Welcome to the August edition of the VSM. This month we'll cover some interesting news concerning PlayStation, as well as discussing rumors of the Vita being discontinued, while of course covering sales and upcoming titles. Now, let's get to it.

Console War Coverage Again*

For the next two or three editions we'll cover only two weeks of sales in order to maintain sales figures accuracy.

May 24 - 30th
PS4 - 142,853 (-18%)
XBox One - 65,841 (-8%)
Wii U - 58,193 (
+118%)

PS3 - 19,930 (-2%)
XBox 360 - 11,059 (No Change)
Wii - 1,208 (-3%)

PS Vita - 39,145 (
+8%)

The PS4 leads the week with almost 80,000 more sales than XBox One, despite dropping eighteen percent in weekly sales, while XBox One leads the Wii U by roughly 7,000 despite the Wii U's massive 118% jump in weekly sales.

The PS3 leads last gen sales by just under 9,000, and the 360 leads the Wii by almost 10,000.

The PlayStation Vita climbs eight percent, selling over 39,000 units. Not too shabby.


May 31st - June 6th
PS4 - 134,123 (-6%)
Wii U - 65,581 (+13%)
XBox One - 62,089 (-6%)

PS3 - 18,622 (-7%)
XBox 360 - 10,719 (-3%)
Wii - 1,098 (-9%)

PS Vita 34,768 (-11%)

The PS4 leads the second place XBox...wait...Wii U??? Yes, second place Wii U is led by the PS4 by roughly 69,000, while the Wii U surpasses the XBox One in sales by around 3,500.

The PS3 leads the 360 in sales by just under 8,000, and the 360 leads the Wii by just over 9,600.

The Vita drops eleven percent, but still sells over 34,000 systems this week.

*totals do not include used system sales


Software Sales*

May 24th - 30th
PS4 - 1,154,494 (-40%)
XBox One - 508,698 (
-31%)
Wii U - 603,591 (
+232%)

PS3 - 816,697 (
+7%)
XBox 360 - 646,710 (
+12%)
Wii - 250,647 (
+10%)

PS Vita 169,956 (
+2%)


May 31st - June 6th
PS4 - 893,222 (
-23%)
Wii U - 471,022 (
-22%)
XBox One - 401,051 (
-21%)

PS3 - 752,510 (
-8%)
XBox 360 - 594,540 (
-8%)
Wii - 246,540 (
-2%)

PS Vita 161,644 (
-5%)

*totals do not include used games


Upcoming PS3 Games

My apologies for the simplistic game list, but I had to replace the previous list in a hurry, as I realized I accidentally posted next month's games. Next month I'll repost the previous list.

August 11th
Goat Simulator

August 18th
The Bridge
Helldivers: Super-Earth Ultimate Edition (PS4 disc with PS3/Vita digital codes)

Escape Plan Bravo

August 25th
Madden NFL 16
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
Steins;Gate

August 30th
Disney Infinity 3.0


Upcoming PS4 Games

August 4th
Yu-Gi-Oh: Legacy of the Duelist
Galak-Z
Submerged

August 11th
Actual Sunlight
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
Gauntlet: Slayer Edition
Goat Simulator

August 11
Toy Soldiers: War Chest

August 14th
Christopher Brookmyre's Bedlam

August 18th
The Adventures of Pip
The Bridge
Curses 'N' Chaos
Helldivers: Super-Earth Ultimate Edition (PS4 disc with PS3/Vita digital codes)
Pure Hold 'Em

August 18th
Volume

August 19th
Zombi

August 20th
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Beta

August 21st
Risen 3: Enhanced Edition

August 25th
Ascendant
Calvino Noir
Capsule Force
Dishonored: Definitive Edition
I am Bread
Madden NFL 16
Mega Man Legacy Collection
Nova-111
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
Shutshimi
Until Dawn
VVVVVV

