Sony says Vita was 'developed for PS4, much more than PS3'

PlayStation UK boss thinks new console has given the handheld "a shot in the arm"

The underperforming Vita was primarily developed as a companion device for PS4 rather than PS3, according to Sony Computer Entertainment UK managing director Fergal Gara.


Excluding games that support specific hardware like PS4 Eye, all PS4 titles will be required to support via Remote play, a mandate that wasn't in place for PS3, and one which helps give the handheld a much needed "shot in the arm", the PlayStation executive told Gamesindustry international

"[Vita] is a very worthy and better successor to PSP," Gara said. "Where it's been difficult has been proving the companion status for PlayStation 3. The fact is it was developed for PS4, much more than PS3.
"The number of things we could demonstrate and prove was limited - there's been some good examples - but now we go into the PS4 era, that companion device will look far more clear. We're optimistic it's got a lot more legs left in it and the PS4 has given it a shot in the arm."
Gara added: "When you consider something like Watch Dogs will be available for PS Vita via the Remote Play functionality it's very exciting. And the fact the PS4 is coming out at a well-received price point means it's not out of the question to own both."
As part of its full-year financial briefing in May, Sony published annual Playstation hardware sales forecast for the current business year, which included an expected decline in the adoption of its portable systems.

The company forecast a combined total of just five million Vita and PSP sales during the period. That compares unfavourably to seven million handheld sales reported for the business year ended April 2013, itself down from Sony's initial projection of 16 million units.
Asked if Sony launched Vita too early, Gara told GI: "That might be a point worth reflecting on in a year or two's time and maybe we'll be answering that as yes. It's a little early to judge, certainly if it takes off now than we'll reflect on it."


Source - CVG.