EA: Vita's Game Lineup Gives It A Chance Of Victory
See Full ImageThe new portable war is just getting started, but EA believes Sony is in a slightly better position.
In speaking to CVG, EA Games boss Frank Gibeau said that Sony's combination of innovative technology and a strong software lineup gives it the edge over Nintendo's 3DS. The latter unit has already dropped in price. And Gibeau doesn't believe that just because the Vita isn't a cell phone, it'll somehow be less attractive to gamers. Besides, the unit does have plenty of social functions:
"I think [Sony has] got a shot because they have some really unique innovation in the control scheme, the technology and the screen. It's got a lot of social features now so that you can actually communicate with your friends and be social.
You can't ring them up by putting the device up to your ear but in general I think they've got most of the capabilities that you'd find in a smart phone, with some unique capabilities that make them stand out."
Gibeau went on to say that there was "some confusion" over the 3DS and overall, the Vita simply has a better launch slate. There are several hot titles scheduled to be available at the handheld's launch, and that's crucial to success. Said Gibeau:
"I think Vita has a better chance because it has a stronger title slate at launch. PSP's had a great run in Europe as a device, it seems to have reached a much larger audience here than it did in North America. So I think they've got a good shot. We're going to publish a few games on it and see how it develops."
Many have called for Sony to drop the price of the Vita, especially in light of Nintendo's move. But Sony has insisted that Vita's price tag is reasonable and in fact, it's more than agreeable based on the technology. But they also know that it needs games to sell, and that's what they're focusing on.
Tags: vita, playstation vita, nintendo 3ds, ea
8/25/2011 10:32:28 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (63 posts)
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:08:01 AM
19 up, 5 down
maxpontiac
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 12:20:01 PM
Even YOU can't deny that a lower price point is good for sales. Look what the recent price drop for did the PS3.
5 up, 5 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 12:45:42 PM
Sure, if they sold it at $5 it would sell out consistently but Sony has to find a price point they're willing to live with in regards to money lost per system.
At $250 the Vita is a steal, it honestly is and you'll see plenty of people agreeing with me when this thing finally gets released. Come on, it's basically a PS3 that fits in your pocket. How can you not justify the price, I'd gladly pay $400 for it.
10 up, 3 down
godsman
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 12:51:45 PM
ipod's success was because it was first to store 1000 songs and first to achieve 24+ hours of play. iknow gaming is different from music playing, but when they slimmed their PSP, it was their chance to make everything right. why slim the battery too?! i gurantee they will sell more with larger battery rather than better graphics.
7 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 1:26:08 PM
I own a 1000 and a 3000 and both of them play multiple movies just fine. 8hrs of battery life is good for a handheld system with a gorgeous screen like the PSP. I'm not sure what product you had but it sounds like you were sold a defective model.
3 up, 1 down
Warrior Poet
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:41:01 PM
It sounds like you need a new battery. My stock battery lasts 10 hours with music, 6 with a memory stick game and 4 with a UMD game. Couldn't tell you much about video, though. And then you could get an aftermarket super battery, too...
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 12:46:06 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:19:56 AM
Reply
Either way, the Vita looks to me like it will do a better job at all the media related tasks (especially gaming) than any smartphone can hope to. Thanks to the decent sized, and high quality screen and game controls, the Vita looks like it will do a better job with many forms of media than the more bulky tablet devices. I don't honestly believe that we need a single device to do everything. I think the key is that we need devices that do a really good job at what they are supposed to. for example, I don't want a smartphone that sucks at being a phone. The primary purpose of the device is being a phone. It doesn't help me one bit if it browses as well as my desktop PC but has crap phone functionality.
So personally I see Vita sitting along side my smartphone very nicely indeed. I may not carry Vita everywhere I go, like I do my phone. but, if I'm headed somewhere and think I might have time for a game or two on the way, or while I'm there, I'll take the Vita (currently PSP) along as well.
