Miyamoto: Vita Lacks Crucial Software
See Full ImageAfter a very strong start in both Japan and North America, PlayStation Vita sales have tailed off, and Nintendo boss Shigeru Miyamoto thinks he knows why.
In speaking to Edge, the industry legend was diplomatic in his assessment of the competition, saying Sony's new portable is certainly impressive from a technical viewpoint, but still lacks the necessary games.
"It's obviously a very hi-spec machine, and you can do lots of things with it. But I don't really see the combination of software and hardware that really makes a very strong product."
The 3DS is currently the best-selling piece of hardware in Japan, and has been every week since Nintendo slashed the price of the new handheld last August. But Miyamoto also admits that the 3DS suffered from a lack of software right out of the gate as well:
"When we launched the 3DS hardware we didn't have Super Mario 3D Land, we didn't have Mario Kart 7, we didn't have Kid Icarus: Uprising. We were striving to have all of these ready for the launch, but we weren't able to deliver them at that time.
We were kind of hoping that people would, nevertheless, buy into the product, find 3DS hardware promising, but looking back we have to say we realise the key software was missing when we launched the hardware."
I have nothing but the highest respect for this guy, but I feel that what he says concerning the availability of Vita software is only partially true. While I think Sony should've had a continual stream of games slated to arrive each and every week for at least a month or two after the Vita launch (maybe impossible, but still), the launch lineup was the biggest and most diverse in PlayStation history. There were several elite games in there, too.
But he's absolutely correct that software drives the sales of any game-oriented hardware, and that's precisely what the Vita is. Well, Resistance: Burning Skies and Gravity Rush are on the way, so...
Tags: vita, playstation vita, vita games, nintendo 3ds, miyamoto
5/4/2012 8:22:26 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (52 posts)
Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 4:21:10 AM
0 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 9:59:29 PM
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I think Vita is selling at a very reasonable price, but they will need a cut like the 3DS got to move units. 3DS got its boost from that price cut, not the amazing quality software.
5 up, 3 down
Heartless Angel
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:14:25 PM
0 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:45:44 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/4/2012 10:47:51 PM
0 up, 1 down
Heartless Angel
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:51:43 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:53:54 PM
9 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 7:04:08 AM
& fifa.
& asphalt injection.
& Dungeon Hunter Alliance.
& Lego Harry potter years 5-7.
& ninja gaiden plus.
& virtua tennis 4.
& disdida 3.
& marvel V capcom 3.
then you got same games just different levels like MNR, and resistance.
only franchises that have made the leap over which are different are motorstorm RC which was surprisingly fun and uncharted golden abyss.
2 games worthwhile buying for a $420 AUD device, for 2.5 months after release!
almost 5 months if you go off the JP release.
Last edited by ___________ on 5/5/2012 7:05:11 AM
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 9:46:58 AM
Do you actually read, or do you just.........
You know what, never mind.
2 up, 3 down
___________
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 10:09:55 AM
its ok dude you can admit when i prove you wrong every once in a while, the world wont implode.
0 up, 3 down
daus26
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:10:35 PM
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This is an unfair comparison. The 3DS is doing well right now most likely because of its price. Heck, it's the same price as the XL. I know it's not all from their games because everyone who buys the 3DS surely know that games will eventually come anyway. It's Nintendo! Why wouldn't they have Mario Kart 7 or any other Mario game eventually?
When the Vita was found out to be $249, everyone was shocked and happy. Now, not so much. I DOUBT much has anything to do with the softwares though. When the price was shown, people were already aware of what games it was gonna have.
I personally think it's because:
1. 3DS dropped its price dramatically, shifting interest more towards the 3DS. If they were the same price, I doubt it would be this dramatic.
2. Expensive memory sticks. I don't care if the original PSP launched with the same price. That's no justification to raise the price of its proprietary memory sticks.
3. Underwhelming device it terms of multimedia features. With all that power, you'd think it can do much more in terms of versatility to that of a smartphone.
Last edited by daus26 on 5/4/2012 10:12:03 PM
1 up, 1 down
JackDillinger89
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 1:38:59 AM
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 2:50:05 AM
The 3DS is undoubtly much more child friendly in its look and market profile. Heck even I would probably have bought a 3DS to my kid rather than a Vita, both for price AND kid friendly reasons!
While on the other hand the Vita aim for the "grown up kids", and like it or not but the competition on that market segment is entirely different. That makes an enormous difference.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2012 2:58:21 AM
0 up, 0 down
iwillbetheone
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:36:43 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Veitsknight
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:45:05 PM
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I initially wanted it for Gravity Daze, but unfortunately I have to wait until June. Luckily, you can play PSP titles on it. I downloaded my MHFU from the PSN.
I really don't understand the problem with the price. Remember initia price predictions were at the 500-600 dollars? When they showed the price at $300 max(unit alone) everyone was happy. What changed? The 3ds price drop. It was sort of a low blow. But to think that the 3ds is even at the same level of the Vita, you're dead wrong.
4 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 10:59:42 PM
Nintendo dropped the price because they had to but they also strategically began to bring the games along with it.
