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[ambientmystic]

The only thing I learn for these Japanese sales charts is that Japan is only willing to buy Nintendo handhelds anymore. Doesn't really sound good for PS4 or any other home console in the future.

Why exactly do you think Sony went balls to the wall focusing on the West during the reveal of the PS4?

Putting up Cerny (instead of the usual suit like Kutaragi from Japan) as the lead system architect to anchor the event was the surest sign yet. It's almost a certainty that Europe and the US will be the main targets this time around for the PS4 launch with Japan on the backburner due to their anemic home console situation.

 

[Scum]

So Persona or Shin Megami Tensei: Yet another spin-off for 3DS confirmed.

I wonder which will be.

Both. Just for the hell of it.

 

[Halfmunch]

Those are some sad numbers for WiiU, I hope there are some surprise games at E3... and they are ready to ship in the next 2 months~ lol

 

[L Thammy]

PS4 will be fine. It'll get the support, unlike the WiiU, unless Sony is dumb enough to chase after MS in the US and then price themselves out and neglect Japan.

PS4 will eventually get the big stuff and the Western stuff, so it's probably pretty secure. But do we have confirmation of consistent Japanese support yet? That it won't get the post-launch blues?

 

[KotorFanboy]

I have been wanting to invest in a Vita but people here say that Sony might discontinue it, that makes me uneasy with this purchase.

I just have want to know how people are deducing that Sony is going to discontinue the Vita, because if there is even a 1% chance then I want to stay clear.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

So Persona or Shin Megami Tensei: Yet another spin-off for 3DS confirmed.

I wonder which will be.

Persona 3 believe.

No really, they still have Devil Survivor 2 Break Record and maybe Devil Survivor 3.

 

[ohlawd]

I have been wanting to invest in a Vita but people here say that Sony might discontinue it, that makes me uneasy with this purchase.

I just have want to know how people are deducing that Sony is going to discontinue the Vita, because if there is even a 1% chance then I want to stay clear.

.... wait, people are actually concerned about this discotinue crap? It's selling like shit with no notable games ever coming out for it outside P4G but gawd it won't get discontinued.

If you want one, get one.

 

[Scum]

I have been wanting to invest in a Vita but people here say that Sony might discontinue it, that makes me uneasy with this purchase.

I just have want to know how people are deducing that Sony is going to discontinue the Vita, because if there is even a 1% chance then I want to stay clear.

It's your money, mate. Spend it how ever you want. If it has something on there that tickles your fancy, then go for it.

 

[KotorFanboy]

I do want to buy it, and it does have games that I want to play. But I have been on this ride before with the first xbox and I was left with a console with no games. I don't want any part of that. I want to buy it but not if Sony is going to discontinue it...

 

[AranhaHunter]

Marvelous has done quite well with its Vita lineup.

Sony should consider acquiring them. Sony Japanese output is pathetic and Marvelous seems like a great up and comer.

 

[L Thammy]

I have been wanting to invest in a Vita but people here say that Sony might discontinue it, that makes me uneasy with this purchase.

I just have want to know how people are deducing that Sony is going to discontinue the Vita, because if there is even a 1% chance then I want to stay clear.

First off: don't let the sales get you down. You might not have a constant stream of games in your favourite genre. But if you're willing to try new types of games and sift for the hidden gems you can enjoy nearly any system you want.

The discontinuation isn't something Sony has talked about, but they've dropped their sales projections severely. It's pretty obvious that they no longer believe the system can succeed or that the situation will improve. That's leads some people to believe the system will be discontinued. Other people have different views of the future, even if they aren't particularly positive.

 

[Scum]

I do want to buy it, and it does have games that I want to play. But I have been on this ride before with the first xbox and I was left with a console with no games. I don't want any part of that. I want to buy it but not if Sony is going to discontinue it...

Worse case scenario - it becomes an accessory to the PS4. I doubt Sony will discontinue it anytime soon...

 

[web01]

I have been wanting to invest in a Vita but people here say that Sony might discontinue it, that makes me uneasy with this purchase.

I just have want to know how people are deducing that Sony is going to discontinue the Vita, because if there is even a 1% chance then I want to stay clear.