As for the 3DS and it's price move, that was not in any way related to the Vita, and the analysts and industry commentators that say otherwise are schilling for Microsoft/Nintendo - IMHO. Vita's price is a very good one, it's specification is great, by far it has the edge over any other currently announced smartphone or tablet device. However, because it's primarily a gaming device, even when other devices have comparable hardware specifications, the Vita will still stand out because it is optimized for games.
It's back to that whole general purpose vs dedicated device argument. Those jack of all trades devices make compromises that Vita doesn't have to. They have large resident OSs, they use touch based controls only, they are not optimized for gaming, but instead are more generally configured to allow a varied workload. Vita is streamlined for games, it has the controls and the design targeted at being a gaming device on the move. Vita's secondary functions use the powerful hardware to their advantage, but they are not what the device is optimized for.
The Vita can therefore excel at gaming, while doing a good job in a number of other ways. It is a master of it's trade - gaming, rather than being a jack of all trades and a master of none. Certainly that means that there are things it's not going to be - such as a smartphone, or mobile computer like a tablet. But, is that really an issue?
Last edited by Highlander on 8/25/2011 11:20:40 AM
7 up, 2 down
faraga
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:32:15 AM
1 up, 4 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:51:05 AM
6 up, 2 down
Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 9:35:32 PM
This did not happen when I had my small nokia phone that did only what it had to. Phone and text plus messages. Real fast, great signal, killer 2 weeks battery life and I can't count how many times I dropped it on the floor lol.
So I get his point about specialization. And I agree that no phone will get close to the Vita in terms of quality of gameplay and potential for awesome titles.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 8/25/2011 9:37:11 PM
3 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:00:46 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Vita will be strong. If Japan gets Monster Hunter Vita and the US, Europe and Australia get CoD and Uncharted on Vita, the house of Mario is going to have a strong fight on their hands for this generation's portables.
**** Sidenote:
Hignlander, do you think there's a chance that Vita support might come to the smaller PSN arcade titles (not Minis, know they'll work on Vita already) like Sonic the Hedgehog, Limbo, Braid, Castle Crashers, Peggle and so on?
I've got many of those games already, but with a simple update (since porting PS3 games to Vita is apparently quite a simple process) do you think it would be possible? Do you think this is something Sony would want to take advantage of for its consumers, save them buying the same title twice?
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 5:05:11 AM
I certainly hope so. If it does play PSN games like the PSP plays PS1 classics, I go from waiting 'til next holiday season to buying it as soon as I can find one.
0 up, 0 down
faraga
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:26:53 AM
Reply
8 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:30:39 AM
;)
Oh, BTW, as predicted about a month ago, MS is currently basking in the glow of it's own boasts about Windows phone/Xbox connectivity...
3 up, 0 down
faraga
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:34:53 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:51:31 AM
0 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 1:21:44 PM
I still think $250 is an excellent price for what you're getting.
2 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:44:15 AM
Reply
Vita entirely targets the premium gamers. They cast aside worries of cell phones and such because they're offering experiences well beyond that norm. $249 is a very respectable price point that will no doubt please any hardcore player's values and may very well attract those who sense a modicum of heightened interest over the cellphone and Nintendo norm of quality.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/25/2011 11:44:55 AM
5 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:54:05 AM
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/25/2011 12:02:09 PM
1 up, 0 down
Ignitus
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:49:29 AM
Reply
5 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 12:35:36 PM
Reply
Knowing me though I doubt I'll get one until Square releases something major on it. Uncharted is tempting though. As for it being in competition with the 3DS, nonsense! The 3DS is one of the most poorly constructed consoles I have seen in years. 2 screens, each screen a different size from one another, one screen brighter than the other, its a disaster, I feel sorry for thoughs who have already bought one as it really needs a lot of work.
1 up, 1 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 12:48:41 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Warrior Poet
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:44:16 PM
bwhahahahaha.
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:06:41 AM
Shame there's not much else to play on it til Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land come out.
