The games to convince you about Vita are coming, says Sony

Many players, publishers and developers have – publicly, or in private – written Sony’s PS Vita handheld off as an expensive mistake and a big missed opportunity.

Sony Computer Entertainment’s UK chief Fergal Gara says that the console is far from dead and that this Christmas period should see increased sales as “key” software is released.

“We would love it to be selling more and we intend to make it sell more and help it sell a lot more,” said Gara. “The feedback from many consumers who’ve got their hands on it is positive – so that’s a very good start.

“The key thing for the rest of the year is the key software drive for the console so as we look towards September, LittleBigPlanet, that really is taking the concept on another level because of the Vita functionality. And of course the other key big third party IPs – Call of Duty, FIFA, Assassin’s Creed – will do tremendous things for the Vita. So it’s our job now to take that strength of software and give people more reasons to buy.

“I think we haven’t quite hit the spot with the killer software just yet and I have every reason to think that will happen in the next few months.”

Of course, while LittleBigPlanet, Fifa and co appearing on the console is nice, they’re hardly what I’d consider killer apps. All of the games mentioned above are established home console franchises, what the Vita needs is more exclusive games and IPs designed purely for the handheld.

It’s odd that Sony has spent so much recent time talking about new franchises for the PS3, but continues to push recycled stock on the Vita. Will the Assassin’s Creed Vita Bundle push the console into the number of hands Sony would like it to? No, I can’t see why it would.