Could an early PS4 reveal hurt Sony?
- Posted January 7th, 2013 at 12:26 EDT by Mike Harradence
- 16 Comments
The latest rumors pertaining to PlayStation 4 – or whatever Sony intends on calling its next-generation telly box – point towards a February 25 reveal. To be more specific, the hardware manufacturer plans on unveiling the console at Destination PlayStation, a popular event that in the past has been a regular stomping ground for new hardware and software reveals. Expert Reviews (the source of the story) also claims that Sony hopes an early announcement will “dampen” hype for Microsoft’s new Xbox, apparently due for an E3 reveal.
However, is an early unveiling really that wise? Sure, in the short run, salivating PlayStation fans and industry watchers alike get a butcher’s at the first true next-generation console (Wii U doesn’t really count, does it?) and it’ll no doubt set tongues wagging, but what about long-term? It’s here that PSU is a little concerned about a potential February PS4 reveal, and we reckon E3 would be far more appropriate.
For one, people saving up for a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will very likely stop and take note of the new hardware on the horizon, and may forgo their plans of purchasing Sony’s current-gen offerings. An early PS4 announcement would severely damage PS3’s sales in what is likely to be the console’s last major year on the market; as for PS Vita, it needs all the sales it can muster right about now, so need I say more?
Microsoft has plenty of time to prepare for an E3 Xbox 720 reveal, and the last thing Sony wants is its leading competitor stealing the show; having PS4 at the same event would easily split attention, and counter anything Microsoft has to offer. After all, E3 is the biggest gaming show on earth, and a great platform for Sony to announce its plans for the next-generation. Letting Xbox gobble up all the next-gen hype at E3 would be a disastrous move on Sony's part.
Lastly, PS4 is being released in 2014 according to rumors, making a June announcement much more likely. PS3 needs leg room for now and Sony must focus all its efforts in marketing the last slew of triple-A titles such as The Last of Us, God of War: Ascension and Sly Cooper 4 -- Sony would be shooting itself in the foot if it were to unveil PS4 at the same industry bash. With much of its major releases behind it by the time E3 comes knocking, the way would then be clear for PS4/Orbis to take centre stage.
Do you think PS4 will be announced next month? Do you think it’s a good idea? Let us know in the comments section below.
Email
Related Content
Comments
-
-
-
TheTenth666
- 12:55pm EST - January 7th, 2013
- 3
I think Sony will reveal the PS4 only when :
- they are certain of the technical superiority to the other consoles
- they have secured enough big games to be released in the first year (should be already as a big game takes over a year to produce)
Quite possibly if Sony doesn't reveal the PS4 at E3 2013, Microsoft won't announce the X720 either, letting them find new (useless/gimmicky) apps for the console
We know that Sony is already very cautious about announcing a new SKU so chances are they'll do anything to keep this a secret to not hurt sales.
-
Ariakace |
Ariakace55- 2:07pm EST - January 7th, 2013
- 4
I dont think Sony can afford to allow Microsoft to beat them out of the gate like they did with the 360. That being said, i wouldnt be surprised if Sony leaked information about the next Playstation console in february in the form of tech demo's and launch title videos without telling people thats what they are. then see what Microsoft does at E3, and decide if they want to go ahead and blow the lid open or not.
I would love to see a montage of brand new footage from various gamesonly to have it close scene with a man opening a dresser drawer, pulling over a few shirts to reveal a gun, and hear Nolan North's voice come over the speaker system only to utter these words. "I cant believe im doing this..."
-
mikeghtmare
- 2:24pm EST - January 7th, 2013
- 5
I agree with you guys, I think it would be best to unveil it at E3... unless they are very advanced with it and they unveil it now and have a playable version on E3, or something really big ready for E3.
I'm just glad I already have my confirmation for this year's E3 =)
yessss!!! =P -
itr855pr
- 3:26pm EST - January 7th, 2013
- 6
unveil it now show content and a their plans for the machine @ E3... Unveiling usually shows the machines specs and tech demos... by unveiling first they can make a 2nd showing of the console plus the content it will ship with... which I believe the last of us, God of War and Sly Cooper should make the jump to next gen No Doubt!
