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Vita sales on the 'low end' of expectations, says Sony CEO
by Steve Watts, Jan 08, 2013 1:30pm PSTSony's handheld system has been faced with slow sales and analysts calling for a price drop. As we approach the system's first birthday in the US, Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has acknowledged that it's not exactly setting the world ablaze.
Reporting from CES, The Wall Street Journal (via Eurogamer) grilled Hirai. Regarding Vita sales, he said: "I would say it's on the low end of what we expected." But, he cautioned that he would wait 5-10 years to gauge a product's success, saying, "Long term is what is important," pointing out that similar doubts were placed around the now-successful PS3.
Regarding his handheld competition, Hirai also shrugged off Nvidia's Project Shield, an Android-based console with a built-in controller that also made its debut at CES. "I wasn't as surprised as you might think," Hirai said, according to PC World. "If you look back through the pages of history, there have been other attempts. It's difficult to break into. I've managed this industry, so I know."
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Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has admitted that the Vita sales are "on the low end" of Sony's expectations, and responded to a potential competitor for the Vita presented at CES.
Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has admitted that the Vita sales are "on the low end" of Sony's expectations, and responded to a potential competitor for the Vita presented at CES. : Shacknews
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Is there anything other than cost? How big a factor is that, really? Competition for this would be the Nintendo 3DSXL, which sells at $200. My understanding is that sales for the 3DS in general have been kind of weak. SmartPhones are probably a competitor, but even with subsidies, most of them are going to start at around $100 and good ones at $200. The games for these, in general, are not as in depth as you can get with either the Nintendo or Sony. Tablets that can play decent games start off at around $200 as well and have some of the same limitations as phones.
So is it just not a really viable platform? Are people happy with the basic games that smartphones can provide?
In my case, it's mostly that I don't want to carry another device, despite the fact that I know I'll never be able to play any of the Uncharted games on it.
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