Did Sony just admit that it nearly abandoned Vita?

It isn’t always possible to interpret interview answers with 100 per cent accuracy, but comments from Sony suggest that the Vita was nearly scrapped.

Oh yes, I mean, if that wasn’t the case I think we would have good reason to lose confidence in the device and shelve it,” UK Sony boss Fergal Gara told CVG when told that owners seem quite taken with the handheld. We’re nowhere close to that decision now.

There has been great positive feedback, but I want people to know that we do listen intently to the negative feedback too. We understand the drawbacks – it’s a bit expensive, also people expect multi-functionality on high-end mobile and portable devices, the content is expensive and a lot of people are used to getting free or cheap apps.

But I took a look at the UK figures the other day, and PS Vita is now selling for about 70 less than this time last year, and the games are getting cheaper too, and we’ve got a Mega-Pack program, which is eight to ten games and a memory stick rolled in for free, and we’ve seen that as an attractive proposition.

So we’re addressing these issues – and I should add that Remote Play will be free, and also the Instant Game Collection on PlayStation Plus gives people free games on PS3, PS4 and PS Vita.

So I think we’ve listened, we’re working hard, and that the value proposition is better now. It’s in much better shape.”