andys blog

  TOKYO – Sony is set to release its next-generation PlayStation Vita handheld game machine in Japan on Saturday, and it is making a big bet: that dedicated consoles can hold their own against the surging popularity of casual iPhone and Android games, which are turning the video game industry on its head.

  But Andrew House, Sony’s gaming chief, is bullish. He says Sony wants to ship more PS Vitas over its lifetime than its predecessor, the PlayStation Portable, which has sold 73 million units over seven years. He said preorders for PS Vita machines have been “extremely favorable.”

  Apart from the added cost of buying a dedicated game machine – the basic Wi-Fi model PS Vita will retail for $249.99 in the United States — traditional packaged games for those devices can set players back over $60. Casual downloadable games are usually free or cost just a few dollars to start.

“Sony needs to deal with the fact that gamers who are satisfied with what iOS and Android gaming has to offer will not feel the need to shell out for a dedicated device,” said Jean Snow, a video game expert in Tokyo.

  That made PS Vita’s prospects of topping its predecessor, the PSP, unrealistic, Mr. Snow said,“I think it will sell well, because there is certainly a demand for a dedicated device that lets you to play with precise controls,” he said. “But I seriously doubt that it can reach the success plateau that was achieved with the PSP.”

  Still, Sony has prepared well, in both its hardware and software. With a much bigger screen than an iPhone or most Android phones, two analog sticks and a multi-touch pad on the back, the device is hardwired for serious gaming, Mr. House said. The device has won glowing reviews on gaming sites.

  Its multiple controls, in particular, are far superior to screen-only games, Mr. House said. In the action-adventure shooter game Uncharted, for example, players toggle the analog sticks to control their treasure-hunting protagonist, but can also swipe the back touch pad to change their viewpoint without obstructing the front screen. If a protagonist picks up a book covered in dust, the player can wipe the touch screen with their thumb to dust off the book.

     Sony hopes to avoid the fate of rival Nintendo, whose 3DS handheld console initially flopped, partly because of a dearth in compelling games at its launch. Sluggish sales forced Nintendo to slash 3DS prices after less than six months, and sales have now picked up considerably.

  To spur developers to make more games for the PS Vita, Sony greatly altered the way it developed the platform, Mr. House said. It shared its technology at a much earlier stage with game developers and sought their input. Games that Sony was making in its own studios were shared early in their development to get ideas of how to take full advantage of the console.

 As a result, a strong pipeline of games in the works, Mr. House said, with another wave of games set to accompany the release of the PS Vita in North America and Europe on Feb. 22, followed by more games for the holiday season next year. Sony was aware of about 100 games in development for the PS Vita, he said.

  The PS Vita’s Wi-Fi only version will retail for $249.99 in the United States, while a 3G-enabled model costs $299.99.

Fellow gaming editor Erik Norris and I sat together during Sony's press conference at E3 this past June. We had our fill of pre-show jambalaya (no shit, it was delicious) and were guzzling down the free water when Sony started their festivities.  The thing I remember most about the barrage of gaming news and demos was the price point for the PS Vita. This handheld was announced at two separate costs: $250 for the base, wi-fi only model, and $300 for the wi-fi and 3G model.  You know what? I was stunned.   I'm not one for monthly contract fees, so the 3G model was never a point of consideration for me. But, had the wi-fi only model been priced right, I told myself that I'd be buying the system on day one. $250 was perfect. At the time, that put the PS Vita at the same price as the Nintendo 3DS. The 3DS has since then seen a major price drop, so the PS Vita now stands alone at $250; but, still, the price works for the device. I was in for one. And then Sony started announcing specs and price points. The battery life for the device is listed at roughly 4 hours. That's without wireless connectivity enabled and, probably, a moderate level of brightness. That's…low.   Oh, but don't worry, Sony's announced that you'll be able to extend the battery life by 4-7 hours with their external, portable, rechargeable battery. It'll only cost ya $50. But, hey, $50 for more battery life ain't bad.   Then came news of the PS Vita's storage format. The system will have its own, proprietary memory cards. They will range from 4GB to 32GB in size and will cost anywhere from $30-$120. If you're looking to download a ton of content, the larger sticks are a must. Heck, if you're looking to download anything, you're going to need more than 4GB of free space. Here's what sucks: some games will require memory cards in order to save. Among them are the best of the PS Vita's launch lineup; games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Ridge Racer will all need memory cards. At least the price of games is reasonable. They're each selling for $40. I'm not complaining, that's fair for a great experience on the portable level, really. Here's the thing… the PS Vita went from perfectly-priced to shit-expensive over the course of the last several months. $250? Forget it. $250 for the base system, $30 for the base memory card and $40 for a single game. You'll need to spend $320 to enjoy one good game on the PS Vita at launch. That's speaking conservatively.   If you want the best of the best, here's what you're looking at… $300 for the system, $50 for the extra battery, $120 for the memory card and $40 for a single game. That's $510 for a system at launch. That doesn't even include the unannounced monthly contract price for the 3G connectivity you'll be buying.   I'm sorry, but $320 is not a good price point in today's economy. I can get a 3DS bundled with a great game for $200, and that system requires no extras for play. They include a base memory card in the box. Sony? Nope, just the system, nothing else. Consider me stunned, again, and out.