Plus, since this is the first time I'm playing Zelda Ocarina of Time all the way through, I'm loving it!! No rehashes or replays here, all first time!!! (I did own a PS1 after all, no N64, and some friends with N64's all played Goldeneye or Mario Kart 64 most of the time)
1 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 1:32:18 PM
Reply
On another note: I really don't understand the sudden negativity surrounding the price of the Vita. Everyone was thrilled about it when Sony announced it a couple months ago.
So now $250 is too much for the Vita and yet, for some reason, everyone just accepts that an iPod Touch costs $430.00??? (according to BestBuy Canada) Get your heads on straight folks!
2 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 1:36:34 PM
7 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:11:02 AM
Apple is like Nike. You're not paying for the product, you're paying for a brand!!
Take the Apple and "i" logos off it, and you got yourself a half priced tablet, smartphone or mp3 player.
1 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 2:19:54 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:11:58 AM
Vita sales boom in 2013!!!!
2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 2:50:06 PM
Reply
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/25/2011 2:57:09 PM
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 8:47:23 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:13:18 AM
I'll be kissing my iphone goodbye when I start messaging friends over my Vita (considering my friends get Vitas as well, which is most likely)
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 3:31:36 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 4:00:35 PM
Oh, while we're on the subject of hardware in other markets. SCEE says that it's sold 22 million PS3s in Europe, despite the UK market behaving similarly to the US market. So they are focusing on how to improve things in the UK.
Don't you find it odd that it's predominantly the English speaking countries in which the 360 does well and the rest of the world it's the PS3 that dominates? I mean, that whole sticker shock thing that people often talk about affected all PS3 buyers, not just those in the English speaking markets. So, what else could be at work?
When I think about it, the biggest difference in terms of the market and market conditions between the English speaking countries and non-English speaking countries is the hugely influential gaming and tech media. If you remember there was a huge tidal wave of negative press that built up around Sony prior to the launch of the PS3, and the wave broke over the market when the PS3 launched, inundating the media with negative spin.
I just find it interesting that in those countries that are clearly more likely to read and be influenced by the US tech and gaming media, the 360 dominates despite it's hardware issues and lack of games. You have to consider whether there is something more than coincidence involved. considering the very negative marketing that Microsoft has indulged in in the past in other markets, and their known tendency to seed fear, uncertainty and doubt in customers of competing products, it really makes you wonder.
But then to see the Vita, before it's even launched being talked down mere weeks after it's unveiling, it makes you wonder whether we are in for a repeat of that BS campaign that was leveled at the PS3. Seriously, when announced at E3, the Vita's appearance, capability, specs and especially price drew gasps of surprised appreciation, much applause and many accolades. Yet just a few weeks later, some in the US tech press are writing stories that essentially take the line "Is it too late for Vita", or "Is Vita Overpriced?", and so forth.
I mean seriously, WTF!? This is the same bogus crap that happened with the PS3. The same baseless stories that seed fear and uncertainty and doubt. Casting uncertainty about the future of the Vita, fear that it might fail, doubt about it's price, etc... Look, I know people think I hate MS and automatically attack them, perhaps that's true to some extent. But really and truly, when you look at what happened to PS3, where it happened and how. Then you compare what looks like it might be beginning with the Vita, you really have to consider whether they have a role in this. even if it's just Microsoft loyalists in the US tech and gaming media with their unconscious bias, the problem is that it's there.
Oh, and I do not believe that the BS I am talking a bout comes from Nintendo, they have better things to do with their time, like develop new products.
I can't say it's all Microsoft's fault, but I can look at the obvious disparity between the English speaking markets and the rest of the world and how that very negative press was completely prevalent during the 12-18 months up to the PS3 launch and extremely negative during the 2-3 years following the launch.
Can the media have that broad and strong an effect? I don't know, but circumstantially, it looks like they can. all I know is, I don't want Vita to suffer the same fate as the PS3 in the US/UK, nor do I want it to become the new PSP in those markets either. It needs to sell like the PSP in Japan, because that is a reflection of the quality of the device, no matter what the western press say.