No chance it will happen. more likely is a cheaper model revision to cut production costs.
PS4 stuff shows they plan of keeping it alive for a long time.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Sony should consider acquiring them. Sony Japanese output is pathetic and Marvelous seems like a great up and comer.

Sony's never acquired a JP developer, much less a full publisher.

 

[Seraphis Cain]

Oh yeah, Chris, Kamen Rider Battride War should be <ACT>, not <FTG>. It's a musou game.

 

[Sandfox]

PS4 will be fine. It'll get the support, unlike the WiiU, unless Sony is dumb enough to chase after MS in the US and then price themselves out and neglect Japan.

I'm expecting Sony to do that and rely on third parties to pick up the slack.

Sony should consider acquiring them. Sony Japanese output is pathetic and Marvelous seems like a great up and comer.

That would be extremely disappointing IMO.

 

[maltrain]

Sony WON'T discontinue PlayStation Vita.

If someone told you that, that is simple CRAP.

PSVita has a long future ahead, as every other Sony console.

 

[Father_Brain]

The discontinuation isn't something Sony has talked about, but they've dropped their sales projections severely. It's pretty obvious that they no longer believe the system can succeed or that the situation will improve. That's leads some people to believe the system will be discontinued. Other people have different views of the future, even if they aren't particularly positive.

This is a fair assessment.

It's no secret which side of this I come down on, but given how badly the system is selling worldwide, the extremely limited prospects for any system-selling software to emerge, and the fact that Sony higher-ups have clearly lost faith in it, you're not likely to get that much reassurance that discontinuation won't happen.

But whether I'm wrong or right on that particular point, barring a miracle or two, whatever future Vita has is going to look awfully like its present: otaku games, niche JRPGS, ports of lower-end PS3 games, and Western multiplatform indie titles, bolstered by the odd first-party release. That's certainly a future that appeals to some, but it is what it is.

 

[darkside31337]

This is a fair assessment.

It's no secret which side of this I come down on, but given how badly the system is selling worldwide, the extremely limited prospects for any system-selling software to emerge, and the fact that Sony higher-ups have clearly lost faith in it, you're not likely to get that much reassurance that discontinuation won't happen.

But whether I'm wrong or right on that particular point, barring a miracle or two, whatever future Vita has is going to look awfully like its present: otaku games, niche JRPGS, ports of lower-end PS3 games, and Western multiplatform indie titles, bolstered by the odd first-party release. That's certainly a future that appeals to some, but it is what it is.

And the ability to play the overwhelming large majority of PS4 games on the device. To me this is the biggest sign the system isn't getting discontinued any time soon. Why would they force mandatory support for remote play for nearly all PS4 games if they're just going to discontinue the system?

Sony is going to be pushing that really hard this fall. Because well there probably won't be much else to push if there isn't anything outside of Tearaway/Killzone (neither of which matter much in Japan).

 

[Father_Brain]

And the ability to play the overwhelming large majority of PS4 games on the device. To me this is the biggest sign the system isn't getting discontinued any time soon. Why would they force mandatory support for remote play for nearly all PS4 games if they're just going to discontinue the system?

Sony is going to be pushing that really hard this fall. Because well there probably won't be much else to push if there isn't anything outside of Tearaway/Killzone (neither of which matter much in Japan).

Forecasting only 3-3.5 million Vita units shipped worldwide this entire FY would at least seem to suggest that Sony has no intention of making a major push around PS4 remote play, or anything else for that matter. And the higher-ups that made that forecast are almost certainly not erring on the side of pessimism, since selling Vita as a $200 accessory to a $400 console will appeal to no one outside of a very narrow niche.

As for PS4 remote play being mandatory, there's a good chance that that was decided on back when Sony was still expecting to ship 10M Vitas this past FY, so I don't think it proves much of anything in itself. The main cost of implementing it is the built-in video encoding hardware in PS4, which is a cost that's already locked in (if not sunk per se).

...Granted, it's not inconceivable that SCE will just be sinking marketing money into a move that the higher-ups have made clear they believe will fail, as Sony is a large enough company that the right hand might not fully control what the left hand is doing.

Hence why they are so irrelevant in JP. They should change their stance because I already gave up on SCEJ or SCEJA or whatever they call themselves today.

