With the Nintendo Switch taking the gaming market by storm, it seems like there's a perfect climate for Sony to step in and create a handheld to compete with Nintendo's hybrid, much like they've done in the past, with the PSP and PS Vita. However, Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO, Andrew House, disagrees, and is quoted as saying the following during an interview with Bloomberg JP.

The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid device, thus it has a completely different strategy from the PlayStation. We are focusing our attention on products that can specifically be played from the living room. We do not see potential in the handheld market.

It seems PlayStation has been adamant about there not being a new PlayStation handheld, as House has been quoted as saying such multiple times. What do you think? Is the handheld market too saturated thanks to the rise of smartphones, or that after the DS and 3DS dominating the PSP and Vita, it's high time that Sony relent and focus on their flagship PS4? Or that Sony is missing out on a huge opportunity?

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[HaloEliteLegend]

This video is highly relevant right now.

 

[BARNWEY]

The Switch is kind of hard to compete with....

 

[KingVamp]

Sony could just upgrade Vita. Take some inspiration on the Switch. Use the latest OLED tech or high refresh rate IPS. And they're good to go. Heck, they could just re-use the OS on PS4 but repurpose for the handheld or something. Get some exclusives like what they did on God of War on the PSP. They have enough exclusives to create some spin-off or milk some franchises.

Well, if they were to take some inspiration from the Switch, this PSV2/PS4P would have the exact same games as the PS4. Not just spin-offs.

 

[ov3rkill]

Well, if they were to take some inspiration from the Switch, this PSV2/PS4P would have the exact same games as the PS4. Not just spin-offs.

Probably, but it would be a crappy version of the PS4 game as the PS4 console itself is too powerful. There would a lot of compromises unless ported properly. Might as well make some good exclusives. Streaming it on the handheld would sound so much better. A better little brother for the PS4 I'd say. A cheaper one like around 200-250. Like I said, just an upgraded Vita would suffice, better streaming connectivity support if you want to play PS4 games and complete buttons this time. Just wishful thinking.

 

[zoogie]

I can see how Sony would be discouraged by the market's response to the Vita - it was as close to a perfect handheld as you could get. Top smartphone specs, great screen, 3G, WiFi and BT connectivity, dual analog sticks, the Vita was awesome. I still can't quite wrap my head around why it failed - its only shortcomings were superficial. It needed support, but it never really got much outside of Japan. Shame, a big shame.

Support goes both ways. You need developer/publisher support to make compelling software, but the platform needs to reward those developers/publishers with high sales if the content is good. Killzone mercenaries -- a great game -- got killed in sales, as an example. It could have easily sold 5x that amount at $60 retail with the added benefit of cheap disc media, if they had went with PS3/4.

Another problem: vita AAA games require PS3 budgets to produce the graphics level people expect, but can only charge handheld prices. Bad business model. Sure you can make indie style games for cheap but you have phones for that.

The 3ds survived because people needed it to play Nintendo games.
The Vita didn't have that luxury. They needed 3rd parties to make impressive games but they jumped to the phone market instead (or PS3/PS4 for AAA) -- where the real money is and less risk.

 

[Bladexdsl]

hehehe they can't compete against the switch

 

[Polopop123]

Those would’ve been a perfect time to get in and do it again. The could’ve learned so many things from the Psvita and what not to do, and a lot from the Switch

 

[linuxares]

They have confirmed now that they can't beat the Switch/3DS. So they focus all on beating the Xbox to a pulp?

 

[Bladexdsl]

So they focus all on beating the Xbox to a pulp?

which won't be hard to do when it has no exclusives

 

[Retinal_FAILURE]

The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid device, thus it has a completely different strategy from the PlayStation. We are focusing our attention on products that can specifically be played from the living room. We do not see potential in the handheld market.

Sony will probly make a handheld outside of the PlayStation line. He's just saying PS will remain home. New name new marketing strategy. How many people saw American Pie 3 compared to American Pie? PsP Vita 3 just sounds a little complex. It might appeal to an alien, but for marketing it's a disaster, and they'd be creamed. If it doesn't sound right there not going to produce it. They'll probly open up mobile gaming to a upgraded and better quality. Imagine after that we'll [robky see a VR phone. Hands free, pocket free. Sony in my lifetime has made great quality electronics at prices that arent astronomical compared to competitors, but if you were to tell me Tiffany's, Leica, or Ferrari were going to make a handheld to compete with Nintendo, then I might have to start doubting a delivery. This seems like step one in a Sony hype game, taken from the Nintendue and Microsots handbooks.

 

[Deleted-355425]

They have confirmed now that they can't beat the Switch/3DS. So they focus all on beating the Xbox to a pulp?

Xbox one x just beat the PS4 to a pulp

 

[BvanBart]

Basically, no matter how you hit the Vita; IT WONT DAMN DIE!

Thank you for this post! Good 'ol times

 

[Snitzle]

Support goes both ways. You need developer/publisher support to make compelling software, but the platform needs to reward those developers/publishers with high sales if the content is good. Killzone mercenaries -- a great game -- got killed in sales, as an example. It could have easily sold 5x that amount at $60 retail with the added benefit of cheap disc media, if they had went with PS3/4.

Another problem: vita AAA games require PS3 budgets to produce the graphics level people expect, but can only charge handheld prices. Bad business model. Sure you can make indie style games for cheap but you have phones for that.

The 3ds survived because people needed it to play Nintendo games.
The Vita didn't have that luxury. They needed 3rd parties to make impressive games but they jumped to the phone market instead (or PS3/PS4 for AAA) -- where the real money is and less risk.

It's gutting but I feel like they could have kept it alive if they wanted. It's like they put it out, had a bit of trouble and decided to not even bother which is insane considering the investment. I'm glad I like JP games because I get some use of out of it but it's a damn shame because I think it's the best quality handheld that's been released so far.

 

[Xzi]

The Switch is kind of hard to compete with....

This is also a good point. Best they could do right now is match 720p for a portable, and that'd probably even require similar internals. Of course, their sales history with portables and Nintendo's established portable base can't be overlooked, either.

 

[ThoD]

This is also a good point. Best they could do right now is match 720p for a portable, and that'd probably even require similar internals. Of course, their sales history with portables and Nintendo's established portable base can't be overlooked, either.

The problem isn't that Nintendo has established a better base for portable systems, it's that Sony hardly ever takes any risks these days. Reason the Vita failed so miserably is because they were too afraid to invest in it since it was a gamble, so they ended up losing even without bothering with it! If Sony takes a big risk and brings something good, powerful, easy to program/develop for and original with a nice selection of games at launch, of course it's gonna go well.

 

[linuxares]

Xbox one x just beat the PS4 to a pulp

hardware wise, sure. But game wise?

 

[leon315]

this is a GREAT newz, FROM NOW ON all weeb games will move to nintendo's handhelds! And Steam too!

 

[WhiteMaze]

Apparently Sony's version of "potential in the handheld market", is selling 16 GB memory cards for $60.

 

[Pluupy]

It still amazes me how sturdy the vita is. Imagine if all consumer electronics were that durable.

Depends on which model you mean. The original is bulky and higher quality than the slim model, which has cheaper plastic.

literally the whole selling point if the PS4 was that it was the most powerful console ever, but with the XbOX that is no longer true.

If anyone is buying a console for power, you're already doing it wrong.

 

[DarthDub]

I get to save my money? Good.