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Sony: Moving Focus Away From PSP “Was A Mistake”

The PlayStation Vita is Sony's new baby. And they plan to take really, really good care of it.

Sony came with the games for the Vita's launch, and software has been the company's biggest priority for their new handheld.

In a new interview posted at the PlayStation Blog , Sony boss Shuhei Yoshida talked about how the company made a few mistakes with the PSP, and they won't be repeating those mistakes with the Vita.

First up, don't shift focus away too soon. Said Yoshida:

"In the past we launched PSP and then shifted our attention to PS3 when that came on the horizon, which we now concede was a mistake. So with PS Vita we are working on this huge range titles and planning ahead for a constant supply of excellent games."

And the games for the future should be plentiful. Yoshida says development for the Vita will continue to grow, and they even have a "fairly firm plan right up to 2013." He's also positive that they'll "end up working on more games than we even know about at this moment." In addition to the launch lineup of 24 games, other big-name titles are in the works; that includes LittleBigPlanet , Resistance: Burning Skies , ModNation: Road Trip , and Killzone . All games we kinda want.

Now wait a minute, though…does this mean the PS4 is a long ways off, or does it mean Sony just won't forget about the Vita when the PS4 rolls around? Well, let's go with the latter explanation.

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playaplus
playaplus
12 years ago

or does it mean ps4 will be built w vita's feature in mind? I mean, hell i know i'll be able to do cross game chat but i say w ps4 and vita they go for cross platform chat. Wouldnt mind voice chatting via vita w people watching whatever im watching on tv (sports, wrestling, etc.)

Metal Head
Metal Head
12 years ago

Sony needs to give special treatment to those who buy its hardware when it launches. We are the reason why they still are in business. Free repair for the first 5 years for example (YLOD). Download our own PSP games on the Vita for free. Discount on the new pricey memory cards. I will get one, but not at launch.

Excelsior1
Excelsior1
12 years ago

I could not agree more on the YLOD issue. Not fun getting your a$$ stung by a YLOD period. It turns your PS3 into an expensive door stop and usually takes a game with it.

LividFiction
LividFiction
12 years ago

Of course they won't shift focus to the PS3 when they launch the Vita. They'll just–wait, you made the joke already. That's what I get for commenting after having read only the blurb.


Last edited by LividFiction on 12/20/2011 10:53:11 PM

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
12 years ago

At least they realize their mistake. Too bad they're making a whole slew of others. With the Vita's design and long term users of the PSP like me, especially digital are losing out.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
12 years ago

Are you kidding me?!?!

Sony are rolling out the "Buy 1, get 2 Copies" plan for Vita / PS3 games with cross platform play!! That is excellent support for their handheld!!

Imagine, buying Wipeout 2048 on PS3 and getting the Vita version free!! Or MGS HD Collection!!

Apart from the technical glitches and hiccups associated with new hardware launches, there has been nothing but praise for the new handheld!!

And 2 analog sticks!! FPS lovers will finally have a proper portable FPS game device!! Killzone, Resistence, Call of Duty, and hopefully a Battlefield in the future!! And Bioshock!! MGS HD Collection!! Final Fantasy X HD on Vita AND PS3!!!

Seriously, Sony have done nothing BUT listen to fans and developers when making the Vita!! Price, parts, functionality, games, they have done everything right except have a flawless launch!!

Give it 1 year, and I can see the Vita absolutely BOOMING with adults and hardcore gamers. 3DS might sell more when a new Zelda and another Mario game is released, but I really don't see the Vita failing with THIS MUCH going for it.

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
12 years ago

That's all well and good for new customers, but for old ones the Vita is an unwelcome arrival. I have a large digital library. For parity with my PSP I have to buy a brand new card with the same upper limit of 32gig. Of which I own for the PSP already. It already isn't enough for my games/music or whatever I want. The duo's have also been on the market for quite awhile and are hugely reasonable, fast transfers etc. We get zip getting this new card. The Vita doesn't even have any internal space. I don't want to carry around my games, even if they are on flash cards.

I explained my point in an early article, so I'm just repeating myself with this post but proprietary is a huge drawback to the Vita. We should be getting more space at least to warrant a new standard. The base system, the card/s it's just a no go for me. Add to the fact I will only be able to use one PSN per card so carrying around 2 is another detractor.

___________
___________
12 years ago

worse still the proprietary cards apparently are allot slower then the game cards.
allot of people putting up comparisons of games running off the game cards and downloaded to a vita card and the downloaded versions take far longer to load then the retail ones.
i thought at least with the proprietary cards we would get faster load speeds, or at least on par with the game cards, but there not there slower.
can you say rip off?
or should i say price gouging?

Qubex
Qubex
12 years ago

See, I appreciate Sony saying this but I have to say why are they saying it now 🙁

They are saying it because of current market pressures. They are seeing real threats to their portable by iDevices and Android portables. Sony really have no choice but to make sure the Vita is kept relevant.

