Sony Sells 1.2 Million Vitas Worldwide

[Laughing Penguin]

Originally Posted by Karak

Man if I paid attention or had sales impact my own enjoyement I would have never owned my favorite systems Turbografix, Saturn, and Dreamcast.

Too soon, man... still too soon.

[Serapth]

Originally Posted by Karak

Man if I paid attention or had sales impact my own enjoyement I would have never owned my favorite systems Turbografix, Saturn, and Dreamcast.

Agreed.

DC sold out at launch, as did the TG16.DC selling out was amazing too, in the face of Sony launch a console so epic it would give blowjobs.


Finally, the Saturn was kinda... shit.

[Widgetcraft]

Originally Posted by Serapth

This wasn't the case with the PSP, DS, iDevice or any console in recent memory, except possibly Xbox in Japan.

What? There were all kinds of PSPs and 3DSs available at launch. Also, as far as consoles go: That is because they used to launch them right before Christmas. Eventually someone figured out that it wasn't such a great thing to do, hence the reason both the 3DS and Vita have launched around Spring.

[Wolvie]

I watched a review from Ashens, and I kinda felt like I could wait to get one. The fact that this thing is selling so well, and the fact that so many here bought one makes me think I missed something. If you will, enlighten me. Why would I want one? Is it made of awesome sauce?

[Serapth]

Originally Posted by Heretic Machine

What? There were all kinds of PSPs and 3DSs available at launch. Also, as far as consoles go: That is because they used to launch them right before Christmas. Eventually someone figured out that it wasn't such a great thing to do, hence the reason both the 3DS and Vita have launched around Spring.

3DS sure,but I think its a bit of a dud too. NDS, couldn't buy the damned thing anywhere. PSP I am pretty certain sold out,but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

[Widgetcraft]

Originally Posted by Wolvie

I watched a review from Ashens, and I kinda felt like I could wait to get one.

You have no idea as to how many times I rolled my eyes during that video. So much misinformation... and he couldn't even be bothered to get a decent game. I mean Dungeon Hunter, really? There are like four or five Vita launch titles you should avoid, and that's one of them. His 3DS video wasn't much better. It's like he does these things just to get views because he knows that people will be searching for videos of their new gadget, but he puts absolutely no effort into them.

The fact that this thing is selling so well, and the fact that so many here bought one makes me think I missed something. If you will, enlighten me. Why would I want one? Is it made of awesome sauce?

It's an awesome handheld. If you want an awesome handheld the Vita is the thing to get. If you're satisfied playing games on your phone, or just don't want to play games outside of a PC/console setting, it won't have much to offer you.

[violent]

Originally Posted by Wolvie

I watched a review from Ashens, and I kinda felt like I could wait to get one. The fact that this thing is selling so well, and the fact that so many here bought one makes me think I missed something. If you will, enlighten me. Why would I want one? Is it made of awesome sauce?

It is an impressive piece of hardware with a strong launch library. But with any new gaming device, it never hurts to allow the library to grow before jumping in. If there is no title right now that is screaming your name, wait until there is. The device will then be worth it.

[fitbabits]

I know a lot of gamers, both hardcore and 'casual', and nobody I have talked to recently have any interest at all in the Vita. It's a shame, as it looks like a great piece of tech with some good titles...

[Wolvie]

Originally Posted by Heretic Machine

You have no idea as to how many times I rolled my eyes during that video. So much misinformation... and he couldn't even be bothered to get a decent game. I mean Dungeon Hunter, really? There are like four or five Vita launch titles you should avoid, and that's one of them. His 3DS video wasn't much better. It's like he does these things just to get views because he knows that people will be searching for videos of their new gadget, but he puts absolutely no effort into them.



It's an awesome handheld. If you want an awesome handheld the Vita is the thing to get. If you're satisfied playing games on your phone, or just don't want to play games outside of a PC/console setting, it won't have much to offer you.

I kinda got the feeling he was doing his usual hate-for-hates-sake kinda shtick. I think he does his reviews that way on purpose. Like Yahtzee does with games. For comedies sake.

I think I might just stick with the PSP for now and wait like violent said. It just feels like the right option... even though the irrational impulse buy section of my brain is screaming at me to buy one.

Edit: also, I just got a Kindle Fire. So I think I'm good on neat tech toys for a bit. I loves my Kindle Fire.

[violent]

The reason I jumped in so quickly was because I was desperate to wipe the taste of the 3DS out of my mouth.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think the device looks pretty cool, and would like one, but 1.2 million units over 2 months after the Japanese launch, and we're calling that good? The 3DS sold 3.6 million in a very similar timeframe (it was out for 3 or so weeks longer in NA and Europe). Hell, this article suggests a similarly strong launch for the Dreamcast back in 1999 (2 months, 1 million US sales). I'm just not seeing this as good for Sony's handheld in the long term.

[Serapth]

I think the Vita has incredible potential. If I ever get my hands on the C# based developer kit, I will buy one in a heartbeat.

The controls make it the first handheld with a shot at being good for either FPS's or RTS games, with the back essentially being a giant touchpad. I am excited by the potential of the device, but haven't seen a game that makes me go YEAHHHHH!

If I was a heavy commuter I might consider it, but for 5-10 minute subway rides, my phone is fine.

[Widgetcraft]

Originally Posted by Wolvie

I kinda got the feeling he was doing his usual hate-for-hates-sake kinda shtick. I think he does his reviews that way on purpose. Like Yahtzee does with games. For comedies sake.

