Sony Discouraging Console Ports on PlayStation Vita
Posted by Sammy Barker
Learning lessons
Listen to the ramblings of any video game armchair analyst, and they’ll excitedly inform you that the PSP struggled because of its emphasis on shoddy home console ports. They’d be partly right, but the insinuation that Vita is flagging for the same reason seems a little unfounded. Granted the platform has depended on high-profile spin-offs like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and WipEout 2048, but ultimately both titles feel fairly well suited to the portable format.
That’s because Sony believes it has learned from the errors it made with the PSP. Chatting with Gamasutra, hardware marketing manager John Koller explained that while the messaging of the Vita hasn’t necessarily changed, the platform holder’s approach has.
"The issue that happened with PSP is we got overrun with ports," he told the industry website. "It became very difficult for us to define what made PSP unique. The content development became a bit unstructured or decentralized, in that we got a lot of content that was on PlayStation 2 and got thrown over to the handheld."
As a result, Sony is steering third-party publishers away from ports and encouraging them to look at titles such as Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation and Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. Both are new, purpose built entries that tie-into popular console brands.
"The messaging is similar [between PSP and PS Vita], but I think the output is going to be quite different,” Koller concluded. But is it enough? Venture into any popular online forum and you’ll easily find posts referring to a game like LittleBigPlanet Vita as a port – even though it's an entirely original entry that arguably suits its intended format better than previous releases.
Are you comfortable with spin-offs, or do you think the Vita needs wholly original content?
[via gamasutra.com]
#1
Stuffgamer1 said:
When I read that headline, my first thought was of titles such as PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. If they're trying to convince us that console ports aren't the mission here, they need to STOP MAKING THEM!
I have no problem with spin-off titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss; IMO, new entries in popular series are big system-sellers for portable consoles, and it helps link the PlayStation brand together instead of it feeling like PS3 and Vita are for completely different markets (though obviously, the gamer's needs are at least somewhat different between the two).
Of course, new IP's are always a good idea, and that's something I think the PSP failed in rather spectacularly. Sure there were some like Patapon and Loco Roco, but they were few, far between, and lacking in high-level quality. Gravity Rush is a step in the right direction on Vita, and they've recently announced others...so they may yet get that right. Hopefully.
#2
Azikira said:
I actually have no beef with GOOD ports, or new games coming out on both systems~ In fact, the inter-connectivity between Vita and PS3 is a huge selling point for me. For example, Playstation All-Stars is one of my most looked-forward to games just because it has cross-platform play.
#3
Stuffgamer1 said:
@Azikira: Cross-play should hardly be a selling point for a bad game. I mean yeah, the feature is cool...but from my experience, I'd say that it's not worth it if you have to be playing PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.
#4
Mandoble said:
Sony must take into consideration these millions of potential users that doesnt have and will not have a PS3. PS3 ports to Vita are also a must.
#5
DrCruse said:
I dislike ports and spin-offs. I want a console for it's original games
Although it has usually been seen as a drawback, portable systems have almost always had inferior graphical capabilities compared to the home consoles on the market at the time. This discouraged console to handheld ports because the games usually ended up crappier on the handheld, and it caused handheld games to be different and complementary to the games on the home market at the time. Sony's problem with their forays into the handheld market is that they tend to go for powerful systems that nearly match their home console offerings. This creates a major problem. Since incredibly similar games can be released for both consoles, why should a game not be released for both consoles? Why only target the portable market when a game can be released for a home console as well? The result is a very similar library of games released for both consoles. Even if they differ in some respects, the difference obviously isn't enough at the moment for most people to invest in the Vita.
Just my 2 cents.
#6
Gamer83 said:
I don't think there's anything wrong with a console port. Now granted you can't let that be the bulk of your library but a port here and there isn't bad. One of the game announcements that led to me buying a Vita was the one for Mortal Kombat. As long as it's well done, I say bring it to both machines and adding cross platform options makes it even better. We're at a point now where if you have competent developers a game can be close to identical on both the home console and portable system.
#7
JavierYHL said:
i would love a skyrim port lol
#8
Zombie_Barioth said:
I have no problem with the occasional port as long as its a game that is suited to handhelds. I would still much rather have a spin-off or original entry in a series though.
Cross-buy to me is a great idea since it eliminates the need to re-buy the same game for your handheld. But it should be a perk rather than a selling point.
#9
Kimiko said:
Eh? The PSP is close to being my favorite handheld partly because of the console ports. It gives me a chance to play all those awesome PS1 RPGs that I missed out on. There are a lot of good games specifically for the PSP itself too though.
I wish people would stop dismissing the PSP as a failed or dead system. It definitely isn't for me.
#10
tbm0987 said:
more game???? it thiz really a problem? just give us more & make sure its got quality behind it on the port. not just a knok off. dumed down clone.
#11
ShogunRok said:
I'm fine with any game as long as it's good. You could argue that the Vita's launch has been comparable to the PS3's... but then the PS3 always had multi-platform games didn't it? Not the case with Vita - it needs all the games it can get.
Ports or not, if it's a good game I'll buy it.
#12
Samholy said:
i like ports when theyre well made and feature exclusive content and new things.
but at small doses.
nintendo did it especially well on the 3DS with zelda ocarina of time and starfox. glad to find also tales of the abyss,which i missed when it came out on PS2.
But somehow, i dont like paying full retail price for a port.
id rather have the classic available at a lower price like on the psn store. yeah they dont feature new content, but theyre cheap and keep the original feeling.
#13
Stuffgamer1 said:
@Samholy: Now you're talking about a completely different kind of port. IMO, there's a big difference between a remake of an old game like OoT 3D and Starfox 64 3D, and a made-at-the-same-time game like the aforementioned PS3/Vita titles. Updates to games years after the fact are generally the preferable option between the two, at least to my taste.