14 DAY TRIAL // Sony has always insisted that the PlayStation Vita handheld will do better on Western markets than in Japan because of the bigger interest in mobile gaming and a better suited line-up of launch video games and initial signs show that the company was right.
Speaking to Gamespot Guy Longworth, who is a senior vice president in charge of brand marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment of America, stated, “We’re in the very early stages of launch, but we’re very encouraged by the reaction we’ve had with people looking at the 3G version.
“I think they realize by taking 3G, it means you can basically play wherever you want to, whenever you want to, and be connected the whole time. And not just through the games but also to your social media with the apps we have like Facebook and Twitter.”
The executive was not prepared to offer exact sales numbers for the Vita and to say how many players were going for the pricier 3G version of the device, but he mentiond that the initial numbers seen by the company were encouraging.
Longworth also believes that much of the appeal of the 3G version of the Vita will become clear in the long term, as both developers and Sony figure out new ways of allowing gamers to engage with friends both in games and in social spaces.
The Sony executive revealed that Uncharted: Golden Abyss had so far been the bestselling video game for the Vita, adding, “There are a number of others that appear to be doing well: Little Deviants, Hot Shots Golf, Mod Nation Racers. It’s very early days, but Uncharted is top of the charts so far.”
The PlayStation Vita will face tough competition going ahead from both the Nintendo-made 3DS handheld and from the smartphones using Android and iOS operating systems.