Electronic Arts doesn’t know if Sony and Microsoft plans on updating their respective consoles mid-cycle, but says it’s ready to embrace new technology should it materialise.
Speaking during its earnings call overnight, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen said that the publishing powerhouse is confident enough in its Frostbite engine that it doesn’t have to spend time worrying about any possible PlayStation 4 and Xbox One updates.
"I can’t tell you a lot about what Microsoft or Sony or other console makers plans are," commented Jorgensen.
"In terms of any mid-cycle upgrades, once again I can’t predict. But what I can tell you is that what was heard I think publicly from the console makers is they’re realising that the compatibility issue across consoles is an important consumer issue. And as Microsoft has shown, they’ve tried to do with some backward compatibility on to older titles and new titles. I think that’s going to be an important part of what a mid-cycle might look like if there is one, which removes a lot of the risk associated with what we’ve seen historically with console cycles.
"We don’t spend a lot of time worrying about it," he explained, "because we feel like our ability to develop for whatever new technology comes, the risk of that’s been minimized because we’ve moved towards one single engine, Frostbite. And we’re able to port that to whatever platform or point that to whatever platform is evolving or is upgraded."
Jorgensen’s comments come in light of a string of reports that Sony plans on releasing an updated PS4 console, dubbed PS4.5 or ‘Neo,’ which is said to boast improved hardware specifications.
Initial reports suggested a reveal prior to the release of PlayStation VR this October, with Sony gunning for a $400 price point and holiday 2016 release window. However, other rumors surrounding the console indicated it won’t likely hit stores until March of next year.
Microsoft is also heavily rumored to be gearing up for a Xbox One update reveal, while Nintendo will release its next-generation system, the NX, in spring 2017.