Opinion – Sony; stop f*****g around with the Vita
I’m fed up of ‘um-ing’ and ‘arr-ing’ about whether or not to get a Vita because I’m genuinely interested in picking one up at some point. The console looks capable of some pretty cool things and would sit nicely in my collection.
The trouble is Sony are pissing about with the thing and don’t know whether it’s a fully portable current generation console or a portable last gen PS2/PS1. There’s no denying the fact that the PSP wasn’t a massive hit but that at least had some decent titles released for it.
The PS Vita? Well it has around three games worth picking up, memory that is far too expensive and now it has PS One game support. YAY! I mean come on Sony; what the hell are you guys doing? People who have bought a Vita want Vita games to play not old games they already own clogging up precious space on their memory sticks.
The entire Vita launch (games and hardware) has been a farce whilst only now are we seeing games playing catch-up to a device that launched way before its time. If Sony were to have launched the device now, or a little nearer Christmas then maybe they would have had more sales because value-for-money games were being released on the device. Some of the early games could have been played/bought on a smartphone or tablet PC for less.
What’s worse is how expensive the thing is; £200. Seriously? Are you having a laugh? I could get a PS3 for less than that and I would have a wealth of games to choose from to boot and I would find them all more enjoyable. The console needs its own games too not spin-offs of console games or milked franchises. Give us some creative games that make us want to game and actually own a piece of hardware we can be proud of. At this rate, it looks like I’m going to buy one to play Tearaway on and then sell it once completed because that looks like the only game that will make FULL and enjoyable use of the device.
I sympathise with those out there who have invested in a shiny blue dust gatherer. Sure it attracts all the dust and keeps the devices you actually use dust-free but I could employ someone to do that for far less over the course of a year.
I don’t like bashing companies and I’m far from a Microsoft or Nintendo fan-boy because I own pretty much all consoles going, but when I want something and yet the thing stopping me from getting it is the company itself; then I get pissed.
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i am a huge sony fanboy, and i own a vita. but while i love that tiny little system (and seriously invest tons over tons of hours into Absence of Detention), this article is full of truth. Memory prices are terrifiying, and while many retailers like to give away a 4GB Card for free, if you want to have some PSN games and PSX classics, you really need a lot more than that.
I bought one. Played a few games, most notably Motorstorm and Escape Plan (one free the other a cheap PSN download), and then it sat there for months, collected dust, then I sold it to upgrade my 3DS. The screen was nice, unless the scenes were dark, because all you could see was screen blotches that look like ink blots, in dark scenes. The back panel felt gimmicky in every title with the exception of FIFA, and was marred by terrible load times. Sony learned nothing from the complaints leveled by consumers, about the PSP. Hardware is nice and all, but the hardcore gamer doesn't want gimped, console-lite experiences. They want games that embrace the platform, and for me, only a few DL titles did that. It's not that the Vita is ahead of it's time, it is actually quite the opposite, it's a relic (albeit a fancy one) of an age where specs and features take priority over substance and content.
The best Vita games are ports. The memory cards are super expensive even though we live in a time where memory is super cheap to make. The system is over-priced. There's really no good reason for me to buy one at this point.
Exactly. Until there's some decent software available then we have no reason why to give Sony our money.
To fund decent software to be made. PC gamers say the same thing as an excuse for Piracy, "I'll buy it only if" There are many decent games coming this autumn and tbh there are some great titles out for it right now, including: Virtua Tennis, fifa 12, Wipeout, Metal Gear Solid HD, Gravity rush, rayman, Uncharter, lumines, army Corps (acquired taste), Ninja gaiden, Dungeon Hunter (if you find it cheap in Canada it's 19.99$), MOrtal Kombat.... Thats should be...actually most of the Vita games out now! I didn't even mention PSN titles:)
Pretty sure the PSP was a massive hit. Compared to the DS? No. But it did very well, and has a heck of a lot of great games.
