Like a lot of other people I was expecting a Vita price cut to be announced at E3. Considering the current situation the handheld finds itself in it just seemed like the smart and obvious thing to do. Of course they could still surprise us since we're still a few months away from the crucial holiday quarter but considering their statements of late it's looking unlikely that Sony will be throwing out that kind of life preserver.
I'm sure there are people eager to reply about the big games coming out for the system later this year but in my opinion that's the reason I think it will die without a price cut. There will be an incredible amount riding on the sales of these big games since they will likely decide the future support of the system as a home for good third party support or a bleak wasteland with just the occasional bone thrown to it by Sony.
Without the price cut I think we'll see these games make no real impact at all in North America and quickly fall off the charts in Europe without even opening to numbers comparable to big third party console games. This will lead to the third parties now supporting the system to end any real development outside of rare cheap ports and those thinking of jumping on board deciding the risk is too great.
As for a pricecut in 2013, it will probably be too late by then and will be akin to closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. It won't erase what happens this year and it will be even harder or impossible to get skeptical third parties back on board, especially those burned by Vita in 2012.
