

[goonergaz]

But you don't get that the MASS public which is what will make or break a piece of hardware isn't interested in the 'Only Vita can put out these visuals!' talking point.

Call of Duty?

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

I'm really interested in how vita will do this holiday. I'm going to be spending like 500$ all on vita games though.


-Assassins creed liberation ( I'm sure the bundle will help move units)

-Cod black ops declassified ( this is one is a bit if a wild card. They are supposed to be showing it off at gamescom)

-persona 4 the golden(interested in this too. I'm sure this will sell well.)

-little big vita( the best game on vita for showing off its features. If Sony advertises this right they could have a killer app on their hands)

Add in a price drop plus multiplatform games like

-sly 4
-need for speed most wanted
-FIFA 13
- PlayStation all stars
- zero escape

I'm sure the vita will do fine this holiday with a price drop.

edit: does anyone think the madden bundle will move units?

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Call of Duty?

Firstly, we haven't even seen a screenshot yet. Secondly, the issue isn't Vita owners buying it, it's whether the game will move hardware and IMO, it will not.

 

[butter_stick]

I own one and can't answer that. I'm not sure why I haven't sold it yet.

I sold mine after a week.

Great hardware I have to go out of my way to use.

 

[goonergaz]

What do you mean, exactly?

As close to the 'big brother' gaming experience as you will get on a handheld.

 

[Diablos54]

Call of Duty?

The masses aren't going to go out and snap up Vita's for a handheld CoD, especially with BO2 so close, it's just not going to happen.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Call of Duty?

And COD's audience is going to shell out over $300 to play a stripped-down version of a game that all of their friends are playing on a different console?

Contrary to Sony's stupid commercials for the thing, it's for ultra-core gamers that want things like niche JRPGs in HD and/or obscure third person action titles that flesh out their franchises' fiction.

Where? In your mind? These genres are being announced for the 3DS. The Vita seems to get a weird swathe of the most mainstream games imaginable? It's lauded titles at E3 were a COD-offshoot and and AC-offshoot?

 

[kyo27]

Why does Vita even exist? Who is it for? What's the point?

It's for people who own a PS3 and want to play PS3 ports while laying down in their bed.

 

[Metallix87]

Contrary to Sony's stupid commercials for the thing, it's for ultra-core gamers that want things like niche JRPGs in HD and/or obscure third person action titles that flesh out their franchises' fiction.

Ah, so it's designed to cause Sony to bleed money as profusely as possible!

It's interesting that you actually posted this, though, because I don't even see many of those games coming out for it. Seriously, where are they? For that matter, where are any of the games for the Vita?

I'm not saying you're wrong, but at present, there's just not enough announced titles to make such a concrete statement about what the Vita is.

As close to the 'big brother' gaming experience as you will get on a handheld.

Do you mean visually? Or gameplay-wise? Again, I'm really not sure where you're going with this...

 

[goonergaz]

Firstly, we haven't even seen a screenshot yet. Secondly, the issue isn't Vita owners buying it, it's whether the game will move hardware and IMO, it will not.

Call of Duty is the biggest franchise this gen isn't it? I'm just saying that if it offers a close to 'big brother' experience then it could be good for Vita.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Call of Duty is the biggest franchise this gen isn't it? I'm just saying that if it offers a close to 'big brother' experience then it could be good for Vita.

Yes... on the consoles and PC. People aren't going out to spend $250-300 for a call of duty portable game. For that, you'll be able to buy a 3DS and a PS3 if rumors about the price cut are true...

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

Call of Duty is the biggest franchise this gen isn't it? I'm just saying that if it offers a close to 'big brother' experience then it could be good for Vita.

Arguably the biggest franchise in media history

 

[Father_Brain]

Unless Declassified and Liberation have a much bigger impact on hardware than I currently expect, I think Vita's only remotely plausible chance of a turnaround is if Square Enix announces strong exclusive support for the platform at TGS.* Even then, that would only do so much for the platform outside Japan.

