Sony Won't Invest As Heavily In PlayStation 4 [Slashdot]

[DP ServBot]

donniebaseball23 writes "Sony CFO Masaru Kato told investors this week that the company won't be looking to put the same kind of massive R&D into PS4 as they did with PS3. PS3's costs were astronomical because of Blu-ray and the Cell chip, but Sony's bottom line can't take another similar hit. Analysts are speculating that this will leave the door open for competitors like Microsoft. 'PS4's hardware could be less impressive than the PS3 at its launch. I think Microsoft will really be able to put the screws to Sony in the next console war,' Panoptic analyst Asif Khan commented to IndustryGamers."http://a.fsdn.com/sd/facebook_icon_large.png (http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgames.slashdot.org%2Fsto ry%2F11%2F05%2F28%2F0048219%2FSony-Wont-Invest-As-Heavily-In-PlayStation-4%3Futm_source%3Dslashdot%26utm_medium%3Dfacebook) http://a.fsdn.com/sd/twitter_icon_large.png (http://twitter.com/home?status=Sony+Won't+Invest+As+Heavily+In+PlaySt ation+4%3A+http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FmiPbHF)

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[Trebuken]

My G2X can phone can already do all that (has HDMI output) and may even have the same CPU. I believe it should be pushing Android 2.3 maybe 2.4 by fall as well.

The controller seems to be the only only perk.

Hope it can bring something more to the table. It seems to me to be akin to the Gameboy Player.

[kedawa]

It's a dead obvious trend. Consoles have always used a mix of custom and off-the-shelf hardware, but with the high level of integration inherent in modern computer systems, designing a platform in-house has become impractical.
Anything Sony tries to engineer will be less efficient than the ready-made solutions offered by IBM/AMD/Nvidia, since those are the companies that design the logic used in the components in the first place.

[cynicalhat]

It kind of makes sense really. blu ray tech can be re used. Slap a faster cell processor in there and a more modern version of the "RSX" with current shader models and the like. more ram. bam! less R&D.

[duffmanth]

They certainly can't launch another console at $599+ or they'll sink themselves.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I wonder if they will drop the Playstation line, and give the next console a new name. It seems like this is a good time to hit the reset switch.

[Damaramu]

A buddy of mine works in the industry and his company has had PS4 dev kits, from the sounds of it, at least since the beginning of the year.

He says the PS4 is a monster of a machine. I'll get more info from him about it next time I see him online.

[chrisbid]

I wonder if they will drop the Playstation line, and give the next console a new name. It seems like this is a good time to hit the reset switch.

or sony should spin off the playstation brand into its own company. convergence is a failed business model for gaming consoles. the playstation team needs less pressure from other sony divisions to allow them the freedom to focus on games. sony can still make a killing by being the primary shareholder in the new company and will still make money on every game published on a blu ray disc.

[WCP]

A buddy of mine works in the industry and his company has had PS4 dev kits, from the sounds of it, at least since the beginning of the year.

He says the PS4 is a monster of a machine. I'll get more info from him about it next time I see him online.


Wuh.... That would mean Sony is launching at the same time as Nintendo. Otherwise, why would Dev kits already be available. This seems really hard for me to believe, but if you have the inside scoop...

I'm guessing that if what you say is correct, then Sony might even tease this machine at e3.

[kedawa]

A buddy of mine works in the industry and his company has had PS4 dev kits, from the sounds of it, at least since the beginning of the year.

He says the PS4 is a monster of a machine. I'll get more info from him about it next time I see him online.
That's no surprising. Dev kits aren't even necessarily based on the console hardware. They're just similar enough in some respects to give devs an approximation of the target platform. Early XBOX360 dev units were just PowerMac G5 computers with an ATI video card running a custom Windows NT operating system.

[kupomogli]

If PS4 is going to be announced then there goes whatever edge Nintendo would have had for a slight graphics lead over 360 and PS3. Now all they have is the LCD controller for kids who happen not to have a TV and still want to play. Doubt that's going to work for them.

I just hope the PS4 is BC for PS1 and PS2, atleast software based.

[The 1 2 P]

The PS4 won't be announced at E3 because it won't be launching anytime soon unless Sony plans on losing all of their PS3 momentum. People who are still waiting to pick up a PS3 would put the breaks on if they thought the newest system would be launching next year.

As for the tech, Sony really doesn't need to upgrade much. I personally don't care that PC's graphics can get better yearly. As long as a consoles graphics don't look like they are a generation behind(console wise) then they work for me. I'm curious what they will do for a feature set though. The PS1 played cds, PS2 played dvds and PS3 plays bluray. So whats going to be the PS4's gimmick? Powerwise I think they could get by with a moderate upgrade over the PS3. They just need to make sure that the low end model has atleast a 500 gig hard drive, if not an entire terrabyte.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I just hope the PS4 is BC for PS1 and PS2, atleast software based.

