14 DAY TRIAL // Sony has shared some more details about the PlayStation Vita, its recently launched handheld console, saying that a price cut may appear in the future, depending on the feedback gathered from customers.
The PlayStation Vita was finally launched all around the world yesterday, February 22, after already reaching Japanese shores last December.
While it’s certainly an impressive device, its steep price, $250/€250 for the Wi-Fi model and $300/€300 for the 3G+Wi-Fi version, hasn’t gotten that many people interested in the console.
Speaking with CVG, Sony UK Managing Director Fergal Gara said that the price might be lowered if feedback from customers warranted such a thing.
"It will take several years for this investment to pay back as it stands, so if we have to do more with the price,” he said. “Clearly, we'll have to view how consumers respond - do they value the amount of technology packed into that box?”
Gara went on to say that, while the price might seem steep, it was not that bad when compared to the prices of tablets or smartphones nowadays.
"One benchmark I would draw is that it is round about half of the price-point of an entry-level tablet, and considerably less than a high-end smartphone. So, what's the appropriate point of reference for its price? We need to wait and see, but we believe it's a step-change in performance and a step-change in capabilities compared to what people could do before."
Nintendo launched its 3DS last year at the $250/€250 price point but the company quickly lowered it in order to keep customers interested in the device. Gara says that such a thing won’t happen, as a variety of great games will attract people to the Vita.
"Picking up on the Nintendo example, it's not for us to comment on their performance, but I would say that the strength of our software has been demonstrated very well, and that was on our to-do list early last year: to launch with strong software and to make sure the supply of quality software was maintained through the year and beyond. So we hope to start better, and that agenda will continue," Gara concluded.
Do you think the Vita is priced fairly or should Sony make it more affordable?