Sony has played down the prospect of a sequel to the PlayStation Vita handheld console, due to the dominance of mobile gaming.
During a Q&A session with developers over the weekend (via Eurogamer), SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida said that the success of iOS and Android platforms had created an unhealthy climate for dedicated handheld consoles.
He said: “[A Vita 2 is] a tough question. People have mobile phones and it’s so easy to play games on smartphones. And many games on smartphones are free, or free to start.
“I myself am a huge fan of PlayStation Vita, and we worked really hard on designing every aspect. Touch-based games are fun – there are many games with really good design. But having sticks and buttons make things totally different.
“So I hope, like many of you, that this culture of playing portable games continues – but the climate is not healthy for now because of the huge dominance of mobile gaming.”
The PS Vita was first introduced in 2011 and was well received by the gaming community.
However, sales haven’t been as strong as expected, even with the addition of the excellent and useful Remote Play pairing with the PS4.
SEE ALSO: Sony PS4 review
With Nintendo getting into mobile gaming for the first time, it seems that the era of the dedicated handheld console may be drawing to a close.
Is there still a place for them in the modern gaming climate? Or are these machines destined to be replaced by “headheld” consoles? Share your thoughts below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