3 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 4:17:44 PM
It's a complicated issue to be sure but Vita has a few things going for it and what I ultimately boiled it down to was that a console (or portable) basically has its edge either over or under the competition based largely on the media coverage.
If every online site gave the PS3 the preferential treatment it gave the 360 I'm sure it would already have left MS's year long start in the dust. Vita will also hinge on whether or not the media decides to hate on it before there is even a product.
It's irresponsible and comparable to how the News makes the market crash further just by making a huge deal out of a hundred point drop.
When the media does this, the fanboys win because their loud voices are the ones that are heard.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/25/2011 4:17:52 PM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 4:32:54 PM
What I find most troubling though, is that if you dig, and apply logic and consideration and research to the topic and comment about it, many people react extremely negatively, and angrily almost as if it's offensive that anyone would try to analyze the subject or draw reasonable conclusions that differ from what might be called the accepted view.
I can't help the reality of the situation, I can't help the reality of the numbers.If I look at this topic and start considering things, there are questions like the one I discussed above that need answering, I just wish that people were not afraid of the answers.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 4:54:20 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 5:10:24 PM
That's why I wonder about the impact of the negative press and whether its actually far greater an impact than anyone really wants top recognize.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 6:28:15 PM
There are a LOT of dittoheads out there because of the need people have to feel like they are a part of something bigger, even if that is just a circle of friends who are obsessed with the same game.
0 up, 0 down
Ignitus
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 4:32:05 PM
Reply
Seems SONY learned it's lesson and things look good in PS's future, development wise.
2 up, 0 down
DazeOfWar
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 6:57:55 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Minishmaru
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 7:15:45 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
FxTales
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 9:03:57 PM
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Then this bizarre flip around prior to the PS3's launch and all the hate. Why would the media do that? Because a lot of people listened. I actually am quite pissed off at how it's still going on.
1 up, 1 down
Highlander
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 9:35:00 PM
2 up, 1 down
Warrior Poet
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:57:51 PM
Besides all the "hardcore" mentality, Xboxes are marketed towards casual gamers who don't want to flail like maniacs, as well as a very specific kind of gamer, the console FPS fan. Now most gamers only play FPS and sports games, even with the tons of other genres out there
...funny thing is, MS aggressively captured the largest niche market out there, and turned that niche into an overwhelming majority, and then made that majority feel very proud of the games that they love. Awesome success.
Sony accepts every kind of niche market indiscriminately, with lots of third-party support and friendliness, but that means they don't have the same unique attitude that you see in Microsoft, Nintendo, or Sega's libraries and fans. Sony doesn't have a Mario, a Sonic, or a Master chief - they're faceless - but that's also a good thing. I mean...none of those companies could be as successful with Valkyrie Profile or Gran Turismo.
I kind of want to see Zelda on PS3. But that will never happen. Too bad, huh?
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 12:59:08 AM
What of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Ratchet and Clank, Kratos, Nathan Drake, Cole McGrath, and even Sackboy?
2 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:33:48 AM
Many people who recently bought a PS3, I've noticed, can't stop talking about it!! The blu-ray player is a big one, then there's free online play, the exclusive games is the biggest factor behind many purchases, and the recent price drop is just icing on the cake.
Since the price drop announcement, I've overheard 4 people at work alone talking about getting a PS3!! I guess me talking up Uncharted 2, Littlebig Planet 2, Infamous 2 and Heavy Rain with Move controls around work kinda shaped some opinions too. :)
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 1:49:41 AM
For PS1, what about Lara Croft? Spyro? Crash Bandicoot?
For PS2, Kratos, Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper?
For PS3, Sackboy, Nathan Drake, Cole McGrath?
I know Highlander pointed out many of those already (thanks Highlander!) but here's what I've gathered from that list.
