Sony ends production of physical Vita games

[Ocean H]

Sony is ending physical production of Vita games, Kotaku has learned. Although the hardware manufacturer says digital distribution will continue, this move will mark the end of physical cards for the maligned portable game system.

Sony’s American and European branches “plan to end all Vita GameCard production by close of fiscal year 2018,” the company told developers today in a message obtained by Kotaku. The message asks that all Vita product code requests be submitted by June 28, 2018, and that final purchase orders be entered by February 15, 2019. Sony’s 2018 fiscal year will end on March 31, 2019.

In an e-mail to Kotaku, a Sony spokesperson confirmed that Vita card production is coming to an end.

More at:

https://kotaku.com/sony-ends-product...mes-1826060406

[Hayabusa85]

God forbid Sony allow other publishers that were still supporting Vita to release their games physically just because they abandoned it years ago. Really screws over those publishers and developers since who in their right mind is going to trust buying digital on the Vita when the PSN kill switch can be pressed at any moment.

[MOONPHASE]

Well the only Publishers that were left were the ones localizing the Japanese RPGs and Visual Novels like Atlus USA, NIS America, Aksys, PQube and XSEED. But they should know that people do buy them despite being niche titles. Sony America and Europe have been wanting Vita to die for the past couple of years or more, but those companies I mentioned thrive on localizing these games. Of course they do PS4 as well, but those companies wouldn’t support Vita if their localized titles didn’t sell on it too. Aksys for instance localizes Otome Visual Novels which are way more niche than the standard ones and still keep doing it on Vita. PQube localized games like Valkyrie Drive and Gal Gun uncensored on Vita (and PS4 as well with Gal Gun).

Of course Sony would rather have Nintendo kick their ass with the Switch rather than doing something about it.

Other than Sony, I also blame retail stores. Like my Gamestop, you have to ask to see the Vita titles they have in stock that is stashed in a drawer behind the counter or sometimes it’s in the back room if there isn’t any room in those drawers. Before that when it was actually in a place where customers can get to, it wasn’t exactly an easy spot to find if you’re not really checking everywhere.

[VictoryAtNight]

RIP PS Vita.

[Brewc]

RIP? Haha if you got a hacked one it’s best thing ever, if you can find all the digital goodies!

[bailey1987]

I hope the make a psp3 and address each fault with the Vita and original PSP. If only the memory cards did not cost and arm and a leg.

[Batman90]

Originally Posted by bailey1987

I hope the make a psp3 and address each fault with the Vita and original PSP. If only the memory cards did not cost and arm and a leg.

My only issues with Vita was lack of games.

[Batman90]

Originally Posted by Brewc

RIP? Haha if you got a hacked one it’s best thing ever, if you can find all the digital goodies!

I’m getting mine hacked when I get back from vacation.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Batman90

My only issues with Vita was lack of games.

That’s just a matter of taste of what you play. If you love JRPGs, Visual Novels, Indie games and other niche games, PS Vita has lots of games that fall into that category with many of them being fun to play. If you’re looking for the big name series, then yeah there’s only like a handful of ones like that which are usually a spin-off game or a portable version of a game that was on consoles.

Japan and Indie companies made sure PS Vita had plenty of games. They cared more about PS Vita then Sony ever did.

[Yuukaa_Sa]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

That’s just a matter of taste of what you play. If you love JRPGs, Visual Novels, Indie games and other niche games, PS Vita has lots of games that fall into that category with many of them being fun to play. If you’re looking for the big name series, then yeah there’s only like a handful of ones like that which are usually a spin-off game or a portable version of a game that was on consoles.

Japan and Indie companies made sure PS Vita had plenty of games. They cared more about PS Vita then Sony ever did.

Agreed. I actually seem to want to play more games on Vita than my PS4.

I most have a PS4 for Yakuza & Gran Turismo. Diable 3 & Uncharted are just a bonus.