To All The Vita Haters: Remember When The PSP Started Slow?
The PlayStation Vita hasn't sold as well as anticipated, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons for its slow start.
For the most part, the skeptics and naysayers have a lot of ammunition, and good reason to be concerned about the future of Sony's new portable device. However, the rampant negativity surrounding the handheld reminds me very much of the first year of the PSP's existence.
The doom and gloom was even bigger for that one and unsurprisingly, many cited the same culprits: It was too expensive and there weren't enough games. Some of the more hostile and caustic flat-out laughed at Sony's attempt to enter the handheld market, especially when Nintendo had a veritable stranglehold on that corner of the gaming industry. You could find at least one article a week that predicted a premature end for the PSP and if you check around now, you can find essentially the same reactions to the Vita.
But hey, it seems to be the norm for Sony over the past seven or eight years. The PSP, the PS3, the Vita...they all face the same sort of slings and arrows, and they all end up doing just fine. The PSP ended up selling quite well and it even outstripped the DS more than a few times during the last couple of years. All told, the PSP has gone on to sell over 80 million units worldwide and that isn't exactly the hallmark of a failure; in fact, it's precisely the opposite. Of course, the Vita has the mobile market explosion to deal with so that's a whole new problem, but my point remains.
Crucifying the Vita early on, especially when haters are basically using the same arguments we've heard over and over for different Sony platforms (platforms that have done very well), seems like a bad idea. Just sayin'.
Tags: vita, playstation vita, psp, playstation portable, vita sales
12/11/2012 12:25:46 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (52 posts)
Cesar_ser_4
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 6:31:45 AM
SaiyanSempai
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:06:48 PM
firesoul453
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:22:12 PM
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:17:08 AM
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Am I a hater? I'm not optimistic about Vitas future. Does that make me a "hater"? I don't think the problem is the price, or the software. Had it been that easy it would have been much simpler for Sony, cause then the remedy would be clear.
But does this make me a "hater"? What exactly is it?
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/11/2012 1:18:51 AM
SaiyanSempai
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:22:46 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:33:07 AM
sawao_yamanaka
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:44:27 AM
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:57:19 AM
But do this rule apply to all products, or just Sony? Like, if I don't believe in the WiiU and think the sales will drop drastically the moment the next consoles are launched, am I then a hater? Or if I think a subscription model for COD would be a total disaster? After all, I don't *know* how this will turn out either...?
@SaiyanSempai: I'm sorry but I can't tell you, cause that would make me a hater. And noone wants to be a hater, you know. We don't like haters around here.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/11/2012 5:04:51 AM
Phoenix
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 5:23:39 AM
That is just silly, people have made proper arguments about the Vita, and you simply dismiss it as nonsense. Now, call me crazy, but that sounds like fanboyism to me.
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 8:20:39 AM
But yeah, I do think it's kinda immature to throw labels at each other just because it's about a Sony product. Cause everyone knows that obviously noone would be called a "hater" had it been a Microsoft handheld that was the topic of the discussion, or a tablet, an Android console, a PC accessory, or anything else.
Had my reasoning for my doubts about the Vita been along the lines of "kuz it suxx, joo f00lz" then sure, call me a hater. But I'm not like that, never has been.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/11/2012 8:26:42 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 10:14:36 AM
Phoenix
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 11:04:50 AM
Well, while it stands at this moment, the Vita in my eyes is a bit of a let down, while it remains an amazing piece of tech, it's still lacking in the software department for me and the memory card prices are a bit steep aswell. But, as its been pointed out by several, give it another year or so, and then we can decide if it's a failure or not.
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 11:13:45 AM
I've called Vita "the wrong product at the wrong time". But I am not saying so with a grin on my face, nor am I happy about it. Heck, I even wish that I myself wanted a Vita! I just don't, and that is for the very reasons why I believe Sony has a gigantic challenge in getting the Vita out there. It's not cause of the price. It's not even cause of the software. Had I believed in it I would be sure the games would come, eventually.
But I don't *hate* neither the Vita nor Sony.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/11/2012 11:17:59 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 12:02:39 PM
Beamboom: You're still not getting it. If anyone concludes the Vita is a failure - we all know what the definition of "failure" is - this early in its lifespan, especially when the PSP and PS3 were in very much the same boat during their first years, and considering the LONG lifespan of Sony platforms, that person is a blind hater. Done.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/11/2012 12:02:58 PM
Underdog15
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:03:22 PM
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:12:29 PM
What you are saying is that it's way too early to draw a final - FINAL - conclusion that the entire product is a failure. I get that, Ben. I am - despite popular belief and widespread suspicion - not stupid.
But if the discussion is for instance the launch of the Vita, then you bloody well can call it a failure seeing how they initially expected, was it 20 million sold the first fiscal year? And they seem to end up on roughly four, worldwide? That might on all accounts qualify as a "failure".
If the topic is the Vitas potential ahead, one thinkable scenario could be that the Vita never gets a foothold in the market, is abandoned by the 3rd party developers and ends up as a money drain for Sony, accompanied by arguments why this might happen.
It most definitely can be discussed as one possible outcome. And if so then it can't be described as anything but a failure.
So to say "anyone who says it's a fail is a blind hater" is just way too categorical. One have to look at what is actually said.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/11/2012 1:52:14 PM
Excelsior1
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:36:15 PM
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 12/11/2012 2:37:32 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 4:04:07 PM
I don't know what's so complicated about this. You're trying to turn this into something that it isn't. We're not even disagreeing.
