PS Vita

[excel_excel]

Nothing is worse than people complaining about region locks. Does anyone ever import games? I don't know anyone who does. Maybe a game like Xenoblade for the Wii but that's coming over anyways.

Well you can only have one PSN account on a Vita. So you have to reset if to factory settings if you want to sign on with a different account.

 

which I presume means to play the games on whichever account you've downloaded them from means you have to go through the same factory reset procedure every time. Why? Why on earth is this being done? The EU stores PSP line up is garbage. So its normal if a person would buy stuff from the US store for their PSP.

 

I'm getting a little tired of the fanboy brigade defending decisions like this on Kotaku its always the same tired fanboys doing it.. Jesus Christ, don't defend the 3DSs inane region lock and don't fucking defend stupid decisions like this that only limit what we as customers can do.

You do realize that you can download a game off the PS3 PSN and then copy it over to the Vita right??

 

Woah, ok. this is the 3DSs region lock. There are quite a lot of DS games that are awesome that never made it to Europe, so I ordered them on Amazon. Real simple. Now I can't do that. Example, Devil Surivior on 3DS. Not coming to Europe. So yeah of course people do it. Demon's Souls, took forever to come to Europe, luckily the PS3 is region free so I imported it. Job done.

 

I don't understand what your saying about the downloading a game off PSN and transferring it to the Vita? You'd need to be using the exact same account to do that....I'm talking about how you are restricted to the one account on the Vita. Ok I have a EU account. If you want to use the games bought on my US account, everytime I have to do that, I have to reset the Vita to its factory settings, then if I want to go back to playing my EU account games its back to the factory reset again

Edited December 5, 2011 by excel_excel

[deanb]

Nothing is worse than people complaining about region locks. Does anyone ever import games? I don't know anyone who does. Maybe a game like Xenoblade for the Wii but that's coming over anyways.

But Xenoblade is already over.. oh wait, talking from US standpoint. Yeah try hoping to Europe for ya games. Xenoblade I think it one of the few times where we've come out fine. Region locking can become a huge pain. I'd say that's part of why the PS3 has done pretty well in Europe. Much like Excel my Demon Souls is also a US import. I'm to understand the Wii is region locked or the whole Xenoblade thing wouldn't have been as much an issue. Personally I've not bought anything from the US PS Store (not bought much off the EU one either ) but I can see why it would be a pain for folks who want a bit of everything. Steam also has region locking, but that doesn't apply to the Gift system thankfully.

[WTF]

About the vita's formatting thing, I do believe it's based on actual poor translation from the fan event. Right now it's probably best to take it with a grain of salt till the release date in about 11 days.

 

However with that in mind, to be fair this isn't as bad as a region lock. The thing is you cannot use purchased content from the store or dlc from a region until you change region. Lets be absolutely honest here, how many of us buy content from other regions on a regular basis on the PSP from other regions. I know I don't because it's a pain to switch between simple authentications. Not to mention if one is that bothered I suppose they won't have an issue to connect it to a memory card and then play it like that.

 

As long as you can read the packaged or cab files that require no activation I'm fine with that. That's pretty much how I play the demos and stuff from other regions on my PSP without switching regions. Not to mention the carts that you buy from any region would work. Right now as it stands it's a bit extreme to do the formatting thing but at the same time it's not a big deal. The thing to do is to stick to a region where you plan to buy content from that's about it.

 

The thing that currently interests me is the rumour about PSN games being sufficiently cheaper on DD as opposed to physical retail. I wouldn't expect it to be 40% like the rumour but 25% is good enough to offset memory cart charges. Initially I was of the opinion that retailers wouldn't have it but I think they're experimenting. For a while now I've heard that both gamestop in the US and game in the UK have been speaking with Sony about selling digital content via their online and retail stores. This actually pretty decent for them as that means the products don't take up a lot of retail space and they can downsize the stores into being mostly massive adverts.

The physical carts would be bought by people who like physical products and for everyone else it would serve as an advert similar to how a theatrical release of films is primarily an advert as opposed to being highly profitable in the mid to low budget film scenarios. A way they can do that is to sell PSN cards and to give retailers a pretty good markup on the physical products. Also if they were to sell them digitally to give them a decent share thus encouraging digital sales. This would be better than the scenario that they will eventually face where as in the case of iTunes cards retailers don't make a decent margin.

It also explains statements from companies like game where they say that they expect the vita to boost their business. They're not just going to say that for no reason. Also recently they have been selling PSN products on their store such as God of War origins collection which has been priced between 22 and 24 quid and is just a download code from the store. They're definitely experimenting in the months leading to the vita launch.

I think there's definitely going to be some interesting price scaling structures coming to play. Not to mention they've been talking about scaled game prices now and to react as per the market reactions.

 

I'm not saying all their decisions are excellent to the consumer but there's a lot of pluses here.

