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Sony in big trouble with PS Vita, Portable market in perm decline, rotting - Forbes
- Thread starter marc^o^
- Start date
Steve Youngblood
Member
All right. I'm convinced, then.
The 3DS wasn't worth its asking price, though. I bought one after the price cut and was rather disappointed, it feels like an incremental upgrade. The PS Vita has that PS2 to PS3 esque jump. I've only had my Vita for a week and I've already put more time into it than I have for the whole year with 3DS.
If Vita doesn't do well, it will be a blow to hardcore portable gaming in general. Minus a few things (proprietary memory cards, one per system PSN accounts), Sony did so much right with the machine. The screen is so gorgeous, the 3DS looks like it's five years old next to the Vita.
Phoenician_Viking
Banned
Don´t you think it´s bad journalism to try and write these kind of things prematurely, which would hurt companies and their stock holders?
I am not a stock holder but giving premature report hurt a lot of people. While i agree with you that the markets are not easy to predict, judging things prematurely is bad judgement imo. They were wrong about the PS2, about and the 3DS. When they have been proven wrong int he past, don´t you think that forbes should wait before they write these articles, just for accuracy´s sake.
GraveRobberX
Platinum Trophy: Learned to Shit While Upright Again.
You know what I have 3 accounts on my PS3/PSN that have content that the VITA can use
That is what multiple accounts most are talking about
Not game-sharing but, I have content from EU, JP, and US that can be played on it, from Mini's, PSX, and other things
Now I'm not going to go do the archaic thing of switching multiple memory cards and resetting the VITA back to factory defaults (most likely lose all the stuff you added) to pick and choose
Also everyone that is going $30 for PS3"esque" quality games in handheld form are missing the point
The market mindset has shifted, you have to realize this, the Vita most likely will be trying to cater to the same iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch/Android/Smart Phone crowd, and I forgot to mention that it has a competitor who is aggressively marketing their own dedicated handheld @ a cheaper price mind you
You guys are fooling yourself, that regular public will go out of their way and drop that much money on something that is dedicated only to doing 1 thing, only those that are following, interested in it are gonna purchase it at the start
That is what multiple accounts most are talking about
Not game-sharing but, I have content from EU, JP, and US that can be played on it, from Mini's, PSX, and other things
Now I'm not going to go do the archaic thing of switching multiple memory cards and resetting the VITA back to factory defaults (most likely lose all the stuff you added) to pick and choose
Also everyone that is going $30 for PS3"esque" quality games in handheld form are missing the point
The market mindset has shifted, you have to realize this, the Vita most likely will be trying to cater to the same iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch/Android/Smart Phone crowd, and I forgot to mention that it has a competitor who is aggressively marketing their own dedicated handheld @ a cheaper price mind you
You guys are fooling yourself, that regular public will go out of their way and drop that much money on something that is dedicated only to doing 1 thing, only those that are following, interested in it are gonna purchase it at the start
No these are predictions and thoughts of the person who is writing. They are giving there take on what they believe is to come.
There is nothing wrong in doing so, even less so when that is their job to try and see what is coming in the near future for the product they are covering.
A handheld gaming console at such a high-end price was never going to fly. I expect the Vita to follow the exact same path the 3DS did, except it won't have Mario to ride to the rescue. Both machines are competing with each other as well as all the other platforms people play games on when away from their TV.
Can only speak for myself but over the last few months I have warmed up to the vita. The only thing that has me on the fence are the memory card prices and the game prices. Everything drops so fast these days I just cant see the system not having a price cut before 2012 is over. Really don't think it will be a runaway success. Sony is in trouble in a bunch of divisions hope the best for them.
It's just a prediction. Not fact. If you're buying stock based on what some writer is saying then you probably shouldn't be buying stock. I mean, if people reading the article on here can sense its bullshit, then so can stockholders.
Steve Youngblood
Member
I don't know. I think it's the nature of the business. If you think they have a personal stake in making erroneous predictions, then I think that's something worth talking about assuming there's a story to follow there. But analysts are paid to make predictions. Good ones hopefully make more correct ones than incorrect ones, but no matter what they're paid to try and be Nostradamus.
