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Wednesday, 21st December 2011
In Japan Entertainment News,
Sony defends PS Vita glitches as 325,000 sell in opening weekend
Japanese gamers rushed to stores this weekend to snap up Sony's eagerly anticipated PS Vita, the sequel to their popular PSP (PlayStation Portable) device.
Around 325,000 units flew off the shelves in Japan, marking a successful weekend's business for the Tokyo-based technology firm, the Guardian reported.
Sony has been forced to deny rumours that the device is suffering from widespread problems however, with stories appearing on the internet claiming that there are endemic software glitches blighting the 25,000 Yen (£205) piece of kit.
The computer game giant has acknowledged that some PS Vita owners are experiencing problems, but has come out fighting amid rumours that problems are as ingrained as the 'red ring of death', which Microsoft was forced to contend with when its Xbox 360 hit stores.
A statement on Sony's Japanese website apologises for the time it is taking consumers to get through to its contact centre, while providing answers to some frequently asked questions relating to the problems users are facing.
Head of UK PR at Sony Computer Entertainment, David Wilson, said: "The PS Vita has had a terrific launch and sold in large numbers," the newspaper quoted.
"We're annoyed with these stories, because we can't find any evidence of widespread glitches.
"The stories even said that Sony has issued an apology for PS Vita glitches, which simply isn't true – there's an apology on our Japanese website for people who are having trouble getting through to our technical help line, but that's it."
Users are reportedly being hit with frozen screens and an inability to log in or register their account, while some PS Vitas are thought to be unwilling to power up.
Gamers in Japan were able to choose from a range of 24 different games when the PS Vita hit the shelves, and Sony is hoping that this success will help the new handheld console compete with Nintendo's 3DS, which shipped some 371,000 units in its debut weekend.
Written by Mark Smith
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