I have pre-ordered my Asus Transformer Prime tablet with the Tegra Quad Core Processor. Go to YouTube to see what the Tegra can do. The Glowball demo I and II. Looks awesome. Looking at that you can see why Sony is now "forced" to up their game.

They will have a similar challenge when M$ delivers their next generation console first; eventhough, this time around, I think Sony may have learnt their lesson and produce a console that is actually more powerful than all of us anticipate at the moment.

It will have to be. Not just that, but have a very strong line up of exclusives on launch day as well. It is all about the games today. Yes the platform is a driver, but you really need the games to make the platform shine.

Sony, their is no space for arrogance. We love your products but you cannot treat people second best now. All your products need the love and attention they deserve. If not the wider market and your competitors are ready to take anything away from you they can get… Don't let it happen…

No more bad models and short sighted decisions… look at the market and learn, it is changing fast. People, like myself, are saving money to buy multi-purpose devices like tables and very capable phones. IPad 3 should be stonking according to the rumoured specifications, and this will filter down to iPhone 5 which will sell in the tens of millions again…

Sony – 2012 is your make or break year… don't give it away…

Price and quality is your KPI… show the world!

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

Oh shit you've ordered the Asus Transformer Prime?!?! Seriously? Oh MAN have I been drooling over that one! I get chills down my spine just by typings it's name, lol!

Asus seem to do EVERYTHING right these days!


Last edited by Beamboom on 12/21/2011 1:27:45 AM

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

I just now read that you can use the PS3 controller on the Transformer Prime, and it worked on all games they tested the controller.

Would be awesome if Sony had their name on this product instead… :/

___________
___________
12 years ago

f*cking oath they do!
i just bought the asus N55 multimedia laptop and im still drooling!
same specs as the alienware MX15 but 1000 dollars cheaper!
and with a SSD it now boots in 11 seconds!
ill never be buying a tablet or PC ever again unless it has the asus logo!
best hardware company out there!

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

Why are they saying it now? As you said because they feel the competitive pressure. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean, they could have continued rolling without recognizing the issue, they could have ignored public perceptions and never once admitted the mistake. But instead they admit the mistake and say that they are doing better this time.

I don't see this near do poorly as you seem to. Also, you make an implicit assumption that MS will once again bring the next box to market significantly earlier than Sony. I'm not sure that is a valid assumption.

Qubex
Qubex
12 years ago

Highlander, to me it is absolutely clear that Sony do not want the Vita to fall behind and be forgotten. At this stage of the game it would be corporate suicide. They have this one last shot. After the Vita I don't know what else they will be able to do in the portable space… extrapulate 5 years from now and the landscape will be very very different…

It is the start of a great change now as most portable makes will usher in quad core processors with integrated GPU's that will be near good enough to do what the Vita can do… Issue is Sony is not taking chances. Just by the very fact that they have issued this statement must be clear they are wanting to re-assure their traditional market that Vita is here to stay and live long.

If they were supremely confident they would not have said anything. This is a clear admmition they are concerned with how quickly the market is changing.

We will see how many Vita's sell through in the first year, this will give us a good idea if it will still be a strong force 24 to 36 months after year one.

It will be interesting to watch the big boys slug it out. More competition and pressure on Sony, the quicker prices will fall making it even more appealing to the mass market.

I am still confident Vita will do well, but let us not for one second believe it will have an easy time… not with the aformentioned new hardware coming from competing vendors.

I will play ShadowGun on my Asus using a PS3 controller… this will be an experience.

Funny, what a thought… like M$ selling mice to all computer users who care to purchase one, similar; Sony may sell many more accessories – such as the Dual Shock controller – to gamers playing games on non Sony hardware… incredible…

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"


Last edited by Qubex on 12/21/2011 11:12:29 AM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

Oh, I don't think Sony would be upset to sell millions more Ds3 controllers…Actually I would bet that the folks in charge of the various accessory businesses within Sony would be very happy at that prospect. Rather like selling Sony HDVTs to play Xbox or Wii.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

No surprise here but Sony also reported a few days ago that their own Sony S Tablet can use the DS3 too.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
12 years ago

But the beautiful thing is this. Now that Vita has touch screen and rear touch pad, they can take the most popular iPhone and Android games and put them on PSN, even if it will be a month or 2, or 6 later.

iPhone is popular because the games are cheap, fun and readily accessible. If Vita's mini titles stay under 5 bucks each, and Sony have some of their smaller studios make a few exclusive mini's of there own, it might not beat iPhone but it would certainly break into the market with a strong fight.

Qubex
Qubex
12 years ago

That is true to some degree… but I don't think the games themselves are directly compatible. Android specific games may have to be converted to the Vita to use the features.

But at least Sony is also promoting PSP and PSOne title conversions to Android devices if required.

