PlayStation Vita UK Launch: A Sign Of The Times

[darren]

very surprised .. no big queues of fanboys at the main store in london ???? not a good sign.

interesting that people said their mates were waiting for iPad3 over vita.


LOVED THIS -- and people moan about xbox owners ..LOL

"I'm the kind of gamer that wants to play FIFA and things like that, or I want to kill something, and the 3DS isn't set-up for that," he says. "I had a play on the 3DS before Christmas because they were doing ridiculous deals - £150 and you got a free game. But I just couldn't imagine myself playing it a lot."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...n-of-the-times

The Oxford Street branch of Game at 9pm on launch evening isn't expected to be as busy as at midnight, but for many of the 20-odd people queuing for a PlayStation Vita it feels like a disappointing turn-out.

And if any of the people here would know its Michael Cruz, a 23 year-old self-confessed "Sony fanboy" who was here for the launch of the PSP.

"I was expecting the queue to be a lot bigger," he says. "I must admit, I am slightly surprised, but at the same time I can understand it... A lot of my mates who I've asked about it have said that they'll hold out until the iPad 3 comes out. For a lot of them, it's a decision where they have to sacrifice one for the other."

Cruz's words touch upon a key source of the pessimism surrounding the release of Sony's cutting-edge handheld. When the PSP launched, iPhones, iPads and Android didn't exist, and it remains to be seen whether their arrival has forever disrupted the market for companies like Sony and Nintendo. The very existence of the Vita suggests that Sony has identified opportunity where many cannot.

Sony has positioned the Vita as a device that can offer console-quality games to the core audience, of which 35 year-old designer Jonathan Beecher considers himself a part. Beecher acknowledges that, for a midnight launch, the crowd seems "a bit quiet", but he was prepared for this possibility.

"The Japanese launch didn't really attract masses of kids," he says. "Most people will have pre-ordered it and got it delivered for far cheaper than what I'll pay here... It's a shame, because from what I've seen the PlayStation 3 launch was a lot of fun."

Beecher addresses two important issues, the first being that, however many people attend tonight's launch, the declining fortunes of high-street retailers like The Game Group will also play a significant role. Crowd numbers grew as the midnight launch approached, with around 100 customers readying wallets to be the first to buy the new hardware. But standing in the cold for hours on a chilly London night is more difficult to justify when Amazon can offer next-day delivery, and it's difficult to identify what attendance at this kind of event signifies about the Vita's fortunes.

One thing is certain: the people here associate Sony and PlayStation with quality, almost without exception. Beecher has been buying and enjoying Sony products for years, but beyond any lingering brand loyalty he believes the Vita serves a need that the 3DS and the iPad cannot satisfy.

"I'm the kind of gamer that wants to play FIFA and things like that, or I want to kill something, and the 3DS isn't set-up for that," he says. "I had a play on the 3DS before Christmas because they were doing ridiculous deals - £150 and you got a free game. But I just couldn't imagine myself playing it a lot."

When I draw a comparison with the iPad, iPhone and other tablets and smartphones, Cruz dismisses it as "apples and pears" - a common reaction among those queuing for their Vita.

"They do their jobs very differently," he says. "The amount of input control you've got on a Vita compared to an iPhone. Fair enough it's still borrowing from the iPhone family, so you can see at least they're taking a look at the market, seeing what people want and what people are used to, and trying to cater to that as well."

Sony has invested a great deal of effort in making sure retailers around the country had Vita handsets to show to customers upon request. Given the similarities between its design and that of the PSP, there was a pressing need to give consumers first-hand experience of its numerous additions and improvements.

For Ivan, a 24 year-old assistant manager in retail, the strategy proved decisive for his launch day purchase. "Once I put it in my hands that was it," he says. "I knew I was going to by one, I just wasn't sure how quickly. But I picked it up and I was pretty much sold... The fact that they've got controls and the touch-screen, it caters for everyone. You can't really say that you don't like it."

For 18 year-old student Ali Tarrigi, the sophistication of the hardware justifies what he admits is a high retail price that "could be a problem for some people."

"But from what I've seen they've packed into this, the power of it, the graphics, the front and back touch-screens, the OLED screen. You can see where the price-point is coming from."

Perhaps inevitably, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the most popular launch title among the almost entirely male audience gathered here. WipEout 2048, Gravity Rush and Lumines are also highly anticipated.

