Elements of Truth in This PS Vita Smackdown

Heavy Iron Studios knows a thing or two about throwing pretend punches in the air. The studio is behind exercise game UFC Personal Trainer (as well as a buncha games based on Pixar flicks). Heavy Iron boss Lyle Hal has heavy words for the upcoming PS Vita, Sony’s new portable.

“People don’t want to carry more than one thing in their pocket, that’s why Android and iPhone have done so well, they are the devices of choice, they offer multiple functions outside of gaming,” Hall told GamesIndustry. “People don’t want it.”

Hall wondered why people would be willing to pay US$299 for the PS Vita when they weren’t willing to pay $249 for the Nintendo 3DS. That willingness will depend on Sony’s ability to deliver a selection of compelling titles.

While Hall did concede that the Vita’s technology is “sweet”, he stated that the portable’s launch will be “a car wreck”. At least he didn’t say it’s going to be a train wreck. Phew!

“I’m a huge fan of mobile technology,” added Hall. “But I just don’t know there’s a market out there any more for the hardware. I can’t see why you would want to put a device out that only does games.”

Both the 3DS and the Vita do other things besides play video games, but gaming is their main draw—unlike smartphones that features games as an extra. Hall said that the “consumer has spoken”, and he doesn’t think the trend is going to swing back towards gaming portables.

Though love aside, Hall does have a point—it’s getting harder and harder to justifying paying $40 for a portable game, when you could buy a ton of fun mobile games. And the games are updated with new levels and stuff!

Sony and Nintendo have their work cut out for them; They must make better portable games than ever if they hope to lure players from their smartphones and back to portables.

PlayStation Vita launch will be “a car wreck” | News [GamesIndustry via Eurogamer]

(Top photo: Reed Saxon | AP)

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