Sony Says PlayStation Vita’s Slow Start In Japan Isn’t A Bad Omen For America And Europe

Online gaming publication MCV was recently given the chance to interview PlayStation’s European president and CEO Jim Ryan and ask him a broad range of questions. Ryan was asked whether or not the PlayStation Vita’s slow start in Japan was a bad omen for the American and European launch next month. Here’s what he had to say:

One of the things we have learnt over a long period of time, is that whether it is PS1, PS2, PSP or PS3, it is dangerous to the point of impossible to take any experience from the Japanese market and try and extrapolate it, and propose upon what will happen in Europe or North America.

Not withstanding the fact that it is just way too early to make any conclusions. The markets are now just so different, I actually think they are diverging to a greater extent than they were different in the past – if that’s even possible. It is impossible to draw any meaningful conclusions of the Japanese launch in the context of what will happen in Europe. We are  more focused on our stakeholder reaction, whether that is specialist press or the reaction from retail.  The key task of allocating the supply that we have to the considerable demand, and just ensuring everything is in place for February 22nd.

24 thoughts on “Sony Says PlayStation Vita’s Slow Start In Japan Isn’t A Bad Omen For America And Europe

    • Yeah but they play it for the multiplayer mode, i really cant see players play CoD without internet, unlsss they have a hotspot everywere they are (and i dout 3G is even a sane option)

      i really hope things are different here in the states for the vita (all these trolls are starting to piss me off)

  1. well i would sure hope that the vita’s horrible japanese sales aren’t a bad omen for western sales. if it flops as bad out west as it has in japan, the vita may not make it to 2013 and i doubt sony’s going to let that happen

  2. I think the vita will do better out here in America because most of the launch titles were geared towards western gamers. Also I think Monster Hunter on the 3DS has taken quite a big chunk out of the Vita’s sales.

  3. Ok that’s pretty stupid If you made a mistake in the realize in Japan than how could you not see that as a problem for the other countries. Japan has more people than Canada and america combined If you admitted that there is a problem and you made a mistake don’t do the same thing again.

  4. since the 3DS has monster hunter and kingdom hearts, sony’s pretty much just putting their hopes into uncharted, CoD, and any existing gimmick games for the back touchscreen for western launch? there’s probably going to be quite a few disappointing months in sony’s future

    • actually, there’s a rumor there’s a new monster hunter in development set for unveiling in Q2 of this year. Capcom loves money too much to keep it to one system. And with 3 Kingdom Hearts games on PSP….What makes you think there won’t be any for the Vita….

      • my point was kinda that since they are on the 3DS that they wouldn’t really help sell vitas

    • Yea I have to agree its going to be a struggle for a while but once Killzone, Bioshock, and other big name titles come out I think its going to change around and create some real competition for the 3DS. Me personaly im getting one on launch day and buy a game or two. But im really waiting for Dragon’s Crown. I haven’t bought a 3DS yet because im waiting on the next version with the dual circle pads. When I bought a DS 2 months later the lite was announced so I decided to wait it out.

  5. The only one that has a set release period is Dragon Crown which is going to be released in the Spring. Its the sequal to Princess Crown which I think will give some what of a boost in the eastern markets. Not really sure how it will do over here in the west though. Disgaea 3 is also suppose to come out in the spring. Little Big Planet is due out sometime in March.

  6. Vita looks great,but I’m going to wait for a re model so I can get the original fora lower price .I mean what’s the difference between psp1000 from psp 2000 and 3000. Look… the big screen is awesome for a handheld and when a kingdom hearts comes for it it will be an insta buy for me

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