FIFA 12 Vita – No PS3 Save Transfer Capability

WTF is wrong with EA? I’m sure there is a very valid and reasonable explanation for EA not offering Vita-PS3-Vita game save transfer capabilities. EA is not rushing FIFA 12 to market quickly, delivering a sub-par handheld FIFA outing in order to capitalize on early Vita release opportunities.

EA must really care about their core target audience, and are showing a willingness to do anything to get the Vita version of FIFA 12 in the hands of demanding FIFA fans – because EA cares.

It would be a terrible precedent if all the first generation Vita sports franchises (looking at MLB: The Show, FIFA, and Madden) do not offer the ability to switch from console to portable gaming via game save transfers just to make an early release date. Thankfully MLB: The Show gets it and allows gamers to do just that:

Then there’s the hotly anticipated PS Vita version, which will mirror virtually every game feature, mode, and mechanic from the PS3 version and displays graphics that sparkle on the system’s 5’’ OLED screen. You’ll also be able to share your PS3 save files to the cloud, then pull them down on PS Vita and pick up your progress seamlessly.

Of course the San Diego (SCE) team behind the MLB: The Show franchise continues to push the boundaries on sports franchises. Following the same link from above, we learn:

… ultimately thought it made the most sense to recreate the entire PS3 experience on PS Vita. The Vita’s powerful enough to do that. So every single feature this year, from MLB 09, 10, 11, and 12 are all in the PS Vita version.

… research shows that handheld players play for 15 to 30 minutes, tops. We give you the ability to fast-play through a game by cutting out a lot of the presentation, the camera cuts, to shorten the length of games.

Unlike EA, Sony is going balls out with its franchise. I understand that time to market is important, but color me very disappointed with EA’s approach to FIFA 12 for the Vita.

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Sony Says No To Vita PSOne Support

To me it is a major bummer that the Vita, at least upon its initial release, will not support PSOne titles. Having 25+ digital PSOne classics, many of which were obtained via PS+, available gives me more options for my PSP and Vita.

Sure these games are old, but some of the RPGs are pure gold, and the catalog is too amazing to ignore, perfect for gaming on the go.

Hopefully Sony addresses in the very immediate future.

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3G Vita Looks Worse By The Day …

Thankfully I have the Wi-Fi and 3G orders on preorder. I say thankfully, because it is looking more and more like the 3G version is going to be an absolute dud.

The recent Japanese pricing plans look weak, and the announced 20mb file size download cap also looks suspect. Then again, maybe the cap is to make sure that everyone does not blow their monthly wad in one sitting.

I’ll keep both on preorder with Amazon until the official US AT&T 3G Vita rates and plans are announced.

Speaking of Amazon, I think I have Fire in my belly. I am strongly considering at least one Kindle Fire for the family in the guise of a Christmas present.

I know the Fire is a limited version of a full android, but that’s OK. I’ve been an Amazon Prime custom since day one, and this would just compliment the service and provide an easy extra household browsing option.

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PS3 HD Collections …

So far I have really enjoyed The Sly Collection; currently in the swamp on Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus. Getting past Muggshot to continue the game and earn the Silver “Giving The Dog A Bone” Trophy had to be one of the most frustrating gaming experience I can recall. Or maybe I am just getting too damn old for platforming games.

At any rate, I have to decide it I am going to double dip on the God of War Origins Collection which feature the two best games on the PSP – Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. Seeing these two titles in HD, with the added bonus of Trophies, may tempt me … maybe. If you have a PSP and you have never played these titles, for shame!

Rounding out the collection list is the Ico and Shadow of Colossus Collection; the official’ish Sony Blog just released some of the bonus content (videos and two dynamic themes) along with the Trophy list. I have had this on one pre-order since Thanksgiving weekend last year, so I am really looking forward to seeing this one arrive in late September.

While it is not a PS2 HD re-release collection, I thought I would add in one random PlayStation LifeStyle link. Pretty good article and strong reader comments on what XSeed will do with the PSP Ledgend of Heroes series. Me? At this point I am firmly committed to not purchase any more UMDs, although my 9 year-old a PSP … he is not into RPGs, much less JRPGs so I will probably miss out unless these somehow port to the PS3 or get a Vita release.

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Vita – No Go For Christmas 2011

At least in the US; I’m not sure why the Japanese region is considered to have a better (more complete) launch lineup. Maybe it is just a region thing where Sony does not consider it all that important to have a huge selection of quality games for a day one launch.

Quoting another PlayStation Lifestyle article, at least one analyst believes that doom and gloom are in store for Sony if they do not adjust the price accordingly to be more competitive with their straight-up competition (i.e. Nintendo 3DS).

I don’t really have any concerns over the price, but I think Sony does need to have a long hard look at the other competition. It is not as if I need PCMag or Bloomberg to point out the obvious, but just for shits and giggles …

Bloomberg reported that Hirai said that Sony will not lower the price of the Vita to keep up with competitors.
The elephant in the room, however, remains the wealth of mobile gaming apps that have sprung up for the Apple iOS and Android platforms. Reports from Flurry and others have suggested that gamers are enamored with low-price, “freemium” games for their phones and tablets, that they can upgrade with in-app purchases.