0 up, 0 down
Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 5:34:45 PM
The Vita reminds me of a Swiss Army Knife. It has a useful blade but then they throw in things like a toothpick or scissors. Sure you can cut paper with the scissors, but no one actually uses it because it doesn't work well. At the end of the day it is just a pocket knife with a bunch of useless crap thrown in for good measure.
0 up, 0 down
Veitsknight
Sunday, May 06, 2012 @ 3:12:09 PM
2nd, I don't remember my ipad running flash on browsers but no one really complains about that.
BTW, there is a japanese site that gives you a javascript code to save in the bookmarks section of the browser that enables you to DL youtube videos.
I will agree with you on one thig though, it does feel like a pocketknife. But what are you gonna do, every retard claiming to be a nerds like that shit. I would have been happy with a pure gaming device but they had to cater to the "techies" as well.
0 up, 0 down
TheAgingHipster
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:00:22 PM
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Again, I LOVE my Vita. But c'mon, Sony, don't drop the ball on me.
4 up, 0 down
TheAgingHipster
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:05:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:11:07 PM
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Miyamoto is as Ben stated Partially right. The Vita launched with plenty of titles but they are obviously not system sellers. So far the VITA is selling on the strength of the hardware. Wait till the bigger titles begin to flow and the VITA hits a stride. Or as they say in the industry.. MOMENTUM.
Heck, The XBox has survived this long mostly because of this. Few exclusives far and between but just enough to keep the fanbase satisfied. I also believe this is why their exclusive titles sell extremely well. Gamers starve for a few months then boom. Halo, Forza.. etc..
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:17:48 PM
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this is coming just months after 3DS's weak sauce launch and still even weak sauce games.
2 up, 5 down
cadpig
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:20:42 PM
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I must admit, i am some what impatient and eager for new games to be released.
When nintendo dropped the price on the 3DS, they had a flood of games coming in. An early adopter program that gave away free games. Plus a fully functional backwards compatibility with the DS.
I don't see sony abandoning their proprietary memory cards or lowering the price anytime soon.
As far as multimedia features. The Vita could use a Comic/E book reader. Flash or html5 video support.
0 up, 0 down
playSTATION
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 11:55:45 PM
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would be cool if sony partnered with google play for its games.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 1:02:37 AM
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0 up, 0 down
JackDillinger89
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 1:33:45 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 2:41:57 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 6:45:28 AM
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 9:51:45 AM
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 10:14:45 AM
What really happened was that everyone that believed in this product were surprised by the poor sales the first month in Japan. And the launch here in the western world has not been any better. That's the real story.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 10:16:34 AM
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Beamboom
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 10:39:12 AM
I don't mean to be mean but I don't think anyone were left impressed by the initial sales the first month in either region.
Let's be realistic here: Sony got a gigantic challenge in getting a foothold on the mobile gaming market with their Vita. That's just how it is. It's a long race, yes, but so far Vita is nowhere near any leading field here. It's the horse no-one pays attention to. And sadly, currently its owner is not in the best economical shape either. That doesn't bode well for a long term, high risk investment like the Vita.
And when even the ardent fans at this site pretty much in unison tells us that their Vita has started to collect dust, they are begging for more stuff for it, some has even already sold it others are considering it, well this is *not* a good status this short after launch. These are not good vibes.
I know what some will say, this is not a sprint but a marathon, and true, it is. Still... Even a marathon has a beginning, and the *start* off the starting line can hardly be described as "strong".
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2012 11:27:47 AM
0 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 11:44:42 AM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 12:53:58 PM
...you just never can stop, can you?
1 up, 1 down
Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 5:21:24 PM
1 up, 0 down
Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 4:19:56 AM
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So far the Vita does not have any must have titles unless you consider playing old console games and old psp games a "must have".
1 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 7:07:43 AM
actually made you feel like a treasure hunter taking photos of landmarks, doing charcoal rubbings and such.
heaps of cool puzzles too, many more and much more creative than the console versions!
0 up, 0 down
Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 5:04:18 PM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Sunday, May 06, 2012 @ 9:42:59 AM
GA only got a lower score because it lacks the big set pieces the series is famous for.
sad fact about the industry these days, no one cares about game design all they want is big flashy graphics!
all michael bay big explosions and no substance and design like inception.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 4:42:41 AM
Reply
2 up, 5 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 9:50:27 AM
......oh, forget it. :)
1 up, 1 down
___________
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 7:08:57 AM
Reply
have not touched it since the day unit 13 came out, and would not touch it again till bioshock or AC come out!
plus the fact that it will probably get a price drop sooner rather than later because of the lacklustre sales.
1 up, 2 down
Aranha
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 9:15:47 AM
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From personal experience, I ended up buying 2 3DSs, based almost on that; a red one for my daughter, and the aqua for myself. Yes the price played into it, but something about having different colors to express "the red is yours and the aqua is daddy's" added the extra touch and helped seal the deal.
