Vita's Liberation May Not Fly So High

At first, I thought it was a fine idea. I think a lot of people did.

Assassin's Creed III is one of the biggest video games of the year, and the PlayStation Vita desperately needs top-notch AAA software. It could also use some recognizable franchise names. Familiarity sells.

On the surface, it seemed that Assassin's Creed III: Liberation would serve multiple positive purposes. It would bring the extremely popular AC brand to Sony's new portable, it represented a completely standalone adventure tied to the blockbuster ACIII for consoles, and it would give holiday shoppers a reason to go, "Hm, this Vita thing might be a decent buy." After all, given the unit's prodigious capabilities, one would have to assume that Liberation will be a game-changer in the world of handheld entertainment.

But the more I think about it, the more I think the Vita iteration will simply be overshadowed and lost in the crowd. Yeah, millions will buy ACIII but are they really spending a chunk more to get the Vita installment, especially when ACIII is plenty big enough? Let's also not forget that the competition is extraordinarily stiff this time of year, as gamers seek to create priority lists. Even for Vita owners, I'm not sure where Liberation falls on those lists. It would make perfect sense that Vita owners would want the title, as it's probably the most promising Vita offering to date. On the other hand, time and money are always an issue.

So what do you think? Will Assassin's Creed III: Liberation be a boon for the Vita or will it be a disappointment sales-wise?

10/26/2012 Ben Dutka

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Comments (45 posts)

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GGCAN
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:26:49 PM
Reply

I hate to have to agree Ben.

They should have made it a 'cross buy'.

More people will purchase cross buy as you get both the PS3 and the Vita version for one price.

I'm still going to get both, but cross buy would definately make more sales.

1 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:24:24 PM

With cross buy though you're only paying one price. Of course people would get both since it would be free for the other version.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:24:21 AM

Both games could never be crossbuy since they are 2 totally different games. If they were the same like Sly 4 or PSASBR then I can see them being crossbuy.

3 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 6:20:52 AM

There is no incentive for a third party developer/publisher to spend money on a "good" adaption of a game and then not make any money off of it. What you'd end up with would be an after-thought port that would end up probably being terrible and doing more harm than good.

Sony published games offer this cross-buy incentive because it promotes and hopefully moves the hardware.

1 up, 0 down

ZettaiSeigi
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:34:33 PM
Reply

I think it could go either way. I'm personally going to buy Assassin's Creed III: Liberation first just the said game has lesser chances of getting a GOTY version unlike Assassin's Creed III. Besides, a lot of Vita owners are really looking forward to playing the said game. It is, after all, one of the biggest titles to come out for the Vita.

So I'm hoping that Liberation would prove to be a great game and that it will sell really well. Sell enough to convince Ubisoft that developing such games on the Vita is worth their while.

6 up, 0 down

TheAgingHipster
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:34:47 PM
Reply

Yeah, I'm fairly worried about this. The Vita really needs top-notch software to sell, sure, but that software needs more media visibility, and it needs to evoke that "must have" response in gamers. Sony hasn't done nearly enough to promote that with Liberation. I'm sure it will be a good game (at least, I hope it will be), but given the marketing... I doubt it will push units.

1 up, 1 down

Solid Fantasy
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:36:30 PM
Reply

I fear you might be right. But at least the ACIII:L vita bundle has one pre-order sale! Can't wait for Tuesday to come.

I will not be getting the console version of ACIII. If you're right about this one I guess that would make me a minority.

I really liked a comment by The Highlander the other day regarding the Vita's hardware being on par with the latest ipad and costing about half the price. An uninformed consumer can do a lot of damage.

5 up, 0 down

SmokeyPSD
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:41:40 PM
Reply

I actually disagree. I'm more interested in Liberation than III proper. It's set in a very interesting location with a rich, troubled history and it actually features a female lead. I'm planning to get it way before I bother getting III on the cheap.

Last edited by SmokeyPSD on 10/26/2012 10:42:25 PM

4 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:38:04 AM

I'm really not sure the area has a more "rich and troubled history" than the colonies during the Revolution.

2 up, 2 down

SmokeyPSD
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:25:06 AM

It's focusing just on New Orleans, much more interesting than a walk through a general period with Desmond again is what I'm getting at. Don't get me wrong I'm looking forward to both titles but thematically Liberation seems to be just that little bit more interesting.

Last edited by SmokeyPSD on 10/27/2012 1:26:27 AM

2 up, 0 down

Knightzane
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:48:33 PM
Reply

If not now people will eventually buy it. I know i am as i enjoy being an assassin. The psp one with altair was pretty fun playing on the bus ride to school.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 10:57:06 PM
Reply

Would have been better if they'd sold it as a standalone mid-year. Ubisoft is only cannibalising their sales by releasing both at the same time.