I don't know. I just don't see anything worth getting worked up over here. It might be a little hyperbolic, and may ultimately prove incorrect. However, I don't think it's based on any sort of made up trends, and it's not out of line with what analysts in general do, as far as I can tell. They're just telling us their opinions.
$50 for Vita games is not typical.
While it's too early on in it's life to tell, I did mention a while back that Sony are simply repeating the same process from the PSP.
The PSP was simply a portable PS2, and rather than learn from that mistake, they've repeated it with the Vita.
It's a portable PS3. Without on board storage, and requires semi-expensive memory cards to basically run the thing.
Sony just never seem to learn. I just don't understand how this company is still in the videogame business when they're making as many atrocious mistakes as Sega did right before their demise.
The PSP was simply a portable PS2, and rather than learn from that mistake, they've repeated it with the Vita.
It's a portable PS3. Without on board storage, and requires semi-expensive memory cards to basically run the thing.
Sony just never seem to learn. I just don't understand how this company is still in the videogame business when they're making as many atrocious mistakes as Sega did right before their demise.
Kermit The Frog
Banned
Sup with the Pyrrole avatar?
So does the Vita doomed talk stop if there are subsidy deals in place with ATT? Because this is possible to happen with the 3G model. We are supposed to get details early January.
SCEA should push hard for a free 3G Vita with 2 year data plan from day one. Get the hardware in as many people's hands as possible.
Also, this Forbes contributor basically posted the same article two weeks in a row. How did we miss the first one on GAF?
SCEA should push hard for a free 3G Vita with 2 year data plan from day one. Get the hardware in as many people's hands as possible.
Also, this Forbes contributor basically posted the same article two weeks in a row. How did we miss the first one on GAF?
While it's not all doom and gloom, I can see what's described in the OP to happen. Like it or not, Apple DID change how people perceive portable gaming in america, generally speaking. And it's not the price of the machines that are the problems, people are shelling 250$ easily just for an Ipod. It's the price of games that is the true problems. People might not want to pay 40$+ for a portable game anymore. Apple spoiled them. I don't think it's right but the only real value that exist is "perceived value" and that's where Apple stabbed everyone. And there's also another undeniable truth that people are starting to realise: It's not the size of the game that decides the fun. People are looking for entertainment and that's all. Small games on IOS are doing just that and for 99c. It's all about fun and nothing else.
While this is true, and people keep saying it.
I do think there is something to be both for the quality of Uncharted compared to the rest of the launch software and it being first party.
The fact is no other game right now is going to carry either quality or name power when it comes to launch software as the rest of the titles that no matter what Uncharted was going to be the thing that the majority notice.
Should it be lower then 50 because of that? Well no, but the fact remains that Uncharted is going to be THE standout and because of that 50 dollars will be stuck in peoples mind.
Smiles and Cries
Member
just buy the $99 card its the best value for your storage needs
GraveRobberX
Platinum Trophy: Learned to Shit While Upright Again.
I was Day 1 Vita, I was like $249.99, hoping for memory card be price accordingly to the market or close to it
4GB - $9.99
16GB - $29.99
64GB - $49.99
Then all the other bullshit comes along, the PSP UMD transfer "fee", one account, delayed release, game prices all over the place (no consistency, yeah Uncharted PSV for $50, give me a fucking a break), and the way Sony has shown how it updates it's stores and prices DD wise, I think that will hurt it the most
Even the most hardcore PSV user will learn Grace Chen Time, and the stupidness that ensues with the weekly PSN store updates
4GB - $9.99
16GB - $29.99
64GB - $49.99
Then all the other bullshit comes along, the PSP UMD transfer "fee", one account, delayed release, game prices all over the place (no consistency, yeah Uncharted PSV for $50, give me a fucking a break), and the way Sony has shown how it updates it's stores and prices DD wise, I think that will hurt it the most
Even the most hardcore PSV user will learn Grace Chen Time, and the stupidness that ensues with the weekly PSN store updates
Americanmushroom
Banned
Isn't it the fact that the shops were out of stock?
Phoenician_Viking
Banned
That´s true.
