Sony has failed at marketing the Vita

I was browsing NeoGAF when I came onto a discussion about how Sony has been really ineffective at marketing the PS Vita, and I suddenly realized, this ting launches in eleven days.

Eleven. Days. And no one even knows that it exists.

There are no ads for this thing. Anywhere. On TV, there has been no advertisment campaign for the system (the only thing I have seen for it so far is the Taco Bell promotion... yeah, that's gonna sell me on it Sony).

There is no coverage from mainstream media. EVen the gaming media is largely silent about it. The only news and information we get about the Vita is by dedicated gaming forums, like this one, and the weekly Japan sales, which frankly are killingthe buzz.

None of my friends, the targetted western mainstream demographic for the system, the kind who will allegedly buy Call of Duty and Uncharted on it, even know it exists. How does Sony expect them to buy it again? Especially in the face of an agressive Nintendo, which is closing in on the dedicated hardcore handheld market with price drops, bundles, deals and alluring games (as well as dual analog support now)? And in the face of smartphones and tablets, especially Apple's iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, which have never been stronger, and of which at least the iPad is due to get an upgrade next month?

Sony, you've screwed it up. You honestly expect the western launch for this thing to be good? At a $249 price point? WIth games priced that high? With accessories priced that high? When no one even knows it exists?

Yeah, good luck.

They're probably gonna wait until the last few days to start advertising.

Plus I really didn't see any ads for the 3DS until the summer, which was about 3 months after launch.

The lack of marketing is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of reasons why the Vita will fail.

What's the Vita? New Sony console or something?Badosh

They're probably gonna wait until the last few days to start advertising.

Plus I really didn't see any ads for the 3DS until the summer, which was about 3 months after launch.

Thefatness16

They are trying to keep it a secret, they dont want just any rif raf picking it up,

but seriously, if this is how they plan to support this thing, it deserves to fail

Don't they have some deal going with Taco Rot(Bell)?

Anyway, the name alone is a big issue. NGP had that edge to it, Vita is just weak. Sounds like a grass enema kit, or some hit single up by a latin metrosexual.

Seems like they are relying on people playing it at gamestop and word of mouth.

I hope it doesn't fail, but as of now I fully expect that it will. I will be very suprised by even mediocre sales.

SOny has always been bad with marketing. They think the name alone will sell their products. Not to be wrong but i don't see anything new the PS Vita is bringing to the table. Unlike the DS and 3DS

The only advertising I've seen is in game shops. Maybe Sony don't want to spend much on advertisements at this early stage because the vast majority of early adopters would know about it already.

Personally I'm waiting for a price drop before I get one.

My guess is they figure they will sell their initial launch supply without too much hassle and then begin advertising the crap out of the next wave when they have larger supply. Could be wrong considering how Sony have gone about this gen, just an opinion.blue_hazy_basic

Definitely wrong. :P

Hype is a virtuous cycle: people talk about how great the product is, which lead to more sales, which lead to more people talking about how great the product is, which leads to more coverage, which leads to more people talking about how great the product is, etc. There's no disadvantage to having consumers chomping at the bit (where I live, you had to line up at 6AM on a Tuesday to get a Wii eight months after launch).

I think the real reason is they simply don't know how to market it. The Vita is such an odd blend of "hardcore" and "casual" gaming with half-assed smartphone-type features that any sort of ad beyond announcing "the PS Vita is a thing you can buy" is going to run the risk of confusing consumers.

I can't remember the last time Sony did anything advertisement for the launch of one of their systems. The PS3 had those bizzare adds and I saw maybe one or two commercials for the PSP when it was released, but the fact that I haven't seen ONE Vita comercial is alarming. Sony NEEDS to get their marketing act together

My guess is they figure they will sell their initial launch supply without too much hassle and then begin advertising the crap out of the next wave when they have larger supply. Could be wrong considering how Sony have gone about this gen, just an opinion.blue_hazy_basic

I think the real reason is they simply don't know how to market it. The Vita is such an odd blend of "hardcore" and "casual" gaming with half-assed smartphone-type features that any sort of ad beyond announcing "the PS Vita is a thing you can buy" is going to run the risk of confusing consumers.

