Sony Lower PlayStation Vita Sales Forecast A Third Time

Sony have lowered their estimated sales forecast for the PlayStation Vita for a third time. In an earnings report for the company’s third quarter (ended Dec. 31st, 2012), Sony mentioned that they now expect to sell 7 million PSP and PlayStation Vita devices combined by March 31st, 2013.

In 2012, Sony initially forecast that they would sell 10 million PlayStation Vita and 6 million PSP devices, for a total of 16 million, by the end of March 2013. Then, in August, they revised that forecast down to 12 million PSPs and Vitas combined, without specifying an individual figure for each. Later, in November, they revised the forecast a second time, down to 10 million combined.

Sony’s earnings report reads:

In the digital imaging and the game businesses, which are positioned as core areas of the electronics businesses along with the mobile businesses, the shrinking market for compact digital cameras, due to the expansion of the smartphone market, and the slow penetration of the PlayStation Vita portable entertainment platform are recognized as particularly important issues.

 

Sony is working to improve profitability through reinforcement of its high value added products that are differentiated by the use of highly competitive image sensors developed by Sony. In the game business, Sony is working to expand sales and operating income through the introduction of an attractive software lineup and through offering game software on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Sony’s forecast for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 sales remains the same, at 16 million devices combined by the end of March.