In a recent interview with IGN’s senior editor Colin Moriarty, Sony Computer Entertainment  America’s President and CEO Shawn Layden has revealed that PlayStation Vita sales have picked up due to PlayStation 4’s remote play feature. 

Since its release in 2012, the Vita has yet to see the success of Sony’s previous handheld machine, the PlayStation Portable. Vita sales have been subpar at best despite a loyal install base with a high attachment rate of games to systems.

Layden’s comments suggest that the Remote Play feature has given Vita sales a small, but noticeable boost.

Layden explains that,

Vita sales have actually been picking up ever since we enabled Remote Play on the handheld. There’s a lot of interest in the PS4 community to have that opportunity. We have not stood back from it. We have not started to withdraw from it. I think we’re just seeing it maybe move into a new place as far as game content goes. But I’m still keen on it, I still play [it], and I still bring it up with the development community when I see them.

Moriarty makes sure to point out that Layden and a Sony PR representative declined to quote any specific sales numbers when asked.

My Opinion:

As a proud Vita owner, life isn’t easy in the wild world of the internet. Some are quick to bash the Vita’s library of games, other criticize Sony’s lack of support for the machine. While these complaints do have merit, I feel that it’s over criticized. I want people to know it’s a great device worthy of praise. I also want Sony to show the Vita a little more love and support instead of counting on third party developers to provide content for it. All in all, a boost in sales is good news, but Sony’s choice to not provide sales numbers tells us that it’s still hurting.

Elijah Oguma is an associate writer for MONG and is truly a Middle of Nowhere Gamer on Oahu, Hawaii. You can follow him on Twitter.