Michael Denny, Sony Worldwide Studios’ vice president, has spoken about the PlayStation 4. The interview with Edge magazine hasn’t kicked up much new information but there are a couple of interesting hints in there, among the carefully judged responses.
Denny says, for example, that the company is well aware of the challenges that faced the PS3 in the months after its launch. He says that Sony was talking to developers about the future just as they started really digging into what the PS3 could do and that the company recognised that the bespoke nature of the PlayStation 3 hardware was a hurdle for many developers. Consequently, the PlayStation 4 was designed with ease of development at the forefront of their thinking – using standard components honed to provide high end gaming performance.
Denny also acknowledges that the PlayStation 3’s launch price was a contributing factor in its shaky start. he wouldn’t be drawn on whether that’s something the company is looking to directly address with the launch of its new console but he did say, in relation to the difficulties the pricing presented, that “to some extent [he] can ask you to draw your own conclusions.”
The interview responses are generally toned with a hint of inclusion. Denny talks about the PlayStation 4 being “a system that can reach as broad a gaming audience as possible” and wanting to appeal to “gamers in the broadest sense” but there’s a strong focus on making sure that the so-called hardcore will be happy with what’s presented too. He talks about the development process taking place across company divides and drawing on the expertise of the whole of Sony.
He also says that they know their launch date, but he’s not telling us just yet.
Source: Edge
hol
Good to hear but I’ve read there may be 2 systems, a standard & a premium? Sony, please do not go this route! 1 sku only please! :)
jimmy-google
I would imagine it would just be about hard drive sizes. If it’s anything too fundamental to the spec then that wouldn’t be good.
I know people that would buy a premium one that included backwards compatibility even if a hardware solution is the only way and cost an extra £100+ .
Peter Chapman
I’m half expecting a high-priced model you buy outright – say £400+ and a lower priced on you buy on subscription like a mobile phone – say £100 plus £15 a month for 24 months. you’d get a PS+ sub or possibly whatever the Gaikai stuff is for that subscription but ultimately pay a higher price for it, over the terms of the credit agreement.
hol
That I don’t have an issue with & I hadn’t thought about it that way. Cheers :)
jimmy-google
I would expect any monthly payment package would be more expensive than that especially if its a £400 console.
A £400 console plus 2 years ps+ is £480, £20 less than the £15 a month for 2 years + £100.
I know that was just a suggestion but even so you can expect to be paying interest on it or a fee for the benefit.
What tier of PS+ you go for may also change your repayment costs and if there are different models this could all become very complex. The other question is who manages these costs, are you signing up to a retailer or Sony controlled scheme? Sony won’t be making must profit for a while if it takes them 2 years to reclaim the console sales (which are probably still sold at a loss) and the high street can’t afford the hit either.
samiro05
It would be expectedly cheaper to buy outright so if the console was £300 and £380 for 2 years ps+ (although it can be bought for half that price thanks to special offers), then the contract console for £100 + £15 a month for 24 months would be £460 in total. I can really see this model happening.
Really looking forward to it but I can’t help but be nervous about the uproar that will occur when the first pieces of bad news come to the foreground after such a great wave of great things about the ps4.
cam the man
So it’s going to be cheaper than the PS3, that’s no surprise.
bunimomike
You can’t help but sit here and think “uh-huh” as you nod at the new/improved Sony we’re starting to really get to know with regards to how the PS4 is being handled. If they keep this up, this could be one legendary console for Sony fans.
So… to summarise:
• Lovely hardware with oodles of memory. Check.
• Stunning social sharing options for those that want it. Check.
• Developers consulted early on to make sure they were looked after. Check.
• Implied lesson learnt about launch prices of the PS3. Check.
• No mention of “always on” which I’m sure Microsoft are half-holding their breath about when they do their reveal. Check.
• Absolutely and utterly looking after the core gamer. Check and double check.
Seriously… bring this shit on, chaps! :-)
blast71
Excellently worded summary. Check.
Agree with it completely. Check.
Can’t kin wait & creaming my pants at the possibilities. DOUBLE BLOODY CHECK!!
KeRaSh
Nicely summed up. Sony seems so organized and on top of the whole PS4 thing, I kind of suspect them all being mind controlled by some advanced alien race that over the course of many millennia studied the art of perfectly managing a global business…
If we can put a check mark on a global launch in 2013 I will gladly throw all my money towards the first retailer that has a PS4 in stock. I’d still do it if it released in 2014 but then I’d be crying instead of laughing.
bunimomike
I can even handle a 2014 release (Spring, obviously). I’m truly in awe as to how Sony are handling themselves at present. I’ve not seen this sort of consumer positivity towards a future generation (with many facts known) ever!
The buzz is child-like wonder and I’m all aboard for now.
KeRaSh
Unlike with the PS3 (back then I was still in school and I wasn’t willing to pay the launch price) I’m as excited about the PS4 as I was back when I was a child and was looking forward to new games and consoles. The magic is back and I’m loving it.
cam the man
I’ve seen a few articles that reckon it would make better financial sense, if a worldwide launch isn’t possible, for Sony to launch the PS4 in the west first (North America & Europe) and keep their home country waiting.
That would be truly ground breaking for Sony.
DuffyBox
Agreed, especially about developers. Sony really do care a lot about their devs – first party or otherwise – and provide massive amounts of support to them. Good on ’em!
cam the man
It looks like Sony have learnt their lesson as far as the price of the PS4 as they’ve said ‘the PS4′s price will appeal to gamers “in the broadest sense.” ‘
Every gamer’s fav analyst, Michael Pachter, reckons the next gen of consoles will be the cheapest ever “thanks to cell phone-like subsidies”.
For once I hope he’s right.
mrfodder
They say they’ve learnt their lesson, but the vita pricing says otherwise.
October91
Great read but, “he” needs to be capitalized: “Denny also acknowledges that the PlayStation 3′s launch price was a contributing factor in its shaky start. he wouldn’t be drawn on whether that’s something the company is looking to directly address with the launch of its new console but he did say, in relation to the difficulties the pricing presented, that “to some extent [he] can ask you to draw your own conclusions.””
Broonba
The more I hear from Sony, the better it gets :)