Yeah, I periodically see people blaming Capcom's MH decisions for "killing Vita," and there's clearly truth in that... but it was SCEJ's handling of PSP that left Vita in a position where it was completely dependent on the whims of the major third parties, and SCEJ that was left with no real backup plan when PSP's third-party support failed to carry over.

 

[Man God]

As discussed before their PSP+Vita forecast is beyond optimistic without something major in the last half of the year...which might be PS4 integration in their minds.

Even if it works just like the Wii U's tablet I still think its a hard sell at it's current price or even with a major haircut when you also need the new hardware to go along with it.

 

[AranhaHunter]

Sony's never acquired a JP developer, much less a full publisher.

Hence why they are so irrelevant in JP. They should change their stance because I already gave up on SCEJ or SCEJA or whatever they call themselves today.

 

[maltrain]

Forecasting only 3-3.5 million Vita units shipped worldwide this entire FY would at least seem to suggest that Sony has no intention of making a major push around PS4 remote play, or anything else for that matter. And the higher-ups that made that forecast are almost certainly not erring on the side of pessimism, since selling Vita as a $200 accessory to a $400 console will appeal to no one outside of a very narrow niche.

As for PS4 remote play being mandatory, there's a good chance that that was decided on back when Sony was still expecting to ship 10M Vitas this past FY, so I don't think it proves much of anything in itself. The main cost of implementing it is the built-in video encoding hardware in PS4, which is a cost that's already locked in (if not sunk per se).

...Granted, it's not inconceivable that SCE will just be sinking marketing money into a move that the higher-ups have made clear they believe will fail, as Sony is a large enough company that the right hand might not fully control what the left hand is doing.

Sony clearly is doing this:

Putting a low goal of 3,5 million sales worldwide, can be sure sometime will pass that goal and say "hey, PS Vita is doing great because have sold more than we expected".

If they put a bigger number, could happen the opposite and the headlines would be "PS Vita selling less than Sony expected". It's a marketing bet.

They learn from what happened to Nintendo and WiiU, when the company decreased their expectations and that was the headlines on every site.

 

[maltrain]

As discussed before their PSP+Vita forecast is beyond optimistic without something major in the last half of the year...which might be PS4 integration in their minds.

Even if it works just like the Wii U's tablet I still think its a hard sell at it's current price or even with a major haircut when you also need the new hardware to go along with it.

I can bet this:

* KillZone Mercenary big marketing push.
* Price drop console and memories.
* Full PS4 integration.

That should be pretty good for the console.

 

[Man God]

Thing is the math doesn't really work for even 3.5 million right now.

 

[metalslimer]

Sony clearly is doing this:

Putting a low goal of 3,5 million sales worldwide, can be sure sometime will pass that goal and say "hey, PS Vita is doing great because have sold more than we expected".

If they put a bigger number, could happen the opposite and the headlines would be "PS Vita selling less than Sony expected". It's a marketing bet.

They learn from what happened to Nintendo and WiiU, when the company decreased their expectations and that was the headlines on every site.

They will struggle with 2.5 let alone 3.5
3.5 is the most optimstic number possible. You do realize how this thing is selling?

 

[Father_Brain]

I can bet this:

* KillZone Mercenary big marketing push.

IP with middling popularity even on PS3, overshadowed by PS4 counterpart, aimed at a demographic that by all indications has mostly left the dedicated handheld market permanently.

* Price drop console and memories.

Ineffective without software that will actually sell.

* Full PS4 integration.

Again, $200 accessory + $400 console = guaranteed irrelevance outside a small niche.

As discussed before their PSP+Vita forecast is beyond optimistic without something major in the last half of the year...which might be PS4 integration in their minds.

That's another possibility, but it's hard to believe that Sony would deem the goal of getting to a "whopping" 3.5M shipped worth any significant expense towards pushing that.

 

[maltrain]

I won't argue with you. I won't change your mind. Let's wait until next year and we'll see who is right.

 

[Man God]

The vast majority of those who know about PS4/Vita connectivity and are excited about it already own a Vita I would think.

Sony might push the crap out of this during the PS4 ad blitz, or they might ignore it in fear of it muddling the issue and giving MS an easy talking point; "Oh to really experience the PS4 you need a 250 dollar accessory while the One is already one with your smartphone and tablet!"

