Sometimes we wonder if Sony wants PlayStation Vita to fail. Not only are they being less than boistrous about their new console’s launch plans in Australia, but they’re actually barring major retailers from selling the console on day one.

Big W, K-Mart, Target – three of Australia’s most popular retail department stores will not be stocking the PlayStation Vita, it has been learnt. None of the retailers rule out stocking the console in the future, but all three have confirmed that on launch day they will not be selling the console.

But an update from website Kotaku shows that it’s not actually the retailers being idiots this time around; it’s Sony themselves. In an email sent to the website, Sony says that the plan not to sell the console in Australia’s biggest retailers was deliberate; “For the launch of PlayStation Vita in Australia, with the specific target market being the active gamer we have chosen to launch the console with a focussed retail channel strategy across national specialist game and specialist technology retailers.” It read.

“There is a long term vision for our revolutionary new hand-held platform, in the same way we had a long term vision for PS3, and anticipate that in line with this we will broaden channel distribution in the future.”

Of course, this means that the PlayStation Vita will be sold almost exclusively at EB Games and GAME, as well as other stores like JB HiFi. Interestingly, when sony launched the PSP Go! console, EB Games refused to stock it because the console does not support UMD Discs, meaning that the company couldn’t sell any attachment sales thus being pointless as a product on their shelves. Could this be a ploy to get back into EB Games’ good side?

Others think that Sony is doing this deliberately in a bid to fix prices. Big W, Target and K-Mart are known for knocking off a few dollars to win the advantage over the full prices offered at game exclusive retailers. Already the PlayStation Vita will cost gamers over $100 more in Australia than in the United States.

The lesson here? As we’re learning everyday it seems, importing games and consoles not only saves you lots of money, but sends a clear message to these greedy companies that they should stop trying to squeeze every last penny out of their loyal customers.