19 Feb, 2012
Sony’s trying hard to stop rumors that have spread like wildfire, as a recent report from Japan’s Nikkei suggested that developers in Japan were starting to have second thoughts about supporting the Vita, instead favoring Nintendo’s 3DS system. With the First Edition Bundle already in the hands of many an eager gamer, and the proper launch set for the upcoming week, this sort of rumor can be quite damaging. For one, nobody wants to hear a lack of industry enthusiasm after dropping $250.00 on some hardware that, while it looks pretty sweet, apparently can’t generate support.
“Major Japanese companies are canceling all projects intended for the Vita and are changing development to the 3DS,” the anonymous source stated, as translated by Gamasutra. As the source has remained anonymous, some would say that this could just as well be a publicity stunt to bring attention to the Vita. However, it still is the cause of concern among gamers, and Sony’s taking it seriously as well.
“I did not see that quote, but you see extremist quotes like that all the time,” said Sony’s Worldwide Studio Senior VP Scott Rohde with Gamasutra. “I mean, obviously, there is no way anyone could stand in front of a camera and say that all developers are changing focus from one platform to another, no matter what it is.”
Perhaps the source is hoping to start the trend of developers leaving Vita. Who knows, but Sony insists that the quote is largely exaggerated, and that “many, many, many third party developers and publishers are feverishly working on Vita titles, not just for now, but for the foreseeable future.” Rohde also compared the situation to one of the most recent, where developers were said to be leaving core gaming consoles and development in favor of more casual and social-networking games for Facebook, iOS, and other mobile platforms.
While Sony isn’t in the best financial situation, and with the Vita falling a little flat in Japan, the product itself still hasn’t released to a massive potential market. They’re sticking to their guns, especially with the announcement of a massive $50 million ad campaign to push the product. However, with a relatively small launch lineup that only included a potential BioShock title, a few fighting games, and a couple of HD Collections, it’s hard to say what could have been canceled. News like this will certainly affect initial sales figures of a brand new product, but gamers who have wanted the Vita will still be buying it regardless.
If you’re still sitting on the fence, what would entice you to buy a Vita? Would you rather go for Nintendo’s 3DS? Sound-off in the comments and let us know what you’d buy, or if you’d rather stick to home consoles in this Battle of the Handhelds.
Recent Comments