Wed, Dec 21, 2011 | 14:56 GMT
Sony: ‘No mass Vita problems, we haven’t apologised’
Sony hasn’t apologised for any technical problems with Vita, the company has told the Guardian, and has denied that the newly-launched handheld is experiencing widespread difficulties at all.
It was widely reported that Sony had apologised on its Japanese site for technical problems being seen with the machine, which included a lack of responsiveness and trouble powering the unit off and on.
The entire story’s hokum, SCE UK PR boss David Wilson said today.
“The PS Vita has had a terrific launch and sold in large numbers. 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.
“And there’s a page showing standard procedures for powering the PS Vita on and off, which has been on our site since before the launch, which has been presented in some news stories as a means of solving the alleged glitches.”
Several videos are circulating clearly showing Vita units with locking issues, and the Guardian piece says Sony acknowledges “that a few new PS Vita owners may have experienced isolated malfunctions”.
Vita has reportedly sold in the region of 325,000 units since launching at the weekend.
Many sites, including the BBC and VG247, have reported that Sony has apologised for technical issues related to the machine.
Rocket News appears to be the main source for the freezing reports, coupled with the videos you can see below.
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Posted in: Sony, Vita
Tags: david wilson, freezing
15 comments
#1
Dragon246
21/12/11, 3:52 pm
Just a few videos and the whole world feels vita is cheap quality. Sound like Sony (and vita) bashing and nothing else.
#2
Joe Musashi
21/12/11, 4:21 pm
“Widely reported” is a cunning term, isn’t it?
JM
#3
Patrick Garratt
21/12/11, 4:23 pm
It certainly was widely reported. Just seems that it wasn’t actually true
#4
DrDamn
21/12/11, 4:48 pm
It’s almost like Sony shouldn’t be the ones apologising here …
#5
Aimless
21/12/11, 4:56 pm
@4 Well, there are Vita units out there with issues. I think they just want to get in front of reports that they’re widespread as opposed to the single digit percentage failure rates that all technology is victim to.
Not to say the machine doesn’t have widespread issues as that sort of thing generally doesn’t become clear for a few weeks, although I wouldn’t look at the odd defective unit as cause for concern.
#6
DrDamn
21/12/11, 5:01 pm
@5
Well quite. The situation isn’t clear. My point was more that after reporting factually incorrect stories websites rarely take the step to apologise. At the very least I’d expect the original article to be updated with this information.
#7
Patrick Garratt
21/12/11, 5:08 pm
I’ve updated our original story – http://www.vg247.com/2011/12/20/sony-apologises-for-vita-launch-day-problems/
#8
JokersUav
21/12/11, 5:18 pm
What I like is that during the master reset on both videos, they keep slightly lifting their finger up so they do not completely hold it down long enough for it to reset. As to show its completely frozen when in fact its not. Hardware freezes sometimes. My pc does, my android phone does, my iphone, ipad,xbox,ps3,tv,router,modem,air conditioner, things freeze wouldnt goes as far to say as the product is defective because of two videos freezing one time.
#9
OrbitMonkey
21/12/11, 5:31 pm
Nintendo smear ninjas strike again!! Or was it Apple assassin’s spreading the FUD?
#10
Aimless
21/12/11, 5:49 pm
@9 Nintendo’s counter to the Vita wasn’t a smear attack, it was releasing Monster Hunter 3G.
#11
Moonwalker1982
21/12/11, 6:00 pm
It’s typical of the internet to go completely nuts and exeggerate it as much as possible. Good on Sony if their story is true.
#12
Ireland Michael
21/12/11, 6:08 pm
Internet in “Poorly researched news” shocker.
More at 11!
#13
MutamixBubblypots
21/12/11, 7:55 pm
Wow there’s a lot of Sony fanboys on this site. I’m very skeptical of companies especially Sony. They usually sell underpowered stuff at marked up price, of course Nintendo did the same thing with the 3DS. I guess they’re learning from the best, Apple.
#14
OrbitMonkey
21/12/11, 8:14 pm
^ Theirs a lot of fanboys for all the consoles and pc formats… It’s a videogame enthusiast website. Duh.
Though please keep stating the obvious if it keeps you smugly stiff
#15
2EX08
21/12/11, 10:56 pm
I said it before and I will say it again: sabotage!
If this article is true then that means…
I CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE!!! LOL!
http://www.vg247.com:80/2011/12/19/vita-didnt-sell-out-in-japan/#comment-345248