2 up, 0 down

Mr_Sterg
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:20:55 PM
Reply

Should have released it like 1 week early maybe it would boost initial sales.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:28:08 PM

Good idea

0 up, 0 down

Dukemz_UK
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 2:03:25 AM

Totally agree Sterg. I think someone else also mentioned this before on a previous article. Launching it 1 or 2 weeks before AC3 could have been a system seller for Sony. What I don't get is that if ordinary people like us could figure this out, why on earth could the marketing division of Sony Vita not get this, and perhaps incentivise Ubisoft to release AC Liberation bundles early? Could do the same thing for Black Ops junkies!

0 up, 0 down

Mr_Sterg
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 11:12:01 AM

Thx guys for the feedback! :-) Yea actually I did remember reading it somewhere.

Exaclty! I agree Dukemz especially regarding COD which no offence sounds really bad.

Last edited by Mr_Sterg on 10/27/2012 11:14:20 AM

0 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:21:48 PM
Reply

I've already paid off my copy of Liberation. I'll be waiting on ACIII till later on. The only reason I'm getting Liberation first is because it's the only thing like it for the Vita. As for ACIII on consoles I'm just burnt out on the series. I know it looks fresh but I'm not sure yet.

I will buy it later on when it's cheaper though because I do want to do the ship battles and I enjoy the story.

3 up, 0 down

pillz81
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 10:57:02 AM

I think I'll buy Liberation first as well. Since AC3 proper is guaranteed sales, the Vita version's sales need to be big enough to push Ubisoft to keep making more Vita titles. Of course I'm also doing that because my fatty boom blatty PS3 is YLOD at the moment.

Last edited by pillz81 on 10/27/2012 11:01:01 AM

2 up, 0 down

PoopsMcGee
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 3:40:28 PM

I'm buying Liberation first, as well.

I'll probably wait on the inevitable GOTY edition for the console entry. Like you I'm burnt out on the console games although the Madness of King George DLC may make me change my tune...

1 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 6:23:15 PM

@pillz: Sorry to hear about your PS3. My phatty still works great but sometimes it takes a bit to get the disc to spit out and recently when I load something from the HDD it starts ticking and I end up having to do a hard shut down by the switch on the back.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:28:15 PM
Reply

I agree.

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 11:32:18 PM
Reply

Everyone who wants both versions should really consider buying Liberation first, imo. That way Ubisoft has a higher profit margin for their effort in supporting the Vita and encourage them to continue making games for it.

6 up, 0 down

Neo_Aeon666
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:06:05 AM
Reply

I don't have the same worries.

To me it's an awesome move and a lot of my buddies are getting it. I love having a different story just as much as a cross-save one. I think it would have failed if it were the SAME game. I personally would not have bought it on VITA if it were not a different adventure.

Only Sony can do that with their first party games because anyway they come for free when you buy the PS3 version. UBI would never give you a game for free.

My only worry was that it might suck. I really hope it is an awesome extra adventure!

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:08:59 AM
Reply

Might've been a good idea to have a PS3 and Vita version bundle for less.

1 up, 0 down

Gamer46
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:16:05 AM
Reply

Well, I'm buying the game, it looks awesome but unfortunately it will very likely end up being a 'flop' at retail. Vita and its software sales will continue to struggle until the price comes down. Nintendo couldn't get the 3DS selling at $250 and eventhough the Vita is actually a fantastic value at that price it's simply more than the mass market is willing spend. Sure as hell have no problem spending $500 on piece of crap phones though.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:16:28 AM
Reply

There are millions of gamers waiting for the ACIIIL White Bundle. I cannot tell you how many times I have read someone's comments in regards to them not buying a Vita now because they are waiting for the ACIIIL White Bundle.

Once an ACIII fanboy is done with the PS3 version they may want to continue with the Vita version. Or at least take a month off to play something else and then be curious about the Vita version and take the plunge.

AC is hot and fans will not want to wait another year for the next AC. ACIIIL will sell well, but not as good ACIII itself.

I am still not sure which one I am going to play first. It's nice to know they have some cool cross over missions with Connor and Aveline too!

However, to make ACIIIL a for sure super star it would have needed to release 2 weeks to a month before ACIII. Oh well, I am buying both version on 10/30 and I am confident many other gamers will too.

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 10/27/2012 12:18:28 AM

2 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 12:44:49 AM
Reply

Well ACIII for now, don't have a Vita. This winter season hopefully my money will go to a new board. I'm afraid if I buy a Vita, I might not use it as much, don't want to take that risk.

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:20:34 AM
Reply

I don't like it releasig for the Vita. I'm all for the Vitas success, I mean it's out now and I'm rooting for it. But games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and now AC: Liberation are just names for sells, these are games that I would much rather play on my console. I've always felt this way about handhelds.

So yea I agree, Liberation, despite how great it will probably be, will get overlooked. Maybe that means it'll be standalone DLC or a remake later? That'd be nice!

