Capcom's Christian Svensson has dismissed claims that PS Vita's slow start is evidence that gaming on handhelds is being eroded by the rise of the smartphones.

Speaking in an interview with Gamasutra, Capcom's senior VP of strategic planning and business development claimed there is room for both markets to co-exist, stating that the real litmus test for Vita will come in the run up to Christmas.

Eye on Japan

"If anything, we're seeing in Japan that, quite frankly, the handheld market is alive and well, and I think it's going to continue," saiid Svensson.

"Nintendo 3DS is very successful there, and the Vita is off to a reasonable start early on. But we'll have to see what happens there longer there, in that particular market.

"In our western market, I think 3DS is off to a very good start, and Vita has, I think, surpassed much of the retail expectations based on our retailers that we've spoken with. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is off to a good start."

It's Svensson's view that, by and large, smartphone games don't typically hit the same notes as handheld titles, meaning the two sectors aren't strictly in competition.

Two can play at that game

"Long story short, while there may be some overlap, I think there's still going to be an audience for what I call deeper engagement and deeper funds, for lack of a better word," he concluded.

"As a result, I think those two markets are going to be viable, and served by content creators.

"The holidays are going to be much more telling for Vita. The holiday was where the 3DS first solidified."

Svensson's comments come after the latest figures from Japan reveal PS Vita is currently selling around 10,000 units a week, being outsold by 3DS by almost six to one in 2012.

[source: Gamasutra]