To this end, Sony will really have to look at the price structure for Minis and PSOne Classics, as those can be the driver for competitive trash apps; at least in the case of Minis.

I could see this being the last generation of dedicated portable gaming hardware. I only hope that Sony moves enough Vitas for it to be well supported for at least 5 years.

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Eurogamer – Andrew House Interview

Much like any other gamer interested in the Vita, I have been searching high and low for any news or rumors about the Vita. Two important points I would like to see clarified ASAP – 3G data plan (required, options, etc) and battery life.

Eurogamer has a nice interview with Sony’s Andrew House, and while this particular interview did not directly answer the two aforementioned questions, it does give a glimmer of hope to the Vita having decent battery life.

Eurogamer: What battery life are we looking at for Vita?

Andrew House: I haven’t seen specifics on battery life. But I would say the absence of a disc-playing mechanism is very helpful in terms of conserving battery life. And then an OLED screen. Beyond the beauty of the screen itself, one of its prime attractions is it’s extremely energy efficient.

Or maybe I am just reading too much into things, but the damn thing better last more than a handful of hours. I hate the concept of embedded batteries; I hope this sucker has a seriously long lifecycle.

The interview has a few other interesting questions about the Vita’s pricing structure, data security, and the future of the PS3; definitely worth a read.

In other news, the SCEA has posted a fairly worthless Vita FAQ, which really does a piss poor job of answering some important questions.

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PS Vita Preordered

I preordered a PS Vita from Amazon last night after checking to see if the preorder page was finally up. It was, so I did the needful.

I opted to go with the Wi-Fi version because I have not seen any indications yet how AT&T will price Vita’s 3G offering. Saving $50 bucks, also means an extra game, but the appeal of having connectivity wherever I have AT&T connectivity is very strong.

Unfortunately I doubt AT&T will offer a one-time use fee, or a standard flat rate; best guess is on some sort of bandwidth tier similar to current smart phone plans. I really do not need another monthly bill of any sort.

What I do need is to get my wife a new phone next month for her birthday, and since we are already planning to switch off the T-Mobile network, which pretty much sucks in our area, the timing of a switch to AT&T for upcoming Vita support is in our (well mine anyway) sweet spot.

I’ve been tempted to get my wife an iPhone; although she would not utilize all the features, I am sure my boys will! If AT&T does some sort of bundled offering for multiple devices (I don’t think they currently do this) I would switch to AT&T in preparations for a 3G Vita Christmas.

More to come as events and launch games unfold.

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Enter PlayStation Vita

Today at Sony’s E3 press conference, the formerly named NGP was officially unveiled as the PS Vita. I have not read any other options, new stories, etc … after the conference ended, taking the dog out for a quick walk, and putting my oldest son to bed (coincidentally, he is now lusting for a PS Vita), I am just now quickly putting words to ‘print’.

My initial thoughts? I already knew that the Vita would be feature rich (call it sexy hardware), but I kept asking what about the price point? We now know that the Vita is being released in time for the 2011 Holiday season in two models. $249.99 for Wi-Fi only, and $299.99 for G3 with Wi-Fi. The 3G model is being exclusively partnered with AT&T.

I am actually OK with the price; I think I remember paying $249.99 for my PSP day-one bundle several years ago. So it cost as much as a traditional console; but who f’ing cares because it is a really great portable gaming system. Well, at least it has the potential to be wonderful, if developers are able to get their arms around the specs and do the needful. Seems like we went down this same path a few years ago with the PS3, but I do have high hopes for the Vita.

Speaking of bundles, one of the biggest auxiliary questions I have surrounding that Vita is will major retailers such as Amazon force consumers into purchasing stupid bundle packages in order to move ridiculous products and subpar games that would never sell on their own merits? I hate bundles, which is why I abandon GameStop and EBGames several years ago, but that is an entirely different rant for another day.

The initial Vita games look amazing, but I do have a few questions. First, what happens to my PSN PSP purchases (digital PSP games, PSOne classics, comics, minis, etc)? Second, for titles playable on the PS3 and Vita, do consumers have to purchase two full priced SKUs, or will some sort of discount or bundle (i.e. buy the PS3 SKU, get the Vita version for free or with a $10 coupon … or some such)? Third, what will be the typical MSRP for Vita games? Are we talking $29, $39? Higher? Will Sony continue to run with the minis concept to compete with the dime a dozen $0.99 entrants for the iTouch/iPad?

I actually did have more than those three plus questions, but I am nuts out tired, so these two will have to do for tonight.

PS+ subscribers will be interested in the use of a ‘cloud’ service for Vita game saves, which can be loaded on the PS3. This implies that the PS+ exclusive service is about to go mainstream, at least to Vita owners.

I am a portable gaming fan, so I am ‘in’ because I can live with the price point. I also really like the concept, the initial quality games, and of course the hardware. 3G or Wi-Fi only? Not sure, but I do like the idea of going 3G … just not so sure about being locked in with AT&T.

Can’t wait to see how the Vita develops over the next few days at E3.

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