"I'd say that this is the best launch [line-up] I've ever seen for a console," says 23 year-old charity worker David. "In previous launches it's only looked like there were a couple of really worthwhile games, but with PlayStation Vita it looks like nearly every one is worthwhile."

If the core audience is its focus, Sony has accomplished that rare feat of marrying strong hardware with an appealing launch line-up. If the dissenters are to be believed, the Vita's fate may be sealed by the popularity of smartphones and tablets as gaming devices, but there are other concerns.

Tom, 21, is applying for the new MA Game Design at the Royal College of Art next year, and he found the promise of smaller, download-only releases particularly interesting. However, he claims that a game like Motorstorm RC at £5 will make the prices of blockbuster games seem unreasonable.

"When I first saw Motorstorm RC I was quite impressed, and then I found out it was going to be £4.99 online. Obviously, Uncharted is a complete rip-off, even though everyone is going to buy it anyway."

Of greater concern are memory cards, which are a basic necessity to play games on the system. With a 16GB card retailing for around £40, many of those about to spend hundreds of pounds are doing so with a touch of bitterness. Tom calls the price of memory cards "absolutely ridiculous", explaining that he had purchased a 16GB SD card for his 3DS that morning - it cost £8.50, including delivery.

"The problem is that, yes, the games are cheaper, but that's only after you've got the memory. I think you can't even buy a 32GB card, because they're probably scared to release it here because it would probably have been £100. Ultimately, it depends how big the games are, because if they're 500mb..."

On this matter, Ivan is in full agreement. He insists that, if Sony is selling the digital versions of their games cheaper, it is a "great thing" for the platform. But if digital was such a core focus, some local or peripheral memory should have been included in the price.

"It looks like they've just taken a memory card, changed the shape and made us buy it," he said. "They should have just thrown it in with the price, really. You know, give is a gig."

"I might not want 16GB, but throw in a gig so at least I can play it."

[Escaflowne2001]

Not sure why anyone would line-up in the freezing cold for the midnight release to be honest. I got mine on Tuesday the day before release.

Gravity Rush ISN'T a launch title it's not out until May/June looks like a interesting game though.

[darren]

i know i'v never understood the need to queue .. but they all do for some reason ... well they used to until vita dropped.

i like to use something called the internet and the postman to get mine wihtout having to queue up with a bunch of cock suckers

[Icarus4578]

Prediction: Vita will be Sony's last foray into the portable gaming market. The writing is on the wall. The 3DS has a commanding lead and continues to mount the offensive, devs dropping support for Vita, most software is just PS3 ports, mobile phones and tablet devices competing for portable real estate, et al. Only the most die-hard Sony fans are going to plop down $300 for a Vita. Can you see people carrying around both a phone and a Vita? Not very likely.

[foxhunt99]

Should have made Vita a phone? It would have done much better.

[stroopwafel]

As far as portables go I still only play on the DS Lite and DSi XL. Best portable ever with the best library ever.

[Einhander]

Originally Posted by foxhunt99

Should have made Vita a phone? It would have done much better.

This is a fucking retarded opinion.

Originally Posted by Icarus4578

Prediction: Vita will be Sony's last foray into the portable gaming market. The writing is on the wall. The 3DS has a commanding lead and continues to mount the offensive, devs dropping support for Vita, most software is just PS3 ports, mobile phones and tablet devices competing for portable real estate, et al. Only the most die-hard Sony fans are going to plop down $300 for a Vita. Can you see people carrying around both a phone and a Vita? Not very likely.

And this is just downright silly. The thing literally *just* launched. It's far too early to say whether it will be a success OR a failure.
As for people who don't want to carry more than one device - those people are called lazy and maybe need to start going to the gym more if two devices are too heavy for them.

[darren]

Don't worry he's only half green .. Or is the red extra Sony fanboy lover rage? If it is out my way bitch

Originally Posted by Einhander

The thing literally *just* launched. It's far too early to say whether it will be a success OR a failure.
.

Yep ... But at the same time like the ps3 it's bloody obvious it not gonna be number one. Tablets and are are hammering the mobile game market . And I do think this will be the last gaming handheld from Sony.

Originally Posted by Einhander

As for people who don't want to carry more than one device - those people are called lazy and maybe need to start going to the gym more if two devices are too heavy for them.