*The IPs other than FF and KH that sold over 500K on PSP in Japan this gen are all spoken for:
Monster Hunter: Staying on 3DS, by all indications
God Eater: GE2 still a PSP title, though there may be a Vita port
MGS: KojiPro has indicated that they intend to include Vita in their multiplatform Fox Engine strategy, but haven't signaled any intent to bring exclusives to the platform
Phantasy Star Portable: PSO2 Vita seems to rule this out; will sell much less due to lack of local multiplayer

 

[goonergaz]

And COD's audience is going to shell out over $300 to play a stripped-down version of a game that all of their friends are playing on a different console?

You're assuming no price drop.

 

[electroplankton]

How do we know that the market can support 2 handhelds? The PSP was fluke in Japan and in the states it was dead after 2 years. Europe I don't know but here in Sweden I've never seen anyone with a PSP, only DS.

Well, it must have sold those 70 million units somewhere.

 

[Pixel_boy]

They trying to make console games for a hand-hold, They just don't work well any game designer should know that. But looks like Sony don't

Ps not saying all don't but a lot of the time you need to change things

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Arguably the biggest franchise in media history

....what?

 

[Horse Armour]

Call of Duty is the biggest franchise this gen isn't it? I'm just saying that if it offers a close to 'big brother' experience then it could be good for Vita.

That's unlikely since it isn't made by Treyarch, Vita lacks the controls to replicate the PS3/360, is much weaker than the 360/PS3 so likely won't be able to handle as many players/map sizes/killstreaks, is meant to launch this holiday yet still hasn't released any media suggesting a poor product or development problems.

 

[Agent Unknown]

I still LOVE the PSP. I bought a launch phat unit day one, I also have a 2000 (keep the phat for CF), and I bought almost as many games for it as my OG DS/Lite including several imports and before I got an IPhone I used it for all my MP3s (still use it for movies, a bunch of MST3K episodes on a PSP + Gradius Portable, Wipeout & LBP = geek heaven).

That said, I still have no desire to get a Vita. It was priced too high, no BC option or passport UMD program whatsoever in the U.S., total ditching of men stick pro duo, and Sony just not seeming to care at all or expecting it to suddenly take off plus their shameful treatment of it at E3 all guarantee this will continue long term.

 

[goonergaz]

Do you mean visually? Or gameplay-wise? Again, I'm really not sure where you're going with this...

Both.

Unless you're aware of something that can replicate the visuals of Uncharted with twin sticks?

It's about as close as you can get...that's all I'm saying.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

You're assuming no price drop.

a price drop is definitely happening imo

 

[Metallix87]

Call of Duty is the biggest franchise this gen isn't it? I'm just saying that if it offers a close to 'big brother' experience then it could be good for Vita.

Grand Theft Auto was the biggest franchise last gen, and it didn't do all that well on PSP. Obviously, the situations aren't the same (PSP was doing much better, but CoD is much bigger than GTA), but it's something to consider.

Also, the timing issue is going to be brought up again, as the game is launching right alongside Black Ops 2, so that's going to hurt it's sales potential.

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

I love my vita. Im typing this right now from it. All of you should buy one.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

You're assuming no price drop.

If IF it's reduced to $200, you're still paying $220 + the price of COD (in states with state tax). So for $265, you can buy a PS3 and a used 3DS...

 

[Colonel Mustard]

You're assuming no price drop.

Even if they dropped the price by $50, you'd still be looking at:

-$200 for the unit
-$20ish for a memory card
-$50 for COD

All of this with taxes is still nearly $300.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

....what?

Doesn't call of duty consistently have the biggest launches in the history of media? I remember seeing that somewhere. I also heard its bringing more money than movies let alone video games. I'm probably wrong though.

 

[Metallix87]

Both.

Unless you're aware of something that can replicate the visuals of Uncharted with twin sticks?

It's about as close as you can get...that's all I'm saying.

I see.

Well, that begs the question, is that an experience that lends itself naturally to a handheld? I'm not saying you're not entitled to desire a handheld that can come close to the console experience, but you see what it's doing to Sony, right? Sony made a big mistake in judgment because they assumed a lot more people would see things like you do. It seems like actually a relatively small number of people desire that.