That's one article i find that sums the vita up pretty well. Written by a guy who does not have pink fanboy glasses on but analyzes the situation as it is. Keep on the good work by naming things. My take on the situation of the Vita is: I say Sony released the Vita already knowing it would totally tank when thrown at the "new mobile dominated smart-consoles-market". Could be the case they released the Vita because they wanted to lessen their profit artificially so less taxes will have to be paid. All their actions indicate this as the reasen why it was released in the first place. All they really do with that machine is cash-in on old stuff that gets close to abandonware. "Yeah, we released a dead horse for hidden tax reasons.. but as long as we are able to cash in on fanboy's need to satisfy the reliving of his childhood memories all will be fine for us."
By the end of the year, 7 months after launch, you're gonna have uncharted, wipeout, gravity rush, assasins creed, call of duty, little big planet, street fighter x tekken, persona 4 golden, rayman origins, metal gear solid hd, ninja gaiden, mortal kombat, need for speed, etc. Those are more than 10 titles that are AAA titles. Plus lots of sport titles, and several really good PSN titles like escape plan, super stardust delta, mutant blobs, sound shapes, attack and so on. Besides lots of games coming that we don't know how will perform but look interesting like lego lotr, sonic kart game, etc. Like every rant against Vita, everything comes down to price, like 3ds before, or even PS3. People like it but want it cheap, so bash the console, cry that it's dead until manufacturer X lowers price and then everyone loves it, we've seen it before. So yeah, it's 200, it's well worth it, and yeah, ps3 is cheaper, good luck taking your ps3 in your pocket. The fact is, Vita, in less than a year, has some really good games already, tons of apps, PSN integration, trophies, backward compatibility, cross play etc. It's a beast, an amazing machine, At least for me, I've never played a console this much in a long time. And please, don't compare it to mobile gaming, I've an android phone, and even the more hardcore games like those from Gameloft, EA and others are terrible in comparison with almost any of those AAA games mentioned before. I've played NOVAs, Modern Combat, Dead Space, Dead Trigger, etc. and they are really bad for console gaming standards, Vita included.
But nobody wants a PS3 in their pocket. Why would anyone? Where are you ever going to be, where you will have time to engage in an epic, full-sized, console title, that isn't your home? And if you were at home, why would you prefer to play it on a smaller, lower resolution screen, with fewer buttons, and running on an inferior gpu and CPU than the ps3? This is where the Vita fails. Only the most hardcore Sony fan wanted that, and they've all already bought the Vita. Where does it go from here? Where are the "got to have it", "only on Vita" experiences? Because all I see is, "you can play it here, but will find a better, more full featured cousin-title on our other console".
I'm sorry guys, I can't see the Vita being even remotely successful in the near future, not only is Sony trying to push it toward it's weakest market (gaming) but also toward Smartphones in a world dominated by IOS and Android, not to mention the bad business move of using proprietary memory, and giving it no software the masses want, I'm not going to bash it's library, because I don't even own a Vita, but if it continues to have poor third party support because Sony can't even get marketing right, I might not even consider it
Comparing Vita and PS3 makes no sense, since one is not a substitute for the other. I have both; one is for gaming at home and the other is for gaming when away, so unless you've figured out a way to play your PS3 on your daily commute, then I suggest you (and others) stop making this stupid comparison. Also, a brand new state of the art tiny handheld battery powered gaming system with it's own speakers and screen cost more than a huge six year old console that's tied to your TV and electricity. Big surprise there, I know, right? How about comparing the Vita price to a similarly spec'd smartphone? Oh, but that would expose the Vita as being the great value product that it is, wouldn't it, and we can't have that! I've had my Vita since day one and I play it every day. And yes, I am looking forward to PSOne gaming on my Vita. FFVII is one of my most anticipated games right now.
Lets say for some strange reason your out on the road and your car happens to break down. Well you could just pull out your Vita and....Oh thats right, ITS NOT A PHONE! Theres your Vita value contrast vs a smartPHONE. I can actually do more on my IPhone than any other portable on the market today.
This article is a joke right? Because i can't take it seriously. What i find funny is, so many people talk trash about the system, then try to justify it by saying they are going to buy it soon but then there's no reason to because they are looking for that special something. BS! When you have the system, you do a lot more than you think you do and its soo annoying to see articles with these entitled gamers who act like they know how to run a buisness. EVERYTHING comes with time. Nintendo didn't take 2 weeks for the 3ds to hit it big or get its big software so why is it with Sony it's a big deal. They have made it clear on every interview, in every event that they are WORKING HARD and INVESTING HARD to make more and more games for the system, yet everyone is deaf ears. I love my vita but unlike the rest of the world, i haven't played every game in the world and the Vita allows me to do that. Want a new game? Play one you havent played before and stop bitching. Get out the confort zone and stop waiting for something that is going to be overhyped and flat. The Vita has that period.
