So is the PS Vita dead now?

[Asura]

In Japan, it seems things are vice-versa - developers supporting the 3DS and Vita *because* the PS4 etc. costs so much to develop for.

Another thing about Japan, though, is that they have a huge proportion of the population that uses public transport, and not just because of affordability - they do it by choice. Their public transport system is amazing. When I used to go to and from Tokyo, I always saw people on PSPs and DSs - people all ages/genders. That's a surprisingly large market.

In the UK, up until the popularity of the iPad hit mainstream, we had a different cultural outlook for handhelds, and I think we still do.

[sj33]

It's the same here in Kyoto. It makes sense really - if you spend 2+hours per day on transportation, that's going to be the bulk of your gaming time.

[Asura]

It's the same here in Kyoto. It makes sense really - if you spend 2+hours per day on transportation, that's going to be the bulk of your gaming time.

One of the major differences, though, is this cultural thing - I think people are self-conscious, and in the UK there's a perceived difference between reading a book/kindle/using an iPad, versus playing on a PSP - when in reality, we know for a fact the majority of people are either reading 50 Shades of Grey or playing some Chewing Gum For The Fingertips game on the iPad.

[sj33]

Not to mention the fact that I'd not feel comfortable whipping out a Vita on the bus in the UK, I'd fear it would get stolen.

[saif]

Though people are more than willing to handle things that are much more expensive out in public (phones and oversized headphones, for instance). I just think there is still a stigma attached.

[Wools]

Not to mention the fact that I'd not feel comfortable whipping out a Vita on the bus in the UK, I'd fear it would get stolen.

I have never felt that but I am from Surrey & Hampshire, not sure how people feel from other parts of the UK. Besides, if you felt like that then you'll probably feel like that anywhere in the world, the UK is pretty safe!

Also I've never really enjoyed portable gaming on public transport, I can't concentrate as I'm worried I'll miss my stop & never felt that I can get a solid session in. Probably why I've always favoured consoles.

[importaku]

Dont come to leeds then as pulling a phone or gaming handheld out in town just makes you a massive mugging target.

[kryss]

Played my GBA on the bus a few times in Cardiff in the mornings when I was in uni. Was proper paranoid about people around me so barely got a decent game going, plus my bus ride was only about 10 mins.

[Wools]

When I was in my teens & travelling to see friends on the train & bus (Around 1999 - 2005) I carried my Neo Geo Pocket, Game Boy Colour, GB Advance, Mini Disc & iPod, not feeling threatened or paranoid at all.

Fingers crossed, it stays that way.

[Dogg Thang]

Yeah, I've never had an issue with it at all. Always have some handheld with me, especially on bus or train journeys.

[Darwock]

First time using a PSP on a train platform (Cambuslang) back in 2005, I attracted the attentions of two scarred gentlemen who engaged me in polite conversation about how to charge it etc. They then promptly tried to grab it out of my hands when the train pulled in. Didn't succeed, but yeah, was to be expected really.

[Paddy]

Dont come to leeds then as pulling a phone or gaming handheld out in town just makes you a massive mugging target.

I don't disagree in some parts of Leeds you would probably get anything portable taken from you. I've never had issues where I've used mine though (mainly the franchise coffee shops in the centre). Plus I'm a broad guy so if a lowlife takes a chance they will be hurt much more in the end.

The VITA is still alive but its somewhat disappointing that SONY is taking a backseat with its support of the system (at least in Europe). Nice to see publishers like Namco Bandai still bringing games to the system (in both physical and digital releases. Choice is great!) but if the manufacturer of the machine wont actively support it, the message it sends to developers becomes quite clear.

Eh, at least when its finally had its day it will have had a longer shelf-life than the ill-fated Neo Geo Pocket Colour. Plus there are numerous fantastic games that have seen release on the device to date. Maybe the appeal of 'gaming' on phones and tablets is just too much of a draw nowadays?

Viva la PS VITA.

[sj33]

I think it's a cat and mouse situation really. The sales of the top 3DS games suggest that handheld gaming isn't as dead as people like to assume. But developers need to actually release games for people to buy, and that requires stronger support from the platform holder to give the thing some momentum. The requires not capitulating to the assumed dominance of phones.

[Asura]

I think it's a cat and mouse situation really. The sales of the top 3DS games suggest that handheld gaming isn't as dead as people like to assume. But developers need to actually release games for people to buy, and that requires stronger support from the platform holder to give the thing some momentum. The requires not capitulating to the assumed dominance of phones.

The issue wasn't so much to do with the cost of the development of 3DS/Vita games, but rather the profit potential of mobile games. Part of making a video game involves convincing investors to give you the money for development, or putting in the money yourself - and the simple fact is that some of these mobile games, during the height of the App Store's first "gold rush" could involve an investment of a fraction of something like a Mario game, and if they became the "it" game, you'd make more than any handheld videogame could possibly make.

Those games are also liked because they're not just a game, they're a service. World of Warcraft is 10 years old this year. I'm not sure of exact figures, but it's reasonable to believe it's had an average subscriber base of 5 million over that time. That's around 10$ per user, so 50 million per month, so perhaps 500 million per year, for 10 years. Investors like services because they're regular income.

I personally get the impression that some of the rush to the app store is slowing, because people have realised that there's no way to guarantee success on it. Too much is being released and legitimately good games are doing badly, whereas stuff like Rage of Bahamut (which barely qualifies as a game) is doing incredibly well.

[Duncan James Waugh]

Even during the early gold rush days in the app store I read that venture capital firms expected 3 out of every 4 projects funded to be loss making, but that 1 success had the potential to make up for the rest. Didn't help the other dev teams keep their jobs though.