Sony's Next-Generation Portable Is Out, In Japan

A few months before it's due to arrive in the U.S., Sony's PlayStation Vita, successor to the PlayStation Portable, has been released in Japan. Says the linked Associated Press article: "For the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment giant, the Vita is the biggest product launch since the PlayStation 3 console five years ago. It's also accompanied by two dozen software products — the largest number of launch titles in PlayStation history. The Vita has front and back cameras, a touchscreen in front, a touch pad on the back and two knob-like joysticks. It will enable gamers to play against each other using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network, a system that was hit with a massive hacking attack earlier this year."

Comments

Re:Simple "will I buy it" test.

[Nursie]

Why?

It could cost $5 and I wouldn't buy it because it comes stamped with 'Sony' on the front. Screw that and screw them.

On top of which there's a whole new proprietary memory card format! Hooray!

Another 'Dependent' Product

[WrongSizeGlass]

It will enable gamers to play against each other using PlayStation 3 consoles over the Internet-based PlayStation Network

Just like RIM's PlayBook, the Vita requires another expensive manufacture & platform specific product to be able to use its full capabilities. This isn't as bad as RIM's requirement for a BlackBerry just to be able to get email, but this type of forced dependency is never good for the consumer.

Re:Simple "will I buy it" test.

[NeutronCowboy]

Sony doesn't hate pirates, because pirates are cheap and never pay for anything. Sony does hate the second-hate market though, because these people are willing to pay money for a game, but Sony doesn't see a red cent of it.

That's why nearly all recent games, and every major title in the past year, has had download-only content in it right from the start. And by the way, Sony isn't the only one doing this.