Official PSVita launch thread.

[blurredvision]

Oh geez, this Vita is going to bankrupt me. Got a $25 rebate card in the mail that I had sent in over 2 months ago. I had forgot all about it. I decided to put it towards the Gamestop B2G1 sale going on this week. Picked up Uncharted, HSG and Wipeout for $70 out the door.

Now I've got more games than I even have time to play, but at least I've gotten deals everywhere I've went. Too many good games on this launch, it's crazy.

 

[darkswordsman17]

In regard to the Vita as a media device, the screen issues that I saw last night and posted about would make me disagree. While my iPhone's screen is smaller, at least it produces uniform colors as would be expected from the source material.

I can deal with seeing slightly darker black splotches on a black screen, which I do get in addition to the thick black line, but the fact that these anomalies persist after the screen begins to show other content is a huge turn-off.

I haven't seen anyone else on the Internet report seeing such a large issue with their screen (the line, not the blotches -- the blotches didn't seem to cause an issue after content appeared), and if no one tells me otherwise here, I'll probably see if I can get a new one as to me... this shit is broke.

Yeah, definitely sounds like you got a defective unit. I believe they had some of this with the Japanese launch as well. While the display is a huge step up from the PSPs and many others, Sony is still playing roulette with QC to keep costs low.

Er, just read what your first posted about. I haven't heard about that, but I haven't kept up a lot on user issues with OLEDs (beyond the pentile stuff). Where is the line at?

From what I've gathered, the Vita is good for video playback, but an iPhone likely trumps it in every other aspect of media playback (battery life, audio quality for instance). Gaming, well that's debatable and they're fairly drastically different (although to be honest, I think plenty of the Vita games would be possible on iOS, but companies aren't really willing to try so far).

 

[blurredvision]

From what I've gathered, the Vita is good for video playback, but an iPhone likely trumps it in every other aspect of media playback (battery life, audio quality for instance). Gaming, well that's debatable and they're fairly drastically different (although to be honest, I think plenty of the Vita games would be possible on iOS, but companies aren't really willing to try so far).

I really, really don't want this thread to turn into a Vita vs. smartphone argument, but I just have to say that anybody who thinks any smartphone is even remotely as good as the Vita in the gaming department is out of their freaking minds. Carry on.

 

[mmntech]

I really, really don't want this thread to turn into a Vita vs. smartphone argument, but I just have to say that anybody who thinks any smartphone is even remotely as good as the Vita in the gaming department is out of their freaking minds. Carry on.

I guess it brings us full circle doesn't it. It's the PC vs Console debate all over again.

Here's two ways I'd fix the Vita to make it compete with smartphones.
1. Lower the price of the memory cards to something comparable to MicroSD.
2. Apps. Andriod and iOS apps should be ported over easily enough. Keep them cost comparable. Apple makes a ton of money off apps, and a lot of those are the .99 cent ones thanks to volume purchases. And I'm not talking about just games either.

 

[Aikouka]

Er, just read what your first posted about. I haven't heard about that, but I haven't kept up a lot on user issues with OLEDs (beyond the pentile stuff). Where is the line at?

It's in the upper half of the screen. I would take a photo of it, but it's not easy to get a photo of it.

I wonder if Sony doesn't care, because it's not easy to see if there's decent ambient light, and it's not really visible if the screen is filled with bright and vibrant colors.

 

[finbarqs]

Got myself a vita that finally came trough from pre order through amazon. I picked up uncharted as well. ps vita is to ps3 as psp is to ps2. The graphics aren't bad, but it's not even close to the ps3 version of uncharted. If anything, it's more unnecessary hype.

 

[Rage187]

You will never see .99c apps on this thing. Expect 6.99 to be one of the lower price points.

 

[KentState]

Got myself a vita that finally came trough from pre order through amazon. I picked up uncharted as well. ps vita is to ps3 as psp is to ps2. The graphics aren't bad, but it's not even close to the ps3 version of uncharted. If anything, it's more unnecessary hype.

