Sony loses $2.8bn in Consumer Products & Services

[averybluemonkey]

iPods have quite poor audio hardware so yes Sony products are premium products compared to those.

[Brad]

But the software that accompanies sony's audio players is horrendous. Most people use earphones of such a low quality that the inferior audio quality of iPods is irrelevant.

Sony constantly trying to create their own proprietary formats for everything and failing every single time can't help them!

[Neon Ignition]

Generally, I think Sony's fine in the gaming circle. The PS3 is a good system with decent sales (even if they're less than last gen), the Vita is a brilliant handheld but like has been said and will eventually turn a profit but the mistake was them assuming high end hardware would win out when it never does. Personally, I think they're over focused on the mobile phone market. The likes of the Xperia Play were never going to make big in roads into Apples market, making a smarter approach of the Vita and cornering a profitable bit of market for themselves would have made more sense whilst keeping the mobiles to standard design, easy to sell models. It's one of the most common myth's in gaming that Android and iPod/iPad are damaging handheld sales when there's no proof at all that that is the case, the real mistake is for them to over focus on that market.

They need to reign in the TV sector too, like the recent small gaming 3DTV, a useless creation that misses every mark. Or the 3D eye encasing VR style glasses, pointless. They need to tap into the public market more, making decent quality TV's that people in a recession can afford.

[Golgo]

A single Monster Hunter will save the Sony world. And some. When is it due on the Vita?

[saturn-gamer]

MH will only affect Japan. And even then, why would Capcom divide the MH userbase right now? They would be better off keeping the series on 3DS now, giving it the DQ treatment and release it on the most succesful system. MH4 is going there after all, as will its userbase. I'd figure they can also just recycle PSP assets for a 3DS version, and not bother with the superior Vita hardware.

How many Vitas are they being sold in Japan? I think that if a new MH will ever be announced for the Vita, it will be when the userbase hits over 2 or 3 million.

[averybluemonkey]

But the software that accompanies sony's audio players is horrendous. Most people use earphones of such a low quality that the inferior audio quality of iPods is irrelevant.

Sony constantly trying to create their own proprietary formats for everything and failing every single time can't help them!

I still use my Sony minidisc player quite a lot because the quality is so good, while I use closed cans now (Sony ones as well, again fantastic quality) even on crappy ?10 headphones there was a noticable difference. Even on that platform it's not hard to completely bypass their proprietary formats and just stick standard mp3s on there, and the software is far less bloated than iTunes.

[PaTaito]

monster hunter on 3ds will be milked for some time, then they will take the chance to milk the vita audience with something that looks better sometime down the line.

Its not like people wont go out and buy the hardware to play it either...the hardcore monster hunter crowd will play it on whatever it comes out on i'm sure.

[saturn-gamer]

Biggest strength of MH is its ad-hoc multiplayer on the go. Thats why it doesn't work out as well on the consoles. I think Capcom is keen on letting such a game stay on one handheld for a long period. Its the best selling game in Japan regardless, on the same level as DQ these days. Both franchises are system exclusives. I really don't think there is much to gain for Capcom to release a new entry multiplatform or with bringing it to Vita anytime soon.

I reckon MH4 on 3DS will even outperform MHP3.

[Decider-VT]

I like the fact that Sony view their products as being a cut above their competitors, even if some of them aren't any longer. Things like the PS3's XMB are classy and understated compared to NXE- they certainly don't treat it like an advertising portal.

[charlesr]

If losing money, perhaps they should think about starting using it like that

[PaTaito]

I really don't think there is much to gain for Capcom to release a new entry multiplatform or with bringing it to Vita anytime soon.

Of course there is...guaranteed sales to everyone with a system in japan. Hell even if its just a sprouced up port.

[bcass]

I doubt the ****ty new Xbox dash is generating more revenue. Quite the opposite in fact. I know I'm not the only person who avoids it at all costs now, using the simple guide button menu to navigate to most things.

[smouty]

I doubt the ****ty new Xbox dash is generating more revenue.

Whether you use it or not is irrelevant but the fact is those adverts do not appear for free so it must be generating revenue.
I don't like it either but you can set autostart options to avoid it mostly.

[bcass]

It might be generating revenue, but at the expense of what? I know a lot of people avoid using the dash these days because it's become so in your face. Could be plenty of lost sales there.

[JU!]

Oh my lord. Someone needs to lower their prices. I have always thought they price consumers out of buying their stuff and I suppose this proves it. On this point Vita needs to drop 50 pounds also. Along with this the whole company needs stream lining I heard they have about 25 different models of camcorder on sale!! Just make 5 and you're onto a winner come on Sony think. It seems their problems lies in too many of the same products TVs etc in Yodobashi id see they would have at least 10-15 different versions of TV all priced massively higher than other companies.

Hope this loss makes them price competitively for Vita and PS4 as well as the rest of their stuff.