August 30th
Disney Infinity 3.0



Upcoming PS Vita Games

August 11th
Actual Sunlight

August 18th
The Bridge
Curses 'N' Chaos

Resident Evil Revelations 2
Volume

August 25th
Amnesia: Memories
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
Shutshimi
Steins;Gate
VVVVVV


PlayStation News and Rumors

PS4 Software update 3.0 enters beta testing
You might feel as though it hasn't been that long since the last PS4 OS update, and you would be correct. However Sony has announced that the newest software patch is already in the testing phase, and is allowing a limited number of users to beta test the new PS4 software update. They're being fairly tight lipped about what to expect from it, but here's to hoping for folder creation.

Release date
To the best of my knowledge, Sony has not announced an intended release date yet, which is understandable. They're just now entering the beta phase and are allowing a few lucky users to help shape the features, so there's no telling how long it could take. I personally am in no hurry (but I am excited), because the longer it takes, the more features they can cram in and perfect.

However, we do know that beta testing begins on September 2nd, and sign ups were opened to the general public. While I can't guarantee that they're still accepting applications, feel free to check this post to find a link to apply for beta testing. As an added note, this post was found on blog.eu.playstation so it may not be available to users outside of the EU.


Vita is dead: truth or rumor?
It's a rumor that pops up every few months that Sony is discontinuing the Vita, but quite probably it hadn't been so wide spread before as it has been since this past May. But is it true?

Where the idea came from
The whole buzz for the rumor this time was based on a statement Andrew House made during a meeting with investors. House referred to the PS Vita as "a legacy system", which apparently translates into "we're killing the Vita" in modern gamer speak.

There is however another school of thought on this comment. I myself immediately concluded this, so I know many others must have as well before I even heard about it. What is one of the Vita's big selling points to it's Western customers? It has a wide range of classic games that made the PlayStation brand what it is today. From Tomb Raider to Dino Crisis, from Need for Speed to Gran Turismo, the Vita runs many classic titles from the PSX, PS2, and PSP. Titles that we grew up loving are now all available in their original form right in the palms of our hands. Could this be what "a legacy system" meant? Or perhaps it even meant that the Vita was ground breaking in the handheld market and paved the way for the next step in the handheld market's path? Either would be true.

Sony pulls support of multiple Vita apps and kills PS Mobile
The next step in the building of this rumor's momentum was the report that a couple of the Vita's apps (which sadly included the YouTube app) had been pulled. This naturally led people to assume the rumor was true and that Sony was slowly killing off the Vita. Then PS Mobile was killed. It begins sounding more and more convincing all the time.

Sony denied it from day one
The moment word began spreading that Andrew House had said the Vita was being offed, Sony stepped up and quickly denied. But can we trust that it isn't just a company covering their tracks? Perhaps House made a mistake and spilled the beans too early. But then, is it smart business to deny these rumors only to shut down abruptly a few months later? It would be bad PR, to be certain.

Recent word from Shawn Layden, SCEA's CEO
And here it is, a firm answer from Sony on the matter. In an interview with Forbes, Shawn Layden was quoted as saying "...it's certainly a very vital and vibrant platform in the crucial Japan and Asia markets. So, yeah, we're still in the Vita business."

So here we have Mr. Layden saying that the Vita is not only still very much a part of PlayStation's business, but also a crucial part of their business still.

Further the link below reveals that there are roughly 100 Vita games scheduled for this year. Also at E3, a full month after the comment by Andrew House Sony played a reel of upcoming Vita releases. Why plug a system that's being discontinued as of one month ago?

So it stands to reason that Sony has no plans to discontinue the Vita, as they would be cutting themselves out of an entire region's worth of profits if they did. It may be worth noting that they also filed with the FCC for a device that appears to be another Vita model, though it could be a new handheld entirely, but such isn't likely.


