Opinion: So, the Vita is off to a shaky start… So what?

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2 mins read

According to Bloomberg, sales figures tor the PlayStation Vita dropped substantially after its first week of sales.

The drop was 78 per cent, to be precise, down from 325,000 to 72,000, compared to Nintendo’s 3DS sales of 482,000 in the same week.

Even the PSP outsold the Vita in that week, apparently. What is amusing, though, is the reaction in the gaming press. I’ve already seen numerous “Is the Vita Doomed?” stories, or words to those effect.

Is the sales figures an indication that the Vita will struggle in its early days? Certainly. As did the Nintendo 3DS, you all may remember. It took some spectacular work on Nintendo’s behalf to turn that around, and now we can accept that the 3DS is on the right track. Same deal with the Vita. Sony needs to give people a reason to buy it, and six months from now will be when we can determine whether Sony has achieved that.

Sony has had slow starts with its last few consoles (and concepts) in recent years, too. For various reasons, the PS3, the PSP and the PSN have all had slow starts. Through price cuts and by adding features and services to the consoles, Sony has turned both devices and the download portal into robust, successful gaming and entertainment solutions.

So no, I don’t think the Vita is in any trouble whatsoever. Sony is serious about the console, and just as Sony was able to make the PSP a success (moreso in Japan and Europe than America, admittedly), I’m confident that the Vita will be a success as well.

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  • Good evening! 🙂

    I definitely don't think it's doomed, but I think it's showing that the troubles the 3DS had weren't just a fluke.  While I think the Big N had some mistakes right out of the gates, it's possible that the mobile phone market is proving more of a threat to dedicated handheld gaming systems than some people realized.

    There was some pretty bad Vita press right before release, concerning the memory sticks, the single PSN accounts and then the supposed hardware freeze-ups.  I'm still very interested in the system – the tech looks cool, the gaming lineup sounds solid and I have high hopes for the online integration.  That said?  It may mean Sony does have to reconsider some options – I'd love to see Vita allow multiple PSN's (I have 2 kids who were bummed with that news), maybe a drop in the overpriced memory sticks and it will be VERY interesting to see if the pricepoints are altered.  Even if they are, which I'm not sure they will be, I doubt it will be as dramatic as what we saw with the 3DS price cuts.

    I think perhaps the reason people are a bit worried, is Sony's PSP has always done well in Japan.  Sony's brand is stronger there than in say, NA.  So while I don't think Sony's Vita is in dire straits here, I do think there's reason for legitimate concern as I think Sony expected Japan's market to be very strong for them, and it has come in under their expectations.

  • Good evening! 🙂

    I definitely don't think it's doomed, but I think it's showing that the troubles the 3DS had weren't just a fluke.  While I think the Big N had some mistakes right out of the gates, it's possible that the mobile phone market is proving more of a threat to dedicated handheld gaming systems than some people realized.

    There was some pretty bad Vita press right before release, concerning the memory sticks, the single PSN accounts and then the supposed hardware freeze-ups.  I'm still very interested in the system – the tech looks cool, the gaming lineup sounds solid and I have high hopes for the online integration.  That said?  It may mean Sony does have to reconsider some options – I'd love to see Vita allow multiple PSN's (I have 2 kids who were bummed with that news), maybe a drop in the overpriced memory sticks and it will be VERY interesting to see if the pricepoints are altered.  Even if they are, which I'm not sure they will be, I doubt it will be as dramatic as what we saw with the 3DS price cuts.

    I think perhaps the reason people are a bit worried, is Sony's PSP has always done well in Japan.  Sony's brand is stronger there than in say, NA.  So while I don't think Sony's Vita is in dire straits here, I do think there's reason for legitimate concern as I think Sony expected Japan's market to be very strong for them, and it has come in under their expectations.

  • I think a lot of people forget that the PSP was not an immediate success in Japan. It took a long time to really get going there.

    I'm certain Sony will respond if the sales for the Vita remain flat. It has to, the Vita is a critical bit of hardware for it.

    BTW, what is your 3DS FC? I'll add you. Hope you're enjoying the new toy 😀

  • I do think that's an excellent point – that the PSP was sluggish out of the gates too.  One big thing the Vita has going for it is the long list of release titles, imo.