Agree, but I'm not looking for a 1:1 comparison considering I have thousands of dollars of A/V equipment while the Vita cost me 349 for the bundle. When I'm at work or sitting on the toilet, I just want something fun and not repetitive like the majority of mobile phone games. The real gap in the market is a widely supported controller that interfaces with the iPod/iPhone or Android phone.

 

[Rage187]

I'd buy it solely for the remote play if I still had a ps3. What I would give to sit downstairs and play my console upstairs.

 

[Joseph F]

I just got a Samsung Galaxy S...
Must resist the urge to sell it and save up enough for the Vita.

 

[Aikouka]

I'd buy it solely for the remote play if I still had a ps3. What I would give to sit downstairs and play my console upstairs.

But that doesn't work with all games. I think Killzone 3 is the only game so far.

 

[blurredvision]

But that doesn't work with all games. I think Killzone 3 is the only game so far.

Here's a list, but it doesn't have Killzone 3 on it so I'm not sure how accurate it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Play#Games_and_Software_compatible_with_Remote_Play

 

[ViRGE]

Here's a list, but it doesn't have Killzone 3 on it so I'm not sure how accurate it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Play#Games_and_Software_compatible_with_Remote_Play

Remote Play has been a joke. It really demands a dedicated low-latency video encoder, which of course is something that wasn't really possible in 2006. As a result a lot of games have problems due to Remote Play eating into CPU time, which is why it's been enabled on so few games. You can force it enabled with a CFW, but then you just run into the above issues fairly often.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I really, really don't want this thread to turn into a Vita vs. smartphone argument, but I just have to say that anybody who thinks any smartphone is even remotely as good as the Vita in the gaming department is out of their freaking minds. Carry on.

My point is that there's really nothing preventing games as in depth as most of what the Vita offers (let alone DS/GBA/PSP) games on mobile platforms, but companies aren't willing to really even try. Yeah, right now they'd be a step down graphically, but that'll change pretty quickly (and I personally would be happy with a 2D or sprite/drawn graphic renaissance; well done ones, they could even do most of the work for mobile and then port it to every other platform and if they do the graphics right would be able to just scale with the platform and not degrade so that if you play it on a home console at 1080p or a high res PC monitor setup it'll look as good if not better without needing to overhaul the game/art/graphics).

Especially if one of them would just do their own plastic controller add-on. EA would be perfect. They could even run their online service via an app on your phone so that instead of having to worry about migrating your login to a friends console, the game can just sync with your phone, and it handles voice/etc).

Sega should do it and then they can fully realize the VMU.

It's in the upper half of the screen. I would take a photo of it, but it's not easy to get a photo of it.

I wonder if Sony doesn't care, because it's not easy to see if there's decent ambient light, and it's not really visible if the screen is filled with bright and vibrant colors.

Hmm, yeah I don't know. I'm curious if you can check out someone else's Vita in person.

Very likely. Remember all the PSP display issues?

You will never see .99c apps on this thing. Expect 6.99 to be one of the lower price points.

You're right. What we'll see are $.99 apps that cost $6.99. They'll do a bit to pretty them up or something so they can try to justify the added expense to consumers.

 

[Aikouka]

My point is that there's really nothing preventing games as in depth as most of what the Vita offers (let alone DS/GBA/PSP) games on mobile platforms, but companies aren't willing to really even try.

I think there are plenty of companies that try things out on the mobile OSs. Square-Enix released an entirely new IP (Chaos Rings) on iOS, and it's actually not that bad of a game. Unfortunately, I don't think they ever leveraged the A5 well enough, so it won't look remotely as good as the game could look.

GameLoft has also ripped off plenty of good IPs to make more console-like games on iOS and Android. The games are certainly large as I downloaded an update for Gangstar Rio that was ~900MB.

Especially if one of them would just do their own plastic controller add-on. EA would be perfect. They could even run their online service via an app on your phone so that instead of having to worry about migrating your login to a friends console, the game can just sync with your phone, and it handles voice/etc).

I'm actually a bit surprised that Apple hasn't tried to capitalize on the gaming market even more. I'd imagine that creating a small controller to go around the iPhone wouldn't be terribly hard to do. It could come in two pieces, you plug one piece (half of the controller) into the dock connector and plug the other half into the first half.

