14 DAY TRIAL // A leading executive at hardware developer Sony says that the price of the upcoming PlayStation 4 home console will be set so that as many gamers as possible will be able to get the device on launch and play the titles released for it in late 2013.
Michael Denny, the vice president of Sony Worldwide Studios, tells Edge that, “We want a system that can reach as broad a gaming audience as possible but whilst being a system that’s deep, connected, rich and immersive and is going to give a very focused and differentiated experience than anything else that’s out there.”
Despite its hopes for the future of the PlayStation 4, Sony is not yet ready to talk about an actual price point or a clear launch date.
He adds, “The initial announcement phase that we’re in now is just to explain the vision to everybody. Part of that vision is we have created a console absolutely focused on gamers – and we want that to be gamers in the broadest sense as well.”
The attitude of the company seems very different from how it approached the launch of the PlayStation 3, when it suggested that gamers should get a second job to have money to buy the device.
During a reveal event in February, Sony talked about the X86 architecture of the PlayStation 4, its focus on streaming content and the social and sharing options that will be included.
Analysts are expecting to see the physical form of the console and more information on pricing during E3 2013.
Sony wants to make the PlayStation 4 a success on launch, with a solid line-up of titles and options that appeal to wide groups of players.
The console will face tough competition from the Xbox 720 from Microsoft, which is rumored to be revealed in late May.