Click here to see the full article referenced above


PS Plus Free Games For August AND September, Plus Huge Discounts On Many Games

The following games are free for all PS+ members through the first week of September. Be sure to drop in and pick them up!
https://youtu.be/PbNN6X-vYNY

If you're not interested in seeing the video (which includes snippets of gameplay), here's a summary.
PS4:
Lara Croft and The Temple of Osiris
LIMBO

PS3:
God of War Ascension
Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

PS Vita:
Castlestorm Complete Edition
Sound Shapes



Below is a reel of games that will be available to PS+ members next month. Be sure to check it out if you have a PS3,PS4, or PS Vita!
https://youtu.be/5uTu4Q5ZZ2I
And again, if the videos aren't for you, here's the written list.
PS4
Grow Home
Super Time Force Ultra
Xeodrifter
Teslagrad

PS3:
Twisted Metal
Teslagrad

PS Vita:
Xeodrifter
LA Mulana Ex

And if by some off chance you are an active part of the PlayStation community but still haven't heard about it, this month marked the beginning of Vote To Play, a service that allows PS4 owners to vote on one of the free games for the month (this month Grow Home won). But never fear, the trolls are still complaining about the free games they get. Did you really doubt that would happen?

But what say you, PlayStation gamers of Vizzed? Are these PS+ game lineups good, bad, or ugly?


Additionally, several games on the PlayStation Store are on sale in honor of Pax. Discounts reach as high as 80% for all PlayStation gamers, and up to 90% off for PlayStation Plus customers. Be sure to check it out.


Over

That does it for this month's extremely late edition of the VSM. Now allow me to begin work on next month's edition so that it'll be out by the third of September...hopefully. In next month's edition we'll cover:

-The Console War
-PSN Sales
-PlayStation Product Review
and more!

Until next time, keep on gaming, and keep it Sony.

Finally here! How dare you leave us without our monthly dose of Sony for so long?

Metal Gear Solid V looks impressively real, even for the PS3. And man, the third screenshot for Lego Dimensions is just hilarious.

FIFA and POS are making their yearly entry, as expected. It's the first time I notice these games, as I generally don't give a damn about them or football (soccer) at all, but how come POS comes out a week earlier than FIFA?

How nice to see another Tony Hawk game. Those days in the PSX, when he was still active, are long gone now, but he is and will be the best of all time. If I was still into this kind of stuff I would for sure get this game, but my skateboarding days are long gone too.

The Vita is dying? Well, it's not like Sony ever made a huge bet to dominate the world of handheld games and strip Nintendo of its throne. The bet was indeed powerful, first with the PSP and then with the Vita, but it never came close to be the revolution the PSX was to the market when it came out, which I think it's what Sony wanted it to be.

By the way, how strange North America isn't getting Saint Seiya: Soldier's Soul, scheduled for late September in Japan, Europe and Australia. I'm interested in that game, I would even say hyped with all the new anime and such, maybe your sources can get you a link to some screenshots of it?

EX Palen : Hey, at least I remembered to fix all of the typos and glitches before posting this time. xD I promise I'll do my best to get back on schedule with releases before the fourth of each month.

Yeah, MGSV does look pretty sharp, man. Also Lego Dimensions already has my eye (did you read the linked info? It actually sounds pretty sweet). I'm not a Lego game fan, but if Back to the Future AND Scooby Doo are really in the game...how can I say no to putting Shaggy behind the wheel of the Delorian, or the Doc cruising around in the Mystery Machine? lol

My guess on PES release date would be that Konami is trying to edge EA out of some sales by releasing sooner to the football (soccer) fans. It makes sense, and will net a few, but honestly most are going to stay loyal to their preferred brand.

In spite of myself, I'm actually excited for the new Tony Hawk game. I'm just as likely to be disappointed as I am to be wowed, but I can't help but want to try it out.

