Sony: report on developers cancelling Vita projects for 3DS 'largely exaggerated'
On the defensive
Sony Worldwide Studios US boss Scott Rhode has labelled a report suggesting that Japanese developers are cancelling Vita projects in favour of 3DS development "largely exaggerated".
Rhode's comment came in response to a story Japanese gaming site Nikkei ran which contained the following quote from an anonymous industry insider: "Major Japanese companies are cancelling all projects intended for the Vita and are changing development to the 3DS."
As is to be expected from a company head faced with such provocative words, Rhode quickly stepped in to dispel these rumours.
"I did not see that quote, but you see extremist quotes like that all the time," Rhode said in conversation with Gamasutra.
"I know many, many, many third party developers and publishers are feverishly working on Vita titles, not just for now, but for the foreseeable future."
Slug it outWhat Rhode can't deny is that the Vita has struggled somewhat to captivate the Japanese gaming audience since launching in December.
Sales of Sony's powerhouse portable have been sluggish in Japan, with the new handheld being routinely outsold by both the 3DS and the Vita's older brother, the PSP.
The Vita is due to launch in Europe and North America next week, with over 20 titles available on day one.
