Should Sony Mimic Nintendo And Issue A Vita Price Cut?
Put aside the jabs of Sony "following" Nintendo for a moment. Let's be logical.
Sony says current sales for the PlayStation Vita are essentially "meeting expectations." Therefore, based on that statement, one would assume a price cut won't come in the foreseeable future. But there's no doubt that many analysts and other industry insiders see a mediocre performance when they look at Sony's new portable, especially if one considers the lackluster showing on Japanese sales charts once the launch craze died down.
Lest we forget, something similar happened to the Nintendo 3DS, which fell flat out of the gate. Nintendo reacted quickly and dropped the price, which spurred sales and with the help of more software, the unit has been doing fine ever since. Sony doesn't necessarily have to drop the price of the Vita immediately, but maybe sooner would be better than later. Can we really expect Resistance: Burning Skies, Gravity Rush, and some other highly anticipated software to overcome the relatively high price tag, which is a stumbling block for many consumers? Then there's the mobile gaming explosion and expansion, which makes things even tougher.
Then again, hardware sales are basically down across the board, so maybe Sony is just waiting for the industry - on the whole - to rebound. I wouldn't want to be making such decisions right now, that's for damn sure.
Tags: vita, playstation vita, vita sales, nintendo, nintendo 3ds
5/23/2012 9:51:56 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (51 posts)
Axe99
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 4:50:47 AM
tes37
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 @ 10:21:04 PM
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Of course I'm getting her one regardless, but the cheaper on me, the better. I can't share anything I buy, with her, unless it's a physical copy. So that will help curb any digital copies, except for digital only availability.
Last edited by tes37 on 5/23/2012 10:27:27 PM
Bonampak
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 @ 10:28:49 PM
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There is no point in paying good money for a port/rehash game on Vita that is already available on the PS3 and also plays better. And possibly costs less.
The reason Nintendo's 3DS has taken off is because you have games there that most people cannot play anywhere else. the new Kid Icarus game, the new Resident Evil Revelations, the new Kingdom Hearts, Fire Emblem, etc. Even the new Mario 3D Land & Mario Kart 7 play differently enough to the console versions. Enough to warrant a purchase.
The Vita needs games that are unique to the system. And maybe a new IP that would demand people to buy a Vita in order to play it.
But generally speaking, it just needs a constant flow of good games. This more than a price cut.
Axe99
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 4:51:42 AM
___________
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 10:07:30 AM
ie it needs a hell of allot more to warrant its price tag!
this is exactly why i got rid of mine.
you pay a arm and a leg for the device, than another leg for the games, and a eye for the accessories.
and all you get is so few new experiences, and the rest things you have already played 100+ times before!
and the few "new" games are not exactly new either.
golden abyss is so like uncharted 3, burning skies is like the original resistance.
only original game available on the vita is gravity daze.
so let me rephrase my first line.
1 game does not a 300+ dollar device make!
JackDillinger89
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 @ 11:52:03 PM
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tes37
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 @ 11:59:38 PM
saintaqua
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 12:13:43 AM
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With that said I think it does need a price cut. Not just on hardware, but software as well.
The Ubisoft prices are a joke and all PSN major titles should be cheaper.
Why would I pay 39.99 for a dl title that Gamestop has for less and with a b2g1 at almost every retailer?
Not to mention I can resale physical copies if I dislike them or get bored.
No chance with a dl game.
If the prices were better I'd download everything!
I'm hoping E3 has so many Vita announcements and that this holiday we have a ton of must have games...but Sony has been disappointing me lately (Nintendo failed me and MS is a joke, so disappointment is still better)
Beamboom
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 1:09:34 AM
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What's more interesting though, is how to change this for the better. Price cut will lead to more sales, that's almost a law of nature. But is it the ticket to success? I seriously doubt it.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/24/2012 1:25:02 AM
mehrab2603
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 7:06:54 AM
Beamboom
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 9:03:23 AM
PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 3:37:34 AM
As for doing it without losing money, well it depends on what they're losing per unit and how much those costs are offset by the memory cards.
As I just said below I think we're much more likely to see a bunch of bundles before we see price drops. I don't think a $50 drop is going to suddenly boost Vita sales into the six figures without giving people a few more reasons to buy one.
IMO the Vita's problems right now can mostly be attributed to Nintendo's handling of the 3DS. People saw Nintendo's desperate move with that huge price drop after only four months (don't care what anyone says, Nintendo dropped it so far because of the Vita price announcement) and seeing the Vita at the same price the 3DS was expect the same thing to happen. The other part is Sony being so damn secretive about pricing of the memory cards and all that. They waited until damn close to the last minute and probably only let them out when they did because of Gamestop's jacked up prices, which could have been a ploy to see the reaction people would have.
