There’s no doubt that the PlayStation Vita has struggled to capture the commercial attention that the pretty little portable probably deserves. While the handheld did battle several software droughts right around its launch, it's accrued a rather large library over the past year or so, and is more affordable than ever to boot. However, it’s the PlayStation 4 that Sony hopes will resurrect the system’s fortunes – and its plan may be working after all.
MCV reports that sales of the miniature marvel increased by 68 per cent in the UK during the next generation machine’s opening week, and a further 65 per cent the seven day period thereafter. Sadly, we don’t know how many units that actually translates to, but an increase can only be considered a positive thing. The numbers may have been helped by the various hardware bundles that retailers recently constructed, offering a handheld and console in one gigantic bundle of gaming joy.
“Vita sales wise we are continuing to see strong week-on-week growth since our latest campaign kicked in," said a chuffed senior product manager Ben Law. "The new TV advert went live this week and we've already seen amazing feedback from PS4 owners on the Remote Play feature, and the success of Tearaway highlights what [a] great proposition the Vita is, either as a standalone device or as the perfect companion to the PS4."
Anecdotally, we have seen an upswing in the general awareness and desire for the device both online and in real-life, but Sony really needs a huge helping of heavy-hitters to keep the momentum rolling. We know that the likes of Borderlands 2, Freedom Wars, and Soul Sacrifice Delta are on the horizon, but it would be nice to see what else the company has in the pipeline as the release schedule is starting to look a little dry. Plus, it’d be great to get a proper look at Gravity Rush 2, wouldn’t it?
[source mcvuk.com, via videogamer.com]
Comments 26
Sony give more exclusives. Not everyone buys a vita for remote play!
@Sanquine Agreed, I think all-in-all it's been a good year for the Vita - but it needs more content. Murasaki Baby and Destiny of Spirits are also on the way, so there is good stuff around the corner - but, like you say, there needs to be a couple of really big tentpole releases. I think Gravity Rush 2 will probably be one of those - but I'd like to hear what else it has in the pipeline.
@get2sammyb it's amazing how studio japan is creating vita title after vita title. And with tear away created by 15 people i don't think it's hard to create first party titles ( 10 studios can make 10 games... The workforce for a vita game can be small... Wish naughty dog would do one)
The PSP after two years on the market had original releases in top series like Final Fantasy, God of War, Metal Gear, Grand Theft Auto, a proper Silent Hill, Dragon Ball Z end some others. I keep wondering where are those games on the Vita.
@Sanquine Fun fact: Naughty Dog didn't even make a game for the PSP.
Also, the Vita will be getting a lot of exclusives next year, most of them are third party, but exclusives are exclusives.
I think it's the good deals you can get in the UK at the moment for a PSVita. Mine was £139.99 with 2 boxed games & that 10 game pack with a 8GB Memory Card to I couldn't say no + I wanted 1 for the excellent Remote Play with the PS4
i honestly play the Vita more than the Ps3 + PS4 combined , the whole "it needing more content makes no sense". I have like over 10 games downloaded on it right now. Just because i want to brag about it haha, but i just beat Oddworld :Stranger's Wrath on Hard. That 'part' literally made punch my door and scream like a little idiot. Everyone's that played the game knows what i'm talking about.
I have 94 games with trophy (tracked at psnprofiles) so vita surely is a great handheld, as oppose my 3ds with only 5 games
Really want Vita loved buy more and more people so it will have more well known game
Vita numbers have been hovering around 20k in japan which is a sure improvement over its previous 8-10k. 68% increase is disappointing to say the least. Wii U had an increase of 350% and it still doesnt say much. I still hold hope that it will pick up as awareness of remote play increases, however, Third party is most like going to remain minimal And i personally dont think Sonys first partys are suited to produce convincing software for the Vita (despite a few great examples already). So at this stage I cant see Vita getting anywhere near psp. Thats my analyst hat thinking
@Sanquine
I think I'd rather see Naughty Dog just continue to focus on home consoles. There's enough other studios that can put out great Vita content, one being Bend. They have to be making something, Golden Abyss was a while ago now.
