Analyst: "I cannot imagine a PlayStation 4"

Nomura Securities' Yuta Sakurai believes the PS3 will be Sony's last console; sees Hirai appointment as Segalike shift to software.

In the months leading up to the launch of the PlayStation 3 and Wii, barely a week went by without one analyst or another issuing proclamations of doom or promises of riches for both Sony and Nintendo. Now that both consoles are on the market, many investment firms' in-house game-industry experts are giving their assessments of the two companies' fortunes.

The prognostication reached a fever pitch today, when Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) shuffled its executive lineup. Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) president Kaz Hirai took over the position of SCE president Ken Kutaragi, who was promoted to SCE chairman and retained the title of SCE group CEO. Hirai will also be SCE's chief operating officer, and will relocate to Sony's Tokyo headquarters from SCEA's HQ in Foster City, California.

While Sony spun the changes as a "strengthening" of its executive team, many analysts saw it as a vote of no confidence for Kutaragi's stewardship of the PlayStation 3. The high-tech console's Blu-ray laser drive has been plagued by component manufacturing woes, which drastically limited supply of the console for its Japanese and North American launches, and delayed its European debut until 2007.

Some analysts went one step further, taking Hirai's succession as a harbinger of doom. No one was more pessimistic than Nomura Securities' Yuta Sakurai, who made the astounding prediction that the PlayStation 3 would be the last console Sony, the current console market-share leader, would ever make.

"The appointment of Hirai could be the start of a shift from hardware to software," said Sakurai. "I cannot now imagine a PlayStation 4." According to the Financial Times, Sakurai's reasoning is that "Hirai's new global portfolio puts a predominantly software-focused manager in charge of the company." His logic is reportedly that, with the emphasis moving to software, Sony would go the way of Sega, transforming from a console maker to a mere game publisher.

Critics were quick to point out that, despite its problems, Sony is primarily an electronics manufacturer, and has invested billions in the research and development of the PS3's technology. Despite the hyperbolic tone of Sakurai's comments, SCEA publicity chief Dave Karraker issued a polite response. "Following the launch of the PlayStation 3 just a few weeks ago, and witnessing the huge consumer demand for the product, I think it would be rather short-sighted for anyone to predict there might not be a next generation of PlayStation product," he told GameSpot.

1289 Comments

  • DragonxanderPR

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 6:15 pm PT

    I would say that the PS4 will come out, yet it would take a good time in order to happen (around late 2012 to mid 2013) The PS3 still has lots of potential left, as well as sale revenues to make. I would even say that the PS3 must meet the 10-year cycle in order to be a worthy device.

  • flameducky

    Posted Dec 6, 2008 4:31 pm PT

    Tech is getting better, and so is gaming

  • devilsace

    Posted Jul 12, 2008 5:50 am PT

    i hope there is a playstation 4

  • chickmagnet_1

    Posted Mar 22, 2008 8:40 am PT

    To be honest, I hope that Sony's videogame division goes down the crapper. Things have been looking up for the PS3 lately (all because of that stupid BluRay winning the format war), despite the fact that the PS3 is still an incredibly expensive machine. I used to be a huge fan of Sony, but lately it just feels like they are ripping off consumers. I have no idea what is going to happen in a few years, but I WISH they would just up and disappear.

  • davor_25

    Posted Jan 12, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    ps4 will come out between 2010 and 2012

  • HK-47-M4

    Posted Aug 9, 2007 10:01 am PT

    I wonder how much money M$ paid them to say that.

  • gizmo_logix

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 10:41 pm PT

    Story, Posted Nov 30, 2006.

    Sigh...so shortsighted.

  • bonus6

    Posted Jun 13, 2007 8:45 am PT

    i hope PS4 will cheap & will be available soon.