 

[metalslimer]

I won't argue with you. I won't change your mind. Let's wait until next year and we'll see who is right.

Even if you dont change your mind about possible discontinuation 3.5 million is a pipe dr eam

 

[L Thammy]

Remember, 2014 is the Year of the Vita!

Jokes aside, I still think they can divest from the Vita without making a big fuss over it. PS4 remote play being mandatory might not cost them a lot - the systems could already be designed for this - so there's no reason why it necessitates much further marketing.

Side note, I was actually going to use Father_Brain as an example of someone who thinks the Vita would be discontinued. But I thought he might be insulted.

 

[Father_Brain]

Side note, I was actually going to use Father_Brain as an example of someone who thinks the Vita would be discontinued. But I thought he might be insulted.

Well, sorry you thought I'd be insulted! I don't see why.

 

[KotorFanboy]

Damn....I might just end up with a 3DS even though I want a PS Vita more. Too much skepticism surrounds the viability and the longevity of the PS Vita.

 

[ohlawd]

Damn....I might just end up with a 3DS even though I want a PS Vita more. Too much skepticism surrounds the viability and the longevity of the PS Vita.

You know you can still enjoy the Vita library for what it is or whatever it ends up with, right? When you're done, there's always the closet for dust collecting.

 

[Man God]

I really don't think the Vita will be discontinued this year or next just as I really don't think they'll hit that sales target low as it may seem.

I think they'll ride it out and the platform will develop an interesting niche for games that need a bit more power than the 3DS can handle or have an Otaku bend. Bonus points if Sony pulls a PSP in the west the past two years and lowers the publishing requirements to "does it run on the hardware and does it not infringe on any rights and such" and minimal fees.

 

[darkside31337]

The vast majority of those who know about PS4/Vita connectivity and are excited about it already own a Vita I would think.

Sony might push the crap out of this during the PS4 ad blitz, or they might ignore it in fear of it muddling the issue and giving MS an easy talking point; "Oh to really experience the PS4 you need a 250 dollar accessory while the One is already one with your smartphone and tablet!"

Yeah I don't see this happening. If that is what Sony is thinking then they're already in big trouble.

When the Vita was launched they had those incredibly misleading ads with the guys playing multiplayer games on the bus and some tagline that insinuated it had multiplayer wherever you were or something to that effect which obviously is not the case.

Definitely see something similar happening here where they advertise the Vita as the device that plays all the PS4 games on the go, conveniently leaving out the whole only with a wifi connection bit.

And the first part I can't agree with either. Most people don't even know the Vita exists as a device and if they do then they ask what games are coming out for the system and then write it off completely once they get their answer.

Selling it on the questionable (if not pretty disingenuous) promise of the device that plays all your PS4 games on the go is a stronger selling point than any game release they could have for the system this fall - as in instead of being the system with poor spinoff handheld versions of Call of Duty and Assassin Creed titles now its the system that can play the real deal mainline versions that you also happened to buy

 

[maltrain]

Damn....I might just end up with a 3DS even though I want a PS Vita more. Too much skepticism surrounds the viability and the longevity of the PS Vita.

For this kind of posts is why PS Vita fans always must be "militants" with the console.

Man: SONY WON'T DISCONTINUE THE PS VITA

Sony is making MANDATORY that every PS4 game can be played with the handheld via Remote Play.

Don't believe the crap. PS Vita has a long life ahead... like every other Sony system.

 

[metalslimer]

For this kind of posts is why PS Vita fans always must be "militants" with the console.

Man: SONY WON'T DISCONTINUE THE PS VITA

Sony is making MANDATORY that every PS4 game can be played with the handheld via Remote Play.

Don't believe the crap. PS Vita has a long life ahead... like every other Sony system.

Well unless they plan to sell it online only well see how long retailers stock a system selling worse than most dead systems when they got removed. I doubt sony ever officially discontinu s it.

 

[BlackIronCount]

I'm expecting Sony to do that and rely on third parties to pick up the slack.

this pretty much what SONY did with PS3

 

[maltrain]

Well unless they plan to sell it online only well see how long retailers stock a system selling worse than most dead systems when they got removed. I doubt sony ever officially discontinu s it.

