Sony Did Amazing Things for the Vita, and Didn't Tell Anyone

"The PS Vita actually received a ton of support from Sony. However, a lot of Sony’s actions flew under the radar." -- PlayStation Enthusiast

[phoenixwing]

It's really a shame the vita didn't take off like it should have. I guess it's just a testament to Nintendo's stranglehold on the handheld market.

[ABizzel1]

Has nothing to do with Nintendo, who also saw a drastic decline in handheld sales.

It has everything to do with the price of the Vita which was upwards of $400 (the price of a home console) when you factored in the hardware + memory card (with horrible storage options).

The next issue was Vita has huge gaps in game releases, and more importantly AAA support for the simple fact that those experiences were generally better on console.

The final nail in the coffin was game prices and the rise of cellphone and tablet gaming. Vita games were $40 - $50 for AAA releases, meanwhile cellphone games were generally free - $10, and offered a casual friendly experience that satisfied the child gamer. This completely eliminated Vita from one of the largest markets for handhelds, kids.

All together this is what caused the Vita to suffer its current fate. And honestly it's what caused the same decline for Nintendo with the 3DS. The saving grace for Nintendo is that they have a huge proven catalog of exclusive games and support for their handhelds to sell well even through the rise of mobile gaming, but the 3DS has now become the worst selling Nintendo handheld even though it has had a longer lifecycle than most.

[bluefox755]

All good points, several of which make me question Nintendo's decision to make the switch a handheld hybrid. It just doesn't seem like the handheld market is what it used to be, smart phones have more or less taken over that market. I suppose time will tell though.

[IanTH]

I'd even go so far as to say Sony's failing was down to development philosophy (perhaps even more so than the memory card prices, which was an absolute facepalm of a blunder).

Nintendo's saving grace was their approach to making handheld games, though their overfull warchest certainly helped too. If you remember when the 3DS launched it was struggling. For a bit, the Vita appeared to be the sure victor. Then the Big N initiated a massive price drop to get it going because dollar-to-dollar, it did not match up with the Vita (or at least it wasn't enticing at the $300 price point). They dropped the price $100, gave original buyers 10 games and then the handheld was able to get going. Their warchest stocked with cash was key there in allowing them to do that. Sony was still working on their restructure, so had less flexibility on the pricing front.

As far as I'm concerned, Nintendo's biggest asset was the type of experience they created. Their development teams were pretty small for most games - I'd say you could safely call most of their bigger games "AA" affairs in terms of team size and production cost. But that allowed them to crank out a lot of solid games with far cheaper budgets and really get their catalog going while not facing huge losses on titles that didn't click. Sony made games like Killzone Liberation and Uncharted Golden Abyss, titles we heard Sony describe as productions very close in scope/development/cost to last gen console titles. Games like that not selling blockbuster numbers hit harder & I think the losses in the Vita sector really crippled them early on.

I really believe if Sony focused on more "AA" Vita-exclusive experiences in the vein of some of their later successes like Freedom Wars, then they could have pushed out more software and thus more compelling reasons to own one. I prefer my Vita to my 3DS, but the latter has a ton of solid software exclusive to it that make it well worth owning, even just playing at home, and has more support yet to come. I still love & play my Vita, but I can certainly see why those that can't buy both would favor a 3DS over the Vita.

Nintendo had years to balance the cost/benefit ratio on game budget & quality and was able to leverage their years of experience to reinvigorate the 3DS. Once they picked up steam it almost seemed too late for Sony to pivot quickly and effectively enough with their game development philosophy to answer Nintendo's success.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I completely agree with your statement but I would definitely say it's both.

Have to do with a whole combination of what you stated.

You guys know me to be a huge PlayStation fan and even I didn't purchase the PlayStation Vita, I own a 3DS.

3DS was just getting lots of Nintendo's major releases, for the PlayStation Vita wasn't just getting the best that Sony had to offer it was also clearly like you stated extremely expensive at the time. I believe it's difficult to convince someone to purchase a handheld device in a market that is largely dominated by phones that multitask.

[ABizzel1]

@Bluefox755

I agree Switch is a risk because of the decline of the handheld market. But Nintendo develops for Japan first and foremost, unlike Sony who develops for a global audience.

