It’s needless to say at this point that the previously released PS Vita from Sony didn’t see that much popularity as the company had expected on release. And a comparison here with the original PS console is out of question. However, it seems like Sony is in no mood to let go of the handheld market that easily, and still hopes to reap profits from the console.
In a recent interview with CVG, SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that he still sees a future for the company in the handheld market, and can compete against the likes of Nintendo.
On asked whether Mr. Yoshida thinks Vita will be Sony's final portable gaming system, and if the company can keep up with the competition in the handheld market in the long run, PS development boss Yoshida told stated: "Yeah I think we can still pursue it, and I don't think we have to make that decision now.”
"Also, the distinction between the portables and mobile is [blurring], because there are all kinds of hybrids, different form factors and operating systems can still be conceived, in terms of how we characterise portable and mobile. We still like PS Vita and we know people who buy it really like it."
Sony’s existing hope in the Vita handheld has already been made public after the company highlighted the Vita’s Remote Play feature. The remote play is said to make use of the power of the Cloud to play PS4 games on the device. Sony also had a major stage at this year’s Gamescom where it talked about upcoming exclusives, indie titles, a price drop for the handheld and more.
The new information related to the device also seems like an answer to all the analysts who think that the Vita will die away very soon. Only recently, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter shared his thoughts on the PS Vita handheld's prospects, and how it will perform when connected to the next generation PlayStation 4.
"I think if they made the PS Vita in different colors it wouldn't sell more. The only thing that's going to sell more Vitas is compelling software. God, I shudder to tell you how many units of Vita were sold this month, but the answer is 'not very many.'"
"The Vita is dead, it's over. It's a really great device that nobody thinks they need so no one's buying it - it is really slick, if you get one you will like it," he stated.
Time will tell if Pachter is right, or if Yoshida and Sony will come through in the end.
