Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

USA Today

What's PlayStation Vita got that my smartphone doesn't?

Sales of dedicated handheld systems have declined even as more Americans play video games. About 135 million people play at least one hour a month, up from 58 million in 2008, according to the research firm Park Associates.

Though computers and traditional home consoles remain the most popular devices, younger players prefer mobile phones, the firm says in a recent report. And three-fourths of those who own tablets play games on them.

Handheld systems have a market "for the time being," says Parks Associates research analyst Pietro Macchiarella. "As long as handhelds manage to deliver unique experiences, there will be room for them on the market."

From the article, "What's PlayStation Vita got that my smartphone doesn't?" by Mike Snider

Previously In The News

Cutting the Cord: Expanding options for watching online video

Already more than half (57%) of the 120 million-plus U.S. broadband homes subscribe to an OTT video service, according to research firm Parks Associates. Just as cable programming went niche in...

Social networking goes gaming

That also gets the more than 40 million homes with Internet-connected game systems "to turn on their consoles on a daily basis," says Michael Cai of Parks Associates, a Dallas-based research firm....

Simpsons' hype tries for a homer with ads

Four-fifths of gamers notice ads while playing video games, according to a report that ad seller Double Fusion will release today. The group tracked eye movements of 100 video game players. It al...

Apple's iPhone sets the tone,

The iPhone could stimulate competition among providers and help drive the overall growth of mobile entertainment, analysts say. Mobile TV revenues are expected to increase from $400 million in the U...