I was thinking they should start anew and save some money by not making the new system backward compatible with any previous system. After all, there are plenty of PS1, PS2, and PS3 systems out there to play the old games.

[kupomogli]

I'd rather have a single system hooked up. That's the entire reason that I don't own a slim PS3 even though I like how the system looks and is much more quiet than the original PS3.

I don't think we'd have to worry about the system being backwards compatible or not, though. It'll probably run PS2 software backwards compatibility no problem. Then Sony can release a line of PS2 Classics and make more money on digital copies of PS2 games.

[badinsults]

Is there really any justifiable need for a new Playstation at this point?

I mean, about the only thing they can improve at this point is the security on their machine. Graphics and sound are pretty much as good as they can get. Unless they are planning for a full 3D console, though that seems almost unnecessary at this point.

[mattimeo310]

Is there really any justifiable need for a new Playstation at this point?

I mean, about the only thing they can improve at this point is the security on their machine. Graphics and sound are pretty much as good as they can get. Unless they are planning for a full 3D console, though that seems almost unnecessary at this point.

I beg to differ. AT THE VERY LEAST, graphically there is much room for improvement. One needs only to look at PC exclusives not burdened by console ports (or vice versa) to see how far the graphics have come. It only appears as graphic capabilities have come to a stand-still because so many games are designed for the console first and PC second.

[Edmond Dantes]

The PS4 won't be announced at E3 because it won't be launching anytime soon unless Sony plans on losing all of their PS3 momentum. People who are still waiting to pick up a PS3 would put the breaks on if they thought the newest system would be launching next year.

This is exactly what's been on my mind. The PS3 hasn't even been out for that long, and they're already talking about a successor? Crap like that is why I just about gave up on gaming not too long ago.

To be honest, I don't really care for the "console wars" anymore. All that matters is that system X has the games I want. I don't know what the PS4 is gonna have, and if its gonna mean another expensive purchase, then I can force myself to not care. As it is, the PS3 has precisely one game on it I want to play, and its about to get Metal Gear Solid: Rising as well, so I'm iffy about even getting that system (especially since I don't have an HDTV--will that affect my ability to play games too much?)

Blast these console generations. Just blast them.

[kupomogli]

This is exactly what's been on my mind. The Wii hasn't even been out for that long, and they're already talking about a successor?

Fixed. Who just recently announced Project Cafe? Sony hasn't even announced a successor. We're all going by rumors and speculation. Do you think Microsoft at this very moment isn't in development of the XBOX 3? I'm sure that both Sony and Microsoft are in development stages for new consoles. Doesn't mean they're going to be released any time soon.

Also. An HDTV isn't needed to enjoy the PS3 or 360, but once you go HD, you never go back, baby. Well. On an HD console atleast. SD consoles look better on an SDTV.

[Sabz5150]

They certainly can't launch another console at $599+ or they'll SNK themselves.

Fixed :)

[Leo_A]

I don't think we'd have to worry about the system being backwards compatible or not, though. It'll probably run PS2 software backwards compatibility no problem. Then Sony can release a line of PS2 Classics and make more money on digital copies of PS2 games.

The PS2 was never fully emulated on the PS3, so I wouldn't make any bets on it being emulated on the PS4.

And you apparantly aren't aware of it, but they're rereleasing PS2 classics right now. I doubt they're going to code a emulator just to sell digital copies of them in the future. Look at the PSOne, every last PS3 and PSP can play PSOne games. Yet, that service is largely forgotten, overlooked, and underutilized.

The PS2 matters less and less to the general public every passing day. Unless the pure horsepower of a PS4 makes it very easy and economical to suddenly bring software PS2 emulation out, it isn't going to happen.

[Baloo]

Fixed. Who just recently announced Project Cafe? Sony hasn't even announced a successor. We're all going by rumors and speculation. Do you think Microsoft at this very moment isn't in development of the XBOX 3? I'm sure that both Sony and Microsoft are in development stages for new consoles. Doesn't mean they're going to be released any time soon.

Also. An HDTV isn't needed to enjoy the PS3 or 360, but once you go HD, you never go back, baby. Well. On an HD console atleast. SD consoles look better on an SDTV.

Come on now, you have to have seen that the Wii has been losing steam as far as new releases on the console goes. I mean really, there hasn't been a whole lot of really great titles within the past year on the Wii, and the VC releases have been slim to none. I think Nintendo's ready to move onto the next console.

If anything has more time on the market, it's the PS3 and 360. PS3 really took a hit with the whole online fiasco, and a new console too soon afterwards might cause a dip in sales due to people who got turned off by the way Sony handled that new situation. Plus PSN and XBLA have only been getting better and better compared to Wii VC.

[calgon]

Call it a hunch, but the most logical thing Sony can do by the time of the next console juncture is to make something completely different than a "playstation." I can picture a sleeker console with graphics just slightly above that of a PS3, but with a massive hard-drive no less than 800gb or a terrabyte and feature streaming/downloadable content only. This would open the floodgates of smaller publishers able to distribute through a big name for little money and little space. AAA titles would obviously take a long time to download, and would likely be broken up into "chapters" or smaller parts of a whole.

