Kaz Hirai: Vita Sales on Low End of Expectations - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 09 January 2013 / 6,899 Views
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai spoke at a conference with the media after the Sony Consumer Electronics Show presentation. Hirai was asked several questions mainly focusing about Sony's TV division, but he was also asked about the PlayStation Vita.
The Wall Street Journal asked about how well the PlayStation Vita is selling. Hirai answered that sales are at the low end of what was expected, but that it takes five to 10 years before it can be considered a success or failure.
"I would say it’s on the low end of what we expected," said Mr. Hirai. "Long term is what is important."
PlayStation Vita sales have fallen far below its main rival, the 3DS, but it doesn't have to outsell it to be considered a success. According to the latest VGChartz figures the PlayStation Vita has just passed four million units sold. There have also been just over 10 million games sold for the handheld.
It took the PlayStation 3 a couple of years to get its footing, so it may take the PlayStation Vita that long to gain a foothold. The PlayStation 3 after its rough start has since become a success selling more than 70 million units to date and still growing.
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"5-10 years before it can be considered a success or failure." Fits right in with the 10 year plan.
Sony: Don't judge it before it's first Christmas.
First Christmas has passed, quick, think of something else to say!!
The PS3 tripped when it launched. Now the Vita tripped when it launched.
Sony, here's a hint... YOUR STRATEGY ISN'T WORKING. The Vita makes the 3DS low sales from 2011 look like stuff of legends...
The PlayStation 3 has been profitable for the last 2 to 3 years on multiple fronts. However, the system did lose an estimated 4 billion dollars from launch to 2009. Even with the PS2 and PSP pulling in profits alongside the losses.
The only thing that would be losing money right now is the R&D for the PS4 with the PlayStation Vita. But I think I read that the Vita is sold around cost, so it could be profitable.
They anticipated 3 years to recover costs for the Vita...that could expand because of this past year.
Link?
if you need to wait 10 years to comment on a consoles success or failure... does this mean we're only allowed just now to decided if the Gamecube failed or not? since it came to EU in 2002 :< I don't really think it takes that long to notice that a product has been discontinued in all stores for over 6 years surely?
5 to 10 years
Is the PS3 really a success for Sony? It sold far less than the PS2 and Siny gaming divisions lost millions of dollar since the PS3 is out. Nonetheless the Vita is a dead horse.
they did not lose millions, THEY LOST BILLIONS
lol and they will never ever make those billions back
The PS3 sold 10 mil in its first year, PSV is no where near that. I'm sure Sony know this, but won't state it out just yet. They need to move now! Pricecut + more games necessary
On the low side of expectations? :S seems like he still is in denial and not willing to change anything
Sales will pick up for the Vita. The system is too awesome not to.
Kaz Hirai, master of corporate spin lol. He should have a show on Fox News that's how good he is. Maybe he should ask Sega if the dreamcast was a success or failure after 5-10 years lol. If Sony other divisions weren't losing hundreds of millions too that could easily cover the losses of another high performance system, but since the company is such hard financial times its not really feasible and might sink the whole company if the PS4 is another console with too much tech and too high a of cost.
I do legit think that Kaz was a dj before he became CEO Spinmaster H
Wow, a Fox News joke--it suddenly feels like 2006 in here. I don't suppose you wrote the script for DmC?
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