But see thats the problem. There are plenty of people who have played almost every game made. Thats just how hardcore some gamers are. You pick out any PS 1 title and chances are someone has already played it, beaten it, and put it away. Yes, everything comes with time. Your right on that one. But whereas Nintendo had the respect and dignity to admit it misjudged the desire of the 3DS, reacted by cutting the price and then tried their best to reward early adopters through the ambassador program, Sony is doing non of these things to get sales moving. In fact they said there will be no price cut and did you read the recent news about your memory card being locked to your PSN account when you update the System? I mean.. at the very least, a good gesture would have been to allow early adopters to transfer PSP titles to Vita FOR FREE. Iwata and Miyamoto were men enough to take some accountability for the 3DS woes and cut their salaries. You think Kairaz is going to do that? Sony has learned nothing from the Nintendo launch like they said they would. In fact they went a step further with an even worse launch through pricing and propriety practices and few quality games. Sony should have waited until 3rd parties cleared some of their schedules and could actually commit to the Vita with fresh games. WORKING HARD and INVESTING HARD means nothing if there is no substance to it or reward for it. Thats exactly why 3rd parties are avoiding it for now at all cost.
How many people though? There is not alot of people that have played PS1 games. Some wasn't even born around that time. Some didn't have the system and you can tell that when they obviously don't know what they are talking about. I'm not a Sony hardcore fan but i grew up with both Nintendo and Sony (Nintendo more) and i haven't played half the games they bring. Neither but that's not the subject. My problem with alot of gamers and these stupid blogs are the ignorance they put up because they are. I understand its a cool thing now to hate on Sony, great. They messed up, they know they messed up and they have admitted time and time again they have. Will they stop? No...Because the circumstances against them are far deeper than anyone else. If anyone owned a buisness they would know that but then again, that's the ignorance. Anyways, this comparison with Nintendo and Sony needs to end here. They are 2 different companies marketed to 2 different type of people under 2 different standards. Things that Nintendo can get away with are things Sony CAN NOT get away with and there is the gap. Do you think if Sony was to make another Handheld system , if people would allow it to be a small, graphically crippled system, with low quality parts, a small screen, terrible hardware to compensate for fun games? NO! Everyone would complain, start a fight and flamewars will begin. That's the difference between Nintendo and Sony. Everyone already expects what Nintendo would do because they do it for the afforablity and the love of their consumers which hate it or love it, is majority kids. Kids make up half of Nintendo sales date to date and Nintendo did make a mistake by charging $250 for a console that doesn't do anything else besides play games. The circumstances for them was completely different from Sony, and the technology Nintendo had in the 3DS alone was wayy more than its actual cost. They can afford to drop the price willingly because the regression cost of the parts in the system will eventually profit them in the long run. That's not the same with the Vita. The Vita cannot be priced down because the technology in the system is too expensive as it is now and the shipping cost and tax, and all those other Sony expenses causes the system to be so high. It wasn't Sony's intentions to have it that high but you can't blame the system for being what it was meant to be. its that bridge between Smartphone and Handheld. Sony has already admitted that the price of the Vita is too high and they can't do anything about it because they are already losing a ton of money. The only thing they can support it with, is by making software to at least take the blow. Yes i HIGHLY agree the Memory Cards is what made the system unfavorable but this whole "Vita having no games" argument is whack. Fine, it does't have backwards compatibilty. Neither does the Xbox , the Dsi ended its gameboy advance compatibilty and so did the 3ds. The psp 1000-2000-3000 all had backwards compatibilty and they come out with a brand new system and people are bitching. Gtfo! Why complain now! This is too long to continue but my point is, everyone is yelling because it's Sony. they've done everythign they can to change things, but no one gives them credit for it because people always feel entitled. Well guess what?Get over it. Nothing in this world is free. Your either the push over or the regulator. Apple is doing just fine arent they.