LIke dean mentioned I think what I'd like the console platforms to do is to have a gift system where you can send certain products as gifts. I don't think it'll work on the PSN till they unify the store but it could on Live for the most part.

[Saturnine Tenshi]

I import games all the time... so suck it. P:

[Thursday Next]

@WTF: The problem is the way that digital sales work. Sony control the cost of the codes and they sell direct to the consumer through the exact same channel that Game codes will be redeemed. If Sony sell the codes to Game for £20 each they might as well sell the game to consumers via PSN for the same. So either Game will have to have a minuscule markup, or Sony will (perhaps massively) undercut them. Or some sort of price fixing will occur where both sides agree to charge £30 for digital and £35 for physical copies but that would be a dangerous game to play.

 

The only benefit of buying digitally in store would be that you can then gift the game, since it'd be a bit more "thoughtful" than just PSN credit, while the gifting market for video games is pretty big, it is even more seasonal than the current one.

[WTF]

@TN. I know how digital sales work which is why I brought in the Apple comparison, retailers make jack out of that. However it's going to head in the direction of digital sales for consoles as well. It's inevitable that sales will hit the digital side more.

 

That's also why I said that I've observed reports, insider talk and other that Sony seems to have had extended discussions with specific retailers who now seem to be selling digital content in their stores albeit mostly first party titles. Also why I brought up that they could have a discussion to sell codes for these products which can be redeemed at the store. This would be interesting because there's bound to be a markup. We're already aware that Vita games are priced at the same ceiling as 3DS games i.e. 39.99 USD to £34.99 most likely out here. That would mean the physical products would RRP for £34.99. They could sell codes for the digital items for £26.25 where they'd give the retailer wiggle room for the cut. Consider that proprietary flash carts are more expensive generally to print out rather than just digital which would account for bandwidth costs. In the case of third party dls they could waiver bandwidth costs for the first x downloads (likely close to 50k) and reduce costs to give them incentive (although this would be for later). It would explain why digital sales are currently cheaper for the vita than physical. It's not like they'd keep the same cut percentage for both physical and retail. We already have plenty of other products where retailers barely get anything, just take a look at the gift voucher sections. In the long run, they'd not be against this because this way they can play more on the digital front. of course this isn't beneficial to third parties too much. Not to mention out here they do sort of devalue money because the £25 PSN cards and £39.99 13 month live subs are post consumer VAT prices and that's how they can afford to sell it for a tiny bit cheaper usually.

 

The gift thing I mentioned was separate from this, it's mostly to do with being able to purchase codes and gift for digital only titles from the store itself or purchase as gift option that you'd come across when you check out from stores like steam, gamersgate etc. It's not a bad thing to have on the console space. On steam it's mostly there so people can take advantage of regional pricing issues or titles such as saints row which are held back on steam but present (will be directly purchasable at a later date, currently only redeemable).

[Thursday Next]

Apologies, wasn't trying to be patronising. Just illustrating why retail / digital hybrids aren't great for retailers and are a bit of a waste of time for 1st party. While my comment was directed at you, that's just because I didn't want to quote the whole wall-o-text, I intended for it to be read by anyone on the forum, not all of whom may know how these things work.

 

To your point, Sony could sell codes to game for £26.25, but then they might as well charge that on the PS Store, they'll achieve the same profit. Of course they could push their price up to match whatever the retailer does, but if they do, why drive down to the shops to buy a retailer code when you can get the exact same product at home for the same price at home?

 

The only way retailer codes work for retailers is if Sony start (continue?) profiteering on direct-to-consumer sales, charging physical goods price or higher and let retailers undercut them on in-store digital prices. But then you lose a lot of goodwill and brand loyalty along the way, something that Sony could definitely do with building up on a new console in uncertain times.

[WTF]

That's cool. But there's the thing that the only reason a lot of stores are open today is because they've paid a lot of rent upfront and it's sort of impossible for them to cut down some of the stores yet. We're going to see downsizing of the stores. I mean it's only natural since specialist retailers on the physical streets are a dying lot. The past four years at Oxford Street does give an indication that most stores aren't permanent. Not to mention the weird ebay 3 day store thing. We might actually see smaller retail stores as opposed to big boutique stores (then again aren't game's stores on Oxford street smallish. I'm just saying they'll downsize on being a physical presence themselves. In a market like ours where people do mostly buy products online it's only better for stores to tap into that market. Yes they can sell the physical goods but selling codes is technically a lot cheaper for them. Even if they were to sell the codes on a receipt in a store. The whole issue of stock clearance doesn't really come into heavy play and they can manipulate the markets a bit more strongly. They would definitely like a piece of the Steampie but it's just harder.

 

OT to that discussion but relevant to the PS Vita discussion --> http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/12/vita-accounts/

Multiple PSN accounts are possible, you just need to buy more than one memory card. I think I could deal with that.

[deanb]

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/12/vita-accounts/

 

There we go. PSN accounts are NOT tied to the system. They're tied to memory cards instead. Which is pretty much how it went in ye olden days instead (cos fuck sharing a memory card with your brother).

