14 DAY TRIAL // Yet another Sony leading figure has suggested that the video games oriented division of the company is not ready to announce a new home console this year and will focus on increasing sales of the existing PlayStation 3 while also offering support for the Vita launch.
Speaking to IGN, Jack Tretton, president and chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, has stated, “I, quite frankly, would be very distracted if I had to be talking about next generation hardware this year. Right now, we’re focused on PlayStation 3, and I’ve got another platform to get out the door in seven days.”
The executive added, “So I don’t want to be thinking about trying to launch new technology anytime soon. I want to focus all our energy on our console business, which is really just hitting its stride, and Vita, which really deserves a dedicated push from us.”
Since it was launched, Sony has insisted that the PlayStation 3 has a ten-year life plan, which means that we could see the device remain on store shelves until late 2016.
Rumors have been steadily appearing about a new set of home consoles from both Sony and Microsoft since Nintendo made the Wii U official at the E3 2011 trade event.
The Wii U is set to offer the same computing power as current home devices and will integrate a new controller, which allows for motion tracking but also touchscreen control.
Sony has launched the PlayStation Vita in late December in Japan, where the handheld has performed worse than analysts expected, and the company has publicly stated that the launch games and the profile of the device will make it more attractive to Western gamers.
Microsoft has also refused to say whether it plans to announce a new home console during this year.