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[Canis lupus]

They can't since it would compete with Sony Mobile and you can't have two divisions in a bloated company compete.

Thats why I think they should bring Vita under their smartphones and tablet division, have 2 product lines, Xperia(Android) and Vita(its own closed OS). Have yearly design changes to keep the product line fresh and innovative. People that want gaming only buy the Vita handheld, people that want a premium get a smartphone or tablet.

Google has bought Motorala, has its own phones but Android are still on Samsung, htc etc.

 

[GCX]

Vita's biggest problem is that handheld gaming is most popular in Japan and Nintendo has secured pretty much every franchise that does big numbers over there.

 

[Kacho]

Maybe LBP will? People go on about price of this and that - but imagine a £180 Vita with mem stick & LBP - that alone would give you endless gaming.

I wouldn't say LBP is a system seller.

 

[Metallix87]

?? and any other FPS/3rd person/ released

Which are? RE:R plays fine with RE4 controls, and the only other third person shooter that could use them is MGS3D, and that game has a whole bunch of other issues to consider before even worrying about control issues.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

That's a pretty tiny market. I guess there's little wonder why Sony have ended up in this situation.

I've only met 2 people in my entire life that knows vita exist....... both work at GameStop

 

[Mr Swine]

I was talking about smartphones when I said gimped controls ( though I do wish my 3ds had a second slide pad.) And 3ds hardware is absolutely horrible even for Nintendo. They didn't have to put a quad core CPU/GPU in 3ds but that doesn't mean it had to suck. And iPod touch which is running on almost 3 year old technology has better hardware than vita.(build quality,CPU,GPU, everything). Even low end android phones are better than 3ds.(400x240 screen? how the hell did they even find someone to make that?,shitty cheap plastic, scratches screen by itself, ect.) The 3ds was rushed IMO.

You don't know what you are talking about man. Both Vita and 3DS has better hardware than a 3 year old iPod touch

 

[Jarnet87]

I learned my lesson on the PSP at launch. Will not be picking up a Vita till several years down the road.

 

[7threst]

The machine will sell a lot when they announce GTA: San andreas stories and Gran Turismo 5 mini.

Even IF they get announced that's still no certaintly. And how long will it take for these games to get released, especially GT?

Also, I wonder how much longer Sony can wait with it to sell. Let's not forget that every week the Vita doesn't sell and the 3DS does, Nintendo takes marketshare. It's debatable since a lot of people think Nintendo and Sony aren't competing for the same market.

 

[Ponn]

No one supports the idea of Vita becoming a chain of smartphones and tablets?

Nope. You have Xperia, and 3G has already proven to be next to worthless on Vita.

The problem is people arguing Vita should compete with this and Vita should compete with that in markets that are already dominated. That's silly.

I can see where Sony is maybe hoping to go with Vita or test the waters with, its just they are having a piss poor follow through with it. I see people keep throwing around terms like "strippped down versions" and such and that tells me people aren't playing these games. I will give you Lego Batman 2 but thats on TT, not the console. You have some graphical loss in games like MK Vita, Uncharted GA and UMvsC3 but they are anything but stripped down versions, they are pretty damn close to console experiences. When you reach a peak of fidelity on consoles where do you go next? Where do you go when that extra oomph in a console is going to cost an arm and leg?

People keep claiming the downfall of the handheld market but I honestly feel its just on the cusp of evolving. We are now at the point where you are holding a console in your hands, just like computers reached the point of leaving desktops and becoming a laptop market. Nintendo sees it to, anyone that doesn't think they are testing this with Wii U is not seeing the bigger picture. I have a strong feeling this whole crossplay and console gaming on the go with Vita is designed in tandem with PS4 and thats why Sony is not pushing Vita as hard right now because they are holding alot back with PS4 integration. Like they view the Vita as a work in progress model.

Eventually though, not this gen of course, or maybe next gen but soon there won't be home consoles, they will just be handhelds that interact wirelessly with your TV and media center. I see the Vita as one direction of a prep and testing for that new future while Wii-U is a different direction but ultimately the same goal. Vita is going to be a long haul scenario. It's going to be a place to go for developers who aren't going to jump right on board with next gen but overall its going to be a real testing ground of sorts for Sony.

