The PlayStation Vita console launched in Japan at the end of last year and is destined for release in the US and Europe later this month, but now Sony has confirmed that games for the handheld device will be cheaper if you buy them online.
Those who choose to use the PlayStation Network (PSN) as the portal via which they acquire their games will benefit from price reductions when compared with the physical copies of the game which you can buy from shops and online retailers.
This download-friendly approach has already been trialled in Japan and will now come to the US in order to get more people using the PSN service.
Of course the discount will only be relevant when looking at the full RRP of any game and since most retailers choose to lower their prices in order to remain competitive it might not be that much of an incentive.
In addition the cost of adding storage to the Vita in order to save all of your downloads could end up negating the price difference further, which could scupper Sony`s plans.
A good reason for Sony to encourage digital downloading is that it might help to reduce piracy and also prevent people selling on their games as used.
The used game market is seen as problematic by all major console manufacturers and there were even rumours circulating last month that Microsoft would make it impossible to play a used game on its next Xbox console.
The Xbox 720 is reportedly in development as we speak and many industry analysts expect Microsoft to release details about the console at some point in 2012, even if it does not actually make it to market until next year.
2012 will be a busy year for gaming fans because the Nintendo Wii U is getting what is effectively a second launch at the E3 expo in the summer ahead of going on sale in the run-up to Christmas.
The Wii U is the first high definition console from Nintendo and is thought to be at least as powerful as both the Xbox 360 and Sony`s PlayStation 3.
The PS Vita handheld is able to almost match the PS3 when it comes to graphical fidelity, albeit on a much smaller screen. However, Nintendo has not been involved in the graphics arms race for some time, with both the Wii and the Nintendo DS/3DS eschewing high end visuals in favour of an accessible, family-friendly experience which has helped them outsell rivals.
Meanwhile the Vita`s launch in Japan has been somewhat fraught, with a strong first week followed by major declines after the festive period. Sony will be hoping that extending download discounts to America could ease its problems and increase the user base, but in the worst case scenario you will find the Vita sitting alongside clearance phones in bargain bins across the world by 2013.
