Should Sony drop out of handheld market and go 3rd party?

[Andyliini]

After seeing so many topics about bad Wii U sales and how Nintendo should stop making home consoles, and start making games for PS4, I started thinking the situation the other way around. Sony's first foray into the handheld market, the PSP sold respetable numbers, and had decent amount of games that made the console a good purchase. It just couldn't battle against Nintendo's DS, and altough console sold well, the rampant piracy ate much of the systems software sales.

 

Now, Sony has it's newest contender, PSVita, and things aren't looking good. After a pretty decent launch, the system has been mostly left behind eating the dust 3DS leaves behind as it goes. Also, it seems like smartphone gaming is rising every day, leaving the Vita in a very difficult situation. Last week, according to VGChartz's global numbers, Wii outsold Vita.

 

So, here lies the question. Sony certainly seems like it's not doing very right now in the handheld market. Should Sony drop the support for PSVita right now, and focus on their Smartphones, or even go 3rd party, and develop and publish games for 3DS? What do you think?

[Sheikah]

The Vita is actually getting some really awesome games (Persona 4 Golden and Tearaway being some of my favourite recent titles across all systems). It's also a cool accompaniment to the PS4 and as Plus subscribers accrue more free Vita content it makes buying it to play those games all the more tempting.

 

Vita is kinda interesting - while it isn't doing great at the moment, it has many of the ingredients to at least become relatively successful/adopted. It isn't perceived as old tech, and is actually cheaper than the 3DS (excluding the cost of memory cards), and does seem to get some level of third party support. Time will tell I suppose, but I really am rooting for it. The system is just so much more technically impressive than the 3DS and I think it really deserves to do well.

[M_rock]

I don't own a vita, I'm a huge 3DS fan. But trying to claim that the Vita is not a great piece of hardware would be plain dumb. It's an exceptional build of cutting edge technology with huge capabilities (and a huge graphical advantage compared to the 3DS).

 

It's not because the marketing failed that the product isn't good. This is top quality and I hope it will do well in the future

So I think Sony should keep up what they are doing, they are making great gaming machines.

[Serebii]

I think I love you :p

 

Absolutely not. For one, it'd make Nintendo complacent. Second, the Vita is a nice bit of kit, they just need to push it more and better, and...you know...actually support it.

[Tales]

When I saw the thread title I thought "Serebii not again..." :p

 

As for the question, I don't have much to contribute other than that Nintendo needs competion, it's only healthy.

[Serebii]

When I saw the thread title I thought "Serebii not again..." :p

 

As for the question, I don't have much to contribute other than that Nintendo needs competion, it's only healthy.

To be fair, if people can continually spam the entire internet with articles about Nintendo doing this, it's only fair that Sony, whose portable is in a worse position than the Wii U, gets the same.

[Dcubed]

Of course not! Vita is actually gaining a bit of traction now and has carved out a niche in Japan for itself at least (while in the west it's mainly an indie games machine with the occasional 1st party game).

 

And of course, so long as it continues to chug away in Japan, there's always the chance of an out-of-nowhere game to come along and change its fortunes like Monster Hunter did for the PSP (hell it could even be an indie title that breaks out, like Minecraft did).

 

So long as they keep supporting the system, they'll be set for any potential break-out scenario. Dumping it would do nothing for them or the Playstation brand though (in fact, dumping it would damage consumer confidence in Sony's capacity to support any future console that goes through a rough patch).

Edited December 7, 2013 by Dcubed

[liger05]

The Vita is actually getting some really awesome games (Persona 4 Golden and Tearaway being some of my favourite recent titles across all systems). It's also a cool accompaniment to the PS4 and as Plus subscribers accrue more free Vita content it makes buying it to play those games all the more tempting.

 

Vita is kinda interesting - while it isn't doing great at the moment, it has many of the ingredients to at least become relatively successful/adopted. It isn't perceived as old tech, and is actually cheaper than the 3DS (excluding the cost of memory cards), and does seem to get some level of third party support. Time will tell I suppose, but I really am rooting for it. The system is just so much more technically impressive than the 3DS and I think it really deserves to do well.

 

Isnt doing great is a huge understatement. Its sales are a joke and even in Japan where handhelds are king its sales even though have improved are still poor. In the west the sales are beyond a joke.