Nintendo is fortunate that they have software that appeals to a global audience, but their entire foundation and train of through is still heavily Japanese, and in Japan handhelds rule.

On a global scale the 3DS was Nintendo's worst selling handheld, but in Japan it went on to sell over 20m units making it the best selling hardware this generation in the country and making it the 4th best selling hardware of all time in Japan behind the DS, original Gameboy, and PS2 with a good chance of catching the PS2. The GBA was the worst selling Nintendo handheld and even it went on to sell over 16m

By default Switch has a strong chance of selling 15m - 20m units in JP alone which is more than Wii U did globally, so going handheld only isn't nearly as big of a risk as making another console that bombs (although a $250 good enough console from Nintendo would have done well IMO).

If it was between another lackluster console (specifically hardware-wise) or going with the Switch, then I believe it was the right decision to go with the switch. Their largest gaming market is handheld gaming, and since they're likely to be the only player in the field, with a handheld that also has a niche of functioning as a home console, they should at worst match the sales of the 3DS.

The only way I see Sony getting back into "handheld" gaming is by making a PlayStation tablet that runs both Android and a dedicated PS app for PS games.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@blue- the switch makes sense for Nintendo specifically.

The handheld Market as a whole is definitely difficult more so than it was 10 years ago, but you also have to look at specific situations Nintendo clearly didn't sell a lot of Wii Us so for Nintendo to sell 60 million 3DS's, it actually makes sense for them to go handheld only.

Of course you could take into account market trends but you also have to take account how they individually affect the specific companies.

Right now Sony and Microsoft are absolutely dominating the Home console Market so it makes sense for Nintendo to focus on their core handheld Market in quietly exit the Home console Market.

Basically Microsoft and Sony are to the console Market what mobile is to the handheld Market.

It makes perfect sense for Sony to exit the handheld Market because they're dominating the Home console Market.

In the same respect it actually makes sense for Nintendo to exit the Home console Market if there doing very well in the handheld Market.

60 million is a far larger number than 14 million.

Just like 50 million PlayStation 4 is a far larger number than 15 million PlayStation Vita's.

I completely understand that you might want to take into consideration market trends but first and foremost you have to take into consideration how each company is actually performing in those markets in the first place

What makes sense for Nintendo is not going to make sense for Sony and vice versa.

[yeahokwhatever]

You're partially right, but I'd like to add a few more things.
1. they also sort of dropped the ball right after launch by not continuing to release FPS games for the dude-bros. COD was so bad, it scared everyone away from FPS on the thing. I bet it could have run UT (2001) really awesome and would have been a blast.
2. Also, Sony needs a Pokemon.
3. ATT partially killed it, that partnership was awful. That data plan was crap. etc.
4. Comfort. The console sucks to hold. At least the first gen one, I never bothered upgrading. The touch screen on the back, while kind of neat for the few games that supported it properly, generally sucks. It sucks for remote play. It sucks for PS1 classics. It sucks. I liked the PSPGo better than the Vita overall. But then again I'm not really into RPGs on mobile, I'm more into arcade shooters and brainless citybuilding crap. Also, Sony released A MOTHER#*$(ING GRAN TURISMO ON THE PSP. WHERE IS MY VITA GRAN TURISMO?

[bouzebbal]

The problem is Sony.. they supported it in a 6 month period... maybe we can stretch to a year and a half until Killzone Mercenaries landed. The same trend is happening with PSVR. I am very surprised they haven't announced anything at PSX.
Vita deserved a better fate it is an amazing piece of tech..

[_-EDMIX-_]

I think clearly it's a testament to Nintendo owning a large share of the handheld market but I also believe it's because of the market gravitating towards mobile cuz even Nintendo sold around 100 million less handhelds than the generation prior.

This is just a different time and there's just not enough room for something like a PlayStation Vita especially if the 3DS is selling significantly less units than the DS.

As much as I like the PSP I think maybe it's time Sony consider no longer creating handhelds until they could actually make it financially profitable for them.

I just don't know if it's a good idea to enter a market that even Nintendo is having trouble in, in comparison to mobile.

Nintendo can survive in the handheld market for a long number of years but even they have to put all their eggs in one basket with their next portable platform the switch.

They need all the available developers creating on one platform to ensure its success.

