Research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics expects Sony to follow Nintendo's 3DS strategy by cutting Vita's price early in its lifecycle.
It expects Vita to sell 12.4 million units globally this year, assuming a price cut is introduced sometime in 2012.
"Vita's hardware sales could reach $2.2 billion assuming a $180 [£114] average retail price," Strategy Analytics said. "In the time of austerity, consumers are considerably sensitive to prices, and Nintendo proved that a price cut can save a product. Their decision to slash the price of 3DS's from $249 to $169 revived sales of the console.
"Sony now is experiencing the same story in Japan. Sales of the Wi-Fi version of PlayStation Vita at $249 initially exploded, selling more than 300,000 units in the first week of release. But the new console is barely moving 20,000 units per week in its home market after all the hard-core fans made their purchases, mirroring the experience of the Nintendo 3DS.
"Strategy Analytics expects sales of PlayStation Vita in North America and Europe to follow the same pattern, suggesting that a price cut will be essential to stimulate sales and forge a competitive position.
"Despite the solid design and strong processing power, it is challenging to convince consumers to buy a dedicated game console above the $200 price range in today's economic environment as Nintendo has learnt. Sales of 3G models will be a particular challenge as it demands a $50 premium and additional data plan charges and in the long run is likely to represent only a small portion of total PlayStation Vita sales."
Comments
18 comments so far...
cmr333 on 23 Feb '12 said:
I estimate over 100million PS Vita's sold in a year by dropping the price to £20 from £220, I'm just saying this article is pointless.
Zepf on 23 Feb '12 said:
Well the only thing between me and buying one right now is the cost.
Nothing against the product, and it is a good price for what you're getting- I just don't have that kind of money spare just now.
gmcb007 on 23 Feb '12 said:
You know, they must love new console releases on this site because everytime it's name is mentioned it becomes an article. I expect the same rehashed convo to commence again.
DAEDALUS79 on 23 Feb '12 said:
I paid a tad over £300 for my vita, 8GB memory card and Uncarted, Fifa and Ninja Gaiden...its been worth every single penny in my opinion. I get that not everyone can afford to splash £200+ on a games console, everyone has financial restriction and restraints. But those saying it isnt worth the money obviously havent used the thing, its magnificent. The touch and rear screen controls work brilliantly, never thought id be saying that but they genuinely do!
Ali_ on 23 Feb '12 said:
I'd love a 458 Italia and would definitely buy one if cost the same as a Ford Fiesta. Can I ask the firm in question to pass on this research to Ferrari?
starvinbull on 23 Feb '12 said:
Agree with your thoughts on the Vita. I'd go a little further and say that it's the best console ever made in my opinion though I doubt the games catalogue (in years to come) will match the PS1,2,3 or the 360's.
KK-Headcharge78 on 23 Feb '12 said:
Best console ever? That's crazy talk, it has a long line to get past IMO;
NES, SNES, Megadrive, Neo Geo, original Xbox, PS2 to name but a few.
As for the article you must be in a dream world to not see it's relevance.
me4pd on 23 Feb '12 said:
Yeah I don't think he was including Nintendo machines. They're for kids or something right?
Anyway. Price is only half of the equation. Games are they other half and we all know the future lineup is much stronger so there may yet be chance for Sony to get away with it.
starvinbull on 23 Feb '12 said:
Best meaning best designed. The gamecube would be second on my list and the snes third. Nothing to do with games catalogues I meant purely from a build, look and design viewpoint.
Stan_Goodspeed on 23 Feb '12 said:
Bought mine yesterday, first time I've ever purchased a console on day one and I'm not complaining so far (except for the dodgy wifi set-up, even more cumbersome than the original PSP). The launch line-up is truly excellent.
As for the price drop in 2012, it's so obvious it doesn't require an analyst to guess so: with the 3DS gaining some serious steam and a (most likely) redesign on the way, the Vita's gonna need a strong E3 and a more affordable price for its first Christmas against Big N's handheld. Its 249€ RRP won't survive November, hopefully early adopters will be rewarded with a few goodies if the price drop comes too soon, or too steep.
fatherofthenoo on 23 Feb '12 said:
The only thing between me and owning a Vita is: the stupid price, lack of original titles and that it does nothing to differentiate itself from other products out there. It is just a a PS3 merged with a smartphone. Hardly original. I don't want Sony to fail though, I don't want any company to fail. Why couldn't Sony just come up with an original idea for once? Where is their imagination? Their creative flair?
EvilWaterman on 23 Feb '12 said:
Argos, 6 Months Interest free, Job Done.
MD1500 on 23 Feb '12 said:
It's not the cost of the Vita.
For me, it's the fact that it has no internal memory and the cost of the memory cards.
It cost me £10 to upgrade to upgrade my 3DS to 16GB.
It will cost me £40 to do the same to the Vita.
RandyChimp on 23 Feb '12 said:
The vita is definitely worth the money, in my opinion at least, I got it yesterday early in the morning and it's been brilliant so far. I just love it. It handles nicely, it's comfortable to hold when gaming, unlike some devices (looking at you ipod touch), and the touch pad is the icing on the cake. Absolutely love using it in fifa for goal shot precision.
KippDynamite on 23 Feb '12 said:
Buy your next five games used instead of new. You now have enough money for a Vita.
ashadian on 24 Feb '12 said:
Considering that if you shop around you can get a Vita for £210 which is a really good price for such a powerfull device. I'll defo be buying one in a couple of weeks. What really p**ses me off is people complaining about the price yet they will happily throw away £500+ for the latest IOS or android smartphone! Everyone who has so far bought has nothing but positive things to say about it!
Mattoto on 26 Feb '12 said:
I'll wait for a price cut , or a second version of the hardware , as it happens often with portable consoles (ds lite , psp 3000 etc...)
Gameboyrw on 19 Apr '12 said:
hmm....Interesting
So I saw in contacted a guy selling a Vita for €245. It also includes Uncharted, Rayman Origins, a 16GB card and an official case.Should I get it?Or should I hold out?
But if there is a price cut then surely early adopters will get bonuses,right? It would make them look bad against Nintendo
Its also worth mentioning that I have a 3DS and Mario Kart 3DS which are worth something like 90 cash and 110 credit, and I don't really like 'em, so I might consider trading them in