 

This will be the last handheld from Sony. No way they release another one after such a disaster with the Vita. Vita TV looks dead on arrival and PS4 remote play is basically a glorified accessory to the PS4. Not enough to save the machine.

 

Of course not! Vita is actually gaining a bit of traction now and has carved out a niche in Japan for itself at least (while in the west it's mainly an indie games machine with the occasional 1st party game).

 

And of course, so long as it continues to chug away in Japan, there's always the chance of an out-of-nowhere game to come along and change its fortunes like Monster Hunter did for the PSP (hell it could even be an indie title that breaks out, like Minecraft did).

 

It sales have improved in Japan but lets be real. 20k - 30k sales a week is awful. If the 3DS was selling those numbers it would be a crisis and rightly so.

 

Its a niche machine and will stay a niche machine. Sony need to be the ones who change the fortunes not 3rd party like MH. Its the responsibility of Sony get fix things and that means A team studios releasing exclusive games but thats not going to happen as PS4 is priority.

 

As for the question, I don't have much to contribute other than that Nintendo needs competition, it's only healthy.

 

The GBA was amazing with no competition. Nintendo have competition in the handheld sector and that comes from Tablets/smartphones. The 3DS could not sell one more unit and the Vita would still not achieve the lifetime sales of the 3DS.

Edited December 7, 2013 by liger05

[Dcubed]

It sales have improved in Japan but lets be real. 20k - 30k sales a week is awful. If the 3DS was selling those numbers it would be a crisis and rightly so.

 

Its a niche machine and will stay a niche machine. Sony need to be the ones who change the fortunes not 3rd party like MH. Its the responsibility of Sony get fix things and that means A team studios releasing exclusive games but thats not going to happen as PS4 is priority.

 

Today's niche could become tomorrow's mainstream. The console is capable of producing decent sales numbers for the 3rd party games that it does get in Japan (like Toukiden) and as long as it does so, it'll keep getting support from those same developers.

 

None of us expect it to become the next 3DS, but it doesn't have to for it to be a worthwhile endeavour for Sony.

[Sheikah]

Interesting @liger05, you're so confident they won't do another handheld? I wouldn't be so sure about that. Do you also think Nintendo won't do another home console because of how the Wii U is doing?

[Dcubed]

Interesting, you're so confident they won't do another handheld? I wouldn't be so sure about that.

 

Maybe not in the same form as with the Vita and PSP, but I do think they'll try again at least one more time next generation...

 

Maybe as a tablet style device, maybe as a phone (with a phone less equvilent model ALA iPod Touch), but I don't see them giving up completely just yet... especially if the Vita does eventually get That-One-Game... (It could even be Minecraft itself! The only proper version of Minecraft on a handheld? Could be a system seller...)

[Agent Gibbs]

when it comes to the handheld market sony's strong point is the hardware not the software, so unless they built Nintendo's next handheld for them it would be a bit pointless, as first party sony software on vita is a bit lackluster

[Sheikah]

You know when people say that tablets are dwarfing regular handhelds and are the way to go...I never quite get it. Just looking at something like DQVIII run on a phone is freaking tragic, and I'm sure a lot of gamers would agree. I'm not sure most non casual gamers want to play games on phones or tablets, at least not as their primary device. I know tablets and phones have a booming app market right now because everyone has a phone, but I'd be sad if quality gaming with buttons would be shunned in favour of that kind of shit.

[Dcubed]

You know when people say that tablets are dwarfing regular handhelds and are the way to go...I never quite get it. Just looking at something like DQVIII run on a phone is freaking tragic, and I'm sure a lot of gamers would agree. I'm not sure most non casual gamers want to play games on phones or tablets, at least not as their primary device. I know tablets and phones have a booming app market right now because everyone has a phone, but I'd be sad if quality gaming with buttons would be shunned in favour of that kind of shit.

 

That's cause they're NOT the way to go. Dedicated handhelds (at least the 3DS anyway) are still thriving. People still want quality games on handheld devices and are thankfully still willing to pay for them, despite the mobile race-to-the-bottom prices.

 

Problem is that the media by and large don't care about handheld gaming and are quick to jump on the handheld-gaming-is-doomed narrative bandwagon, because it damages this sector's image. Execs looking for quick cash and a quick share price increase to appease pissed off investors are also looking at the App Store lotto winners with envy and wanting a piece of that same pie, despite the damage that it does to their brands. They're all thinking short-term; while a select few still gaze off into the long term and realise that dedicated handhelds still have a bright future

[liger05]

Interesting @liger05, you're so confident they won't do another handheld? I wouldn't be so sure about that. Do you also think Nintendo won't do another home console because of how the Wii U is doing?

