Vita Continues To Struggle, Sony Admits Lack Of Developer Support
We like the PlayStation Vita, we really do. Just take a gander at our early-look review and you'll understand why; an impressive 5-inch OLED display, strength in performance and, finally, those long-awaited dual analogue sticks. But despite that, the Vita is a £200-odd purchase now haunting our bank balances. Why? The games just aren't there.
Is The Videogame Industry On The Decline?
Once labelled 'recession proof' by the more optimistic industry players of the world, the videogame industry is now an industry finding it difficult to move with these economically tough times. Under an immense struggle to show any signs of the powerhouse it was just a few years ago, the question has to be asked: how has this happened?
Sony E3 2012 Press Conference LIVE
After a distinctly unremarkable showing from Microsoft just a few hours ago, Sony has a tremendous opportunity to make E3 2012 its own. Nintendo will likely have a strong presentation with a re-showing of the Wii U, but it's really Sony's to lose right now.
Hardware Review: PlayStation Vita
You have to give Sony credit. It takes a ballsy company to release major new hardware at a price upwards of £200 in such economically difficult times (and at a time where we're constantly reminded of the games industry's troubling outlook), but it takes even more confidence to launch hardware that, essentially, swims against the tide of current gaming trends. In a market now chock-full of often-shallow social games, 59p Apps for mobile devices and free-to-play triple-A titles, it's an immensely risky strategy to put so much marketing grunt and belief behind a portable gaming machine in which off-the-shelf titles are priced comparatively to their console equivalents, and where going all-in for the hardware is likely to cost much more than buying another home console.
Call Of Duty Is Coming To Vita This Autumn, Black Ops 2 Listed On Amazon
A game talked up to be a potential ‘system seller’ is one thrown around all too often for our liking. Sure, Resistance might well be an enjoyable, if slightly mediocre, Sony-exclusive first-person-shooter. But a system seller? LittleBigPlanet, though adored by us and many Sony fans alike, is unlikely to be considered in the same vein as God Of War, Gran Turismo or Uncharted when trying to summate what it is has allowed the PS3 to claw back Xbox 360’s early sales success. A ‘system seller’ by rights doesn’t come around too often, but when it does it can make all the difference in the world. Now confirmed for the autumn, Call of Duty’s debut on the Vita might well be (and we believe it definitely will be) Sony's crowning glory for its follow-up to the PlayStation Portable (PSP).
Sony launches 'Dot Switch' promo
Doing a classic Apple: bringing technologies together, yet keeping vague on details. Sony have just released a short promotional trailer about what they're called the "Dot Switch."
In the demo, the user uses his Sony Xperia phone to activate various Sony technologies as he/she walks by them, including a gramophone (we're just as confused as you on that one), a Bravia TV set, a set of confetti cannons (again, confused), and finally a device that's revealed by a robot arm removing the tray cover.
Sony Unveils PlayStation Vita's UK Tour
Sony is set to bring playable PlayStation Vita demo units to UK cities ahead of the handheld's launch on February 22, the company has reported. Like Nintendo's 'Believe Your Eyes' 3DS tour before it, Sony is bringing 'Vita Rooms' to Glasgow, Birmingham and London throughout January and February 2012 – kicking off at 63 Deansgate in Manchester from Friday 13th to Wednesday 18th January.
Playstation movie store viral ads take us into virtual reality
So Sony's recent viral campaign to promote the newly introduced video store on PS3 presents us with a virtual reality experience that we whole heartedly crave for.
Created by the recruited agencies Studio Output and the Marshmallow Laser Factory, Sony appointed them to build a series of viral films to promote the Playstation Video Store (via the tagline 'Great films fill rooms'), which resulted in the VR shots we got here, using 3D mapping, a steadicam and head-tracking via attached Playstation Move controllers.
Rant: UMD Passport? I don't want to pay for my games again!
The somewhat thorny issue of backwards compatability on the PS Vita has been solved. Users now have the opportunity to download their old games via a UMD passport, offering the titles you already have at discounted prices off the Playstation Store.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception review
Uncharted 3 isn't one to reinvent the wheel, and for that it feels as if it somewhat lacks the sheer determination of the predecessor's incessant urge to completely immerse you around every single corner. However, this doesn't discount that Naughty Dog continue to prove that they arethe masters of their craft.
PS Vita UK pricing and release date announced
So after finding out the impressive specs of the PS Vita, the bad news had to be somewhere. Sony have announced the UK pricing (it's more than a PS3) and a release date (next year).