I mean we cannot forget that Sony are trying to extend Sony specific software across the Android market place. They don't want to be left behind, they just need to be aggressive and make sure their eco-system and relevant hardware platforms are fully supported and not left behind…

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Excelsior1
Excelsior1
12 years ago

Are the people that are picking up a Vita really looking to play fun little I phone games? I would say no. I tend to think the reason a person would choose a Vita is becuase it offers deeper and more compelling gameplay. The Vita should be marketed towards hard core gamers first. They tend to be the early adopters in the first place. Worry about the casuals later.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

Mobile games are MUCH more than just "fun little phone games" these days, Excel. GTA3 is released for mobiles now, ffs.
On your Android/iPhone you can play every genre games you find for the consoles, and more. You got a ton of FPS, TPS, rpgs, strategy, huge MMORPGs for your Android. To believe that "phone games" are just Bejewelled and Tetris is criminally underestimating that platform.

The problem with the modern phones is not the performance capabilities, not the screens, not the storage capacity, and definitely not the pricing (the games are practically free). The entire problem – but this is a huge issue – is the user interface, the lack of control buttons/sticks.
Surely something will happen about that. It just has to, cause the gaming industry on these devices has become too large to be ignored. If it will be part of the phone or a peripheral remains to be seen, maybe a bluetooth device or something to insert your phone into, or whatever. But SOMETHING will happen.

Sony tested the waters with their Xperia Play. It will be extremely interesting to see the next step, but in my mind there is not a shadow of doubt that we will see a merge of Vita and Xperia at some point in time.


Last edited by Beamboom on 12/21/2011 1:41:04 AM

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
12 years ago

Very true Beamboom,

I know I'd go with iPhone gaming exclusively should a peripheral with joysticks and buttons be released with which you slip your iPhone into and play. I think something like that was released, but wasn't very reliable or user friendly.

No doubt in 2-3 years we'll see either an iPhone or Android phone that has similar capabilities as the Vita, but I won't be interested in it as a gaming device until it gets buttons and joysticks, even as an add-on.

Vita has the true hardcore games, so you're right, marketing it to hardcore gamers first is essential in building support.

___________
___________
12 years ago

i WISH they would!
id do anything, and i mean anything to see nova 2, MC3, gangstar rio, infinity blade 2, and all the other awesome IOS titles on the vita!
i wont be holding my breath though.
imagine GTAIII on the vita, oh that would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Excelsior1
Excelsior1
12 years ago

To be honest I do not really think it was mistake to divert Sony's focus to the PS3. Let's just face it. The PS3 needed every ounce of attention Sony could give it becuase of the way the way the PS3 fell flat on its face during its launch. That was a crisis that demanded every bit of attention Sony could give it. A totally self inflicted crisis by the way. There was whiff of arrogance coming from Sony about the PS3. Get two jobs, Next gen starts when we say. We made the PS3 hard to develop for on purpose…duhr. Almost cringe worthy quotes that made Sony look out of touch. They made some serious mistakes and paid the price for them. So be it if Sony had to divert resources and focus on the PS3 at the the PSP's expense. Anyways, Sony is a lot more humble now, and they seem to say the correct things. That's somewhat encouraging I guess.

If they have to pull resources from the Vita to make sure they get a proper launch on the PS4 I am fine with that as well. They have a feirce competitor in MS that has already cut into Sony's market share at an alarming rate this gen. They can't afford for that trend to continue. They are already going to have an uphill fight on their hands becuase of the way the NA market has shaped up.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

I agree! I think they just HAD to focus on the ps3, there was no real option.

The big question is: Will they be able to keep focus on both the ps4 and the Vita? Do they have the strength to do that now? Cause one thing is what they *want* to do, another thing is what they *have* to do.


Last edited by Beamboom on 12/21/2011 1:44:14 AM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

Yes and no, Sony always had teams working on specific platforms, but the focus shifted away from the PSP to the PS3. what they seem to be saying now is that they will maintain focus whatever else happens.

___________
___________
12 years ago

glad to see they can see their mistakes and are trying to fix them!
ive said it a million times, the PSP could of done so much better if $ony had first parties supporting it like third parties are!
if you take $E out of the mix, the PSP almost has no games!
thats one of the things stopping me from getting a vita.
im worried the same thing will happen.
$ony will release heaps of awesome new games for it for 2 years like they did the PSP then abandon it.
they say their learned their lesson, but they say lots of things!
eh, only time will tell…………

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

Well, I'm happy that their culture is changing so significantly. They are admitting fault and committing to change to correct it. Sony had to eat a large slice of humble pie after their security issues this year, and after the launch of the PS3. It seems that their culture has really shifted internally and that they are open to criticism and evaluating their own flaws. Big change for Sony.

BTW, you can discuss this same topic in the PSP forum at the main PSX reader forums.

jimmyhandsome
jimmyhandsome
12 years ago

As long as Sony continues to hand off the Vita games to it's "smaller" in-house developers (i.e. Bend Studios making Uncharted Golden Abyss) I have no problem with them strongly supporting the Vita.

I just hope they don't spread themselves too thin and then begin to neglect the PS3.


Last edited by jimmyhandsome on 12/21/2011 1:13:47 PM

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