You know, part of me likes to think that, if Microsoft had announced the successor to the Xbox 360 at this year’s E3, Sony would have wheeled out their PS4 showreel and done the same. In my mind, both manufacturers had an emergency video showcase that would have highlighted some key titles and new features of whatever they’re working on next – they probably didn’t, of course, and in any case, we didn’t see them.
But it’s a romantic thought.
Regardless, rumours are surfacing today that Sony are going to show off the PS4 next year. This isn’t rocket science – consoles are normally teased well before they launch, and a 2012 reveal would point to a 2013 release anyway, two years from now – that sounds about right to me.
But where are these rumours coming from? Some chaps from a ‘top’ developer, by way of Industry Gamers, who wished to ‘not be quoted’. Sadly, that’s about it – there’s no more information there other than a vague ‘next year’ comment, but the site has spoken to a few analysts to get their impressions of where Sony are and what they think they’ll do next year. Naturally, most comments on the issue assume the big reveal will be at E3 where – it’s heavily assumed – Microsoft will do the same.
We won’t repeat the analysts comments, they’re no more grounded in cold hard reality than anything above. Analyse all you want, only Sony really know what’s going on. Well, Sony and whichever first and third parties they’ve entrusted with any information they’ll need to start speccing out their games, of course. None of which are talking, as you’d expect.
What is common amongst the analysts is the thought that the Wii U won’t bother Sony and Microsoft. The threat’s simply not there – not yet, anyway – and so neither party will be in any particular rush to get their next machines to market. The challenge comes from each other – if one shows their hand, the other must surely do the same. But I’m tempted to think that this generation is only just starting to click into place, with some amazing games on the horizon.
But, hey, about those showreels…
BrainDiver
As long as the trophies carry over and it plays PS3 games then I’m in. While there isn’t really much more I want that couldn’t be fixed via firmware updates I’m not entirely against the idea of a new console. A little bit more power would be appreciated.
cc_star
One things for sure though, I’ll be waiting for the 2nd SKU and the price-drop, there’s no way I’ll be their on launch day with double the money buying a likely faulty by design device again
hate_smith
Watch it come with a four digit price tag this time. I’m hoping they learned their lesson from the slow start the ps3 got partly because of the high price, lets hope they can keep it down a little from the last console entry price.
hate_smith
If it costs more than the ps3 did on release, alot people will have to start cooking meth and robbing banks to get it, or maybe just sell a child…
hate_smith
While I’m thinking about it, when the ps4 drops the ps3 price will most likely drop as well, and I bet after a price drop they will sell the **** outta ps3s
mw999
they should combine xbox live and psn. I would pay £1000 for that
hol
Cannot see Sony Saying anything about the next machine at the next E3, Microsoft yes but not Sony. The ps3 is really hitting it’s stride now, gamewise at least & sales seem to be picking up on the hardware.
With the revised hardware on the way & predicted price drop, hopefully the ps3 can become more mainstream. Get PSV launched & successful first, then maybe we might see a new playstation at E3 ’13
BritishBlue
Dear god, I hope so. The current generation of consoles is really starting to look dated.
squidinc
hope they make all games run at 1080p instead of 720p, some games look a little stretched on my massive tv
jayjay119
Next year will be the year of the Vita, they will not want to detract from that by announcing the PS4. No, 2013 announcement seems likely to me, with a 2014 JP/US, 2015 EU/AUS release. That sounds about right. Sony need to go back to the accessibility, well priced priciples that made the PS3 so popular, Ok so it didn’t have the best graphics but it had a vast array of games and a low price. Hopefully the PS4 will return to this and we’ll see Sony have a better time of it from the off of next gen.
jayjay119
*I meant the PS2 when talking about principles above.