I am not stock holder and i am not planing on getting into stocks.
I am not getting worked up, i just find it funny how they get gaming predictions wrong.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
How does that make them trawling for hits? They're Forbes. I doubt they're worried about scaring up controversy among gamers to gain traffic. I'm sure there are many times more investors than there are gamers.
3DS sold out it's first shipment as well, being out of stock at first isn't a sign of it being healthy at it's current price point. We will need to wait for a bit to see if things level off at a decent tick or if it sufferes like 3DS.
Pureauthor
Member
What, in Japan? No, in fact part of the
Quadrangulum
Banned
What I find irritating about these articles, and this observation applies to virtually every single one that I've come across be it from a rinky dink blog or the Wall Street Journal, is their failure to mention perfectly obvious and reasonable alternative explanations and conclusions. Isn't it possible that the 3DS was, and the Vita is now, an unattractive value proposition independent of iOS/Android? If the growth of smartphone gaming is actually supplanting dedicated handhelds, why can't the latter market survive in a diminished, but still viable form? Even if there's a massive decline, the dedicated gaming devices market could remain a lucrative one. Sony's and Nintendo's attempt at digital distribution may represent a direction of growth that somewhat compensates for the contraction elsewhere as it ramps up the generation of revenue from DLC, alternative forms of monetization etc.
Sony is so, so so fucked. Bleeding money from every corner, PSVita failing hard and with no hype in the USA, PS3 stuck in YOY sales (i think, don't quote me!), TV Business a disaster, no longer a premium brand, etc... they are in real trouble.
I don't understand this line of thinking. So close minded.
I don't understand this line of thinking. So close minded.
Trent Strong
Banned
Uncharted is 50 bucks? Holy hell, I'd never spend that much on a portable game.
thehypocrite
Member
There's a market for IOS/Android and dedicated handheld gaming devices. However this conclusion isn't controversial enough to generate traffic and clicks on the internet.
Are you joking? I honestly can't tell.
I do actually think they should have priced it at $40, unless they're going to follow the console model of dropping the price two weeks after the game comes out. I also thought Nintendo would be forced back down to $30 for 3DS games though, so what do I know?
djplaeskool
Member
I spent almost $100 importing Final Fantasy Type-0, and it was worth every cent.
Easily my GOTY. It's these superb efforts that help keep my faith in high-quality handheld gaming.
These are things that simply cannot be offered on any other platform yet, and will continue to earn my patronage.
Of course there is.
Just as there is a market for games like Wii Sports/Music/Animal Crossing as well as there is for Battlefield, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and Call of Duty.
Of all communities we gamers have very little to reason to get definisive over this kinda reaction when we as a majoirty had one of the single worst knee jerks ever with how Wii/Kinect/Move and the like was going to kill hardcore gaming and devs houses were only going to make kiddy and shit mini game comps.
Risk Breaker
Member
One thing I love is how people forget that EVERYONE uses and owns a phone. They're going to have a phone whether they want to play or not because, you know, it's a phone. And some of those let their consumerism go and buy shit for 1 dollar just because it's cheap. And that's the first point where a lot of people are wrong. It's not that Vita/3DS games have to be 1 dollar or 5 or they're not worth it, it's that mobile games have to be 1 or 2 dollars to be worth it or to be noticed, and bought.
The other point is how people can seriously think that the same people that bought or would buy a Gameboy with their lol expensive games wouldn't or won't buy a 3DS, a Vita or both. I really doubt that more than 10% of the people that owned a gameboy or a GBA will be happy with just a phone.
The other point is how people can seriously think that the same people that bought or would buy a Gameboy with their lol expensive games wouldn't or won't buy a 3DS, a Vita or both. I really doubt that more than 10% of the people that owned a gameboy or a GBA will be happy with just a phone.
bigtroyjon
Member
$300 subsidies aren't going to happen unless that data plan is expensive. Not sure people are going to add that kind of cost to their monthly expenses on top of whatever they are paying for their cellphone.
We have plenty of core gamers on this forum who balk at paying $50 a year for xbox live, what are they going to think about paying $50 a month?
jump_button
Banned
Well they could always make up the lost with Memory Cards? I still want LBP vita but
First sentence... nope. Obvious from a mile ago.