First of all , i would like to address this "fanboy" situation. I am in no way a fanboy not am I loyal to anyone. I can simply give the boot whenever i want to. I could care less what situation Sony or any company is in. That's there problem. If you can't get your sh***t together oh well, see you later. Someone else will rise. So lets get that notion out the way. I'm not defending Sony, I'm defending my view on this take of an article. And i'm not bashing the author, he is entitled to his opinion and what not. My passion is technology. it doesn't lie in just gaming. I do far more than game and i own far more than just gaming systems. For gamers its different. It lies between supped up PC or gaming consoles. Maybe a Smartphone here and there , a mobile game ..but I am no conventional gamer. I play games because I love them. They are my solice in life and something I have done since i was a child . I have no specific genre and will try everything once, if not more than once depending on the situation. And that's my situation with the Vita. Maybe for some people, they look it at as "Oh, it has no games that warrants a purchase for me because it doesn't have anything I want to play to put me into the experience." That may be the majority of the world but I look at it as people who simply don't want to try something once. Fine, no one is forcing anyone to buy the system. Sony obviously isn't as we see, but it is completely unfair that regardless if they are trying or not, there has to be 50 million articles to say so. So what? No one starts with there foot in the door knowing what to do or say. I'm not saying Sony doesn't know this because they have and its the reason why they are in this position. they simply, don't...learn. But unlike everyone else, what works for them is what works for them. Currently right now they are paying for it, but its like they are constantly being singled out. Everytime. Sure sony's devices are overpriced....however do they underperform? Maybe, but most of the time, No. Sony is known for quality. Look at the games they sign on. They are highly rated, critical acclaimed games. They do get their credit for it but no one pays attention to that. They instead pay attention to what other thing decide to announce. I hate that they have propriety chargers that cripple the ecosystem. I hate that none of their products EVER work together seamlessly. However Apple can come out with a new Macbook for $1000 more dollars, with just a new screen, a new fan that works like every other fan in the industry but slap "magical" on it, show a demonstration on it ..have people in awe about it and still get to watch it fly off the shelf. Then on top of that , make a evolutionary item and sue everyone else because they are getting beaten in the arena they have failed to conquer because they are simply "It's our way or the highway" . Yet, no one....not one media outlet, has ever talked about it...put it on the spot and go "You know what Apple, maybe if you weren't being so damn ignorant and made your products more affordable to people who wants the experience, then you wouldn't get defeated!" Sounds familar? Yes, that was/is Sony. However Sony gets talked about everyday, Apple gets praised everyday, gets thrown billions in the bank and still has the audacity to continue on with the same game. I'm not defending Sony....one more time. It gets quite annoying just opening Reader and then thus seeing another Vita "fail" article , about someone who wants to justify their purchase but can't find a reason but i can find 100+. I don't care if it doesn't have games right now because i understand nothing happens right now. Everything gets upgraded with time, everything happens with time. Time is everything and my problem is no one is giving it time. Everyone is finding something here and there to rag on. Just shut up and give it TIME. Is that so hard to ask? If they have said multiple times, they are working on it, why do we need 80+ articles complaining about something they've already stated they are working on? I'm just being realistic. As for the overpriced stuff and being arrogant. Sure, they are arrogant,and overpriced but every single company on the planet is. None of them really care about YOU, they only care about your money. Verizon doesn't care about you, ATT doesn't care. Yet they are the top carriers in the US. They take away everything and people still pay. Microsoft is just as bad, taking away, putting back, not telling you, shafting you any time they get, and they are still rich. BP contaminated a whole ocean and didn't give people a dime back for their troubles yet still have gas stations all over america and still make money. Wow. In conclusion, I just generally find it messed up to call out one company for something everyone is guilty of. I like everyone equally and don't hold any alliances and i will go on about how much i love/hate each one. But it gets ridiculous and annoying to see things like this. If you can't find a reason to like it, That's you, but purposely angering fans you know are going to come and start foaming at the mouth because of what you said is stupid. If Sony happens to have new games for, it will simply still not be enough no matter how good they are. If they Sony decided to say "f**k it" and come out with a crappy console or handheld its because they were arrogant and didn't care about there fans. Whatever the case is, Sony seems to be everyone's punching bag. They got there their damn selves but give credit where credit is due. They are trying, even if they fell a couple of time down the stairs. Just wait, that's it. If you don't want to buy it now, they aren't forcing you. Obviously they already have it planned by at least next year they will have a price drop. Why? Because technology regresses at the time and all the tech that is in the system will be affordable for a price drop. Right now, they are expensive pieces that are still high in demand and they simply can't do it.
