While I think they are using games as a scapegoat, he's not wrong. Gamers dont have a leg to stand on here with the general non-gamer populace who dont care about games. They will look at stuff like Gears of War, Dead Space, etc. and say "Good riddance."
Microsoft is the one that will have to shift to a first-party emphasis. Sony has been relying mostly on first-party games for this entire console generation. They had to because they lost third-party support early.
Tablets will never be the console gaming experience on the go, unless you want games that require people to carry a controller with them everywhere. Making games that can function in touch screen mode or controller might be an option, but will likely limit what can be done. Touch screen gaming cant come close to a controller based games. Ironically, something like the Vita is the only way this will ever happen.
Why should a Vita compete in the price range of a Nexus tablet? Its a far superior gaming device and it does have a very good game catalog. Maybe reviewers should then start reviewing its games vs other mobile offerings instead of picking them apart for not measuring up to their console counterparts. You cant have it both ways. Vita's price is actually not bad. The memory cards are the issue. They could stick with their $250 bundles except substitute a 16GB card for the current 4GB card offered. That would be a big step up and solve their pricing issues.
Great article, Tom. I would also add that Xbox Live makes it difficult for them to implement MMOs. Sony has been very successful with DCUO on PS3. FF14 didnt work out. I'm not sure how Dust 514 is doing. Their problems are more because of the gameplay than the fact they are MMOs. Home has also been a very successful venture for Sony. Paying for online connectivity is definitely archaic. I dont see it changing anytime soon though. All MS has to do is put out another Halo, and people will shell out for Live subscriptions.
Tablets are the 5th wheel of electronic devices as far as functionality. They literally do nothing you cant do on a laptop or smart phone. They have limited functionality compared to a laptop. They dont game as well as a 3DS or Vita either. So now you have the solution...a laptop in tablet form. I have no issue with this. In fact, I would go as far to say this is a look at the future of portable computing.
If this thing runs iTunes, Steam, Visual Studio, etc. Im sold. Yes its basically like a laptop, but one the size of a tablet with ultimate portability. I heard it ran Civ V when they demoed it this summer. I'd buy this over an iPad even if it is twice as expensive.
These are amazing deals. If anyone is looking for one of these, they'd be crazy to pass it up. Especially the PS3 deal with Uncharted 1 and 2 plus Infamous 1 and 2.
-ArchAngeL-777-'s comments