I just don't see Sony putting in that much effort in terms of development knowing that they're more successful with home consoles and they would much rather have their developers focusing on their most successful platform.

I know it sucks but I don't blame Nintendo for shifting lots of their development on 3DS when the Wii U begin to fail in the same respect I don't blame Sony for shifting all its development on the PlayStation 4 when the Vita begin to fail.

[phoenixwing]

I think the switch is a good move by Nintendo for the very reason you talk about when it came to development teams. By focusing everything in one place they'll be pumping out many games to ensure some sense of success.

[yeahright2]

I think the answer is that new app. the only that uses your iphone or ipad to remote play your ps4 games, It'll take some time of course, but I think that's what is going to replace dedicated handhelds.

[pyroxxx]

Think it is combination of pricing of games, pricing of memory cards ( I don't even mind propriaritary ,.. what I think is insane are the prices) Mobile market,.. and Sony not puting much effort into advertizing it.
Still think It is one of the best designed systems Sony ever made,.. and I still absolutely love the device

[Pancit_Canton]

Those guys are cluless. The Vita has the games, the third party support and the potential to be a massive success just like the PSP. I think the only thing that's holding back the Vita is the proprietary storage memory card, the price point and I agree with the marketing.

[WeAreLegion]

The cards are still stoooopid expensive. Doesn't make sense.

[feraldrgn]

Backing up saves isn't as convenient as the PSP either, since you have to back up the entire app' using the Content Manager & that's pretty slow as it is, especially when you get games that take up several Gigabytes.
Love my Vita but I wish they'd made it easier for the legitimate consumer.

[danny818]

the cards held it back so much. 32 gig for a ducking $70 price tag. Ridiculous. Robbery is what its called.

[ccgr]

Agreed I'm still holding out on a sale for the 64GB

[Vegamyster]

It didn't have the same support as the PSP, there was no exclusive big 3rd party hitters like Final Fantasy, MGS, GTA, Monster Hunter + more Sony IP's like Resistance, Socom, GoW, Daxter, Grand Turismo, ect, yes it got a few bigger ones like Uncharted & Killzone but those don't push hardware sales compared to something like GTA. Marketing and the storage options/cost just made it worse, shame too because the Vita is an awesome piece of hardware.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I don't know if I agree with that I'm sorry but I just don't believe the PlayStation Vita even if it was priced correctly was ever going to come close to the PSP's sales.

The PSP also released well over 10 years ago where you didn't have such demand and market share from the mobile market.

Looking at how the mobile market is currently I'm sorry but I just never saw the PlayStation Vita even coming slightly close to the PSP sales simply because you're talking about a different era.

I actually honestly don't know a single person that owned a PSP that now owns a PlayStation Vita I can honestly say I actually don't know anyone personally who owns a PlayStation Vita.

Remember when people used to purchase MP3 players? There's a reason why you're not really seeing that market go crazy it's simply because people's cell phones are now all in one multi-tasking devices it's no different than why you don't really see a lot of stand-alone GPS units simply because they don't really make that much sense when everyone cell phone could basically do the same things.

[Fist4achin]

I'd agree with you on this current market and the replacement of cell phones over so many gadgets. Cameras, calculators, video cameras, tablets, mp3 players, handheld gaming systems and even computers have all suffered in sales with the expanding capabilities of cell phones.

I don't see handheld systems ever being a powerhouse like previous generations, but I do think/hope there will still be a market for them.

[Ravenor]

So we don't even bother writing articles? Just point a camera, read some comments and ramble. Nice.

THe handheld business was always more complicated, buying habits are totally different with handhelds and with the rise of smart phones things only got more complicated. Sony could have spent millions on software and advertising and it wouldn't have made an appreciable difference in the fate of the Vita.

It's a great place for your niche japanese games, just take solace in that.

[GrimDragon]

Love my vita. Vita for life.

[thejigisup]

I still use my vita daily, majoritvely for remote play with several games I can't get enough of, let it die, smite, witcher 3, a few others but those games okay well on the vita and is really an enjoyable and convenient experience. I don't need a ninty switch, I have actually. I wish there was more support but I'm still happy with my purchase and if this one broke I'd definitely buy another.

[Miss_Weeboo]

Ah the very first days of the vita... everyone was so enthusiastic, and you got Gravity Rush and Lumines... oh well...

