PlayStation 2 Nears Starting Gate

While we're all still enjoying the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and (to some extent) the Saturn, it would be foolish not to think that bigger and better things are in the works deep inside the HQs of all three companies. We already know about the Dreamcast, and sketchy details on Nintendo's next machine, but the successor to the PlayStation has so far been a mystery.

Not any longer though. In an interview with EE Times, SCEI executive VP and co-COO Ken Kutaragi confirmed that the console is in fact under development in Tokyo. Also, a team of engineers is currently working on developing new graphics technologies for use on the console. Kutaragi said that the company places importance on owning the graphics technology that will be used in its next system, unlike Sega or Nintendo, which has largely bought existing technologies from other companies.

"Today's video game computer graphics look like computer graphics," he told EE Times. "Our goal is a film-like graphics quality that won't make viewers conscious of or annoyed that they are indeed looking at computer graphics."

It's still unknown as to when the PlayStation 2 or PlayStation Next will hit the market, but it would not be surprising to see details on the machine emerge as Dreamcast's launch gets closer.

Being very vague, SCEA Executive VP and COO Kaz Hirai told videogames.com at E3: "I think you can expect from Sony an announcement about PlayStation 2 (or PlayStation Next or whatever people refer to it as) when we feel that it's the appropriate time to make that announcement." Hirai says that the full potential of the company's PlayStation platform as it stands now remains untapped, and that Sony will likely focus on the PlayStation for the near future.

At press time, Sony Computer Entertainment America had not returned our phone calls for further comment.