 

[goonergaz]

Honestly, though, I doubt it. The system seller the Vita needs would likely have to be a new, unique IP that screams "buy this system, because you can only get this game here!" I'm not sure what that title would be.

LBP Vita is a different proposition due to touch screen controls/tilt etc. Think about it, most of those 69p games on iPhone can be replicated on LBP Vita - for free.

That's all I'm saying.

 

[Metallix87]

LBP Vita is a different proposition due to touch screen controls/tilt etc. Think about it, most of those 69p games on iPhone can be replicated on LBP Vita - for free.

That's all I'm saying.

That seems like a silly selling point.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

They have? This is news to me!

http://www.slashgear.com/playstation-vita-os-coming-to-sony-smartphones-13213255/

 

[AOC83]

True, I didn't say it would work just that given their options right now I think it's the best one. As I noted if you ask me the best option for Sony was to not release the Vita as is so an early market forced death wouldn't shock me.

A PSP revision (second analog stick maybe) with a heavy Japan focus would´ve been the best option imo. The Vita release was definitely a huge mistake.

 

[Loghorn150]

That stuff means jack shit. A console can have all the latest chips and inputs, if it does not have attractive software then no one will buy it. Software sells hardware, hardware does not sell itself.

This is what the graphics fanboys seems to be forgetting & thinks that having great power & graphics alone will sell home gaming consoles & dedicated gaming handhelds. It's just foolish talk.

 

[goonergaz]

Which are? RE:R plays fine with RE4 controls, and the only other third person shooter that could use them is MGS3D, and that game has a whole bunch of other issues to consider before even worrying about control issues.

Sorry, I'm talking console life.

And yes, I'm torn - MGS3D or Vita...I'll have to play both I guess lol

 

[Metallix87]

http://www.slashgear.com/playstation-vita-os-coming-to-sony-smartphones-13213255/

That's not exactly what you were talking about, you know.

 

[alfredofroylan]

LBP Vita is a different proposition due to touch screen controls/tilt etc. Think about it, most of those 69p games on iPhone can be replicated on LBP Vita - for free.

That's all I'm saying.

You can get a lot of free games on iOS and Android.

 

[Fess]

I love the hardware. Love the touch controls and rear touch pad when used right. Only problem with it is that there are way too few high quality games out now and on the horizon. The only game I'm really hyped about right now is a sequel to Uncharted Golden Abyss, and it's not even announced yet. Yup Sony need to do something about that. Perfect example that awesome hardware basically means nothing.

 

[goonergaz]

That seems like a silly selling point.

What that you get 100s of mini games without having to buy them all individually and clog up your device?

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

3DS hardware is very clearly behind Vita's. It's a shame Vita is tanking so bad because I do feel like it sets a better precedent for gamers and the industry than 3DS or ios does, at least as far as hardware goes. That's why it hurts to see it bomb so horribly.

I would argue the opposite. The dedicated handheld should be a relatively cheap device and so, as Nintendo usually does it, should be 8-10 years behind console tech. The Vita is more expensive than consoles at the moment which is ridiculous for the market. No the 3DS wasn't initially a good fit for the dedicated handheld market which was clearly shown as well, but it at least is much closer to the ideal handheld for the market. That's why the Vita'a performance is nothing surprising to me nor something that bothers me. The 3DS' early performance did bother me since the Vita was very likely to die and if it died we'd be left with smartphones.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

back touch can be mapped - apparently

Sounds gimped to me. Like mapping 2nd analog to 3DS touchscreen.

 

[Alchemy]

I wonder how much money has been spent on R&D and for the PS4 and how that is impacting things.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

I wouldn't say LBP is a system seller.

the vita version could be if Sony wasn't the worse company in video game history when it comes to marketing. have you seen it? it uses all of vitas features to its fullest potential dude its absolutely amazing

 

[Metallix87]

What that you get 100s of mini games without having to buy them all individually and clog up your device?