[ninjahunter]

A few examples include Borderlands 2, Ratchet and clank collection and the god of war collection. Games known primarily for being terrible ports. Of course thats cherry picking and unfair, the stuff sony developed themselves turned out very well. But most of the stuff they published but did not develop was complete trash.

[joab777]

Sony does suck with marketing. The Vita could have been huge. It had 2 things going against it. First, the DS and second, mobile devices. Because people didn't quite get the console experience, it's just easier to either have a DS or buy cheap games on your phone. Also, the memory card thing etc.

I've always claimed that Sony could partner w Apple or Google, or create their own Vita/Tablet that allowed access to PS Now and Vue, as well as all cheap mobile games. Provide an official app that allows for seamless streaming of PS4 games through any WiFi connection. It could be like a tablet w/ 256 gb, that allows you to attach a DS4 controller in addition to possible onboard controls. Anyway, the partnership would make it a one stop shop for mobile gamers. In addition, all games could be played on the go with WiFi, and there would still be a ton that could be played without.

Then, market it as such!!!!

[Razzer]

I still love Vita. Just wish Sony did.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Sony did a lot of good things with the PlayStation Vita but they also did a lot of bad things.

Clearly the PlayStation Vita's price point along with its mandatory accessories was a huge deal.

I could tell you right now it's a consumer that purchase the PSP and had no problem wanting to purchase the PlayStation Vita those expensive memory cards simply made it an extremely hard pill to swallow I ended up just purchasing a PlayStation TV last year when it was on sale.

But I don't know if I could say the PSP ultimately feeling had to just do with those expensive memory cards I think a lot of it simply had to do with the current market conditions of mobile gaming.

When the PSP first launched this was at a time early in gaming where you were not seeing such heavy influence in the cell phone market

DS surpassed 160 million units while the PSP surpassed 80 million units, it was a pretty golden time for handheld gaming on dedicated devices.

Flash-forward right now in the 3DS sold 60 million units while the PlayStation Vita is that like 15 million ( I apologize in advance if I don't have the exact figure)

I just don't know how much more units they seriously would have sold with cheaper memory cards I agree it could have been a couple million more but I don't believe it would have been like 50 million more or anything crazy like that I simply believe that it's run its course and mobile gaming is just owned by the cell phone market.

They just lost way too much market share and I believe it's probably a good idea that they don't attempt another handheld. Just my take.

[Chumdiddy]

Not at all being Captain Hindsight when I say that the Vita was a mistake. I won't list the dozen or so reasons I did back then but "People won't buy a handheld for Uncharted" nails it.

As soon as they announced the Vita most knew where it was heading. If anything at all, a new Sony handheld should have been a slight upgrade to the PSP - add another stick, slight cosmetic changes and boost power by about 2x-3x. The way the PSP was inbetween a PS1&PS2, the Vita should have been slightly stronger than a PS2.

My final point will be to say that people don't want what Sony (even Nintendo) advertise in handhelds. They always show people "taking their AAA title on the go" before work or to walk the dog, etc. Most handhelds are played on a couch. We don't want amazing graphics at a $300 price. We want a cheap, quick, enjoyable experience of wasting time on our couch. Sure, some will play between class or on a plane, etc. Most will play in bed or on a couch.

Handhelds are the one area where Nintendo truly gets it.

[masterfox]

I have a strong believe that the name "vita" was responsible of its unpopularity, I definitely bought one and the device was stunning, the UI was and still is one the best friendly UI it was so damn intuitive to navigate thru its pages, switching between game and other apps it was a blaze. I bet if Sony sticked with PSP name brand would sold greatly, I mean why it change it ? there was at that moment more than 70 millions PSP devices sold, why screw such a damn huge fanbase. Look at that Mario running game in mobile it sold like crazy, but you think it sold because it was innovative ? lol hell no!, it was because of the brand.

[Petebloodyonion]

OK the video is useless!
Here's what they said: Sony should have told you that they published games (A la SF5) from 3rd party on the Vita like TT walking Dead. But even then the Vita would have still failed cause they don't have game like pokemon.

Now here's my take on the Vita and why it failed

1) No clear marketing message on the purpose of the Vita and who should own one.

