PS Vita launches in Australia today

Following a launch event held on Sydney Harbour this week, headlined by Empire of the Sun DJs, the highly anticipated PlayStation®Vita officially launches in stores nationally today.

PlayStation Vita offers uncompromised portable gaming experiences and provides the convenience of a small yet powerful device that you can use on the go. The launch draws on years of PlayStation® gaming expertise and leadership; it is the fifth major hardware launch and the second true portable launch for Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.

"Innovative, rich and immersive gaming experiences are in the DNA of PlayStation and we've drawn on years of expertise to create PlayStation Vita. This new device is a revolutionary step change in the portable games category, and offers the gold standard for active gamers on the go. PlayStation Vita also provides compelling cross connectivity benefits for PlayStation 3 owners," said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.

"There's real anticipation for the introduction of PlayStation Vita, as it is a truly unique device. Growth in the overall mobile category means we now have more people in Australia enjoying playing games on the go. Now, with PS Vita, we are offering these customers one step better - uncompromised portable gaming experiences with the added benefit of being able to stay socially connected to the world around you."

Packed with innovative hardware features, immersive games content and a range of social applications, PlayStation Vita will provide new ways to play and interact.

PlayStation Vita features powerful hardware innovation such as; a 5 inch OLED screen, physical PlayStation gaming buttons, dual analogue sticks, motion sensor (SIXAXIS), front and rear cameras and a rear touch pad. PS Vita has multiple social applications that will allow active gamers to be constantly connected to their PlayStation life and the world around them. The hardware launch is enhanced by the solid range of games content available and further connection to PlayStation®Network – a portal to a world of digital entertainment on demand.

Backed with significant support from industry publishers and developer partners, PS Vita has one of the strongest games line-up of any new console launch. The stellar line up of games to purchase for PS Vita, includes over 25 titles such as Uncharted™: Golden Abyss, WipEout™ 2048, Everybody's Golf®, Lumines™, Virtua Tennis™ 4: World Tour Edition (SEGA) and FIFA Football (Electronic Arts). The games portfolio is set to expand with the introduction of major franchises confirmed for PS Vita such as LittleBigPlanet™, Resistance™: Burning Skies, through to Bioshock™ (2K), Assassins Creed™ (Ubisoft) and  Call of Duty®  (Activision). Australian based game developers such as Nnooo, Tantalus, Big Ant and Torus have also confirmed they are developing for the platform.
PS Vita "ticks the box" on social applications that people now expect from a portable device, such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. In addition, bespoke PS Vita social applications* like "Near", "Party" and "LiveArea" will provide gamers with new ways to connect with each other.

The PlayStation Video Store, that offers blockbuster movie content on demand from all the major Hollywood studios, will also be available on PS Vita from today in Australia.

PlayStation Vita launch will be supported with a new creative advertising campaign entitled The World is in Play. The emotionally charged creative campaign signifies the passion people have for gaming and the role it plays in their lives.

PlayStation Australia has arrived on Facebook. Post comments and share all the latest PlayStation happenings along with the rest of the PlayStation community at the Official Australian Facebook Fan Page.