Electronic Arts’ chief creative officer, Rich Hilleman, reckons that both Sony and Microsoft will endeavour to release incremental updates to existing hardware before the console manufacturers unveil any new gaming platforms.
"I expected we’ll see a PlayStation 3.5 before we see a PlayStation 4 and an Xbox 560 before we see an Xbox 720," said Hilleman, speaking at Stanford’s Hot Chips conference this week. “The biggest shift is how fast packaged goods games are changing and going away."
Hilleman observed that the pair have already invested greatly in establishing both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and as a result will not be in any rush to release new consoles any time soon. He also noted that portable platforms, such as the PSP, DS and iPhone, outnumber the home console market by approximately 2-to-1, with the costs of making traditional console games having increased substantially in recent years.
Sony has reiterated many times in past months that it expects PS3 to have a lifecycle of around 10 years, while Microsoft hasn’t made any firm plans of issuing a successor to the Xbox 360 anytime soon. While the situation remains very much up in the air, we certainly won’t be holding our breath for a PS4 anytime soon.
"I expected we’ll see a PlayStation 3.5 before we see a PlayStation 4 and an Xbox 560 before we see an Xbox 720," said Hilleman, speaking at Stanford’s Hot Chips conference this week. “The biggest shift is how fast packaged goods games are changing and going away."
Hilleman observed that the pair have already invested greatly in establishing both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and as a result will not be in any rush to release new consoles any time soon. He also noted that portable platforms, such as the PSP, DS and iPhone, outnumber the home console market by approximately 2-to-1, with the costs of making traditional console games having increased substantially in recent years.
Sony has reiterated many times in past months that it expects PS3 to have a lifecycle of around 10 years, while Microsoft hasn’t made any firm plans of issuing a successor to the Xbox 360 anytime soon. While the situation remains very much up in the air, we certainly won’t be holding our breath for a PS4 anytime soon.