2) Price points to high

3) the memory stick debacle

4) No real AAA killer games that define the Vita

5) Sony's lack of news, support, etc on the Vita.

[KoroSenpai]

I feel like sony should make a smartphone+vita combined handheld...that way it can probably hope to success!

[3-4-5]

* I've had a Vita since 2014. Love the thing, but there are about 90-95% of the games that don't really appeal to me.

I just got a PS4 so at least it adds some more value to my Vita now.

[KuroKiko]

Really Sony? Sorry, honestly didnt feel it. I love my Vita, I use it everyday. But these amazing things you did for Vita weren't really felt.

[OB1Biker]

I think the Vita has been very successful in Japan hasn't it?
Aren't the media doing the same mistake as when they talk about the US as if it'd the world? Maybe the question should be why the Vita didn't take off IN THE WEST.
I mean my point is a lot of people talk about the Vita as if it's a fail but it's certainly not in its origin country.

[Nivekki]

So your country equals the world?

[OB1Biker]

Not at all. Nevertheless if you want the right answers you need to ask the right questions. That's what I was trying to do.
(not my country btw)

[Ravenor]

.....and being successful in Japan means what?

WHen you are guys going to get it? That market could disappear and even Sony/Nintendo would barely feel it, Japan doesn't drive anything anymore.

[OB1Biker]

I'm sure it's a very good thing to be successful in Japan for a japanese company.

[Blackcanary]

The PS VITA did very well in Japan. This coming from someone who lives in Japan. Its the main reason why there are a lot of Japanese games out for it. On the Japanese PSN Store. Sony is a Japanese company so they will never stop supporting the Vita in Japan because of this.

[ILostMyMind]

It's not the Sony. Vita sold well in Japan so the japanese developers will support it there.

[Ravenor]

Lower expectations for visuals definitely helps in that regard too when it comes to the glut of JRPG on the Vita.

[gamer7804]

the vita could have had great success of sony had pushed it harder with some of their own games, i love my vita, thank you to the awesome third parties who've supported it all these years.

[howiewowwee]

It was an experiment. Something Sony has been doing for many,many years since the Walkman .They are one of the few tech/electronic companies that can afford to do so. It really had very little to do with the software in my opinion. Sorry for two posts in a row ;(

[howiewowwee]

The real problem was that the Vita was not a tablet or a smartphone and was replaced by much sleeker, more powerful tech shortly after it's debut. Rather unique at the starting gate but quickly became old shelf.

[ILostMyMind]

Reason why Vita failed: expensive card owner.

I did not buy before or now for that reason.

[windblowsagain]

Problem with vita was price/games/storage.

Obviously you can play ps4 games on it over wifi etc.

[jznrpg]

I love my Vita!!! I wish half of those games on Nintendo 3ds were on my vita its such a better machine. Shin Megami Tensei , Persona , Monster Hunter, Bravely games etc. They should be on my vita damn it. I play these on DS but if I had a choice I would without question I would buy them on my Vita.

[Ulf]

The Vita was supposed to have HDMI out, until they removed it. It would have been the Sony Switch, if it had.

Fantastic hardware. Still beats the socks off phone gaming. They just didn't try hard enough.

[Ravenor]

No one cares enough. They could have "tried", by throwing millions and millions at advertising and software. It wouldn't have worked, it wouldn't have changed the things fate at all. When a Nintendo device has seen a major slowdown from the previous iteration to this one, you have to realize it's about more than hardware, software and advertising dollars.

[Ulf]

My point was that, with the HDMI out, or a dock with HDMI out (and CPU/GPU clock bumps), they could have leveraged the same kind of "what if it did this?" marketing that the Switch is using. That *will* help the Switch, and would have helped the Vita distinguish itself in the same manner. There's a question as to how much, but it would have helped, for certain.

It may be a big deal -- we'll find out in a couple months. A shame, since we could have known 4+ years ago, and the Vita may have been in a far better position today than it is.

[Tross]

Great vid by my colleagues! I actually really like the Vita for its Japanese software support, but that doesn't translate into mass market appeal. One Uncharted game was a good effort, but maybe another would have helped, or perhaps another IP from Naughty Dog or Quantic Dream. I think in general having more first party software support would have helped. I didn't know Sony published all those titles though. That's amazing.

[susanto1228]

nobody cares about the vita man.