Strategy Analytics expects Sony's handheld sales to start strong and quickly drop, projects $2.2 billion in sales if average price of system drops to $180.
The PlayStation Vita has barely been on shelves for a single day, but there's already talk of a price cut for the system. Research firm Strategy Analytics released a note today projecting that the PS Vita will sell 12.4 million units worldwide in 2012, "assuming a price cut sometime this year."
If Sony can get the average retail price of a PS Vita down to $180, the firm expects the system's hardware sales to reach $2.2 billion. Currently, the Wi-Fi model of the PS Vita sells for $250, while the 3G-enabled hardware goes for $300. The handheld's closest competitor, the 3DS, launched last year at a $250 price point, but Nintendo slashed that to $170 after initial sales proved disappointing.
Strategy Analytics pointed out that when the PS Vita launched in Japan in December, initial sales were strong. The system topped 300,000 units sold in its first week but has since dropped to as few as 12,000 units sold on a weekly basis. The firm believes that the system's North American and European sales totals will follow that pattern as well, the same strong start and quick decline experienced by the 3DS last year.
"Despite the solid design and strong processing power, it is challenging to convince consumers to buy a dedicated game console above the $200 price range in today's economic environment as Nintendo has learnt," the firm said. "Sales of 3G models will be a particular challenge as it demands a $50 premium and additional data plan charges and in the long run is likely to represent only a small portion of total PlayStation Vita sales."
Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
I would buy 2 at that price but I don't think the cost of hardware will permit it. Look at how long it took the PS3 to drop to its present price. Most present PS3 owners down talked it when it first released because of its price but claiming it was of an inferior design. Compared to whats out there now, I think the Vita is worth more then $180. But since the value of money has increased the last couple of years, I'll wait til they at least allow full remote access to PS3 titles. That is where the savings is at.
This article was written Feb. 23. The Vita has now sold over 1.2 million units worldwide. If you are waiting for a price cut, I don't see it happening in the near future.
Why is it we end up paying speculators to speculate? >_>; It's something we can all do so it's pointless to have a stupid website, magazine, or news media get paid for something all humans do practically everyday.
Let's give it to sony for trying hard. It's not like they could just sit down and add some games to the store at good prices and memory cards for that matter. It's also not like they just make these things for $100 a piece and sell them for $250 or something like that. That would mean that they are actually making profit. Let's face it already; sony is one of the companies that represents the epitome of corporate greed, the last thing they need is even greater profit. That goes for you too sony ringers on this website, you have enough money. Once again hate the corporate and marketing, love the tech develop division.
Yea... it needs to be able to play PS1/2 games along with the PSP at a very very cheap price, i think the more games you buy for the PSVita = more mem card used, = More money for Sony This tactic also can be used by Sony ... but... hehe
@timmytom15 Why? you know the price, you were happy to pay it, you know that the price will drop over the next year. Even if sony don't drop their fixed price, it a certainty that large stores like Asda in the UK or Walmart in the US will.
we as gamers have become pretty demanding every year so a lot of us were not impressed with the launch titles. But really, think of the past, and look now, most of the ps-vita launch titles are what we dreamed of many-many years ego. Now that we have them there is still no satisfaction on pricing and quality. Although titles like Gravity Daze may change your mind otherwise...
price cut is not reality at least for a year if you consider the prices on production of 4 core processor, an oled screens, both are rare and expensive at this time, once it is cheaper to make them will see a price cut nintendo was greed for a 250 price on 3ds I own a 3ds and only the low res screen is new tech, everything is already in a lot of devices which means is cheap to manufacture
Better yet... 1. allow people to buy games they own from PS1, PS2, and PSP(charge $5.00 a game for process and handling) by putting all games on the PSN that can play across platfroms (playable on PSP, PS3, and PSV.) 2. make games that use the PSV as a controler for PS3 games. ... 3. Make PS3 games cross platform with PSV and charge 1 price for both, (add $10 extra for both digital download and disk or cheaper for both when Digital download.) ... 4. Software. More of it and with better games. ... Do these things and the flood gates will open, more than with a price drop, that will happen next year.
I dont think it's so much about the system itself or the price because, let's face it, the Vita is pretty damn awesome. I think people are still waiting for good games to actually enjoy the Vita. I mean, what's a system without a good game library?
