It sounds like the PlayStation Vita is finally on the ascension. In a recent interview with industry publication MCV, Sony Computer Entertainment UK’s managing director Fergal Gara has hinted that the system’s sales “absolutely exploded” during the holiday season – even though it had to endure a period of sluggish numbers to get there.
"We had a pre-Christmas lull where sales were quite low,” he told the publication. “But that absolutely exploded 20-fold from that low-point into the peak of Christmas. That's very encouraging and shows that with the right promotion and software we can light that fire."
Gara also took a moment to respond to criticisms regarding the console’s current release schedule. "It looks bare in terms of what we have announced,” he explained. “The cupboard won't be bare."
The comments come on the back of a positive week for the handheld, in which the system’s recent price drop boosted sales in Japan by more than six times. The platform holder’s ruled out a similar adjustment overseas – but if Gara’s telling the truth, then perhaps the console's price doesn't need to be slashed in Western territories after all.
[source mcvuk.com, via computerandvideogames.com]
Comments 13
This would help explain why Sony higher ups have seemed confident about the system lately, and why they are seemingly reluctant to announce a price cut outside of Japan. Hopefully Sony will announce more big games and drop the price during a strong release period like in Japan.
Im still thinking they will drop the price at E3, while price might not be the real problem, it is the biggest perceived problem from a consumer standpoint.
need some new games announcements....
Memory card prices is my biggest annoyance.
@Anzac
That's the real issue.
Anyway, seems like things might finally be looking up for the Vita from a retail perspective. At least I hope so, it's a great product that should be performing much better. I'm hoping the launch of PS4 will help it as well, if the two are used together in cool ways that could be huge.
I can tell you that in Australia price IS an issue. Especially for 3G which is priced beyond reason, to the point that many retailers have simply stopped trying to sell the 3G version.
With Wifi and 3G the same price in Japan of 19,980 JPY which with current exchange rates is $199 AUD. the "cheapest" 3G version I can find in Australia is $349.
Don't even get me started about memory cards...
Personally, I am still waiting.
I think the problem with these comments is that we don't know how low they went. They sales may have increased 20-fold over Christmas, but if it was only selling a few thousand before that, then the boost may not be quite as big as Gara's insinuating here.
He does come across genuinely satisfied in this interview, but that's also his job. Having said that, Gara is known for his brutally honest interviews.
"PlayStation Vita Sales 'Absolutely Exploded' Over Christmas" - Not according to the retailers I've spoken to, they didn't! And if they did, the charts don't seem to indicate that many games were sold alongside them.
The most common complaint is the lack of any titles that are genuine system-sellers. They need to drop the price, drop the price of the memory cards, and get decent software on the shelves - and quick.
Mem cards are a real B, but their pricing is just a sign of the times; they'll get cheaper as tech gets more powerful, but I'd be stunned if it happened any time in the near future. Just pay them : )
@Anzac Amen to that!
@charlesnarles It should be noted that for a 32 gb micro sd card on Amazon, the price is $21, compared to $75 for vita cards. The technology isn't holding Sony back, their desire to make a profit is keeping the prices high.
Yeah, Sony looks very cheap with those expensive prices for cards. Though, I can undertand that idea with cards came from IPad, where you need to pay 100$ extra for every 32 GB =))).
I love my Vita, but I can agree that memory is just too expensive. I went all out and ordered the pre-release pack that we got a week early here in the US with a 32GB, so I'm willing to spend the money. Unfortunately for Sony, most consumers don't have that kind of money to burn, or at least a desire to burn that kind of money.
I wish they would come out with a 64GB card at the current 32GB price and lower the price of the existing cards accordingly. I've run out of room on my big card and it's upsetting having to delete games from my system, even if I have them backed up on my PS3, it's still an inconvenience.
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