Post date: Feb 22, 2012 11:47:37 PM
Strong reviews may only go so far for Sony's PlayStation Vita mobile gaming handset, which will have to compete for attention for consumers already used to playing games on smart phones and tablets.
USA-PLAYSTATION VITA/MOBILE GAMING - Sony's PlayStation Vita has been getting healthy reviews- but its timing could make life tough for the portable gaming device.
Mobile gaming habits are changing fast- with the explosive growth of smartphones and tablets. Market watchers like CNET Senior Editor Scott Stein are skeptical as to whether this device will have mass appeal- or be DOA- Dead on arrival:
SCOTT STEIN, SENIOR EDITOR, CNET.COM SAYING
"The balance of power is changing. I think Apple has eaten up so much of handheld gaming now with the iPhone and the iPad for most people that Sony and Nintendo are left trying to catch up.'
REPORTER BRIDGE: BOBBI REBELL, REUTERS REPORTER SAYING:
The Vita has a touch screen just like you would expect. But it also has a lot of features that you would see on a full size console's controller- so for example it has these two joysticks and it also has a directional pad. That allows for a richer gaming experience than you would get on a phone or a tablet device.
And that is going to have strong appeal to hard core gamers Sony wants to be play with.
But the device and the games and accessories to go with it are pricey- $250 for the entry level model - higher than even some of the newer smart phones.
And games go for as much as $50 each. That's a big stretch when competing with 99 cent iPhone and Android games.
SCOTT STEIN, SENIOR EDITOR, CNET.COM SAYING
"Mobile gaming is really defined by mobile phones. So I think that mobile gaming is going to have to grow from there. If Sony is going to create these ideas like dual analog pads, it's a great idea, but you are going to have to find a way to integrate that and meet people half way who are already hooked on their iPhones now to come aboard and use something like a Vita."
But Sony still believes there is a large market of consumers for Vita, spending $50 million in a marketing campaign aimed at giving the Vita a strong start in life.
Bobbi Rebell, Reuters.