That said, Sony could end up cutting the Vita's price at E3 but I still think they'll hold off as they're already almost certain to announce a PS3 price drop. They'll probably work with stores to have some big sales over the holidays and do the Vita's price drop next year as they clear out stock for the Vita's first hardware revision in fall 2013. Then again, they could drop the PS3 and Vita to $200 for a nifty marketing angle.
Phoenix
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 7:24:00 AM
oONewcloudOo
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 7:33:41 AM
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CrusaderForever
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 8:35:31 AM
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ethird1
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 8:46:14 AM
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Sony is dropping the ball HARD with the Vita. It is too bad.
The best game on the Vita right now is Hotshots Golf and I am having a BLAST playing online tournaments with my friends.
I can't wait for Madden. I'm still up in the air about a FOS being on the system. I want to play BF and COD on a big screen.
ethird1
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 8:54:54 AM
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So Sony will ALWAYS put the prices high at first, then come down after all the kids who GOT TO HAVE THE GAME NOW get it.
tes37
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 10:59:51 AM
Highlander
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 12:28:28 PM
tes37
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 1:00:09 PM
PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 2:16:33 PM
There should be more active use of the sliding scale really, prices are already set at $30-$50 for Vita games but of course a lot of publishers price their games at $40 just because they can. Straight ports of console games probably should sell for $30 though, especially if they offer cross play.
Eh, of the four physical Vita games I own (Rayman, Uncharted, HSG and Wipeout) I paid on average something like $8 each for them and next to nothing for my 32GB memory card thanks to Amazon promo credit and other credits along with my 3G Vita.
But I have no problem paying $40 for a good game that deserves the price. If I feel it doesn't then I don't buy it right away. I've had Gravity Rush pre-ordered since October of last year. I'll finally have retail game number five (and the damn game I wanted a Vita early for when it was supposed to be a launch window game >_<) in 19 days, whoo!
tes37
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 2:40:23 PM
Underdog15
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 8:59:20 AM
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In other words, there can be lots of AAA titles, and it still might not be enough. For me, there pretty much has to be something that I consider to be a MUST have. I'm currently perfectly happy with my PSP still.
Excelsior1
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 9:06:58 AM
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The Japanese market has to be the main concern for Sony. They have been very supportive of Sony handhelds in the past but for whatever reasons they just aren't taking a liking to the Vita. Without the Japanese market the PSP most likely would have been considered a failure. Sony should not forget that. Some have said the Vita's launch line up was more tailered for the West and that's why the Vita has struggled in Japan. There might be some truth to that.
I know several gamers who have a PSP but they have told me they aren't getting a Vita. The first thing they mention are the outageous price for memory cards. So, maybe Sony should include a memory card with every Vita.
PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 2:19:09 PM
Dancemachine55
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 9:21:50 AM
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jimmyhandsome
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 9:54:36 AM
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___________
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 10:15:21 AM
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more games, more experiences exclusive to it, and a price drop!
and not only a price drop on the unit itself but a price drop on the games and accessories!
cant believe how expensive vita games are!
i just picked up future soldier for 60 bucks!
thats 20 bucks more than burning skies is going for!
how the &^%$ is a crappy vita game worth 20 bucks more than one of the best ps3 games ever released!?
i never thought id see the day where handheld games are worth 20 bucks less than console games!
let alone 20 bucks more!
Highlander
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 12:31:09 PM
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2. Vita has many more games coming, some will help particularly in Japan, some will help particularly in the West.
People will apparently demand a price cut for just about any reason these days. It seems that the days of getting what you paid for are lost in the mists of time. Honestly if we truly get what we pay for, then some of you would get very little for what you are apparently willing to pay.
DjStiv3
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 1:32:07 PM
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wtf seriosuly at LEAST not till next year fine bundle a game this season but they better not drop it yet... if they do they better give me 50$ psn credit...
we buy the thing for 300+ bucks n 3 months later they drop the price? no way....that sucks EITHER WAY i gurantee you online right now you can buy a 3g bundle now for 250 (im glad i paid a total of 275 with tax for mine on launch day but for the others that wernt lucky that kinda sucks)
im hoping if they do decide to have a price cut and follow the 3ds they better follow nintendo's ambassador program... BUT NOT with a crappy issuance of games ..IMO whatever price they drop it issue that much credit to the psn wallet for current owners of vitas...
but anyway thers one of two prices they will go with though once they do it ..it will either be
229 for wifi and 279 for 3g
or
199 for wifi and 249 for 3g
im looking forward for a credit of either 20 or 50 bucks not sum lame games to be put out tho or given like fu**ing mini's WE shud have the option of what to download from the store... you better be listening sony or else you pissed off a loyal 15yr customer... in which case the vita will be the last sony product i buy...