    0559-7203-9384

    That's my friend code – and yes, the new toy has been awesome so far! 🙂  Have yourself a good New Year, bud.

  • I do think that's an excellent point – that the PSP was sluggish out of the gates too.  One big thing the Vita has going for it is the long list of release titles, imo.

    0559-7203-9384

    That's my friend code – and yes, the new toy has been awesome so far! 🙂  Have yourself a good New Year, bud.

  • Even though I have no intention of buying a Vita (despite it's hardware coolness), I'm really getting tired of the doom and gloom articles.  A number of them are so slanted towards smartphone gaming and angry birds fanboyism it's just sickening.

  • Even though I have no intention of buying a Vita (despite it's hardware coolness), I'm really getting tired of the doom and gloom articles.  A number of them are so slanted towards smartphone gaming and angry birds fanboyism it's just sickening.

  • I do think smartphone gaming is a genuine threat to the profitability that handheld gaming has enjoyed in the past – every $1 Angry Birds takes on the iPhone is one less dollar that the other dedicated gaming consoles could have had. 

    But you're right, the doom and gloom stuff needs to stop. To claim a console is failing after just two weeks is terrible and irresponsible journalism. 

  • I do think smartphone gaming is a genuine threat to the profitability that handheld gaming has enjoyed in the past – every $1 Angry Birds takes on the iPhone is one less dollar that the other dedicated gaming consoles could have had. 

    But you're right, the doom and gloom stuff needs to stop. To claim a console is failing after just two weeks is terrible and irresponsible journalism. 

  • The problem with equating the Vita's poor sales in its second week with the threat of mobile gaming is that the numbers are for Japan. Although Mobage and Gree are big parts of the Japanese industry the handheld industry is still the biggest sector there and has even marginalised consoles. That's just something to remember whilst we're discussing the reasons for the big drop off.

    My second point is that 3DS and Vita's launches may seem similar but there's some key differences. The easiest difference to point out is that 3DS sold over 200K in its second week compared to 70K for Vita, it's a much steeper decline for Vita, this also happened at two very different times of year. 3DS was launched in a slow sales season whilst Vita was launched just before the biggest sales week of the year. Vita's second week was pretty shockingly bad but that doesn't mean that the handheld is doomed, it just means Sony has to work harder and faster.

    The biggest problem that Vita has to face now, and that 3DS faced at launch, is not price; it's software. Vita's launchup has a lot of good games but there's no massive brands there(moreso in Japan than the West). The biggest games in Vita's lineup currently are Tales of Innocence, Gundam and FFX and the new Gundam game is the only one which is an original and exclusive Vita game. Even worse Vita has no potential million sellers lined up whilst it's competing against the 3DS that not only has Mario and Mario Kart but Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, Pokémon and Animal Crossing. Sony's biggest mistake was losing Monster Hunter exclusivity and if it is actually exclusive to 3DS they could be in trouble.

    Sony needs to be securing big software right now. If they can't get Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest they need to get a mainline Final Fantasy and they need to get Kingdom Hearts 3. It would be a great idea to get a Gran Turismo out quick and ensure it's high quality, it's their only first party megabrand left. They should also be looking for ways to make the hardware more appealing which makes it easier for games like Hot Shot Golf and Dynasty Warriors to sell the big numbers they usually do. They probably can't afford a price cut but they should be including a memory card for free, not only will this lower the bar for entry but it will also help consumer confusion.

    Wow this post is longer than I expected it to be but those are my thoughts. Either way, I'm sure Sony will able to make Vita a viable market place for developers and that is what is really important.

  • The problem with equating the Vita's poor sales in its second week with the threat of mobile gaming is that the numbers are for Japan. Although Mobage and Gree are big parts of the Japanese industry the handheld industry is still the biggest sector there and has even marginalised consoles. That's just something to remember whilst we're discussing the reasons for the big drop off.

    My second point is that 3DS and Vita's launches may seem similar but there's some key differences. The easiest difference to point out is that 3DS sold over 200K in its second week compared to 70K for Vita, it's a much steeper decline for Vita, this also happened at two very different times of year. 3DS was launched in a slow sales season whilst Vita was launched just before the biggest sales week of the year. Vita's second week was pretty shockingly bad but that doesn't mean that the handheld is doomed, it just means Sony has to work harder and faster.