If you think that, then poor WiiU then, right?

Sony won't do it; Nintendo won't do it.

The rest is trolling...

 

[Aeana]

If you think that, then poor WiiU then, right?

Sony won't do it; Nintendo won't do it.

The rest is trolling...

Here's what's not trolling: the Vita is currently no longer carried in several major Japanese department stores. As time goes on, this situation only worsens. This is reality.

 

[saichi]

Sony clearly is doing this:

Putting a low goal of 3,5 million sales worldwide, can be sure sometime will pass that goal and say "hey, PS Vita is doing great because have sold more than we expected".

If they put a bigger number, could happen the opposite and the headlines would be "PS Vita selling less than Sony expected". It's a marketing bet.

They learn from what happened to Nintendo and WiiU, when the company decreased their expectations and that was the headlines on every site.

Really? You mean Sony didn't learn from their own mistake when they set the target of 16 million PSP+PSV last year then reduced to 12 then 10 then 7?

 

[maltrain]

Here's what's not trolling: the Vita is currently no longer carried in several major Japanese department stores. As time goes on, this situation only worsens. This is reality.

Right... and even then, sell twice WiiU. Great for the Nintendo console, right?

Trolling can work both ways...

 

[L Thammy]

If you think that, then poor WiiU then, right?

Sony won't do it; Nintendo won't do it.

The rest is trolling...

Nintendo has a lot more reason to save the Wii U than Sony has to save the Vita.

I really don't think the Vita will be discontinued this year or next just as I really don't think they'll hit that sales target low as it may seem.

I think they'll ride it out and the platform will develop an interesting niche for games that need a bit more power than the 3DS can handle or have an Otaku bend. Bonus points if Sony pulls a PSP in the west the past two years and lowers the publishing requirements to "does it run on the hardware and does it not infringe on any rights and such" and minimal fees.

Sounds about right to me. It wouldn't be surprising if most of the regulars have similar views on the Vita's future, just with slight variations in severity.

 

[maltrain]

Really? You mean Sony didn't learn from their own mistake when they set the target of 16 million PSP+PSV last year then reduced to 12 then 10 then 7?

Sony didnt decreased their expectations. Their expectations failed.

Nintendo decreased them publicly and that were "news" on many sites.

Like this: http://www.shacknews.com/article/77630/nintendo-revises-wii-u-sales-expectations-downwards

That is bad marketing and I am sure Sony and Nintendo wont make that mistake again.

 

[Aeana]

Right... and even then, sell twice WiiU. Great for the Nintendo console, right?

Trolling can work both ways...

Why do you keep bringing up the Wii U? The Vita has been out longer than the Wii U. If the Wii U keeps at its current pace, the same thing will happen to it.

This is a sales discussion. This system wars nonsense has no place.

 

[Man God]

MH 4 is almost certainly getting a release date tomorrow and probably a special edition or two and maybe a demo. I wonder if a demo alone would be enough to bring sales up next week.

 

[Glass Rebel]

MH 4 is almost certainly getting a release date tomorrow and probably a special edition or two and maybe a demo. I wonder if a demo alone would be enough to bring sales up next week.

It's such a huge bummer that the 3DS XL doesn't seem to lend itself as well to special editions but then I remember that it doesn't matter for anyone outside of Japan anyway.

Regular 3DS MH3G SE is hot though:

 

[Man God]

I think they might try both LL and regular special edition 3DS's with either MH 4 or more likely Pokémon X/Y.

 

[maltrain]

Why do you keep bringing up the Wii U? The Vita has been out longer than the Wii U. If the Wii U keeps at its current pace, the same thing will happen to it.

This is a sales discussion. This system wars nonsense has no place.

Well, I see its pointless to argue with you if you dont see all the trolling for PS Vita from other console fans.

If you want discusse sales, well I could talk about how dead is WiiU or how bad is the future for Nintendo in the big console market (better competitors, no third party support, historical decrease of sales for their big games, etc).

But, as you say, that would start a pointless "system war" again.

Well, I finish here. Talk what you want. If you think Vita will die next year, cool for you, keep dreaming.

I will be happy playing Freedom Wars and Soul Sacrifice 2 next year and all my PS4 games via Remote Play.