Says a man who moans about having to carry a psp and vita around . To the gym fat boy

[KingOfSentinels]

Originally Posted by Einhander

And this is just downright silly. The thing literally *just* launched. It's far too early to say whether it will be a success OR a failure.
As for people who don't want to carry more than one device - those people are called lazy and maybe need to start going to the gym more if two devices are too heavy for them.

Agreed. Way too early to decide. Just because something isn't as good as something else doesn't automatically make it a failure. So the 3DS might out-sell the Vita but =/= failure.

I've never liked the one device thing. My friends iPhone broke and he lost his phone, his gaming handheld, his web browser, and music player. Everything. If my phone breaks, I lose my phone, but I still have my gaming handheld, MP3, and netbook. Winner is me. I also spent less to get them all.

I have 2 pockets at least, that's enough for everything. I'm STRONG enough to carry them around.

[RedHulk]

You guys are real wankers. Getting off on the perceived misfortunes of Sony. Why do you even bother posing i the sony forum?

[Alucard]

Oh fuck, Hulks angry. Women and Alucards first!

[Alucard]

If your phone breaks you just get it repaired or replaced. No different to if your handheld breaks. And I'd rather spend $1 on games then $40 for the same thing. At the MOST it would be $12 or whatever on iphone. You know why its cheaper on there? Majority of games are $1 including apps. So big companies like square look at the market and think, will these guys buy my game which I'd like to charge $30 for or will they scoff at me for the all the other cheaper stuff? I'll just lower it down a little. THANKFULLY my vita/3DS version I can charge FULL PRICE And the stupids will buy it! BANZAI NIPPON!

Also I'd rather have my iphone in my pocket, which is also a phone, then carry my vita and 3DS around. They're too huge. I need the extra room in my pants for my PENIS!

[Zack]

Originally Posted by Alucard

If your phone breaks you just get it repaired or replaced. No different to if your handheld breaks. And I'd rather spend $1 on games then $40 for the same thing. At the MOST it would be $12 or whatever on iphone.

yeah, it's pretty dumb the tetris 'mini' (psn's label for short, overpriced games) is $10 and doesn't even have netplay.

[KingOfSentinels]

Originally Posted by Alucard

If your phone breaks you just get it repaired or replaced. No different to if your handheld breaks. And I'd rather spend $1 on games then $40 for the same thing. At the MOST it would be $12 or whatever on iphone. You know why its cheaper on there? Majority of games are $1 including apps. So big companies like square look at the market and think, will these guys buy my game which I'd like to charge $30 for or will they scoff at me for the all the other cheaper stuff? I'll just lower it down a little. THANKFULLY my vita/3DS version I can charge FULL PRICE And the stupids will buy it! BANZAI NIPPON!

Also I'd rather have my iphone in my pocket, which is also a phone, then carry my vita and 3DS around. They're too huge. I need the extra room in my pants for my PENIS!

Just because you never take that strap-on off doesn't mean you have a penis! We've been over this. MANY TIMES!

And obviously I know you get it repaired, but in the mean time, you're boned. He had to borrow my netbook to check train times for instance, and my phone so he could ring his wife and ask her about them. If I wasn't there he was dead. And then he had a train journey with nothing to do during the time. Exilerating.

Plus, I don't think most $1 games match up to $40, don't try and play that card, I've got little interest in playing shitty games with shitty controls. I know there's good games in there which control well, but there's good games for every platform, so that argument is null and void. I'd rather have dual anolog controls on bigger games than touch screen and minigames. I'm doing well enough in life where I can afford a normal priced game anyway, don't worry.

[Einhander]

Originally Posted by Alucard

Also I'd rather have my iphone in my pocket, which is also a phone, then carry my vita and 3DS around. They're too huge. I need the extra room in my pants for my PENIS!

You don't have to carry them, you can simply store them in your VAGINA.

Originally Posted by darren316

Says a man who moans about having to carry a psp and vita around . To the gym fat boy

Yeah, but that's because I don't want to have to buy my PSP games over again. That's financial prudence, not laziness.

If Sony had come out with a phone-like thing, people would shit on it and say "it's not as good as the iphone".

They released a dedicated gaming handheld - "It's not enough like the iphone".

If every device were like the iphone, there would be no variation in gaming at all. It would be a world of shitty 99 cent iphone games.

Nobody wants a one console future, why does everyone want a one handheld future? It's just dumb.

Sony can't win no matter what they do.