Second sentence... why disregard a complete article because of that phrase? It raises some valid points though I don't agree with OMG MOBILEGAMING IS GONNA KILL PORTABLES mentality. Its your money, buy the Vita, but really... why disregard the article?
sublimit
Banned
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
I don't think anyone's arguing whether or not there's a market for portable Uncharted. They're asking if it's big enough.
Nah he's just trolling.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/26/sony-smasung-tv-joint-venture
http://neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457007
http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/sony-posts-350-million-loss-in-q2-earnings-report-forecasts-fu/
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-15-sony-2011-2012-ps3-sales-slightly-ahead-of-target >>> Best news I think for them, so far.
I am not trolling. Just posting facts
AdventureRacing
Member
My problem with articles like this is they are desperate to say handheld gaming is being killed by smartphones. They have already come up with their conclusions and are just looking to justify that position with anything they can.
They also massively exagerate to make their position look better. I mean the line about the 3DS "There is no doubt that Nintendos 3DS is going to sell at least 20 Million units globally over the next couple of years. But the portable console market may now have entered an age of permanent, slowly accelerating decline." Seems a little off base considering how much steam the 3DS is picking up.
Personally i think they are missing the real reasons nintendo and sony struggled early on. Whilst they are both releasing dedicated handhelds they aren't concentrating on what makes these devices successfull. They should be trying to get out a cheap dedicated games machine with software that is actually affordable. The dedictaed handheld future is not in $250+ devices.
They need to set a target of nothing more than $200 and then see what they can fit in. Their primary focus though needs to be making the HW perfect for playing games and getting lots of good software.
Launching your handheld with no killer apps (ala 3DS and vita) is just dumb and asking for failure. You have to have a killer piece of software to get people to want to pick up your device.
What kind of logic is this? If they wait and see what happens before making predictions than what is the point of making predictions at all? That's what a prediction is.
They also massively exagerate to make their position look better. I mean the line about the 3DS "There is no doubt that Nintendos 3DS is going to sell at least 20 Million units globally over the next couple of years. But the portable console market may now have entered an age of permanent, slowly accelerating decline." Seems a little off base considering how much steam the 3DS is picking up.
Personally i think they are missing the real reasons nintendo and sony struggled early on. Whilst they are both releasing dedicated handhelds they aren't concentrating on what makes these devices successfull. They should be trying to get out a cheap dedicated games machine with software that is actually affordable. The dedictaed handheld future is not in $250+ devices.
They need to set a target of nothing more than $200 and then see what they can fit in. Their primary focus though needs to be making the HW perfect for playing games and getting lots of good software.
Launching your handheld with no killer apps (ala 3DS and vita) is just dumb and asking for failure. You have to have a killer piece of software to get people to want to pick up your device.
What kind of logic is this? If they wait and see what happens before making predictions than what is the point of making predictions at all? That's what a prediction is.
cyberheater
PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
I was going to buy one. Even put money aside for it but when Sony announced the ridiculous pricing for their proprietary memory cards and stupid pricing on software. Add in the fact that I was more then a little bit disappointed with the quality and vision of the launch games. Well, fuck that. I'll await the inevitable early price cut.
KingJ2002
Member
The article is wierd... and draws parallels between different devices
ultimately... nintendo and sony are going to have to embrace the app market... especially nintendo.
gaming on mobile phones are only getting better... and it wont take long for it to hit 3DS / PSVITA levels.. especially with annual update cycles.
long story short... nintendo and sony need to change their approach... show why gaming is better on their device.
ultimately... nintendo and sony are going to have to embrace the app market... especially nintendo.
gaming on mobile phones are only getting better... and it wont take long for it to hit 3DS / PSVITA levels.. especially with annual update cycles.
long story short... nintendo and sony need to change their approach... show why gaming is better on their device.
BoobPhysics101
Banned
I don't see that happening. I'd do it though since I already have ATT.
sublimit
Banned
If those are the reasons for your previous post (and you're still being serious) then i don't think you really comprehend the corporational size of Sony.