 

The factory reset stuff is only needed if you want to change what user the card is tied too.

[WTF]

OT to that discussion but relevant to the PS Vita discussion --> http://www.wired.com.../vita-accounts/

Multiple PSN accounts are possible, you just need to buy more than one memory card. I think I could deal with that.

 

@dean Mentioned it like about 6 hours ago before your post.

[CorgiShinobi]

Unboxing pics... mmm...

 

http://tinyurl.com/d3gphjb (Play Asia)

 

EDIT: Make sure to click the link for the full gallery as there are comparisons of the game carts and game cases.

Edited December 16, 2011 by Atomsk88

[excel_excel]

 

Very nice and shiny. I like the circular shape and buttons.......it does look lurvly

[deanb]

lololol

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

I lul'd

[deanb]

It's a good sign that they know what they have going for them over the smartphones. They just have to be able to market that.

[Eleven]

$525 for the wifi model?? Didn't realize that's how import handhelds/consoles are priced. I've only bought games off play-asia...

 

Also so that the thread is updated with how Vita handles accounts.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/vita-cant-handle-multiple-psn-accounts-after-all/

[deanb]

I'm curious, how many does the 3DS support? I know the DS only supports one account and requires a wipe if you want to change, is that substantially different in the 3DS?

[TCP]

Listening to some of the stories from the launch in Japan, seems 32 GB cards were very hard to come by, with most stores only getting one.

[deanb]

Well it is the absolute top end of the cards, can't see many people needing one. It does seem with the way folks were treating the "32GB will be $120" news that folks assume it's needed. Just to throw some perspective out there: The PS3 launched with 20GB/40GB models, the 360 at either 512MB or 20GB. Most PSP titles come in around the 500MB mark, and that's the full blown UMD titles, so you're rarely going to meet those kind of game sizes unless you digitally purchase most of your games. 32GB will run you around about 18hrs of 720p video, more than the Vita battery will last for. The 32GB cards are the GTX590's of the Vita memory card range, it's for suckers.

[TCP]

I've been going back and forth on whether to buy the games via retail or buy digitally. Even though I like having the retail boxes on my shelf, I think I'm going to buy digitally, so why not get the 32 GB? I have the money (though I still think it's too expensive...) and I'd love to have all my games on one card, being able to walk around with all my PSone, PSP (DISSIDIA!!!), and PSVita games on me at all times. A 32 GB card should be good for the first year at least....

Maybe I am a sucker.. but think how many more trophies I'll be getting while you guys are switching out cards!!!!

[deanb]

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/content/96478-Hello-World-on-PlayStation-Vita

 

So exploits that worked on PSP games can be reproduced on the Vita. Doesn't mean too much at the moment, given the PSP side of things is emulated. But could lead to one thing or another over time.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Does it not blow anyone elses mind that for two sony products in a row (at least before removal) theyve contained emulation for the previous gen? Not even a chip. Mother. Fucking. Emulation. Does the 3DS and DS use chips for backwards compat?

[TheMightyEthan]

The original PS3's had PS2 hardware inside them to run the PS2 games, it wasn't till later they started emulating.

 

Not that that matters, just a fun fact.

[madbassman39]

The original PS3's had PS2 hardware inside them to run the PS2 games, it wasn't till later they started emulating.

 

Not that that matters, just a fun fact.

 

I've always known that, which is why I've always understood taking out the PS2 hardware from the system to keep costs down. What I didn't understand is why they couldn't upload a software emulator in the system to keep the function of backwards compatibility. I'm glad I got my OG 60 gig (now upgraded to a 350 gig) PS3, but I just felt like the BC made the jump to the PS3 easier.

 

Of course, with all the selling of PS2 games on the PSN and the HD remakes coming out, I now understand why they took it out... $$$. They could resell their games to people who have them and don't want to hook up their old PS2s for what ever reason. I mean the games that you buy on the PSN are basically being emulated.

 

Oh well, sign of the times. I'm surprised Sony even bothered with porting your UMDs over to the Vita. Personally my PSP works fine, and I hardly play it, so having those games ported over wouldn't be worth it to me. I'd rather just charge up my PSP and play them on that.

[deanb]

I'm not sure $$$ was an original driving motivator. If you could throw in a fully working emulator onto the PS3 I think they've have taken the free(er) software route, than putting in an extra $30(and point of failure) worth of parts per console. When you sell a few million a year that's tens of millions down the drain. Don't forget, high end gaming PCs can struggle to emulate PS2, nevermind the relatively weak PS3. Porting and upgrading games isn't exactly free thing to do either, and a bit of a gamble since the popular games, are well popular. There's already millions of copies sold. Stuff like Team Ico I guess is a good one cos it's a cult hit, yet had a limited run on PS2. FFX is going to be interesting to see since it's like the 5th best selling PS2 game or something.