I think the only problem that you run into is that you can segment your market into a group of haves and have nots, which is usually a dangerous thing to do. It's the equivalent of why they don't let the PC gamers stomp all over those silly console FPS players.

Hmm, yeah I don't know. I'm curious if you can check out someone else's Vita in person.

I'm keeping my eye on a thread that I saw on Amazon about it.

You're right. What we'll see are $.99 apps that cost $6.99. They'll do a bit to pretty them up or something so they can try to justify the added expense to consumers.

The problem is that they charge too much for the same content. Plants vs. Zombies costs $6.99 for the iPad (higher resolution than the Vita), but the Vita costs $19.99? The PC version is only $9.99! It's even worse if you look at something like Dungeon Hunter Alliance, which is cheaper on the PSN for the PS3. Comparing the iOS version isn't fair since it is the same game story-wise, but doesn't include co-op (DH2 does).

 

[darkswordsman17]

I think there are plenty of companies that try things out on the mobile OSs. Square-Enix released an entirely new IP (Chaos Rings) on iOS, and it's actually not that bad of a game. Unfortunately, I don't think they ever leveraged the A5 well enough, so it won't look remotely as good as the game could look.

GameLoft has also ripped off plenty of good IPs to make more console-like games on iOS and Android. The games are certainly large as I downloaded an update for Gangstar Rio that was ~900MB.



I'm actually a bit surprised that Apple hasn't tried to capitalize on the gaming market even more. I'd imagine that creating a small controller to go around the iPhone wouldn't be terribly hard to do. It could come in two pieces, you plug one piece (half of the controller) into the dock connector and plug the other half into the first half.

I think the only problem that you run into is that you can segment your market into a group of haves and have nots, which is usually a dangerous thing to do. It's the equivalent of why they don't let the PC gamers stomp all over those silly console FPS players.



I'm keeping my eye on a thread that I saw on Amazon about it.



The problem is that they charge too much for the same content. Plants vs. Zombies costs $6.99 for the iPad (higher resolution than the Vita), but the Vita costs $19.99? The PC version is only $9.99! It's even worse if you look at something like Dungeon Hunter Alliance, which is cheaper on the PSN for the PS3. Comparing the iOS version isn't fair since it is the same game story-wise, but doesn't include co-op (DH2 does).

Yeah, I think Square deserves some credit. I'm shocked that they ported FFTactics. And its good to see that they're even trying some new IP with some depth. I didn't mean to infer no one was trying, but there's just not much. I mean, Angry Birds is probably the biggest mobile IP we've seen thus far, and while I enjoy it, its not exactly one of my absolute favorites.

I think that's a big part of the problem. Many companies feel they could release a game on there and then someone will just rip it off, change bits here and there and then sell it for half the price if not less.

I am as well. Considering Microsoft has just done basically nothing in the mobile gaming space, Apple could really make a big splash. They could use something like that to differentiate the iPod Touch. I hate to say it, but I think Apple and Nintendo would make a great team. Well they would if both companies weren't so adamant about their own way of doing things, which I think would actually make a pairing of them turn out worse than the Sony-Nintendo partnership in the 90s.

True. That's why I said EA would be perfect since people already dislike them, so its not like that would ruin their rep or anything and they've already pulled similar stuff.

Be sure to post any updates, I know I'd at least be interested.

Yeah, exactly. Its why, despite the current problems, I think a lot of gamers should be happy about the advent of mobile platforms, as its doing more to shakeup the industry (that is, in my opinion, in desperate need of some shakeup) than anything I can remember. It and the indie game scene on PC are two or the more interesting gaming areas.

I felt that way early on with Live Arcade/PSN/Nintendo Network, but they kinda stagnated some I felt . Still good, just didn't take off and improve as much as I was hoping they would, where we'd see a lot more intermediate titles in the $20-40 range. I think personally that intermediate level would be the sweet spot for me. Really these portables (DS/3DS/PSP/Vita) kinda take that role, but I'm not totally keen on buying a $200 console for that, when there's a lot that you tradeoff. I'd gladly go for old school graphics if it meant games with depth and solid gameplay. Likewise, if I could get those intermediate games on a platform I'd already own for other reasons, then I'd probably buy more games.

