The PlayStation Vita has its blockbuster games, for sure. But dig a little deeper beneath the surface and you’ll find plenty of small-scale titles that are just as much fun. The likes of Table Top Tanks and MotorStorm RC were clearly designed with the iPhone market in mind, and Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida believes they’re just as important to the platform’s growth as the big budget titles.
Speaking with Gamasutra, Yoshida explained that the Japanese company has been inspired by the growth of the smartphone and tablet markets.
He added:
The whole development process of Vita was us watching the smartphone and the tablet market grow and blossom. We’ve seen lots of small games sold digitally through the app stores of each device, and that’s something we thought is a great addition to the whole offering of video games to the consumers.
We do not necessarily see the smartphone replacing the portable console market. It’s true that many casual people already own smartphones, and spending a dollar for a game is a very easy thing to do. People who really like games want more immersive, deeper games. In addition, they also enjoy short-form, small games.
Yoshida continued that while putting titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified and Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation on the platform is important, the company must also support the indie developers making smaller games.
He concluded:
We can take care of lots of indie developers and individuals who want to express themselves — we do it for the love of it, almost. It's not like small games sell $100 million revenues. But we really think it's important to work with younger people, and people who really sometimes disregard conventions of making games.
When games are made by a small number of people, the creative vision of one person really shines through the entire game. That's really where we find some magic happens.
Ultimately, we agree with Yoshida’s stance. Obviously it’s the tent-pole releases that will push Vita into as many homes as possible, but the platform still needs a rich array of unique, bite-sized content too. It’s servicing both sides of the equation that will ensure the handheld’s long-term success.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the Vita’s smaller games, or are you primarily interested in the blockbuster releases?
[source gamasutra.com]
Comments 4
"We do not necessarily see the smartphone replacing the portable console market. It’s true that many casual people already own smartphones, and spending a dollar for a game is a very easy thing to do. People who really like games want more immersive, deeper games. In addition, they also enjoy short-form, small games."
I bought an Xperia Play last year to avoid shelling out for a Vita, still bought a Vita
I recognize the importance of BIG games on Vita, so keep em coming. I did a lil research on Metacritic, and looking at the Top 25 rated games on multiple systems, around 85% of a system's top games came out after the 1st year. So the Vita's best days are ahead of em. Uncharted 2 will be off the hook
I would like some of the classic casual games as well like a Solitaire collection, Sudoku, Majong etc. I have about thirty games on my itouch; ninety per cent of the time I am playing Spider Solitaire. I don't want to play $15 (Plants vs Zombies) for casual games but Tales about a Blob, Starstrike, and Pinball Arcade were reasonably priced.
i need RPGS thats all
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