SCEJ president doesn't see 3DS or smartphones as Vita competitors

SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano doesn't feel Nintendo's 3DS is a direct competitor to Vita, due to the two handhelds being vastly different from each other in not only looks and tech, but price point.

Speaking with Reuters during TGS 2011, Kawano said he doesn't consider smartphones as a competitor either, as gaming on phones is considered a bonus to the main focus of the device.

Vita was designed for gaming with extra features such as social networking and applications as the bonus. Basically, one is the reverse of the other, as Kawano feels those looking for a portable gaming experience won't purchase a smartphone for that reason only. If they are in it for the gaming, they will purchase a handheld gaming device.

Kawano said Sony expects the first 500,000 units of Vita to sell out quickly in Japan thanks to the NTT Docomo pre-paid plan offer for the Wi-Fi with 3G model. Kawano believes the 3G model provides new opportunities and more possibilities for gaming than the Wi-Fi version alone, and hopes more people purchase the 3G version because of said opportunities.

Thanks, Gamespot.