Editors Note:
In lue of the PlayStation Vita one year anniversary, this post is being bumped to the top for your reading pleasure and or dismay. But hopefully pleasure!

Let me begin this story by setting the mood and, if you prefer (and I would highly recommend so), you reading it with a 1920’s detective noir film narrator in mind. It was Tuesday morning, to be specific, February 21st. Like most days, after a quick workout and coffee, I began to wander the internet in search of stories to bring to the site. Of course, that’s a routine I follow every day, but something about it was different today. Today marked the day before the PlayStation Vita release, Sony’s newest portable gaming device. Now, I might not be the world’s most hardcore gamer, but, ever since I was a little kid, I’ve never missed out on a PlayStation launch before. PSone, PS2, PSP, the bonanza that was the PS3 launch, and, finally, the PSPgo. However, this time, things would be different. I’m older now, a bit wiser (I hope) and a little more conscious about spending my money. So unlike past events, this time, I would stick to the sidelines.

I decided that the coverage on the site wasn’t enough for this device so I began to look around blogs and tweet people that I knew at Sony. What was I looking for? A chance to win a PlayStation Vita which, of course, I wanted? No, because I’ve never won a contest like that. Instead, I wanted to see if there were any Sony-sponsored launch events in the LA area. If New York was getting the PlayStation team out there, along with DJs and head Sony VPs, surely LA, where teams like Sony Santa Monica and Naughty Dog are based, would have an event? Heck, Sony’s US PlayStation division is in Foster City while San Diego houses the PlayStation Q/A division. Surely there would be an LA event.

My digging would point me towards Sony Century City, the first Sony rebranded retail outlet that is to pave the way for a new generation of Sony retail stores. The store, which has already been a host to many events, would surely have something planned and low and behold, they did. From 7:00pm-3:00am was the planned event with giveaways, a chance to be in the next Uncharted DLC and of course, the midnight launch of the PS Vita. I already knew that I wasn’t planning on buying one. So why was I going there, you ask? Coverage for the site is the simple answer. With my Cyber-shot in one pocket and Bloggie Live in our editor’s purse (My god those things are useful! Indy with his satchel was on to something!), we were off to Sony Century City.

Like most stories go, the beginning is just as important as how it ends and this was no exception. Throughout the past few months, I had many opportunities to play with the PlayStation Vita, including at E3 and most recently at CES and, each time, the device grew more and more on me. I had never doubted the power of the Vita as most Sony consoles are powerhouses but the Vita’s social aspects were what really drew me in. The ability to run Twitter, Facebook, and FourSquare while finding local players and challenging them with functions like Near intrigued me. For someone who tends to go to many different press events and trade shows, the Vita again promised to be a lifesaver. No Fruit Ninja here —instead I could now explore Uncharted with Nathan Drake and immerse myself in LittleBigPlanet. Yes, the Vita was going to be a #GameChanger for those of us who want a little more out of our gaming experience when we are out.

Now, no story is nearly as fun without a sidekick, so I enlisted the support of our editor, Allegra, to join me for this event. She wanted the PS Vita as well and with no PlayStation 3 at her house, her desires were more then mine. Sure we teased the idea of purchasing but we were there as professionals, covering a story and a new chapter for the PlayStation division. Despite our late arrival, nearly 10pm, there was not a soul there. Sure, the Sony store was nice and bright with friendly staff members who were more than willing to show you around the store and demo out some products for you but where was the line? My Twitter feed showed a different story in New York with Questo of The Roots DJing along with Sackboy while the ceremonial first PS Vita from SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton was handed out.

I had hoped to show up to long line of eager fans, hungry to get their hands on the PlayStation Vita. They would be excited, they would be loud and I would film and take pictures. We’d have some cool and fun footage of fans who would walk out, cheering with their Vita at midnight with pictures to follow but that’s not how things were. So why was this LA turnout so different? Quickly, it dawned on me. While Sony profiled the New York event and took the PlayStation team and some celebrities there, the LA event was mentioned on the PlayStation Blog once— with a broken link nonetheless. Only a Facebook master could navigate through the many different Sony pages and events to finally get to the RSVP page which had a confirmed 100+ coming to the event. In the end, as midnight neared, it seemed that the Facebook count would only be appropriate if the zero at the end was dropped.

Despite the contrast of events, the clock did eventually strike midnight and the PlayStation Vita was officially launched in the West coast. It was in that moment that it all made sense. The PlayStation Vita is part of a newer Sony design and philosophy and, with it, I could be part of something bigger. The next event that I would attend with nothing to do, my PS Vita could entertain me, and with the PS Vita in hand when I travel, I could be connected to PlayStation 3 with features like remote play but, more importantly, be connected to my fellow gamers that without the Vita’s Near feature, I would have brushed by any other day. Instead, we can now game, challenge, and drop gifts for each other throughout the world. Yes, the Vita is all about being live and connected. With my Vita, I’ll be more connected than ever to gaming, and the Vita is more connected then ever with features like Netflix, Video and Music Unlimited, PlayStation Network and apps like Facebook, Twitter and FourSquare. With the Vita now, I also could provide more stories, reviews and videos for our readers and be connected to them even more.

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Thanks:
A special thanks to our friends at the Sony Store in Century City for their hospitality, especially Keith.