PSVita (Successor to PSP, was PSP2 then NGP)

[davek22]

Confirmed will be out in Japan by end of year. Other regions seem to be end of fiscal year. Just reported on GameTrailers.

This was also reported on Pocketgamer. Possible 2012 Europe debut. Bit disappointed as I was going to build up some trade in credit at Gamestation but I may as well wait now for concrete EU release date

[Brad]

Pretty much this, for most it'll be waste of time buying the pricier model as you should be able to tether it via bluetooth to your mobile for internet like you could with the PSPGo.

This. Modern smartphones let you turn them into mobile wifi hotspots too, which is usually a bit easier to set up than bluetooth in my experience.

[sj33]

Sounds pretty much as expected then. Gonna get a preorder made as soon as I know that the region coding situation is. Want WipEout 2048 yesterday

[abigsmurf]

Sony have said this is region free.

Importing it is likely to save you ?30-40 and they're still being a bit vague on if it's this year or next spring for the EU.

[elaniel]

Nice! Now all the concern is having a UK and US account on the same VITA.

[sj33]

Sony have said this? I wonder why no-one's made a bigger deal about this.

[Brad]

Not totally confirmed but:

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/306381/playstation-vita-is-region-free-sony/

[CMcK]

Sony have said they don't anticipate making any money from the PSV until about three years into its lifespan! Is that to make potential owners to feel they are getting a real bargain at launch? How many games will have to be sold to offset the loss on the hardware?
I would have expected a bit of a loss on it but for three years, surely there will be a model with reduced size chipset in that time. Cost of other components should fall over time as well.
Surely this just plays into Nintendo's hands knowing that Sony cannot afford to cut the price of the PSV and they can continue to earn a healthy margin on the 3DS.

[abigsmurf]

Loss leader models can be very effective.

It's key to remember that they're fighting against Apple as well as Nintendo. Apple need to make profit from every ipod sale, whilst they make money from the app store, I should've imagine they royalties they'd get from each user aren't likely to go past $20 or so (which would translate to $60 worth of apps). Sony however probably make around $10 a game and people are likely to have 5+ games.

Unlike Nintendo, Sony can absorb the costs of mistakes because of the size of the company and the range of markets they're in.

[Flabio]

Sony aren't in that good a financial position to absorb too many mistakes now though.

[Neon Ignition]

They're basically repeating the PSP model which is fine as long as software is consistent. The PSP took forever to build momentum and PS3 ports would be a bad error

[Brad]

Oddly, I actually would love the big PS3 style games to come over (as long as I could save easy and regularly) but I realise I'm the minority. The smaller mini games are in abundance now it seems. I ought to give a few more of them a go. oooh! i want Dead nation on Vita.

[fishbowlhead]

I don't see how Sony can, not only do Nintendo earn profit on every 3ds console sold, they also do well from the games and store. Nintendo's tech recycling works well for them as they keep capturing the imagination of the non traditional gamers.

Apple too make profit on every iphone and ipod touch sold, they also do very well on the app store too. Both these companies continue to make solid profit from both devices and software. Sony also don't have the advantage of apple in that they are always in your pocket ready for that next impulse purchase.


Don't get me wrong its a gorgeous console (should of carried on with the psp moniker though) but to make it work Sony are going to have to get a lot of killer titles out on launch, as well as keep a steady stream of them throughout the consoles life, in order to attract gamers to it consistently. In this market i don't see that happening.

[Mr M0by]

not only do Nintendo earn profit on every 3ds console sold

Yes but a 100% profitable item with no sales still gives no profit.

But seriously yes, I'm sure the 3DS will do very well for Nintendo over its lifetime.

[sam3k]

Does anyone know if the 3g service is free or going to be offered at a discount?