In fact this is a great month for me game wise. I'm really hyped for several games, plus some games on my "to buy" list are free now.
-Armello
-Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence
-Grand Ages: Medieval
-Samurai Warriors 4-II
-THPS 5
it isn't often I see so many games that I want releases in a single month (especially loving the first three I listed), plus Lara Croft and The Temple of Osiris, AND castlestorm for free between the PS4 and Vita list (and Stealth Inc would be an easy pick if I had a PS3). Yeah it's a good month to be me. xD Next month's PS+ lineup is looking good too.


No, the Vita isn't dead actually. Shawn Layden said that PlayStation Vita is still a crucial part of their business and they're still "in the Vita business" so it looks like it won't be going anywhere. Really people think the Vita is flopping, but look at those sales statistics: it's making Sony millions of dollars, plus the cost of memory cards for each Vita they sale is only adding to that. The Vita is considered to be doing poorly because it's compared to 3DS sales, which admittedly are much better, but the way I see it, it's no different than the console war: everyone was saying for a long time that XBox One was doing terrible but that idea was based on the fact that the PS4 was (and still is) crushing it, doubling it's sales. Still nothing could have been farther from the truth as the One was outselling the 360, it just looked bad in comparison to PS4 sales.
So it is with the Vita: Sony is making a huge profit with it, and it's moving A LOT of systems (roughly 100,000 sales a month at $200+ per unit), but it looks like it's flopping when compared to the 3DS. Plus if anything, the Vita is growing in popularity. I don't personally expect it to be discontinued for at least a few more years, but I could be surprised.

As for Saint Seiya, I'll see if I can't net you some screenshots on that one.

There are actually official games for the PS4 called VVVVVV and I am Bread? What were the developers thinking off?

Nice to see another Yu-Gi-Oh! videogame. Some rumours spread that Konami didn't want to make any other videogames, after the incredible success that was Duel Arena (sarcasm). Maybe the new movie, with the classic characters starring once again, has contributed to rise the hype a little.

Eirinn : Well sadly I do not have a PlayStation internet connection, so I cannot go onto the PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Store, and web browser of my PS3 and PS4. My internet connection works with everything except my PS3 and PS4. I know you are also suppose to have an account with the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus, but I do not know how to create an account with them. I think the PlayStation Plus games are pretty cool to get for free as a member of PlayStation Plus, but I'm not sure if those games specifically would be something I would enjoy. Is that correct that all the games you listed under what PlayStation Plus members get is free for every PlayStation Plus member or do you have to pay a fee? I do not really know much about PlayStation Plus because I never participated in it. Some of my family in Virginia have a PlayStation Plus account, but I don't. 

EX Palen : Yeah, and I Am Bread is about what it sounds like. You play as a piece of bread that has to find a way to get itself toasted if memory serves. -__-

VVVVVV (pronounced like a drawn out V) Actually appears to be popular, but why on Earth they named is such a thing is beyond me.


happiness7 : Yes, the PlayStation Plus games are free to PlayStation Plus members, but I believe the cost of PS+ membership itself (if you pay for a full year at a time) is $60 a year, however you can also buy three months at a time for roughly $20. I've already seen $60 worth of games that I'd have downloaded just over the past two months if I had internet connection myself, so it's much more than worth it, plus PSN discounts and special services. It's really a matter of taste in games though.

And if you get online from a PS3 or PS4, making a PSN account is actually quite easy (much like making a Vizzed account), and it can be done from a computer or even a phone. Just go to us.playstation.com and look for the registration link.

Eirinn : Thank you Eirinn! Maybe I should just try to register for a PS+ account for now and keep a look out for PS+ games, so I can get the game that I like when it comes out. So on PS+, you can either get games on sale or for free?

happiness7 : Yes, with PS+ you can get two to three free games for each system you own (PS3/PS4/PS Vita) each month, and you will also find special deals in the PlayStation store for PS+ members. For example the sale that's going on right now grants PS+ member an additional 10% off of select games. But a PSN account is free, it's just the Plus membership that costs.