    The biggest problem that Vita has to face now, and that 3DS faced at launch, is not price; it's software. Vita's launchup has a lot of good games but there's no massive brands there(moreso in Japan than the West). The biggest games in Vita's lineup currently are Tales of Innocence, Gundam and FFX and the new Gundam game is the only one which is an original and exclusive Vita game. Even worse Vita has no potential million sellers lined up whilst it's competing against the 3DS that not only has Mario and Mario Kart but Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, Pokémon and Animal Crossing. Sony's biggest mistake was losing Monster Hunter exclusivity and if it is actually exclusive to 3DS they could be in trouble.

    Sony needs to be securing big software right now. If they can't get Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest they need to get a mainline Final Fantasy and they need to get Kingdom Hearts 3. It would be a great idea to get a Gran Turismo out quick and ensure it's high quality, it's their only first party megabrand left. They should also be looking for ways to make the hardware more appealing which makes it easier for games like Hot Shot Golf and Dynasty Warriors to sell the big numbers they usually do. They probably can't afford a price cut but they should be including a memory card for free, not only will this lower the bar for entry but it will also help consumer confusion.

    Wow this post is longer than I expected it to be but those are my thoughts. Either way, I'm sure Sony will able to make Vita a viable market place for developers and that is what is really important.

  • I'm sure it'll do better in the US, what with the launch games including Wipeout and Uncharted. Even if it continues to sell poorly in japan, it's chances were always better in the west.

  • I'm sure it'll do better in the US, what with the launch games including Wipeout and Uncharted. Even if it continues to sell poorly in japan, it's chances were always better in the west.

  • I'm still trying to work out exactly what kind of real impact smartphones are having.  My hangup is thinking about how *I* want to game and how phones aren't a suitable solution.  Smartphone saturation is HUGE and as such is quite the potential for gaming revenue.  One nagging for me aspect is looking at the smartphone gaming consumer and overestimating their interest in handheld console gaming.

    Lets say you have both and budget $50/mo on gaming.  It's clear that you can potentially expand your variety of games on a smartphone by a great amount as compared to a console and each $0.99 title takes away from your console budget.  Though at the same time how many people never have an intention (nor ever will) of buying a handheld console?  I can't see them as a threat as they aren't even in the picture..

    On the other hand even though smartphones are exploding, people still want dumb phones without data plans.  Frankly I'm one of them since work provides an android phone and pays for all of it with a data plan.  I keep a basic flip phone without text messaging for personal use.  (admittedly if work wasn't paying I probably would)

    Anyway, that's not the point of this article.  I think both the 3DS and Vita will have challenges as time goes on with PC, Smartphone and broadband streaming options, but will adjust as needed. Deep down I hope the handheld market doesn't get too small to lose developer support.

  • I'm still trying to work out exactly what kind of real impact smartphones are having.  My hangup is thinking about how *I* want to game and how phones aren't a suitable solution.  Smartphone saturation is HUGE and as such is quite the potential for gaming revenue.  One nagging for me aspect is looking at the smartphone gaming consumer and overestimating their interest in handheld console gaming.

    Lets say you have both and budget $50/mo on gaming.  It's clear that you can potentially expand your variety of games on a smartphone by a great amount as compared to a console and each $0.99 title takes away from your console budget.  Though at the same time how many people never have an intention (nor ever will) of buying a handheld console?  I can't see them as a threat as they aren't even in the picture..

    On the other hand even though smartphones are exploding, people still want dumb phones without data plans.  Frankly I'm one of them since work provides an android phone and pays for all of it with a data plan.  I keep a basic flip phone without text messaging for personal use.  (admittedly if work wasn't paying I probably would)

    Anyway, that's not the point of this article.  I think both the 3DS and Vita will have challenges as time goes on with PC, Smartphone and broadband streaming options, but will adjust as needed. Deep down I hope the handheld market doesn't get too small to lose developer support.

  • The Vita is off to the same start as the 3DS was. No big deal. Eventually Vita is going to have a system seller (just like Monster Hunter 3G), and it's going to soar like an eagle just like the 3DS did in Japan. It's inevitable.

  • The Vita is off to the same start as the 3DS was. No big deal. Eventually Vita is going to have a system seller (just like Monster Hunter 3G), and it's going to soar like an eagle just like the 3DS did in Japan. It's inevitable.

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