Sony's Problem with the PS Vita

     As a Sony fan I feel this is a post I should make.  Well, actually, it's more of an updated reminder- because I said almost the exact same thing back in 2013.  The post was actually prompted by Sony's recent news that the PS Vita is getting 2 new colors in Japan (a silver-grey and metallic red).  It sells much better overseas than here in the west, but that doesn't have to be.

THE PROBLEM(S)

     The major issues with the Vita is really in 2 areas.  The first is cost (both the Vita itself, and secondarily the ridiculously overpriced proprietary memory cards).  To be fair, they did release a newer model of Vita (which is awesome) that is considerably cheaper- but the memory cards are still far too costly.  Though, this is really the lesser issue the Vita has.

     The larger problem is the games selection.  When the system was first marketed, it was supposed to be a portable Playstation in the palm of your hand.  Which we do have, but only without the AAA titles that make the system worthwhile.  The same goes for Nintendo's continued use of re-selling old titles on new handheld systems.  We want games that can't simply be played on a phone.
     What happened there?  Think of the Vita's early games that were, and are, still the best the system offered- Assassin's Creed: Liberation, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Gravity Rush.  These 3rd person action adventure games are unbelievably great.  We fans want more of this kind of quality.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION

     It's been my biggest complaint since I first got the Vita 4 years ago- the games selection.  They need better games.  Games.  Games.  GAMES!  More AAA games.  More exclusivity and original games.  Not just games that are already available for free on phones.  We want the true Playstation in our hands feel that a phone or tablet cannot give us.
     We want AAA-quality exclusive games.  Good freakin' lord- can you imagine what a new game that takes place in the world of The Last of Us could do on this system?  A NEW Dark Souls, a NEW Borderlands, Ico, Far Cry, Deus Ex, Batman: Arkham game, or even a new Bioshock?
     Or what about a new Metal Gear?  I wrote up a small outline for a game that would be a wonderful use of the franchise on the Vita- featuring The Boss from Metal Gear Solid 2.  The previous Vita Metal Gears were great, we could definitely use more of this type of game.  Hopefully it would be a little better looking than Metal Gear Survive.  The series could use some new content, and Konami might need a bit of guidance since Kojima left.
     Note that I specifically say "NEW" versions- we don't want more ports of console titles we already own.  We want portable experiences that the other companies and consoles cannot provide.  Less ports and more originals.  Real Triple-A titles that we can play on the go.  Sony, you have immense potential with the Vita, so why aren't you using it?  We want the content, it just isn't available.  Seriously Sony, a few NEW AAA games would cement the Vita as THE portable system to have.

     Back in May there was a reveal that there was an actual portable Elder Scrolls game in production for the Vita's precursor (the PSP) that was cancelled.  Can you imagine how unbelievably amazing a NEW Elder Scrolls game for the Vita could be?!?  A real first person Elder Scrolls game and not the stupid card game currently being peddled would be a tremendous money maker, and if it was a Vita exclusive...  that's a whole lot of sales.

VITA SUCCESSOR

     Sony Computer Entertainment's president Shuhei Yoshida was asked about a PS Vita successor by Eurogamer at the EGX 2015 and his response was:

"That's a tough question- people have mobile phones and it's so easy to play games on smartphones, and many games on smartphones are free, or free to start. 

"I myself am a huge fan of PlayStation Vita and we worked really hard on designing every aspect. Touch-based games are fun - there are many games with really good design. But having sticks and buttons make things totally different. 

"So I hope, like many of you, that this culture of playing portable games continues but the climate is not healthy for now because of the huge dominance of mobile gaming."

     This comment stuck with me (from a year ago) because as phones get better, they'll catch up to the Vita eventually.  A new Sony portable gaming system isn't needed- they simply need a better selection of AAA games that are extremely lacking from the Vita right now.  It doesn't matter how awesome the Vita is if there aren't games to show it off are non-existent.  I mean, you could have the greatest movie theater ever created, but if you only play Sharknado on each screen no one's going to show up.

     So, please Sony, give us some brilliant new reasons to dust off this amazing portable system.