I think I might just stick with the PSP for now and wait like violent said. It just feels like the right option... even though the irrational impulse buy section of my brain is screaming at me to buy one.

Edit: also, I just got a Kindle Fire. So I think I'm good on neat tech toys for a bit. I loves my Kindle Fire.

I got one mainly because I haven't been overly satisfied with my 3DS, and really only ever play Mario Kart on it. I always liked my PSP better than my DS anyway, so I guess it makes sense for the same thing to play out again. I'm also really looking forward to some of the upcoming games (Dragon's Crown and Gravity Rush). As a bonus, I've ended up really enjoying my launch titles, and there are a few things I wasn't aware of that I'm now looking forward to coming out over the next few months. Unit 13 could be neat; a legit third person shooter experience on a handheld. I'm even taking a close look at Silent Hill: Book of Memories, now that I know it's being made by Wayforward.

If you're satisfied with your handheld options at the moment, there is no good reason to rush out to get one. I don't expect a fast price drop like the 3DS had though (I think that was mainly prompted by the Vita's price announcement).

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Laughing Penguin

Too soon, man... still too soon.

Sorry man. Sorry. But if we go with the truth. The truth is it never caught the fire.

Despite it being all kinds of superamazing. Good word. Superamazing.

[MosBen]

You know, selling out is just an indication that initial shipments were unable to meet the demand for the system. This is usually caused because it's really hard to get enough production facilities set up quickly to start cranking out units. Maybe Sony was just super efficient in getting their facilities up and running and was able to produce a bunch of units.

The only reason to care about the number of systems sold is because it determines how long, and to what extent the system is supported with games. Whether there are constantly large supplies of systems on shelves is irrelevant if significant numbers of customers continue to buy them. If in a year Sony's sold 10 million Vitas, it won't matter if you can always get one from Amazon. That'll be a big success because it will mean lots of developers will decide to support the system with games because there will be enough users to justify the expense of making those games.

[Mike Kelehan]

Remember when the Nintendo 64 launched with 300,000 systems, sold out, and broke records? Now, you can launch a system and sell four times that, and you're considered a disappointment.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Originally Posted by MosBen

The only reason to care about the number of systems sold is because it determines how long, and to what extent the system is supported with games. Whether there are constantly large supplies of systems on shelves is irrelevant if significant numbers of customers continue to buy them. If in a year Sony's sold 10 million Vitas, it won't matter if you can always get one from Amazon. That'll be a big success because it will mean lots of developers will decide to support the system with games because there will be enough users to justify the expense of making those games.

Not with that terrible attach rate, they won't. An attach rate of 1.6 or 1.7 at launch? That's...like, super bad.

edit @Mike: That's not an accurate description of what happened. The 1.2 is for a 2-month period, with parts of it in 3 territories.

[Widgetcraft]

I will say this on recent handheld sales: I think people are just going to have to get used to handheld systems selling about as well as consoles. There was a time when handhelds could be expected to double a console's sales (the NES and Gameboy, for example). With smartphones I think a lot of that casual gamer market is gone, so what you're left with are the 'core' gamers that fuel the console market. Fortunately, these are also the people who spend the most money on games.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by TheFlyingOrc

I think the device looks pretty cool, and would like one, but 1.2 million units over 2 months after the Japanese launch, and we're calling that good? The 3DS sold 3.6 million in a very similar timeframe (it was out for 3 or so weeks longer in NA and Europe). Hell, this article suggests a similarly strong launch for the Dreamcast back in 1999 (2 months, 1 million US sales). I'm just not seeing this as good for Sony's handheld in the long term.

It's clearly been disappointing so far in Japan, no one is arguing otherwise. But, 600k+ is a little heartening for those that thought it would be a guaranteed flop in the west.

My personal impression across twitter, and various forums (not just this one ) is that a lot of western gamers have been really enthusiastic about titles like Lumines, Wipeout and Uncharted. Clearly, as others have mentioned, the launch titles have been more oriented towards western tastes.

To put the most positive spin possible on the Japan situation, I still see way more people playing PSPs than 3DSs. And, each of those people represent an opportunity for Nintendo to sell a 3DS or Sony to sell a Vita. So, if Sony can convert a respectable percentage of those existing PSP owners to Vita, then they will still do OK here. Getting Monster Hunter 3/4 was huge for 3DS but we all know that 4 will be coming to Vita (and probably every other platform), just a matter of when Capcom will be allowed to announce it (based on whatever timed exclusivity deal they signed with Nintendo). In the meantime, it is on Sony to find the next Monster Hunter, whatever that will be. The MH phenomenon on PSP seemed to come out of nowhere (it wasn't exactly huge on PS2) so anything can happen.

[MagGnome]

So Sony is now being skewered for keeping enough systems in stock to satisfy demand?

We won't really know if the system is a success or not until a year or two from now, maybe even longer. The 3DS has been out for a year now (right?) and it hasn't exactly lit up the sales charts, so who knows what will happen to the Vita.

I for one hope that the system is a success. The memory cards are absurdly overpriced, but other than that it appears to be a fantastic system with a nice launch library. The buzz that I've heard has been almost entirely positive, and I'm thinking about snagging one myself at some point when my budget isn't so tight.

Originally Posted by fitbabits

I know a lot of gamers, both hardcore and 'casual', and nobody I have talked to recently have any interest at all in the Vita. It's a shame, as it looks like a great piece of tech with some good titles...

None of my local gamer friends have mentioned the Vita, but they are all either PC or Wii gamers, more the former than the latter. However, on Twitter and elsewhere I've seen many people gush over the system, and the hardware reviews that I skimmed were very positive.