Gaming Forums > General Gaming
PlayStation Vita TV -- Say what!?
ejamer:
Wow, now that's an interesting piece of news.
It's covered on a bunch of websites, and more information is rolling out slowly since the reveal this morning, so I'll assume people get details elsewhere... but the short story is a set-top box that plays Vita games (and compatible PSP/PSOne Classics, minus any games with touch-based controls) on your TV for a sweet $100.
Sony fanboys are pretty much creaming themselves at the announcement, but I've got some questions before getting too excited.
* Which games offer full screen video? With PSP TV-out features, there was some serious letterboxing going on for PSP games while PSOne Classics were full-screen. Hopefully Vita TV won't suffer the same fate.
* Will touch support be added later when PS4 controllers are available?
* What are the plans for video steaming? Netflix capability alone would almost justify the cost of this box in our household - surely Sony understands the value in making this box a cheap steaming option.
* How long will it take to improve Vita backwards compatibility? Right now there are more PSP/PSOne Classic games that aren't compatible than the other way around. Sony hasn't made quick progress on making old content playable.
* When will it get released in North America?Despite my reservations, this is a pretty cool bit of news. Anyone else excited to hear more about the new hardware?
Ceric:
First off. F U Sony. Seriously you couldn't have announced this stuff Saturday before we recorded NFR 23.
Now that is out of the way. I think this is a clever move by Sony. I also think that it should have been released last Year.
Honestly if its DLNA Compliant and does Netflix. I have a use for this. Well, did have a use for it. Now not so much with the PS4 coming out. I'll move my PS3 but I did have a use for it.
--- Quote from: ejamer on September 09, 2013, 09:51:34 AM ---
* Will touch support be added later when PS4 controllers are available?
--- End quote ---
Thats a big question I had as well. I would surely hope so since its suppose to be able to stream PS4 Games plus it could mimick the Vita's own touch system.
Now another question would be if this ups the bar enough to have Nintendo make a 3DS Player for WiiU. This is also an interesting solution to the 1 PS4 Multiple TVs problem but if its your main Media hub you probably still be SOL when you want to play in another room. At least you can still Stream Netflix and play PSN/Vita game.
Hey Einstein!:
When I saw it I couldn't help thinking of the 0DS mock up
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18yhov1wf0ysopng/original.png
I love how Nintendo and Sony are now locked in a race to downgrade their portable hardware as much s possible. I guess after getting rid of the screen and battery the next thing to go will be the controls.
BUT SERIOUSLY: I think it's a actually a brilliant idea for a budget console. It's similar to the android micro consoles but from a house hold name in consumer electronics and with decent controls plus an infinitely better software library (not counting emulators of course).
If you've got PS+ and are stacking up the Vita games in your download library but don't have the actuall console this would be a very cheap way of enjoying a lot of pretty good titles. There is a list somewhere of what games will be compatible (sounds like the lack of micro phone and touch is here to stay). Add that to the PS4 remote play function and I think it's very interesting gadget. Heck there must be a small market for screen capture enthusiasts alone.
I doubt it'll be that successful though. People aren't queuing up to play the Vita as it is and the price of PS3 keeps falling. I know I'd rather have access to the PS3 library then the Vita's. And I don't think there is any evidence of micro consoles doing well outside their kick starter campaigns yet.
It'll certainly be interesting to watch this play out.
Ceric:
--- Quote from: Hey Einstein! on September 09, 2013, 10:42:57 AM ---...
I guess after getting rid of the screen and battery the next thing to go will be the controls.
...
--- End quote ---
To late. Vita TV doesn't have controllers of its own. Danny Biven confirmed their patching in the PS4 controller and it currently uses the PS3 Controller.
ejamer:
--- Quote from: Hey Einstein! on September 09, 2013, 10:42:57 AM ---... It's similar to the android micro consoles ...
--- End quote ---
Everyone is making this comparison, but I'm not entirely sold on it being an "Ouya Killer" like people are saying... it's targeting a different market. In my mind the Ouya and other android micro consoles are for people who want to tinker with PC-on-TV features, create and/or publish their own content, and have a geeky little time-waster. The PS Vita TV is more of a streaming box with real gaming attached. If successful, I could see this being a "Roku Killer" much more than an "Ouya Killer"... although accessibility will probably end up being key and not including a cheap remote in the $100 package seems odd.
Maybe I'm way off on this call though.