Sony: Raised R&D Costs Related to PS4 Launch

[xtop]

also related to this thread i guess..?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-playstation-4

Sony has confirmed that work on a "future platform" to follow the PS3 "is already under way".

Sony's executive vice president and chief financial officer Masaru Kato made the revelation on a conference call to investors today. He was asked to explain increased research and development (R&D) costs.

"For the home equipment the PS3 still has a product life," he said, "but this is a platform business, so for the future platform - when we'll be introducing what product I cannot discuss that - but our development work is already under way, so the costs are incurred there."

Kato's comments are in direct contrast those of Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai's. Hirai said, three months ago in March, that "a near-future PS4 or next-generation home console is not something that we are even debating now".

Hirai stressed that Sony wasn't "even at the half-way point" in PS3's lauded 10-year plan.

This console cycle may be destined to last longer than previous generations, but there are already rumours of top-tier publishing partners receiving prototype dev kits of Microsoft's new Xbox.

Meanwhile Nintendo has plans to formerly unveil Wii 2 - codenamed Project Cafe - at E3 next month.

[Maximus]

Made a new thread out of the news.

[KamiAmaya]

ugh, am I the only one who doesn't want to see a PS4 this year, or next?

[Septimus Prime]

Kato's comments are in direct contrast those of Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai's. Hirai said, three months ago in March, that "a near-future PS4 or next-generation home console is not something that we are even debating now"

I wonder if he means it's not up for debate because the project is already underway.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

ugh, am I the only one who doesn't want to see a PS4 this year, or next?

Nope, I was hoping the big 3 wouldn't push new hardware on us for at least a couple more years but it sounds like they're doing a race for the gate. Chances are I'll stick with the PS3 for a couple years after the PS4/xbox720 come out to get past that year or two of crap.

[AikonEnt]

Hopefully the PS4 will be backwards compatible with PS3

Want it to still use physical media too, though I can't see it going download only after recent events!

[becomingwater]

I will accept an announcement of a new system only if it will be backwards compatible for PS3 games. The PS3 is already a great system that will fulfill it's 10-year life.

[Clark Kent]

It's a game of chicken between the three videogame console manufacturers. None of them want to release new hardware, but the first one that moves out of the gate gets a significant advantage over the others.

[phranctoast]

Want it to still use physical media too, though I can't see it going download only after recent events!

I'd like to see multiple options. One only DD, the other both.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

ugh, am I the only one who doesn't want to see a PS4 this year, or next?

This news does not mean we WILL see one just that the next gen is "probably" in development.

[Snake_XRS]

Originally Posted by Rike255

Nope, I was hoping the big 3 wouldn't push new hardware on us for at least a couple more years but it sounds like they're doing a race for the gate. Chances are I'll stick with the PS3 for a couple years after the PS4/xbox720 come out to get past that year or two of crap.

I feel the exact same way. Launch titles are generally pretty mediocre (once the graphical WOW factor has faded), and in most cases 3rd party games pretty much trickle out the gate. I know PS3 has plenty of life left in it but with M$ once again jumping the gun SONY definitely doesn't want to launch 1 year or more behind. Unless of course, they launch like 2 years or more after the new M$ machine and the new SONY system is leaps and bounds better.

[binarymelon]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

ugh, am I the only one who doesn't want to see a PS4 this year, or next?

I can't imagine if the R&D costs are just showing up on this years financials that we will be seeing it before 2013.

[RaijinUT]

You can set your clocks to it... A new console every 5-6 years. Technology changes at a rapid pace. Looks at high technology items… TV, phones, pc, CPU, graphic cards, cameras, ETC. Changes in just 1-2 years sometimes means doom for companies that aren’t willing to change in most high tech industries.

To tell you all the truth, honestly I feel lucky to know that consoles last as long as they do.

Things will always get better, faster, and stronger and I welcome the upgrades since they just make things better for us.

[KamiAmaya]

Originally Posted by merrick97

This news does not mean we WILL see one just that the next gen is "probably" in development.

Oh yeah I know

Originally Posted by binarymelon

I can't imagine if the R&D costs are just showing up on this years financials that we will be seeing it before 2013.

That would make me so happy lol

[Monkey]

I don't see how that is a contrast to Kaz's comments, they both can easily be true and are probably true.


I don't expect this within the next couple of years. 2014 at the earliest IMO.. Pretty sure we had a thread on this already.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by Monkey

I don't see how that is a contrast to Kaz's comments, they both can easily be true and are probably true.


I don't expect this within the next couple of years. 2014 at the earliest IMO.. Pretty sure we had a thread on this already.

sony is going to give nintendo a 2+ year head start, and microsoft at least a 1 year head start?

[RaijinUT]

Originally Posted by xtop

sony is going to give nintendo a 2+ year head start, and microsoft at least a 1 year head start?

PS3 had all sorts of issues due to it's late start. I am sure that window will be a lot closer this time around. Think about it guys... You come out with a console a 1.5-2 years after Microsoft and Nintendo, then your console will never gain any ground due to cost cutting measures (Cheaper part, shipping cost are down, consoles prices going down just to name a few) by these companies.

Sony has already learned that lesson hard with being late to the ball with the PS3 and I agree with xtop here that there is no way that they will repeat that issue again.

[Wingman1977]

We're not going to see the successors to the ps3 & 360 anytime soon so there's nothing to worry about right now folks.

[PA_Kid]

Originally Posted by xtop

sony is going to give nintendo a 2+ year head start, and microsoft at least a 1 year head start?

Ninendo's new system is definitely the start of the next console generation? Think the jury is still out on that one.

I agree that they probably won't give MS a year headstart, but (to me) it still feels like the next N console is just playing catchup with Sony and MS from the specs we're heard. Granted a truly revolutionary gimick could let it do the Wii thing again, but a system only slightly more powerful than the PS3 and 360 in an age where all the systems have motion options doesn't strike me as next gen.

I think E3 will be very interesting this year...

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by xtop

sony is going to give nintendo a 2+ year head start, and microsoft at least a 1 year head start?

I'm not sure about MS but Nintendo will clearly have a head start. MS has new life with Kinect (it isn't for me but it is clearly boosting their sells). I'm not convinced Sony or MS are timing their console based on the next Nintendo system.

Of course I could be wrong and I'll gobble up whatever Sony puts out as I'm sure they'll continue the tradition of excellence in gaming content