Unboxing Asia

Hana Stewart Smith

Sony struggles with PlayStation Vita teething issues in Japan

By | December 20, 2011, 12:08pm PST

Summary: Sony has already sold over 300,000 PlayStation Vita units within only days of release. But users are reporting glitches with the console, with Sony issuing an official apology.

Sony has issued an official apology on their website following a barrage of complaints over their new release, the PlayStation Vita.

After a successful launch this weekend, Sony’s new handheld is already having a few issues, with users reporting freezing, crashes and some consoles failing to boot up at all.

Sony sold 321,400 units in its first two days of release: twice the amount their first handheld console — the PlayStation Portable — sold on initial release.

Japanese Vita buyers have taken their complaints to social networking sites, reporting a variety of glitches on the new consoles.

Users are posting videos of the glitches on YouTube, and Twitter has also seen a large number of disgruntled posters.

Sony was quick to tackle these teething issues, already posting a system update for the Vita to remedy some of the glitches.

In the translated official statement, Sony confirmed that there have been issues with the console: “Currently our information centre are receiving many inquiries. We apologise if your phone isn’t connected straight away”.

The statement also makes suggestions for how users might be able to fix the issues themselves: “Some issues regarding PlayStation Vita can be addressed by simple procedures at home”.

A set of questions and answers are included in the statement to provide users with advice for their consoles.

The PlayStation Vita is set to launch in the U.S. and Europe on the February 22nd.

Western buyers can take comfort that in the next few months Sony will be able to identify and begin fixing issues with the consoles before they get their hands on it.

“I don’t think Sony would like to describe Japan as a test-run, but it does give them an opportunity to fix problems with the consoles,” said Christopher Dring, writer for video games industry magazine MCV.

Related:

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Topics

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo.

Disclosure

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana Stewart-Smith's mother is presently employed by IBM UK. No other existing or potential conflicts to report; this information will be updated whenever deemed necessary.

Biography

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo. After recognising that a degree in both English Literature and Film is, in fact, two parts unnecessary and useless, Hana decided that a change in pace was in order. With a lifelong passion for writing and a healthy fear/ fascination with technology, the next logical step was to move to Japan and surround herself with terrifying tech and a complete absence of the English language. She'll let you know how that venture works out.

Related Discussions on TechRepublic

Did you know you can take part in these discussions with your ZDNet membership?
2
Comments

Join the conversation!

Just In

RE: Sony struggles with PlayStation Vita teething issues in Japan
TechGuyChris 20th Dec
@klumper

Racists are the lowest class of all people.
lock them in a padded room for a week with pizza and sushi (and maybe Kirin on the final day), and let them have at it like maniacs to work out the kinks? I don't get it.
@klumper

Racists are the lowest class of all people.

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
ie8 fix