Excelsior: You've got no call to return here, although I'm not surprised in the least that you choose to blindly bash Sony again when you do so. It's basically all you ever did. Now leave...again.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/11/2012 7:20:35 PM
Excelsior1
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 6:22:07 PM
All consoles have early teething problems I suppose. Sony had two great generations and I guess I kinda of got used to that...them being on top. They have had a lot of success this gen too and did a great job of turning aound the PS3. 70 million PS3s sold is a success. It's a successful system. So was the PSP.
I don't know about the Vita yet. I'm not even calling it a failure. It has underperformed in sales badly. It's not bashing to point that out. If it was even doing decent sales wise I would not say a peep.
Until it starts seilling both it and Sony are fair game in my book. It's nice to be back Ben. Thanks for noticing.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 7:23:20 PM
So fine, fair warning- I even catch a glimmer of your crap again, and I'll just perm-ban the account. Everyone was sick and tired of you before...don't resurrect the clash.
Killa Tequilla
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 10:12:48 PM
SaiyanSempai
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:19:46 AM
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sawao_yamanaka
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:45:12 AM
BikerSaint
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:15:13 AM
Reply
AcHiLLiA
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:27:09 PM
BikerSaint
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 9:12:33 PM
I don't think it's what I said, it's rather that a few people here just don't like me, probably cause I'm outspoken & tell it like I see it.
And ya know what, I don't live my life for them & they mean nothing to me, so if that's the case, then f*ck em.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 12/11/2012 9:13:44 PM
homura
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:24:46 AM
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telly
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 3:36:29 PM
homura
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 7:47:53 PM
___________
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 4:29:50 AM
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the PSP had a rough launch, and a rough life because they supported it so poorly!
so i really thought the vita would be the complete opposite, but so far i thought wrong!
difference is the PSP survived thanks to third parties, there were so many third party exclusives on the PSP, and really good ones which carried it through.
if the PSP was to rely on its first party support, like the vita has to, it would of fallen flat on its face!
PSP flourished because of the third party exclusives, the vita is not going to have that luxury because third parties are not going to support the vita like they did the PSP, sadly third party exclusives are rare as hens teeth.
also the market has changed, customers use to look at handhelds as another platform to get different experiences on.
now customers look at it as a hindrance.
if i had a nickel for every person i heard say i wish AC liberation was a ps3 title, the vitas just holding it back, id be a billionaire by now!
people have not forgotten the rough start the PSP had, if anything they remember it far too well and are weary of it!
not to mention the only thing the psp had to compete with was the gameboy, now its a whole other kettle of fish so its going to be even harder.
as ive said a million times vitas success lies souly on $ony!
the ONE advantage the vita has, and its not really a advantage because theres now handhelds out there more powerful but anyway, is its hardware.
its the portable core system, $ony says its a console in the palm of your hands so they need to bring the console games in the palm of your hand.
if they do that, and a multitude of them, and they dont feel like there held back they could be so much better on the ps3, than the vita will be fine.
if not, well......
CrusaderForever
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 10:10:33 AM
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SaiyanSempai
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:30:41 PM
Bonampak
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 11:29:35 AM
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And it's been a much longer norm for Sony's competition: Nintendo.
Ever since the N64 was abandoned by 3rd party devs, the 'Nintendo is doomed' thing has become a meme in this industry for many years (Michael Pachter has made a career of it).
Who doesn't remember the "Wii will die within a fiscal year" predictions back in 2006? Same thing is happening now with the Wii U.
So I don't think its something unique with Sony. If Nintendo can deal with the hate (and still survive and thrive) so can Sony. Sony is a much stronger company.
The Vita just needs games that are unique to it and that offer something you cannot get anywhere else. The PSP had that by way of Monster Hunter. The Vita doesn't have that. Not yet.
So we cannot really compare the PSP and Vita and assume that Vita will have a similar outcome as the PSP.
SaiyanSempai
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:48:06 PM
But don't you see? that's the beauty of it! You can take these things with you on the go! Sure, Gravity rush could be done on the PS3, and many experiences on the PS3 can be done on the Vita. But you can take the Vita with you.
You are not confined to the living if you want a full gaming experience. And that right there is a great thing.
tlpn99
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 12:17:53 PM
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It will pick up in speed in time im sure. Like most things some have a slow start, some don't. If you don't like it don't buy it but don't moan about it to everyone else.
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 12:45:30 PM
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sawao_yamanaka
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 3:01:48 PM
telly
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:17:43 PM
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frostface
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 2:41:06 PM
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But it's not perfect. I mean the console is fantastic in itself, but memory cards are too expensive and I'll argue that point to the ground with anyone who says different.
Also we need more games but it's still too early in it's lifetime to be worried about the lack of software. I strongly believe that 2013 will have a crap load more games coming out then 2012. I believe this because given the development time to turn out a quality game (not a rushed 6 month CoD:Declass job), there's potentially a shed load of games just not announced yet.
Ok, that's just speculation and mixed in with a dash of hope, but I do believe the console will see a lot more to come.
So as much as I really do love my Vita, I see the nay-sayers point and calling people 'haters' for not taking a leap of faith is certainly an over-reaction. I really wasn't going to get the Vita, I'm glad that I did and I recommend the unconverted to take a chance. It's worth it, more than you think and it will get love in the future, it's just a slow burner.
Last edited by frostface on 12/11/2012 2:42:42 PM
vatoloco47
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 6:15:48 PM
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SaiyanSempai
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 1:12:59 AM
I'm really glad I bit the bullet and bought one.