AfterTek

There has been some quite a few people wondering whether or not there will be a PlayStation 4 as Sony might be shifting their focus to software, but these rumours have been met with rather firm rebuttals from Sony. The focus of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) lay quite heavily with hardware rather than software; a focus that has cost Sony quite alot of money.

According to Daily Tech, the estimated loss on every PS3 sold is between $240 and $300. While it is natural for there to be some initial loss, Sony is only expected to recoup their losses after five years. Furthermore, the delays in launching the console and the shortage of available hardware means that Sony’s competitors Nintendo and Microsoft have more opportunities to wriggle their way into the games hardware industry.

Management reshuffling also adds fuel to the rumour fire. Following the launch of the PS3, Ken Kutaragi who previously headed up the day-to-day operations at SCEI was replaced by Kazuo Hirai. As Hirai is generally regarded as having firmer relationships with game makers, many see this reshuffle as an indication that Sony is shifting towards a new software-focused era.

Analyst Yuta Sakurai is quoted in Daily Tech as saying: “The appointment of Hirai could be the start of a shift from hardware to software. I cannot now imagine a PlayStation 4.” However, in response to speculations that there won’t be a PlayStation 4, the Vice President of Technology at SCE Europe, Paul Hofman, was quoted in Playfuls.com as saying: “To say that there will be no PlayStation 4 because of management change is a bit far fetched.”

Dave Karraker of SCEA reportedly also rebuffed suggestions regarding PlayStation 4 on GameSpot, according to Daily Tech: “Following the launch of the PlayStation 3 just a few weeks ago, and witnessing the huge consumer demand for the product, I think it would be rather short-sighted for anyone to predict there might not be a next generation of PlayStation product.”