Sorry, I know this is really derailing this thread. I'm just jealous that I don't have a Vita.

 

[Rvenger]

Looks like there are talks of a price cut already

http://www.gamespot.com/news/ps-vita-sales-to-top-124-million-with-price-cut-research-firm-6350945

 

[Beev]

Looks like there are talks of a price cut already

http://www.gamespot.com/news/ps-vita-sales-to-top-124-million-with-price-cut-research-firm-6350945

Can't see the link so I don't know what all they go over, but I would buy a Vita for $150 probably. $250 is just too much for me for a handheld.

 

[Rage187]

count me in at $150 if it includes an 8GB memory card

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

count me in at $150 if it includes an 8GB memory card

And a game.

 

[Todd33]

The problem is that they charge too much for the same content. Plants vs. Zombies costs $6.99 for the iPad (higher resolution than the Vita), but the Vita costs $19.99? The PC version is only $9.99! It's even worse if you look at something like Dungeon Hunter Alliance, which is cheaper on the PSN for the PS3. Comparing the iOS version isn't fair since it is the same game story-wise, but doesn't include co-op (DH2 does).

$14.99, the same as the PS3 version.

count me in at $150 if it includes an 8GB memory card

Let's be real, that is just a backhanded way of saying you will never buy one. Did you run out and buy a $400 360 with a $100 Wi-Fi dongle? Lot of us did. Do you own a $600 smart phone that costs $200 with a two year contract? Lot of us do. The bottom line is you either want a good gaming experience from a handheld or or you don't. The price is no different from any other console release, probably cheaper considering inflation. I have a feeling most of the people posting trash just dislike Sony and are just trolling.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Let's be real, that is just a backhanded way of saying you will never buy one. Did you run out and buy a $400 360 with a $100 Wi-Fi dongle? Lot of us did. Do you own a $600 smart phone that costs $200 with a two year contract? Lot of us do. The bottom line is you either want a good gaming experience from a handheld or or you don't. The price is no different from any other console release, probably cheaper considering inflation. I have a feeling most of the people posting trash just dislike Sony and are just trolling.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[finbarqs]

hmm.. price drop may just make me return it to amazon before it's too late. I should've waited and see how things played out... I think this system will go the way of HP WebOS...

 

[Joseph F]

Let's be real, that is just a backhanded way of saying you will never buy one. Did you run out and buy a $400 360 with a $100 Wi-Fi dongle? Lot of us did. Do you own a $600 smart phone that costs $200 with a two year contract? Lot of us do. The bottom line is you either want a good gaming experience from a handheld or or you don't. The price is no different from any other console release, probably cheaper considering inflation. I have a feeling most of the people posting trash just dislike Sony and are just trolling.

+1. People who think the the console itself should be cheaper should think about how much it costs to manufacture it.

Think about it:
5" 960x544(540?) OLED touch display,
Quad-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU,
Quad-core PowerVR SGX GPU,
512MB RAM, 128MB VRAM and
Nearly the entire backside is covered with a touch-sensitive sensor

This stuff doesn't come cheap, and you're crazy if you think that Sony is making any money at all on the console alone.
The memory is overpriced, and proprietary, but with the way the console is priced, it has to be.
Though, I'd rather see a PS Vita for $275 with an SDXC slot.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

hmm.. price drop may just make me return it to amazon before it's too late. I should've waited and see how things played out... I think this system will go the way of HP WebOS...

I doubt you'll see a price cut in 2012. Sony isn't the kind of company that freaks out at initial sales numbers and shaves off $50-$100 on a whim, especially during a typically slow time of year when it comes to hardware sales anyway. Plus, these weird predictions/recommendations from analysts are coming before U.S. sales numbers are even available. These people just want to see Sony fail for whatever reason, console allegiance or whatever. Personally, I enjoy the games, not the system, and Sony has released a great little handheld that should do well I think.