Like said the thing don't need a price drop.Only people saying that are the ones who think Sony is going pull a Nintendo. Nintendo got desperate cause the company was actually losing it's fan base when came to the 3DS!.
okay this one is winner of the duh award. name me something that won't increase in sales if you lower the price. I don't need a research company for that. what everybody is forgetting is the the 3ds sale slowed not due to price but due to lack of good games. the launch titles sucked and there was a drought of title afterward. no store, a fear of children damaging their eyesight, and talk of a new 3ds with a 2nd joystick didnt help. Now I was an early adopter and I missed my DSi immensely due to lack of games and a DSi store . Streetpass wasnt getfing hits. and I was carrying that system everywhere. AR cards were gathering dust. no flipnote, I was feeling bad about my purchase . and then they cut the price. Now with the vita There is tons of stuff to do. great launch! wallpapers, music with good speakers, facebook, twitter, demos! 3ds has 3 demos after a almost a year. Vita has way over a 10. it connects to the PS3. but 3ds doesn't with the wii. since the launch I've had had 17streetpass hits. that's in a year. I've had the vita since launch and near has introduced me to 12 people. I say introduced cause I've added them to my friend list. where I dont have a single friend code. oh before i go you show know that I typed this comment with my vita. the browser on vita is better and faster than I was lead to believe.
Lol at all my thumbs down.Sorry its fact that 3DS originally had a 150 dollar profit margin. Hell they could get away with selling it for less than what they do now. Vita when you take in manufacturing costs,shipping costs, and such, not so much. Their profit margin atm(until they can manufacture it cheaper much like the ps3) is probably only 50 dollars.Maybe abit more.They might be able to lower it to 200-225 but that about it for a while. They kinda need to make a profit folks. And you get what you pay for.
BTW the Vita is pretty bad a s s. Took me a little bit to get use to the small analog sticks but the graphics are pretty damn impressive within Uncharted. I got a free game too.
I was thinking about this as I purchased a vita last night. They really need to cut the price to let more people in and play with it. Its a nice piece of hardware and its well worth the price tag but because of smart phones a huge chunk of the player base is no longer interested in a dedicated mobile platform. They need to get as many people on board so they can sell games over PSN and boxes. Thats where all the profit is at.
IF sony does cut the price i EXPECT them to reward their loyal fans who got the vita ON LAUNCH DAY with something like what nintendo did its not fair how loyal fans pay a high price just to see it get cut 1 month later just not fair :(
@atopp399 no hes not .... because the 3ds almost sold 15 million in 2011 because of the pricedrop with only mario games the ps vita have alot of good titles this year .... it just need a pricedrop
The other big thing I need is for the memory card prices to go down. I'm someone who wants digital only (no cartridges), so $100 for the 32 gig memory card is too steep.
Man if Sony was to sell Vita's for $180 I wouldn't hesitate to buy one but at the price it is now I gotta save up because it's a bit too steep but if I get enough money on my tax returen well then thats another story.
Software will move the Vita.... Im beggin for a reason to buy it. Its just Im not that interested in playing the same games I just played on the PS3. Sony... get sega on the hook to make you a Phantasy Star 5 for the system, and I am in!
"Despite the solid design and strong processing power, it is challenging to convince consumers to buy a dedicated game console above the $200 price range in today's economic environment" Well said!
the system runs smooth but i found the game graphics a bit choppy on the edges, dissappointing. still the system has great potential but the 3g is locked with at&t which kind of sucks.games too cost ten times more than the mobile counterparts. its gonna be a tough decission with so many quad core phones and tabs on the horizon in the near future, i think i will wait for a price cut on the system and games.
I bought mine yesterday the console price itself isn't to bad it's having to buy the memory card with it that pulls the price up to high But this won't last long Datel have a good habit of making alternative third party storage devices
Its looks really cool but they don't have any games that make me wanna buy it. Uncharted looks cool but more like a dumb downed version. Everything else looks "okay" but not good enough to make me spend that much money. I'll wait.
Fan-Boys day one, the rest of wait and see. I am in the 2nd group. They know it and that is why we will have a drop. It's only a matter of time. The 3DS proved this to us. The die hards will drink the cool aid and pay for it.
VITA is launching in India for approximately $400/$500 for without/with 3G as opposed to $250/$300 in USA.. That's a 60% increase! Good job Sony! I'll continue to do mobile gaming on my S2 and you can continue to suck like you do..
The day this system gets a price drop is the day I walk into my Gamestop twirling a cane. I might even wear a top hat if they do something about those memory card prices. Until then I have no problem playing UMVC3 on my PS3.
if you want the latest technology your gonna pay for it, if you don't or don't mind waiting a year or so the price drops but by then something newer has arrived...i pad, iphone??? the vita is overpriced, however IF they can produce ps3 or close to it games with visuals to match i think it ll be worth it...
Assassin's Creed and Far Cry publisher says its network of 26 studios and over 7,000 developers will allow company to ship major franchises more regularly. Full Story
