PlayStation 4 planned 10 years ahead of release discusses Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai

8 May 2008

Posted by:Ferry

In a recent interview Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai was asked about the PlayStation 4 and future Sony hardware always being planned / developed far ahead and how he feels about always thinking for what comes next despite Sony’s planned ten-year life cycle for the PlayStation 3. While it may seem obvious that if the PS3 sells well, there will be a PS4, it’s an interesting behind-the-scenes view.

Mr. Hirai answered: “Well I think in any given moment, you need to think both short-term – so, what are we doing next fiscal year, how do we grow the current business – but at the same time, you also need to look four or five years out as well. To say, OK, what is the consumer wanting to do in interactive entertainment five years from now, what can we as a platform holder propose, if you will, to the consumers, to say maybe we should so this or that, and make sure that we keep the consumers engaged, and really also make sure that we are leading the market as opposed to following it. So discussions are happening all the time, about both our short term plans – what are we doing this fiscal year, next fiscal year – as well as, what is the world going to look like, what is the landscape going to look like five years from now, or ten years from now.”

This last sentence would be referring to the PlayStation 4 planning. So the Kikizo interviewer asked what happens with the PlayStation brand in this rapidly progressing technology landscape.

Mr. Hirai answered: “I think so, I think so. But at the same time, I think we have proven with two consoles already that when you say it’s a ten-year lifecycle, it’s a ten-year lifecycle. And we have the luxury I think of being able to keep that long lifecycle going, which means that we don’t need to be talking about our next-generation platform, because again we have a very stable [current] platform. And we certainly don’t want to confuse the consumers once again, by talking about something that may or may not happen five years from now. And that’s something we’re talking about and discussing up here [taps his head] in the company, but it’s not something we talk about openly, again for fear of confusing the consumers. And quite honestly, I think the PlayStation 3, we’ve repositioned it, and it’s got quite a long way to go. I mean we’re just starting here.”

I’m glad there are professional interviewers out there. I’d be asking questions like whether or not the PS4 will have the Spider-Man font as well. I mean, aren’t you curious?

Update March 27, 2009: Sony Computer Entertainment has filed a “PS Cloud” trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office. This occurred on the same day the OnLive cloud gaming service was announced, which streams videogames to your TV or PC for direct play without the need for high-end PCs or consoles. It’s unclear whether or not Sony have been working on a similar cloud gaming subscription service or if it’s simply to cover their bases in case cloud gaming is the next big thing. Sony describes the PlayStation Cloud as a provider of “entertainment services, namely, providing an online videogame that users may access through the internet”. Anyone care to guess if they are describing future PS3 or PS4 games streaming to your living room; or simply alternate reality (Xi came out on March 23, coincidence?) and arcade games in Home?

Categories: Interviews, News, PS3 News

zack

10 years yeah thats why im getting xbox 720 in 3 yrs
mcjakeqcool

The Xbox 720 is going to do to the ps3 what the 360 did to the ps2, last gen technology is s**t simple as. mcjakeqcool
luke

i have both 360 and ps3. i personally rather play on my 360. rather disappointed in the ps3 since hearing all the positive reviews and what not. and most exclusive titles on the ps3 run on 720p! how sad is that. a full hd system that cant actually use the full output?!?!? i compared a couple games on both systems and since the 360 has 1080p output for most games, the graphics are alot more vibrant and detailed compared with the ps3. i dont hate the ps3 it is a good console, just not overly impressed in it. i was expecting it to be better than my 360 but i still play on my 360 more lol lookin forward to hearing more about the new consoles more power!!!!!!!!! lol lots of lv xxx
mcjakeqcool

@luke
I agree, and I’m in the same boat, I have both a 360 and ps3 but I like the 360 better. Aside from the fact that the 360 has more games, has sold more units and is cheaper then the ps3, the main reason I like the 360 better is cos the boot up is awsome, oh and I perfer the 360 controlers, they are more comfortable. I personaly tend to stray away from ps3 games unless I cannot get them on the 360, however in the ps3′s defence, it is a hell of a lot better then the Wii, at least it has a boot up. But really I’ve been a Xbox fanboy since the Xbox 1 first came out, it’s the X that did it for me, it was so cool to have a console with a X in the middle. mcjakeqcool
JQ

@zack
I agree, why wait 10 years for a expensive piece of s**t, when you can wait 5 years for a quality console, and still get it cheap? JQ
chris

@luke the ps3 does support 1080p, : i am more of a ps3 fan then the 360 but 360 is rather cool and it has changed alot since the1st xbox but to my opinion i see that the sony franchise is more next gen due to graphic wise such as killzone2, Socom Confrontation etc all played in full 1080p, thou x box is coming out with “project natal” it looks fun ana addicting, ps3 has the playstation eye which is Crazy Good because u could involve real-life items which can be interacted in the game. I respect all opinions. There both Great systems equally, but im a sony guy sine ps one came out….
JQ

@chris
It’s great to have a sony fanboy who is telling me to go buy a ps3 for once! JQ
yes

I don’t see why someone would buy a falty system like the 360. I mean the 360 was a rushed system and what happened microsoft didn’t do anything but say, “sorry your 360 is not working now buy another xbox because we will not replace it ” and that’s how there are more 360 sold then ps3. But then they said, “fine well replace them” but then there were more things wrong and people got tired of waiting so they just bought a new one. But ps4 will be awsome.
AK-47 (GOD)

PS4, too much tech for humanity to handle. I hope its like 10k. Cause if its not then Sony would be very generous to sell a high quality system like that for less. I mean look at wut the PS3 can do already. When Sony 1st introduced PS3 they said it would be close to $1,000, but worth it. I think its worth 1k. The tech and capabilities of PS3 far pass any of these other consoles. It really replaces majority of your electronic devices. You don need anything but a TV if you buy a PS3. Got a $100 radio, throw it away. Got a 2 grand computer, put it in the attic. Don need it get rid of it all and get a PS3.
AK-47 (GOD)

If you even have a cell phone throw it away YOU DONT NEED IT! Everything you have electronic wise can all be replaced if you get a PS3. You might wanna hang on to your VHS players ppl cause thats the only thing PS3 doesn’t support, so YOU MIGHT NEED IT! Selling my 360 and buying the PS3 was the best choice I ever made. Still got my Wii but it just sits there and gets dusty, hunk of trash. Rather have a Gamecube if I could find one. Dont buy a Wii, YOU DONT NEED IT! XBOX TISK YOU DONT NEED IT! Buy a PS3 today I guarantee you’ll be happy enough to divorce your wife, YOU DONT NEED HER! It even replaces her too!