That time is quickly approaching. With the release of the PlayStation 4 set for late 2013, people are gearing up for the switchover to the new console from its predecessor. Still, even at its (significantly lower than the PS3 at launch) price tag, $549 is not exactly an investment many of us can make at the drop of a hat — especially when the PS3 is still very much a viable console.
In an interview with Weekly Famitsu, Sony Japan prez Hiroshi Kawano and his counterpart at Sony Worldwide, Shuhei Yoshida, addressed the issue of PS3 support after the PS4 release. “It’s been seven years since the release of the PS3 and the console continues to sell at a constant pace, plus we have many upcoming titles.” Kawano said. “We have no intention of immediately shifting from the PS3 to the PS4.”
“…to say ‘we’re releasing a new console, so trade in your old ones for it’ would be a maker’s ego talking, plain and simple.”
This is not exactly a new strategy for Sony: Support for the PS2 continued long after the release of the PS3. Nevertheless it’s definitely reassuring to hear it directly from the people in charge. Said Kawano, “With the 2014 launch of our cloud service in the US allowing users to play PS3 games on the PS4, some people may switch consoles from the PS3 to the PS4. But that’ll be a gradual process, and to say ‘we’re releasing a new console, so trade in your old ones for it’ would be a maker’s ego talking, plain and simple.”
In regards to the news that a PlayStation Plus subscription would be mandatory for online play, Yoshida smoothed over the criticism that Sony would be charging for a service they had, up until now, been offering for free. “The main pillar for the PS4 will be online play. We’re developing many new ways to play and connect which requires a large investment of resources.” Yoshida explained. “Considering the cost, to try to keep such a service free and consequently lower the quality would be absurd. We decided that if that’s the case, then it would be better to receive proper payment and continue to offer a good service.”
Yoshida clarified that a PlayStation Plus account would be required for “realtime online play” but that online play or video services that weren’t “realtime” would be available for non-PS Plus customers. He also added that so long as the main account on a console had a subscription, all other accounts on that console would be able to reap the benefits of PS Plus.
In closing, Yoshida reiterated Sony’s stance that the PS4 would play used games and gamers could freely trade, share, and sell their used game discs. He did note that while the PS4 would not be region-locked, in order to fully utilise all services, it is suggested that gamers purchase their consoles and games in the regions they are sold.
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Comments
9 responses to “Sony Won’t Be Abandoning The PS3 After Releasing The PS4”
this i like. somethng similar was mentioned for the xbone, and i thought they did it right with that. good choice by both companies.
Well the PS2 only stopped production last year…so I guess the PS3 will be around for a while
$549 for me is justifiable, but it gets difficult when you add in another controller, and around 4 new (and thereby full priced) games. If the total cost was $549 I would find it difficult not to buy, but given the total cost will be around $1,000 I’m going to find it difficult to justify given the huge amount of PS3 games I have, and will continue to get.
$65 a year for PS+ is very easy to justify. The games they’ve given have been incredible. I have a Vita games collection before I’ve even bought a Vita, and by the look of it there will be several or many PS4 games available for free to PS+ subscribers before they buy a PS4. I think that may be my strategy for PS4 – stick with the free games given by PS+ and supplement with the odd $20 reduced price, 12 to 18 month old game.
Still, I’m getting excited by more of the next gen games even though they don’t offer as impactful an enhancement as the PS3 has done over the PS2.
If and when they offer a bundle with an extra controller or 2 or more games for $549 or even $599 I think I can jump on board. No need to wait for a Slim version by the look of it – this model seems attractive enough.
$549 is extremely fair as far as I’m concerned, especially in the context of what previous PlayStation consoles cost at launch (I think they’ve come in between $700 and $1,000?) Although $499 would be better in light of the US price vs the XBone.
Second controller does add to the cost, although the ability for it to charge even when the console is switched off means I can get away with 1 initially. Obviously that’s not possible if you want to play local multiplayer, but if you just want to play single player and online then you can play then plug it into the console to charge after you finish. I guess if you’re into marathon sessions that actually use up more than a full charge then it becomes less convenient.
And yeah, a game also adds to the cost, although if you wait until a month or two after launch then you should have a few games available through PS+ without requiring any additional outlay (assuming you already have a PS+ subscription from PS3).
I’ve put mine on pre-order and am saving up to dive in on day 1. I don’t think I’ll get more than a couple of games day 1 – maybe Knack and Killzone – but surely will be tempted to get some digital games from the PS Store. Second controller will only be purchased when there are good local multiplayer games I can play with my kids (no news on whether Knack will feature co-op).
Yeah, a second controller could be postponed. My PS3 controllers run out pretty quickly, so I’d hate to be stuck.
PS4 + Killzone could be justified. My gosh if they do a bundle it’s all but a done deal.
I think that $549 is pretty reasonable for a launch price.
I only plan on getting 1 game at launch (hopefully inFamous if it’s out) then importing anything else I need later, assuming the Aussie Dollar hasn’t completely crapped out by then.
I’m not planning on getting rid of my PS3 anytime soon. They are still bringing games out for it and I’ll continue playing it even after the PS4 is out.
I’ll make the switch eventually, but definitely not at PS4 launch. I’m in no hurry.
“He also added that so long as the main account on a console had a subscription, all other accounts on that console would be able to reap the benefits of PS Plus.”
this right here will be pretty good for people like my self who use multiple psn accounts, one to access different psn region stores 🙂
Dear all of you stupid people. The price is $399.99!
I think the people saying $549 are either outside of the US or talking about a “deluxe” version.
I think you’re the stupid one. You really didn’t think that on an australian web site (.au) people might be taking about the australian price? Wow.