Still waiting for that Uncharted: GA console release! ;)

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:32:13 AM

There are some touch screen elements to Uncharted:GA that don't give you the option of using button commands in its place. They would have to re-work those parts, but that doesn't mean it's out of the realm of possibility.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:55:37 AM

I understand the technicalities of it. But in general, I'd prefer it on console.

1 up, 0 down

Jed
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 3:26:01 AM

I'm pretty sure games like Golden Abyss and Liberation only happened because of the Vita. They're not games that were planned for the PS3 but later changed into Vita games.

2 up, 0 down

booze925
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:37:51 AM
Reply

As much as I really want this game, I just cannot afford the high cost of a Vita.
Sorry Sony.

0 up, 0 down

pillz81
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 11:05:39 AM

I'm just glad I got mine when I was able to afford it. Now I can focuse on getting games.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 4:34:56 AM
Reply

exactly why they should of released it earlier!
people have been so excited to play AC3 releasing this a month earlier or so would of made everyone go buy this to fill the gap till 3 releases.
but on the same day why buy the "lesser" version?
it would not really matter if this was june and there were no other games releasing for 3 months or so, but its not, its november and there is a flood of games coming after it!
exactly why i wont be buying it, i played it at the expo and it was freaking amazing!
definetly what the vita needs.
but theres only so many hours in a day, and its either play this or play far cry 3 and that has much higher priority!
its good that its coming to the vita, allot of people will go buy it later down the line when theres fewer games out, or when they buy a vita once its cheaper.
but it would of had much much more of a impact if they had released it before its console brother.
same goes for COD declassified.

2 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 8:58:26 AM

We are in agreement!! Good post

1 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 6:15:40 AM
Reply

Phew Ben, you scared me there for a minute. I thought you were going to report that so far the game has been poorly reviewed (a la Burning Skies).

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 10:22:59 AM

Don't worry that's next

0 up, 6 down

Underdog15
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 1:25:24 PM
Reply

I know I said I'd be getting the vita bundle with Liberations, but I'm not sure I can afford it yet. :'( Wife's mat leave is over now, and she hasn't been getting many hours, which means reduced income by over 1k per month.

Bah... probably means I won't be able to get the bundle now...

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 3:58:28 PM
Reply

... Meanwhile, at the Cyprus international airport (I just got back from holiday): There was a big electronics store in the tax-free area of this airport, who has all sorts of gadgets.
Everything from cameras to mobiles to radio controlled stuff to gaming consoles, handheld as well as stationary. They had lined up the latest hardware-bundles of every single platform... Except for the Vita. It was nowhere to be seen. Not a single sign of it.

Regarding the software it was likewise: A wide range of games for all platforms, x360, ps3, wii, ds/3ds, PC... But not a single Vita game. Not ONE. And check this: They had a WALL full of PSP titles. A friggin' wall.

There is nothing that can make the Vita fly, and no game will fly on the Vita. Sorry. The foundation for that to happen is simply not there. :(

Last edited by Beamboom on 10/27/2012 4:04:16 PM

0 up, 6 down

Underdog15
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 4:17:30 PM

I'm gonna remember this post. :p

2 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 5:17:09 PM

You have to be patient, it takes time.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 10/27/2012 5:17:54 PM

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 4:48:31 AM

I hope you do Underdog, and others with you too! Cause it really is starting to get surreal that so many around here can't see what is right in front of their eyes.

When the merchants don't include Vita in their product range, Sony stops publishing the Vita sales numbers and the main developers don't see reasons to create games for it and all this is simply just ignored by the fans while chanting "just give it time, all goes as planned, it's a marathon not a sprint", well this must be the biggest state of collective denial I've ever seen.
From my point of view, it is almost scary to witness.

Last edited by Beamboom on 10/28/2012 4:56:16 AM

0 up, 1 down

saintaqua
Monday, October 29, 2012 @ 1:40:52 PM
Reply

I plan on getting Liberation (if I hear good reviews) but I doubt I'll get AC 3 for awhile.

0 up, 0 down

jugheadjones
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 @ 12:22:04 AM
Reply

I would imagine that the handheld equivalent of a new game doesn't sell as well as the larger system version, so making the handheld version a stand alone game isn't a bad idea. I'm just not sure of how successful it will be. I'm really pulling for it, though. I do like having a handheld version of a new game because I like options, but I like having even more choices better. I am anticipating the Vita version and the PS3 version. I have them both pre-ordered, so I am really hoping that they are both huge!

0 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 @ 2:51:12 PM
Reply

I just bought Liberation on my lunch break today. Played for 20 min or so and thus far, I'm pretty impressed.

Here's hoping it takes off. That Vita bundle with AC Liberation is a sweet deal, that should move some units.

0 up, 0 down

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