You're basically telling people this:

"Hey, I know you already have a phone, but get this! If you spend $250 on a Vita, another $20+ on a memory card, and then ~$40 for LBP Vita, you can download a bunch of clones of popular mobile games for FREE!!! FREE, DAMMIT!!! How could you guys NOT want to get in on this action?!?!?!?"

 

[SpecX]

I remember wanting a Vita before it launched and even considered pre-ordering one. Now, I've forgotten this thing existed and only remember the commercial they showed when it first released about taking your PS3 games on the go. Sony needs to increase awareness of this or it will continue to be a money pit.

 

[Tobor]

What that you get 100s of mini games without having to buy them all individually and clog up your device?

You're really reaching hard with this argument. Your arms are going to pop out of their sockets.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

That seems like a silly selling point.

have you seen lbp vita? its god like this could be that "unique" game on vita you are taking about

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

400x240 screen? how the hell did they even find someone to make that?,shitty cheap plastic, scratches screen by itself, ect.) The 3ds was rushed IMO.

I could be mistaken but I recall reading that Sharp makes it and it basically came in that size or one that was much too large given the physical size of the 3DS and its maximum battery size. That being said, yeah the 3DS was rushed which is shocking to me. The DS was one thing since the GBA was 3 years old and Nintendo was caught flatfooted by the PSP, but the DS was almost 7 years old when the 3DS came out while Sony was off in Never Never Land and still Nintendo was rushing?

A PSP revision (second analog stick maybe) with a heavy Japan focus would´ve been the best option imo. The Vita release was definitely a huge mistake.

I agree 100%. I thought they should have just doubled or tripled the PSP's power, make sure there was some kind of BC in place, court the hell out of Japanese 3rd parties, release under $200 1-2 years earlier.

 

[Metallix87]

have you seen lbp vita? its god like this could be that "unique" game on vita you are taking about

God-like...?

 

[Canis lupus]

Nope. You have Xperia, and 3G has already proven to be next to worthless on Vita.

The problem is people arguing Vita should compete with this and Vita should compete with that in markets that are already dominated. That's silly.

Having 2 smartphones on the market does not cancel each other. Handheld market is not doomed, but Sony should follow a different path than Nintendo. They have their mobile experiences and yet they don't do anything with it for the Vita. I think its time for Sony to consider bringing PlayStation Vita certified phones and tablets.

 

[bangai-o]

why doesnt Sony just make their own Pokemon-ish game and save Vita.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

Sounds gimped to me. Like mapping 2nd analog to 3DS touchscreen.

how would you even put l2/r2 on a portable? vita is barely portable as is.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

God-like...?

its amazing

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

how would you even put l2/r2 on a portable? vita is barely portable as is.

Well, Circle Pad Pro has them. :3

 

[Metallix87]

how would you even put l2/r2 on a portable? vita is barely portable as is.

Maybe you shouldn't try to put L2/R2 on a portable? Maybe it's time that Sony realize and accept that handhelds are not consoles, and creating parity (or as close to parity as you can) between home consoles and handhelds isn't the right thing for the game industry.

Do what works. Nintendo made the right decision going with cheaper tech and simpler controls.

 

[7threst]

have you seen lbp vita? its god like this could be that "unique" game on vita you are taking about

"god like" is stretching it a bit. It looks like a fun game but it's not really a game that is going to sell systems...

 

[nubbe]

I would argue the opposite. The dedicated handheld should be a relatively cheap device and so, as Nintendo usually does it, should be 8-10 years behind console tech. The Vita is more expensive than consoles at the moment which is ridiculous for the market. No the 3DS wasn't initially a good fit for the dedicated handheld market which was clearly shown as well, but it at least is much closer to the ideal handheld for the market. That's why the Vita'a performance is nothing surprising to me nor something that bothers me. The 3DS' early performance did bother me since the Vita was very likely to die and if it died we'd be left with smartphones.

Grownups with jobs don't have time with a Vita and they get their fix on their smartphone with $1-10 games.

