GamesIndustry International, recently had an interview with UK Sony Computer Entertainment Boss Fergal Gara, where they discussed the PS Vita, PS4, and PS3 price cuts.
The PS Vita has had problems with sales since its launch, and Sony hopes to improve in that area. Gara explains how the PS Vita was primarily for the PS4, that it didn’t have much of a purpose for the PS3.
He states, “I don’t think it’s unfair to say it came into a very complex marketplace that probably wasn’t fully envisaged at the time development started. It borrows a lot from the mobile and tablet world, especially with touch control.
“And it borrows a fair amount from the PlayStation of old with the analogue sticks. And it’s a very worthy and better successor to PSP. Where it’s been difficult has been proving the companion status for PlayStation 3. The fact is it was developed for PS4, much more than PS3.
“The number of things we could demonstrate and prove was limited – there’s been some good examples – but now we go into the PS4 era, that companion device will look far more clear. We’re optimistic it’s got a lot more legs left in it and the PS4 has given it a shot in the arm.”
When the bossed was asked if the PS Vita was prematurely released he answered, “That might be a point worth reflecting on in a year or two’s time and maybe we’ll be answering that as yes. It’s a little early to judge, certainly if it takes off now than we’ll reflect on it.”
The major upgrade about the PS Vita is that with remote-play, every game that is available on the PS4 will be playable on the handheld device. This technological move for Sony may cause more consumers to purchase the PS Vita along with their PS4, especially if they are on the go a lot.
Gara comments, “When you consider something like Watch Dogs will be available for PS Vita via the Remote Play functionality it’s very exciting. And the fact the PS4 is coming out at a well-received price point means it’s not out of the question to own both.”
Many have asked and wondered if the price of the PS3 and PS Vita would drop once the PS4 comes out. The UK Boss worded that there hasn’t been any indications of Sony dropping the price of the PS Vita, and the way he sounded made it seem as if the PS3 should not be expecting price cuts as well.
He goes on to say, “There’s no plans as yet. The PlayStation 3 is a system where it hasn’t been particularly easy to get the costs down. We continue to look at opportunities, there may or may not be any more, I genuinely can’t answer to that.”
“But it will certainly be a more keenly priced machine in relative to PlayStation 4. It will sit there as a viable entry level machine for years to come. It will be different by territory as to how long its life is. There’s still a lot of love for PS3.”