Sony: PS Vita Will Not be Ready by Christmas

Sony Corp. Executive Vice President Kazuo Hirai said on Thursday that the PlayStation Vita won't go on sale in Japan until the end of the year. That means we won't see the unit until early next year. Hirai didn't label the new release schedule as an actual delay, but instead stated that the company wants a solid software offering when the hardware launches.

According to Sony, the PlayStation Vita will cost $249 USD / 24,980 yen for the Wi-Fi-only version, and $299 USD / 29,980 yen for the 3G version. Starting August 11, the Nintendo 3DS will cost 15,000 yen in Japan and $169.99 USD here in the States on August 12. Given the sudden price hack, does Sony plan to reduce the PlayStation Vita pricetag before it lands on store shelves?

“We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable,” Hirai told reporters at Sony's Tokyo headquarters. “There is no need to lower the price just because somebody else that happens to be in the video game business decided that they were going to lower their price.”

Guess that's a big no.

Hirai didn't say exactly when the PlayStation Vita will arrive in the States and Europe, only stating “early next year,” but the Associated Press didn't even feel confident that Hirai's “end of the year in Japan” comment even indicated that the hardware would be ready by Christmas. Still, one thing's for certain: Sony will miss a key marketing window in the States by delaying the release until after the holidays. Would the 3DS have done better had it launched in the November/December holiday season window? Probably.

Hirai said that once the PlayStation Vita launches in Japan, the console's shipment schedule will enter into a phased rollout for the other territories.
source: 2DayBlog.com