Grownups without a job can't afford it.

and you'd rather buy a kid a cheap smartphone instead of a Vita since games are $1-10 on it and you can call the kid and ask him why the hell he isn't in school

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

Well, Circle Pad Pro has them. :3

compare the 3ds with circle pad pro to a normal 3ds/vita.

 

[GCX]

why doesnt Sony just make their own Pokemon-ish game and save Vita.

Yeah, that's an easy thing to do. Just look at all those multi million selling Pokemon like games out there.

 

[Canis lupus]

why doesnt Sony just make their own Pokemon-ish game and save Vita.

They had that in Monsta Hunta from a 3rd party, they couldnt even secure this as an exclusive for future Sony handhelds.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

"god like" is stretching it a bit. It looks like a fun game but it's not really a game that is going to sell systems...

it won't because Sony sucks at marketing anything.

 

[Metallix87]

They had that in Monsta Hunta from a 3rd party, they couldnt even secure this as an exclusive for future Sony handhelds.

Well, for starters, I wouldn't compare Monster Hunter to Pokemon. Monster Hunter is a beast, of course, but it's not Pokemon.

Anyway, your post points out another major issue that Sony has to overcome to survive: They rely on third parties the most of the three system manufacturers.

 

[BareKnuckle]

I traded in my vita for a 3dsxl yesterday. My most played vita games were Rayman, virtua tennis, hot shots golf and mutant blobs.

I could have the first 3 on my ps3 and the last is coming to steam. Hot shots golf on ps3 is not the same game, but its close enough.

I have super Mario 3d land and am planning to get revelations soon, and I can't get either anywhere else. I think that's where the problem with the vita lies, no exclusivity.

 

[Yopis]

No ads, frontloaded software, new system kinks, launch game lack of polish high price, apple love. Give the system a chance people. All of the prophets were saying same thing when ps3 was 600 bucks had no games and psn was garbage.

People said Sony should cut the losses and run from blu ray and cell. All of the Vita problems will get sorted as the system matures.

All of the high price PS3 hate came to Vita. Funny how when the PS3 price came down the hate did also. Sony wont drop a platform this fast. Hardware is great but just needs games and a price drop. Nothing sells like it did years ago.

 

[alfredofroylan]

why doesnt Sony just make their own Pokemon-ish game and save Vita.

Not exactly Pokemon-ish but close enough

Last I heard is that it sold less than 1 million worldwide.

 

[commish]

Do what works. Nintendo made the right decision going with cheaper tech and simpler controls.

Still too expensive.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

people who want to play games on the go without gimped controls or shitty hardware

"Uh...uhh...nothing to really counter this...I'll throw some weak ass insults!"

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

Grownups with jobs don't have time with a Vita and they get their fix on their smartphone with $1-10 games.

Grownups without a job can't afford it.

and you'd rather buy a kid a cheap smartphone instead of a Vita since games are $1-10 on it and you can call the kid and ask him why the hell he isn't in school

Well, some grownups with jobs still like dedicated handhelds though most in that group probably grew up playing Nintendo games and are ok with a cheap Nintendo dedicated handheld.

A surprising number of grownups without jobs seem to be able to afford to latest overpriced Apple iWhatever these days. Yeah, not a major market for a handheld anyways.

Or you buy a kid a cheap dedicated handheld, as always the largest market for them though they have to be cheap.

Yeah, that's an easy thing to do. Just look at all those multi million selling Pokemon like games out there.

Now now, Pokemon might be silly, but Sony seriously just needs to make a Mario. Problem solved.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

compare the 3ds with circle pad pro to a normal 3ds/vita.

Yeah, it's way more comfortable than a vanilla 3DS or Vita. Function > Form.

 

[Canis lupus]

Well, for starters, I wouldn't compare Monster Hunter to Pokemon. Monster Hunter is a beast, of course, but it's not Pokemon.

Anyway, your post points out another major issue that Sony has to overcome to survive: They rely on third parties the most of the three system manufacturers.

They turned that around with the PS3 however.