Sony has so many exclusives and such a huge range of characters on its platform that there are too many for one to stand tall as being the greatest or a console flagship leader. They're ALL great iconic characters, and any of those that Highlander and I listed could easily stand alone as Playstation's mascot.
But here's the thing...
Playstation is associated with variety, catering to the majority, not the largest minority group (FPS fans). Sony know that getting the highest sales in 1 or 2 games a year is just not as rewarding as getting 2-4 million sales across the board with multiple games spanning many genres.
This is why I love Sony and all things Playstation, because they understand that there are a wide variety of gamers in the world, not just in the US alone!! Sure, gun-nuts are dominating now, but what will happen when that bubble bursts? Playstation will still have many genres for people to play, while MS will struggle to find another flagship mascot from the Action / Adventure, Racer, RPG or whatever genre is popular next!!
Finally, has anyone else here noticed that FPS games are incorporating OTHER GENRES from all sorts of games into theirs just to remain fresh and relevant? RPG elements (Fallout 3, Borderlands), Racing elements (RAGE), even puzzle elements (Portal)!! Soon FPS will no longer be a genre of gaming, but a perspective that many games will choose to incorporate.
FPS' are dominating because they are no longer FPS titles alone, but because our favourite genres are incorporating a first-person perspective from which to play!! Is this such a bad thing? Doesn't the use of first-person perspectives just create further immersion into the character's world and story?
Would love to hear all your opinions on this, particularly yours Highlander and World.
Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 8/26/2011 1:52:09 AM
2 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 5:19:23 AM
Personally, I find the first-person view hinders immersion. I feel like I've been turned into a Dalek...totally restricted.
But I take it others feel differently.
The dominant FPS games, while certainly more complex than Doom or Quake, are pretty much just Shooters. The FPA (Adventure) or FPRPG games you reference aren't really part of the FPS "craze", since they derive as much from games like Wizardry or even Asylum (anyone else own that one?) as from the PC FPS games.
The "craze" is online multiplayer frag fests, most of which are in first-person view.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/26/2011 5:37:40 AM
0 up, 0 down
FxTales
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:34:17 PM
Reply
2 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 2:02:48 AM
Reply
Let's not forget other AAA titles that could come to Vita like God of War, Gran Turismo, Ratchet and Clank, Infamous, a Team ICO game, Sly, Metal Gear Solid... the number of potential AAA titles for Vita is just MIND BOGGLING compared to 3DS'!!!
3DS has Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus, a Contra title in the works, Super Smash Bros (most likely a 2013 launch).... Professor Layton.... Animal Crossing.... ummmmm.... hmmmmm.... anything else? Is there a Metroid in the works? A new Zelda perhaps? Pikmin 3D?
Wow, now that I think of it, Nintendo has got so very few franchises supporting the 3DS, particularly from 3rd party developers.
So... yeah, Vita will conquer review scores and number of AAA titles. As for sales, well... here's hoping Sony will provide and advertise a lot of their kids games to families out there needing something to keep their kids occupied. :)
1 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 5:06:42 AM
Reply
having a handheld costing 100 bucks MORE then its bigger console brother is just insanity!
soon were going to see brand new cars selling for 300 bucks!
1 up, 4 down
Dancemachine55
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 8:05:52 AM
PS3's are now $299 in Australia. Vita Wifi model only will sell for $349.
Honestly, considering there's more tech in it than the 5 year old PS3, it's not surprising that it's a little more expensive.
1 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 10:50:01 AM
a friend of mine picked up a 320GB ps3 today with 4 games of his choice, a 2nd DS3 controller, a bluray remote, the official playstation headset, a monster 2000 3D HDMI cable, and a charging station for 450!
hell, the monster cable alone is retailing for 180!
1 up, 2 down
Highlander
Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 2:29:55 PM
2 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, August 27, 2011 @ 12:57:38 PM
plus its a 4M run, ive found cheap HDMI cables any longer then 3 meters can be a bit sketchy.
plus it comes with ethernet built in which comes in handy.
0 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Reply
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 11:01:13 AM