Some would say that clawing together 535,423 sales since December 17 isn't a very impressive launch for the PlayStation Vita, especially when 321,407 of those sales were had in the first week. Sony, however, thinks it's pretty good going.
"Now the company has not publicly announced the units of shipping and sales, at the appropriate time, we would do so. But as far as the sell-through, three weeks have passed and sell-through is 500,000," claimed chief financial officer Masaru Kato. "So as a start, I think we had a very -- a good start.
"... Including software and hardware, we are carrying out sales promotions and we do it to boost the sales, and we do not think we have any problems."
Long-term, the PS Vita will most likely be fine, but one can't deny that the early goings have been rather disappointing. Well, unless you're a Sony executive, where outright denial comes as standard.
Sony's CEO Discusses F3Q11 Results - Earnings Call Transcript [Seeking Alpha via Videogamer]
Contest:
9:20 AM on 02.03.2012 | 
I expect more or less expect the same for the Vita. The mobile market has evolved, and it doesn't seem like a the market will embrace a games only device with a price north of $200.
Vita is... An awesome handheld that I'm willing to pay up an extra $100 to get a WEEK early?
You're god dang, right, Mr. wqerty!
Wait till monster hunter hits.
I can't wait.
The launch lineup seems tailored towards the west as well, kinda makes me wonder why it was launched in Japan first.
MH should always look epic!
I think it'll be a DS/PSP split again in the market. The Vita will always be in second, but a respectable, profitable second.
Remember, the only reason most gamers even bought a psp was for MH: do you think they would have done so if it was on the ds?(if the ds could have handled it, that is.)
100% agreed... less than two weeks away now!
I think their business model initially is that it furthers the PlayStation brand name, and comes into its own with time.
If you walk into a store in Japan, buying a ps3 looks a lot more attractive if it's going to have vita connectivity in the future...
A lack of software is just one of many obstacles the vita faces.
Nintendo's handhelds play host to not just Monster Hunter, but also Dragon Quest these days and that's before Nintendo's very own Pokemon and their other IPs are factored in. Its just something I wouldn't underestimate in terms of influencing consumers. I also wouldn't take a Sony rep at their word because Capcom sure hasn't said anything on the matter.
Dividing the Monster Hunter audience with ports would be bad for Capcom. MH did wonders for PSP because it was to PSP what Pokemon is to Nintendos handhelds - a killer app. But a lack of exclusivity changes things. People will go with the more established system. And keep in mind PSP still has a large, established userbase in Japan.
That doesn't mean a win for Vita, as we all saw how much of an impact Pokemon still had on selling the DS just before 3DS came out. 3DS didn't sell copies of Pokemon, that's for sure.
Think about it, if they made a Monster Hunter for Sony, would you really want to gamble on Vita when you could make all that money on 3DS or PSP with how established they are? Capcom seems to be moving to 3DS.
Of course, regardless of system, Capcom needs to pull its head out of its ass and get online multiplayer in any future version of the series. The reason Monster Hunter ritually fails in the west is the lack of that key feature. We're not Japan and friends with handhelds aren't always within spitting distance like they are in Japan.
And TSP, there is no 'if' regarding a Monster Hunter Vita, it is coming. I found this out with my Google-fu in less time it took you to write your post.
I've never bought 4 launch titles for any system, I guess the vita is going to change that. If its any indication for the future its a good one. Let's just hope the software keeps coming, and that we get a lot of niche jrpgs like the psp! :D
Same here. For instance Mod Nation Racers took abit to load up meanwhile Mario Kart 7 loads up nearly instantly and that game is in 3D. Wipeout in particular took awhile to load up, I could have done a whole race in the time it took to load. I understand that some games need loading because they have alot to process, but if Nintendo handhelds have been able to have no/short load times I don't understand why Sony consoles can't. Especially when their are similar games on 3DS that have no load times.
If I had to say anything bad about it I would say that the bubble UI is awkward and the loading times can be ridiculous (I'm looking at you UMvC3..)
So yeah,it will do fine in the long run IMO, specially when P4:The Golden and MH Vita come out.
Long term, I think the Vita will be a modest success for Sony. I expect it to play out similarly to the PSP vs DS showdown.
One things for sure though, Sony can't afford to keep leaking billions of dollars every year, with expections of $2.9 billion in losses for fiscal 2011, They better right the ship quickly.
As more stuff comes out, specially with the world wide launch, and prices on certain things go down, AND more PSN support the handheld (like PS1 classics).. the Vita will gain steam and ground, and be just fine.
It'll be okay.. The Fantastic Four will be in to kick Doooooom's ass eventually.
Good thing we have the 3DS to show us how a handheld can start out awkwardly and work its way up, eh?
From what I've been told, some have and the Vita is supposedly selling worse than the 3DS before the its price drop. Not surprising given the circumstances.