Some of you may think this is nuts, but take a look; you'll notice that some people collect the same system in numbers, at times, just to get all the flavors of color of a system. Even with the Wii, Nintendo released a black AND a white one. Sony has only really released a black PS3 and PSP. Yeah they do colored bundles, but that's the problem: it's only in bundles with a game the player might not want with the system. And it doesn't happen often.
I think Sony needs to give people more of a "choice" when it comes to that, as simple and ironic as it may sound, but sometimes it's the little things that count, and color could be that little touch their system(s) need, to sell (along with price drops, software, etc).
Believe me, I love Sony and their PlayStation brand (been around since the early PS1 days), and I own all their systems (minus the Vita). The Japanese seem to reap the benefits of extra colors for the most part, and yeah, they're releasing that red PS3 in the UK and AU, but it's not integrated into the PlayStation brand of marketing.
Other than that, the Vita, in my eyes, has a decent software selection, even now. Had I bought it at launch, and if I had the funds available, 5 games would've been purchased. But, due to responsibilities, I have to be price conscious about most of my purchases. Which, on Nintendo's side, was a good move, when dropping the 3DS price right when games were starting to really pour onto the system, as someone else stated above.
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 9:49:39 AM
That being said, I'm really not sure different colors for the Vita would spur sales. The point you're missing in your argument is that Nintendo targets a different demographic...a much younger demographic, to be precise. And, well, younger people like the option of color.
Older, more avid gamers - the audience the Vita is going for - don't really care as much about what color their handheld is. It'd be nice to have an option or two, but I really don't think anyone has actually passed on buying the unit because it doesn't come in their favorite shade. :)
0 up, 0 down
Aranha
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 12:06:21 PM
But that second point seems to be more for the hardcore, in the sense that, day-one purchasers were going to get the Vita regardless of color. At this point Sony knows they have most of the core Vita audience, but now want to attract the mainstream. In this case, that's where I feel my point holds a little more weight. By then, that's when some of the more hardcore gamers also tend to buy a second or third system, and color options just make it another, if not better, reason for the additional purchase, even though they all know that the systems are essentially the same. Also, mainstream gamers almost fall into that demographic Nintendo targets, which is why color seems like a determining factor. The mainstream don't care as much of the technical aspects of the device as much, and instead are drawn in by the social aspects, color being one of them.
Many gamers on this site, for instance, appear to have multiple PS3s. Usually the older FAT and the newer slim models as well. No color variation. But if there were color options, I can easily see them owning even more PS3s. Apply this to a handheld unit, and every gamer and their mother would have one (slight exaggeration).
I just think that regardless of demographic (to an extent), Sony can generate the sales they are looking for, but may be looking up the wrong avenue, or using incorrect marketing and production techniques, due to a slight oversight on something as basic as a color option.
Last edited by Aranha on 5/5/2012 12:09:59 PM
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 3:11:28 PM
And I'm not much better: I bought myself a new Dualshock a few months ago just because I discovered they had a white one at my local Gamestop. I didn't need another controller at all.
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Palpatations911
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 5:10:48 PM
What the Vita lacks is must-have titles and firmware updates
1 up, 2 down
Oyashiro
Saturday, May 05, 2012 @ 8:17:41 PM
1 up, 2 down
DjEezzy
Sunday, May 06, 2012 @ 12:18:32 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
Ninja_WafflesXD
Sunday, May 06, 2012 @ 12:38:04 PM
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It seemed that a majority of the games that launched alongside the Vita was catered to the Western demographic....but that could just be my perception.
I know the reason that I didn't purchase a Vita was simply because of the price and the lack of games that appealed to me.
Where I feel that the 3DS succeeded was due to the price-cut, and the guarantee of quality Nintendo titles.
Heck, the only reason that I purchased a 3DS was because of KH 3D, Ocarina of Time and Kid Icarus Uprising.
3 games may not seem like much, but considering that the 3ds is BC with DS titles (in which I have a decent collection), and the much lower price....it was a no-brainer.
While I can appreciate the Vita as a monstrous piece of hardware, for me, it's all about the games, which is where the 3DS excelled :)
1 up, 0 down
Bonampak
Sunday, May 06, 2012 @ 4:27:27 PM
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They were all trying to make it seem like a legendary videogame creator was bashing the Vita. I mean some of the headlines were really inflammatory. Basically, baiting users just to get site hits.
In reality, Miyamoto not only praised the Vita for being a great system in terms of it's unique technology, but he pointed out that the Vita suffers from the same problem that the 3DS had when it launched: a lack of system selling software.
And Miyamoto wasn't trying to bash the Vita when he said that he failed to see the connection with having fancy technology and having great software. To drive his point home, he again used the 3DS as an example of what he meant to say. He said that Nintendo made a mistake thinking the 3D technology would be enough to sell the system with. But it wasn't. Miyamoto realized that the handheld just needed compelling games. So his point was never to bash the Vita like some sites tried to imply.
Anyway, PSXExtreme one again proves why it's the best there is. Kudos!
Last edited by Bonampak on 5/6/2012 4:28:26 PM
2 up, 0 down
Heartless Angel
Reply
Friday, May 04, 2012 @ 9:39:19 PM