Ok, lets get a few things out of the way. First of all Im pretty sure that Im older than you as I was playing games since 1985 when Nintendo came out with the game & watch collection. I actually had Donkey Kong and DK Jr. So I was around when PS1 came out. I read IGN alot. Maybe too much in fact. The Idea that a system with so much high level tech now having to depend on their back catalog so quickly in its life is a very telling and worrying fact. And since your harping on my alleged low level of reading why dont you check out some of the comments on the IGN article about PS1 classics coming to Vita. Take note the comments about Sony and its bad, bizarre, business decisions. Its not an assumption. How is it fair, as you say, to put out high priced hardware and not deliver on the promises you made before said hardware was released? You really are a Sony drone arent you? It is literally an excuse to say that because the manufacturing cost of the system are too high that you cant do a price cut. They Literally lost millions when the PS3 came out. So what is so different now? Oh yeah, thats right. The company is in the crapper as far as their stocks are concerned. Oh and Hirai’s salary was involuntary cut because of the angry share holders not because he felt responsible in any way. I dont think YOU understand so deeply why your company is failing so badly. Its alot worse to be a billion dollar company and not be able to maintain your solid record as the worlds leading electronics company. I mean come on. Nintendo is certainly not in a position to cut prices on their product but they did. Its pride and nothing else. Sony just wants to save face and so do you. As far as memory cards and PSN accounts? I think your the only one who doesnt care about the “Locking” tactics Sony keeps implementing. And thats false about the region locking as in some of those same articles and comment sections there were people who could not have two accounts from different regions. In this advanced digital age, where modding and downloading are easier than ever. Why in the world would it be so difficult to allow for PSP games to be downloaded through a transfer program? They did it with the PSP and allowed movie transfers and videos. So whats the problem? Oh yeah more money to make. Nintendo went through nearly 8 itterations of gameboy before it discontinued backward compat. Sony? Only 2. And the 3000 was only a slight design improvement so it doesnt count. And yes, you can play GC games on Wii and Wii games on Wii U. Sony is an electronics company.....who chose to get into gaming. Im not going to treat them any differently. If YOU read any articles on IGN or any other gaming site, you will see that in hind sight many have put berated Sony for a poor PS3 launch and now Vita. How silly does it sound to defend Sony by saying its about install base? You just proved my point. Its real sad when your predecessor is doing better than your new hardware. Third parties wont touch it as seen with COD: BO: declassified. The same company who made the dismal Resistance BS is trusted with one of the biggest franchises in gaming history? Something must be wrong with you if your not scratching your head on that one. Thats why third parties wont touch it. I have a life too baby. I hardly have time to play games like I used to. I understand your passion as I am passionate about Nintendo and Im not totally bias, just reading the sh!t thats on the wall for such an arrogant company. I cant remember where, but there was a nice article about Sonys over confidence in their brand and how its failing now. The difference between Sony and Nintendo is Ninty is known for its gaming magic, its franchises, and its care for the craft. Sony is simply a brand that used to be pretty excellent. I too have laid into people for giving Nintendo a hard time recently but only because people have been dooming them before their product even comes out. Sonys doom is pretty clear and if they dont get it together soon they wont be around to correct their mistakes.
The PSP wasn't a massive hit? It sold a lot. It seemed to die the final year but for a few years it did well. As for the whole PS1/PS2 games on the Vita, a lot of Vita owners want those games.
exactly what i have been experiencing, i want a vita but sony doesn't want to sell me one. its ben 6 months and i still have'nt pick one yet, why? theres really no must buy game.
I'm waiting for Tearaway to buy a Vita, cuz the games besides Gravity Rush and Sound Shapes aren't enough for me to buy such expensive system, I get your point.