@eLarkos Actually, Vita numbers have been hovering around 30-35k (jumping as high as 40k when the Vita TV launched), having only recently dropped into the 20's.
And I disagree, third party support has been steadily increasing over the months, which is a good sign. I also disagree that Sony's first party studios aren't capable of producing convincing software for the Vita.
Finally, while numbers aren't as high as they should be, the Vita is very capable of reaching the PSP in sales. Of course, it won't be easy, but I'm sure it will happen.
They are doing lots of TV advertising at the moment for Vita in Aus (more than at launch) which is interesting. Also the retail price is now about 40% lower than it was at launch, usually with a game thrown in (The launch price in Australia was just silly). I have seen it 50% lower during sales. So its good value now.
I have personally convinced 2 people to buy one and a 3rd friend is considering. So trying to do my bit.
There still aren't games that utilize the Vita's control scheme very successfully, says this observer. Seems like decent graphics with intuitive controls and gameplay wouldn't be asking too much, but they keep mapping stuff to non-existent L2/3 and R2/3
In the past I've been known to dog out the Vita but I will give credit where credit is do. For the record i just brought my fiance's son a Vita and a copy of Tearaway for Christmas, and I will get one for my self next year after i get my PS4.
@Gamer83 So, if Media molecule can make tear away with 15 people studios like naughty dog with around 150 people (or more) cant borrow some workforce. I agree on bend though... Hopefully a syphon filter game
@Shellybird27 I know some frustrating parts.... Is it the robot/cyborg boss?
@Sanquine
MediaMolecule is the kind of developer that makes games that translate very well to handheld gaming imo. Naughty Dog is an awesome studio and I'm sure they could make a pretty good Vita game but I just feel its a studio that puts out games much more suited to the home console market. If Sony wants ND to try its hand at Vita development though, I'd be highly interested in seeing the end result. But for right now I hope ND's focus is strictly on Uncharted 4.
@Gamer83 Valid points, you are right! Let studio japan make some more games then!
I hope this trend has continued all over the world and not just the UK. The Vita deserves to do well, it's a superb console.
@Sanquine
Well, they've got Freedom Wars on the way and hopefully Gravity Rush 2 not long after that. I'm definitely getting GR 2, still undecided on Freedom Wars. I think Freedom Wars is a game that will need a fairly substantial demo because it doesn't seem like the kind of game that you can get a good idea about simply from seeing videos.
@Gamer83 Yeah, I would agree with that, too. Personally, for the kind of games Naughty Dog makes, I think it's best they focus their attention on the PS4. My biggest surprise is that Bend appears to no longer be working on the Vita. I think that's a bit of a shame, to be honest.
@get2sammyb
Yeah, I was hoping for the long overdue sequel to Logan's Shadow to be announced for Vita. Whatever Bend is working on and whatever system it's for, I'm interested. That is a huge blow to Vita if Sony is shifting that team back to home consoles though.
Disappointing.
@Legendaryboss It's dissapointing that the Vita is selling well??
@Shellybird27 Oh i knew i forgot to do something, add reasoning. Right.
Think of it this way: Marketed features/factors such as exclusives/games, mega packs, bundles etc. etc. Does not bring about a known boost in sales strictly speaking with in UK.
But a non-marketed factor, £500+ priced entry point towards Remote Play causes a boost (still unknown numbers-wise) in sales, strictly speaking with in the UK.
It indicates what Sony’s future plan will be going foward for PS Vita, because officially published/made by Sony ganes: there is virtually nothing in 2014+ besides Helldivers, Mukasaki Baby, MLB 2014, Destiny of Spirits, GOW HD, DeadNation, PS Vita Pets, Borderlands 2, Gravity Rush 2. Plus the eventual Freedom Wars, Over my Dead Body 2 and SS Delta and third party efforts like Dynasty Warriors 8 XL CE, Toukiden and DBZ BOZ.
Its disappointing in that regard.
This hopefully means Baba will greenlight localization of Tales of Hearts and Innounces R
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