 

Not the same situations.

 

The handheld market had shrunk by a huge amount and I think what the Vita has shown is the market is not prepared to pay over $200/£200 for a dedicated handheld. Both the 3DS and Vita launched higher than £200 and both struggled.

 

With the market been chocked by smartphones the question should be is there a market for 2 dedicated handhelds? I tend to think there isnt anymore and even for Nintendo there next handheld will have to be priced no more than £179 at launch.

 

(It could even be Minecraft itself! The only proper version of Minecraft on a handheld? Could be a system seller...)

 

Not as long as its available on so many other platforms.

 

You know when people say that tablets are dwarfing regular handhelds and are the way to go...I never quite get it. Just looking at something like DQVIII run on a phone is freaking tragic, and I'm sure a lot of gamers would agree. I'm not sure most non casual gamers want to play games on phones or tablets, at least not as their primary device. I know tablets and phones have a booming app market right now because everyone has a phone, but I'd be sad if quality gaming with buttons would be shunned in favour of that kind of shit.

 

I agree but the numbers dont lie. Smartphones have eaten a huge chunk of the dedicated handheld market. Getting those people back when they are now accustomed to cheap games and basically having one device which does all is a huge huge ask.

Edited December 7, 2013 by liger05

[Fused King]

I think I love you :p

 

Absolutely not. For one, it'd make Nintendo complacent. Second, the Vita is a nice bit of kit, they just need to push it more and better, and...you know...actually support it.

 

Yeah, because the company totally isn't filled with passionate game creators who would like to do nothing less than to create awesome and interesting games which bring smiles to people's faces.

And they would totally be unable to come up with new ideas and innovate because there is no Vita.

[Sheikah]

.

I agree but the numbers dont lie. Smartphones have eaten a huge chunk of the dedicated handheld market. Getting those people back when they are now accustomed to cheap games and basically having one device which does all is a huge huge ask.

 

Have they though? How many of these people are actually turning down handheld consoles in favour of app gaming as opposed to just picking up app gaming as they already have a phone?

[Serebii]

Yeah, because the company totally isn't filled with passionate game creators who would like to do nothing less than to create awesome and interesting games which bring smiles to people's faces.

And they would totally be unable to come up with new ideas and innovate because there is no Vita.

No, I'm not saying that it would.

 

Competition drives creativity and innovation.

[Fused King]

No, I'm not saying that it would.

 

Competition drives creativity and innovation.

 

Myeah, don't really agree.

 

Cooperation is the way to go, I'd say.

Instead of keeping new ideas and creativity away from eachother for a long period of time, it would be much more beneficial and fruitful if people could get together directly, and discuss these things. This would be a much easier way to get the creative juices flowing and learn from eachother.

[Jonnas]

For one, it'd make Nintendo complacent.

 

Nintendo's handheld output has been strong since... forever, though.

 

Competition is healthy, true, but Nintendo never had any serious competition here before the PSP. And the Gameboy and GBA were amazing, Nintendo never really slacked off on them, despite their absolute market majority.

[Serebii]

Nintendo's handheld output has been strong since... forever, though.

 

Competition is healthy, true, but Nintendo never had any serious competition here before the PSP. And the Gameboy and GBA were amazing, Nintendo never really slacked off on them, despite their absolute market majority.

I don't know...Nintendo's output on the GBA was, for the most part, very complacent and safe. Sure, there were new games like the F-Zero games, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare...but there were so many remakes and re-releases it was unreal.

[Blade]

It's not all about console sales figures though. If they can make a decent profit at the end of the day then there's reason to pursue it.

 

Thats the exact same reason why Nintendo should stay in the home console market

[ReZourceman]

Should Sony drop out of handheld market and go 3rd party?

 

What? They just created the best handheld gaming device ever.

[Andyliini]

 

What? They just created the best handheld gaming device ever.

 

Which isn't doing so well right now. That's why I'm wondering this.

 

As a side note, and to sound as objective as possible in my state, I should probably make a topic about Microsoft dropping Windows Phone support, since that seems to be their mobile "platform".

[Andyliini]

I think I love you :p

 

Please, sir. I'm straight.