Slow_Show

I don't understand why we aren't seeing Kevin Butler comercials about it. Have him insult the iPad and its touch screen only gaming or something. I think it would get people's attention. Why not throw the "it only does everything" tag onto it as well

[QUOTE="blue_hazy_basic"]My guess is they figure they will sell their initial launch supply without too much hassle and then begin advertising the crap out of the next wave when they have larger supply. Could be wrong considering how Sony have gone about this gen, just an opinion.HarlockJC

Where I live, there've been PSVita displays up in all the game shops and record shops, but no posters or TV spots. I don't know if people are asking about it in store.

Most the people buying the launch systems already know about it, through gaming websites and news. Its better to start the advertising about a month after its released. SilverSterls

lol dude, if there was a good marketing campaign then people who don't know about the Vita, (who don't visit gaming websites and see the news) would be informed and could turn into potential launch system buyers. Come on now :lol:

Makes sense to do a soft launch with the system coming out mid February at $249+ as they aren't going to see solid returns even with heavy advertising.

www.unlock.tacobell.com

Not sure if taco munchers have the stomach for Vitamins.

Sony has resigned to its destiny of becoming the next Sega.PS Vita was dead BEFORE arrival,only the hardcore Sony fanatics believed in the successor of the mighty PSP GO.

Most the people buying the launch systems already know about it, through gaming websites and news. Its better to start the advertising about a month after its released. SilverSterls

What's the Vita? New Sony console or something?Badosh

I see what you did there..

I'm sure at E3 it will be all about the Vita for Sony. I mean what is there to get exited about especially with the line up it has. I'm sure people who enjoy buying new tech and gadgets or portables will enjoy it. But I dont think its the best time to do a full marketing campaign.

Obviously, Nintendo bought out the media to not allow advertisements for the Vita.

Teh conspiracy! :o

Not much one can expect when they failed in the marketing for the past 3 systems they released.
*psp, ps3 and pspgo*

Yeah I think most people outside of the gaming internet community are going to be like "what's a Vita, and why is the thing so expensive?".

vita?

isnt that new mountain spring water they have at taco bell now?

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

Barsy7

the name alone is making hardcore gamers around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting it.

Why spend money on advertising something that has been given the official title of Flop by System Wars?

[QUOTE="Barsy7"]

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

KBFloYd

the name alone is making hardcore gameres around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting the vita.

Oh really:lol:

Both you and Barsy7 are acting like polar opposites to each other now.

[QUOTE="Barsy7"]

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

KBFloYd

the name alone is making hardcore gameres around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting the vita.

Should have named it Sex.

[QUOTE="Barsy7"]

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

KBFloYd

the name alone is making hardcore gamers around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting it.

Better name than wii or wiiu. Handheld gaming will be reborn.

[QUOTE="KBFloYd"]

[QUOTE="Barsy7"]

The price for the Vita is not expensive. If you are jobless I guess it would be. The hardcore crowd will eat the Vita up. Leave 3ds for the casuals.

Barsy7

the name alone is making hardcore gamers around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting it.

Better name than wii or wiiu. Handheld gaming will be reborn.

I really want to buy one but I don't want to get burned like when I brought Dreamcast.pppjjj

That makes no sense whatsoever.

[QUOTE="Barsy7"]

[QUOTE="KBFloYd"]

the name alone is making hardcore gamers around the world puke..

their bodies are rejecting it.

layton2012

Better name than wii or wiiu. Handheld gaming will be reborn.

Old line is old.

[QUOTE="layton2012"]Unnecessary comment is unnecessary.StrifeDelivery

Old line is old.

Quoted post is quoted.

and who in their right mind even wants their product associated with taco bell?

hey gamers! here is a big ol' mouthfull of shyt! now think about our game system!!!!

who's the brainiac that came up with that one?