CrusaderForever
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 1:54:34 PM
PHOENIXZERO
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 2:20:52 PM
If Sony were to give anything it would probably be a year subscription to PS+ and TBH that can end up being "worth" more than $50 with all the freebies (as long as PS+ is active, heh) you get.
Last edited by PHOENIXZERO on 5/24/2012 2:22:11 PM
Highlander
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 3:18:18 PM
daus26
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 3:20:47 PM
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Don't get me wrong though, more software equals more success, BUT only to the hardcore gaming community. Plus, Sony's games just can't match the popularity of Nintendo's franchise and appeal. If they want to be as successful as Nintendo, they're gonna have to reach out to people outside of the hardcore group. I can't stress enough that the Vita needs to be marketed for more than just a video game machine.
Nintendo may get its advantage in games, but Sony has the advantage in hardware. Show that to the people Sony!! Show what the device is capable of (multimedia, apps, touch panels, NEAR, graphics, processor etc.) other than games! It's the only real advantage you have! Look at Apple's advertising on their phones. It has nothing to do with calling, but people talking to it like it's a human being. Even Nintendo showed off it's internet browser and camera capabilities with their 3DS. People need to be ensured this is the tech to own for the future. You can't do that just by showing ads of people playing games on the go. That's nothing new.
Last edited by daus26 on 5/24/2012 3:26:25 PM
Gordo
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 4:59:05 PM
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Since then I've got Lumines, Virtual Tennis, Unit 13, Rayman as physical media. Downloaded God of War ghost of sparta, velocity, pure chess, dragons lair (yes I can remember the original), angry birds (for the kids honest), Super Stardust, Escape Plan (beautiful), and Motorstorm RC.
There are more games available than I have money or time to play them. The Vita is a brilliant piece of kit and well worth the money.
If you want one buy it or save up and buy it. If you don't fancy one go back to your console. The constant whining over the price. For the love of god stop!!! This entitlement generation. I would love a new car but its too expensive. I'm not going to phone up Ford and ask them to drop the price!
Btwhitehouse
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 11:55:19 PM
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Robochic
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 5:20:47 PM
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ChadWSmith
Sunday, May 27, 2012 @ 11:28:06 AM
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Nintendo makes money on every piece of hardware they sell. Sony and Microsoft both sell their hardware at a loss, knowing they'll make up the difference and more with the sell of software, which after a certain point, is essentially free. Especially 3rd party software that they take absolutely no risk in, and still get paid for every copy sold.
That said, I imagine at this point, it cost Sony more than $249 to make. THat price will drop as the components get cheaper, and eventually they will lower the price. But I don't expect that to happen in the next 4 months. Maybe right before the holidays, but even then I don't expect to to be $199.
To me, the reason I won't buy a Vita any time soon is I bought a fully functional Android Tablet for $249 - and spent another $49 on a BlueTooth controller, and now I have console-level games via OnLive - AND - a FULL Tablet (Netflix, complete Web browsing with Flash, word processing, Angry Birds, hundreds of thousands of Apps). It is a TON more capable than a Vita, and has more games. With OnLive, it has more console-level games even. And that's not counting the metric tonne of Angry Bird level games through Google Play.
The controls are great on a Vita. The Back Touchpad is a genius idea, But those 2 things alone, and a handfull of exclusive epic games, are not enough to sell me on a $300 device that is so very limited in every other way.
When I first heard about the Vita, I thought it was going to be an actual Android tablet. With Sony making announcements around the same time about the Xperia Play and the Sony S Tablet - and the "Playstation Certified" stuff, I thought for sure that's what the Vita was going to be. Obviously, I was wrong. If that what it was, I would have bought one on day one. And I don't think I would have been alone.
darthadv
Sunday, May 27, 2012 @ 1:42:31 PM
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DjStiv3
Sunday, May 27, 2012 @ 6:32:00 PM
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clue
Monday, May 28, 2012 @ 11:53:35 AM
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Last edited by clue on 5/28/2012 11:58:44 AM

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TheAgingHipster
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012 @ 10:14:18 PM
Give us the software, Sony. No price cut will help you if gamers don't have things to play on it.