Throw in a unique (but not weird or alienating) controller and easy i-tunes-like interface and Sony could be back in the mix. If they release PS4 as a beefed-up PS3 with another proprietary format for <$400 it will fail.

[eskobar]

Great decision !!!!

The investment on the CELL processor benefited Microsoft in the end because the R&D paid by SONY was used in the design of the XENON processor ....

This time SONY and MICROSOFT should focus on developing a more energy-efficient console and a more robust hardware; with current technology the can deliver a very capable machine that runs at lower temperature and need less energy.

There are too many hardware issues to think about before getting more power :D

[Leo_A]

I can picture a sleeker console with graphics just slightly above that of a PS3, but with a massive hard-drive no less than 800gb or a terrabyte and feature streaming/downloadable content only.

Isn't going to happen anytime soon. Too many consumers would be against it and the retailers would be up in arms.

And the biggest reason is broadband is far from reaching every consumer and many a Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii has never even been taken online. Until broadband reaches the vast majority of homes in a country like the United States (We're many years away from such a thing in rural areas across the country), it isn't even a option.

They're taking baby steps to slowly ween us off physical media. Downloadable gaming became a popular secondary mode of distributing content this generation. The logical next step is for it to become about even in importance with retail games, with games always getting a same day release as a download.

They aren't going to suddenly jump head first into it where retail is your primary distribution method one generation and nonexistent the next.

[heybtbm]

Why isn't this post appearing?

[Cornelius]

They're taking baby steps to slowly ween us off physical media. Downloadable gaming became a popular secondary mode of distributing content this generation. The logical next step is for it to become about even in importance with retail games, with games always getting a same day release as a download.


Then they'll come out a few days/weeks earlier w/ digital distribution. How long after that before they simple eliminate quality/bug testing and just release it anyway? We already see plenty of broken games being released. Seems like that is one thing that is going to get a lot worse with digital distribution.

[heybtbm]

I won't be investing as heavily in the PS4 either. Never paying $599.99 again.

[j_factor]

Then they'll come out a few days/weeks earlier w/ digital distribution. How long after that before they simple eliminate quality/bug testing and just release it anyway? We already see plenty of broken games being released. Seems like that is one thing that is going to get a lot worse with digital distribution.

Eventually there's a point when people will simply not buy games right when they come out, instead waiting for them to get patched.

[Baloo]

Eventually there's a point when people will simply not buy games right when they come out, instead waiting for them to get patched.

Still cuts out a LOT of time for programmers and testers though. Have gamers find the bugs, you fix them. Beats playing a game for hours in every which way possible, much less of a cost to developers.

[Swamperon]

Still cuts out a LOT of time for programmers and testers though. Have gamers find the bugs, you fix them. Beats playing a game for hours in every which way possible, much less of a cost to developers.

I think that would be a terrible way to release games. It'd be like releasing a book only half edited and the having buyers contact the publisher to point out the mistakes. (In theory anyway, would actually be feasible with ebooks)

I think it's fairly obvious that Sony wouldn't pump as much money into the PS4. After the beating and loss they took with the PS3, I imagine they'll go down a much different route.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Won't or can't? 10 year lifecycle, herp derp. That's why they talked about the decade of PS3 so much, they needed to differ the cost over that much time... That plan isn't going to work, and they know it.

I don't care about PS1/2 support that much anymore. But if the PS4 is not PS3 BC, then I'll be ignoring them, yet again.

[kedawa]

If you ignored the PS3, then why do you care about PS3 compatibility?

[Edmond Dantes]

Probably because he ignored it, he's seeing the PS4 as a chance to get into the next generation as well as play catch-up.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Pretty much. I have a small collection of PS3/360 games I've bought and I'd like to see BC on the successor systems. I'd honestly rather buy hardware from the last cycle at a steep discount after the next systems launch than not have BC and go current. I'd just continue the same mode without BC support. So either way, I know what my plan is.

[CelticJobber]

I hope we're atleast 3 or 4 years away from the "next gen".

IMO, the PS3 is just fine as it is, and even it wasn't that huge of a leap in quality from PS2 (atleast when compared to the jump from PS1 to PS2). And I really don't need graphics that are any better.

[duffmanth]

Fixed :)

Nice touch lol!

[duffmanth]

I wonder if they will drop the Playstation line, and give the next console a new name. It seems like this is a good time to hit the reset switch.

I don't think need to drop the Playstation name, they just need to be smarter about launching their next console. That means not charging $599 for it, market it as a game console instead of a computer, and don't be cocky and arrogant assholes.

[otaku]

I recently sold my ps3 over a lack of content and the whole security debacle they've really been dropping the ball with this system wonder how much longer they will even stay in the game? Will we end up with just nintendo and ms? I could see that and even be fine with it.