Having everything good on the PSN store does nothing to help Sony sell Vita units if no one knows that, yet a DD-only platform, like the iPad or Android device sells millions in days/weeks/months, not almost a year, and on top of that, the iOS/Android software selection and number of developers and sales grows. Vita is up against the defacto handheld gaming giant and Apple/Android. This has been said time and time again, but this is not the same situation as before. This console won't get to have the same pressures that previous Sony platforms had, as evidenced by its extraordinary lack of software committed to production by third parties and released so far. The sales numbers are way behind any new and eventually successful platform curve. This is not a typical first year. Saying so doesn't make it so.
I didn't say everything good, though. I said that there are a lot of good games on the Vita, that simply don't have a retail version. Stuff like Super Stardust, MotorStorm RC, Retro City Rampage, etc.
It's up to Sony and their partners to market that stuff, but it's there. For non-Vita owners that have a PS3, they will see these games being advertised on the PS Store. For non-PS3 and Vita owning gamers, well, *shrugs*. That's what television and billboard ads are for.
Not to mention positive word of mouth. Yeah. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Which is probably why many of us Vita owners come into threads like these and praise the system, because we know how effective WoM is, and that there are a lot of gaffers out there that are on the fence about picking one up.
But hey, when there's positive word of mouth for the Vita, it's just the apologists living in denial of the harsh truth of the Vita's current state in the market! Why should they attempt to inform those that maybe don't know the merits of this product that Sony is clearly failing to market? They should just accept that the Vita is doomed, and stop sucking the corporate teat of their Sony overlords! /sarcasm
When I think about word of mouth, I think about the Xbox 360. Do you think it would have gotten half as much traction as it did during that first year if it wasn't for the constant, unceasing positive word of mouth from retailers like Gamestop? I couldn't go into a gaming store without a clerk trying to shove an Xbox 360 down my throat. When I went in and purchased a PS3, you should have seen the looks of disgust, and the attempts to dissuade me from picking one up.
Word of mouth is a powerful tool. But when the positive word of mouth is being ignored, well, what else can you do? The Vita is a solid machine. One of the best, if not, the best handheld gaming devices I've ever owned. Year one software library is right up my alley in terms of the types of games I enjoy (action adventure and RPG). More of that stuff is on the way. It really can't be stated clearer than that.
I get that the Vita isn't selling well, and I'm sure you can't believe that the constant negative doom and gloom isn't having an effect on people's purchasing decisions? I've seen people in threads, this one included, that admit that the Vita looks enticing, but the doom and gloom has scared them away from it.
Now, imagine if that popular consensus on GAF was positive? Kind of like the latest hyped game that no one has played yet. I think of a many threads about a particularly small, unnoticed indie game on Steam, and how there will be a vocal minority that praise the game, and it builds excitement for that product, and some people, even those that aren't interested in that game, will get swept up in that hype, and they'll rush out and buy it. Maybe they'll like it, maybe they'll hate it, but the word of mouth had an affect on their decision.
The same thing has affected the Vita, but despite the positive word of mouth from, albeit, a very few of us, there is a louder drum being beat with the doom and gloom. I find these types of conundrums counterproductive to the very thing that many of you claim you want: For the Vita to turn its fortunes around and become successful.
Should you not criticize the Vita? Of course not! Criticize away! But the arguments against the machine seem to be all over the place. First lack of software was an issue. Then, when people post links to threads and announcements, and trailers to upcoming releases and future releases throughout 2012 and 2013, the argument moves to, "Well, those aren't system sellers!" Which is a purely subjective argument to make.
Would you believe that I bought an original Xbox for Fable? And not for Halo or Knights of the Old Republic? Would you believe that I bought a Gamecube for Animal Crossing, and not Super Smash Bros Melee, or The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker, or Metroid: Prime? Well, I did. What title will sell a system to a gamer isn't purely up to their own personal metrics, and not yours, or anybody else.
I bought a Vita for Uncharted, and Rayman, and Gravity Rush. I bought a PS3 for Resistance: FoM, Motorstorm, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma. I bought an Xbox 360 for Bioshock and Mass Effect.
I'll buy a Wii U for the next Animal Crossing, and Smash Bros, and Zelda.
The Vita is in a bad spot, but it's not in an insurmountable situation. There is already a wide variety of software to woo consumers. When the software isn't the problem, then it more or likely is the price that is having an effect on sales.
The 3DS had a high price, and weak software. By the end of last year, it had rectified the price, and had some much better and anticipated software. It wasn't a coincidence that that is when the platform started to gain traction.
The Vita has the software, but the price appears to be a barrier. I imagine that once Sony makes a move on price reduction, coupled with more quality releases (read, the upcoming wave of 2nd gen Vita titles), things will improve. Well, that, and aggressive marketing.
/rant