-
-
knight_spg
- 8:03pm EST - January 7th, 2013
- 8
The sooner announcements are made the better. It will stop stupid 2014 release speculation articles from cropping up. If people continue to be mislead into thinking it won't release this year it is damaging to the brand. It will 100% release this year as all evidence thus far in terms of game release schedules only points to that. -
Davis Fontaines
- 12:38am EST - January 8th, 2013
- 9
Bloggers need to STFU this is the problem with "GAMING" it's alway about who's the cooler kid with the latest fashion." First off there's room for all console
-
Sunny Rivers
- 1:55am EST - January 8th, 2013
- 10
Reveal last, release first. MS reveals the 720. Sony remains quiet for a month then reveals a more powerful and feature rich machine and has it on shelves in weeks. Talk about stealing thunder!
-
jamesobachand |
snake2112- 9:39am EST - January 8th, 2013
- 11
I also don't think giving out some info on the PS4 in February won't hurt. X-box always puts out first and sucks in a ton of people. It would be a nice change if PS was to do that instead this time.
-
mini E
- 2:53pm EST - January 8th, 2013
- 12
What might be interesting is a little teaser. Maybe show off some tech specs, powerpoints (you know the stuff that takes up half the e3 presentation) and reveal all of the developers that have signed on for ps4 projects..make us salivate for an e3 that uses the entire presentation to show us real demos and hardware.
-
-
-
Alpha2
- 3:13am EST - January 9th, 2013
- 15
The WiiU only counts in terms of timing, it doesnt count as next gen physically because it's nothign more than a Nintendo console 6 years late to the current genration. It only counts as half of the the current gen and will not likely match the sales of the Wii at it's current sales nor will it hold ground against the REAL next gen because it's not setting the world on fire the way the Wii did. Most people who bought the Wii aren't serious gamers and likely saticefied with what they have. Others either not interested in a new system yet or already bought a PS3 or 360 for HD gaming if they were interested in it at all, making it easy for them to wait another year and see what the real next gen holds.
PS1 came out after Saturn but still beat it, PS2 came out after the DC and still beat it. The reasons were the Playstation was visibly more powerful than the other console. the PS3 was 6 months later than it was supposed to be making it a year late in total and wasnt signifigantly stronger than the 360 in a way that people could easily measure just from screen shots, add to that that development costs were much higher than the PS2 era and the only thought in developers minds was "how do I reduce costs?" so they put no effort at all into differntiating one platform from another and often made efforts to make sure both games looked exactly a like. So the PS4 needs to be mroe interesting to develoepers and consumers by being cheaper, better looking and more powerful in a way that people can SEE with their eyes or at the very least do something the other systems don't do that actually adds to the ability to play and enjoy games, AND also HAVE more than 6 games in the first month of release for people to get excited by.
I agree with Mini E, Sony should hold off and not unvail anything bu specs in feb. unless they have amazing things to show that wont be erased by the almost year of waiting that we're in for. By the time E3 rolls around sure they might have more to show but the excitment may have worn off by then and if they dont blow MS out of the water when E3 happens they'll have to work that much harder. Also if they reveal now they have to also reveal huge games for the PS3 at the same time to really build momentum, but I find that hard to do if they cant gaurantee backwards compatibility with PS3 games because people are going to want to trade in their PS3 for a PS4 but still play PS3 games (that makes the concept of them creating a system that wont play used games sound ridiculous because they're already going to be creating a situation where the old system is obsolete and forcing people to sell their old hardware to make way for new stuff the same as they do for software which is why I dont think it will happen.)
Regardless of when the PS4 is announced (and they really should keep the name PS4) they will likely aim for a september or november 2014 launch as they always have. If MS unveils at E3 then they will have a november launch of this year to chase the WiiU like the scared and nuerotic company they've always been, But the PS4 has to be no more than 6 months behind it if they have any chance of catching and passing it and it needs to be cheaper and more interesting than the nextbox or the WiiU.
-
Jennings Semenza
- 7:12am EST - January 16th, 2013
- 16
If you think Edith`s story is unbelievable,, two weaks-ago my friends sister earnt $9614 grafting ninteen hours a week at home and they're friend's step-sister`s neighbour done this for eight months and made more than $9614 part-time on there mac. applie the advice at this site, FAB33.COM
This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!