  • exigo89

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 2:40 pm PT

    hopefully PS4 will have 3d display (considering that 3d technology will be developed until then)/ Imagine playing PS4 in a 3d WHOA

  • c_smithii

    Posted Mar 25, 2007 4:31 am PT

    buh, buh, the ps9

  • whothewu

    Posted Feb 19, 2007 9:44 pm PT

    Just give Sony's consoles a year or two. The price point will likely be reduced, and most bugs, which Sony VGame systems are notorious for, will be fixed. They will offer the visually improved traditional games like the 360 but with a more Japanese spin. Sony just needs to support better FPS titles, and 360 needs to support better RPGs. Sure, KOTOR was fun, but it was merely a 3D Baldur's Gate set in the SW universe. I have a Wii, which is very fun, and I will probably get a ps3 when they have better games, less bugs, and a lower price point, and I can afford a decent HDTV to fully appreciate these later games.

  • ibnalam85

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 12:13 pm PT

    Sony is not a small company that doesnt know what it is doing so dont worry ANALYST

  • unreal_ll417

    Posted Jan 25, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    wtf ps3 jast come out

  • Cface

    Posted Jan 24, 2007 8:21 pm PT

    Sony made a good handheld; Let's not talk about their new console. X360 is better bang for buck.

  • Adnan959

    Posted Jan 24, 2007 3:02 am PT

    Yeah right...in your dreams. Sony will make another one. But for now I think it should be a PSP2

  • MTB_rider

    Posted Jan 24, 2007 2:45 am PT

    Nintendo wasn't doing so well the the gamecube, but the tables have turned. Now the ps3 isn't doing so well. As long as we have nintendo then im happy.

  • eskoink

    Posted Jan 22, 2007 10:41 pm PT

    I think there should be no more PlayStation i think they should just keep updating the ps3 and the psp. we don't need anymore systems. OHHH yeah Xbox and Xbox360 can kiss my ass PS3 N PSP best systems in the world

  • xatman911

    Posted Jan 22, 2007 12:29 pm PT

    Crazy predictions...who knows which ones will come true?

  • crazy-player

    Posted Jan 20, 2007 6:45 pm PT

    Bring back the Sega consoles!! YEAH

  • x_cosmo_x

    Posted Jan 20, 2007 10:35 am PT

    "Good PS3 sucks!!!"

  • nerd_rock_riot

    Posted Jan 20, 2007 9:05 am PT

    I honestly think with graphics where there at today... there isn't a reason to realease anymore consoles... Bill Gates has been quoted saying, "We could indeed improve graphics engines, but it would be like improving on CD quality sound... yes, it would be better, but no one would ever beable to notice...

  • rugripper40

    Posted Jan 18, 2007 3:10 pm PT

    hilarious...people are insane over this topic...lol

  • xBLOODSHEDx

    Posted Jan 17, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    DAMNATION MUCHACHAS

  • squid360

    Posted Jan 17, 2007 12:24 am PT

    lol sony.

  • Ace_V0rn

    Posted Jan 16, 2007 5:53 pm PT

    Agian sony gets pwnd...

  • re-raid

    Posted Jan 15, 2007 9:53 pm PT

    I cannot imagine there not being a Playstation 4. Sony just does too many things. I mean, does this guy think sonys ps3 is a total failure or something?

  • lrsp

    Posted Jan 15, 2007 1:55 pm PT

    Sony better continue to make consoles, or I will kill myself! Okay maybe not, but my life would never be the same. Only time will tell what will happen.

  • stripeknight

    Posted Jan 13, 2007 9:58 pm PT

    Hmmmm primarily a software developer huh? Isnt like every other T.V. out there a Sony?

  • masterXCYN

    Posted Jan 12, 2007 5:58 am PT

    i think 1500 units of xbox360s were sold in South East Asia last year and its gaining a bit more popularity. Playstation 2 is still the king of consoles here, it has sold more than 10 million. PS3 is quite new, give it a chance.

  • NormanOfTorn

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 4:52 pm PT

    EverAB
    "the PC rules anyway."

    "hah, fanboy. The PC is fine and all, but with all the system requirements, technical difficulties and patches after patches after patches, I rather stick with consoles."

    Yah i just got my computer a couple months ago and it there are always technical difficulties and system repuirement problems.

    Go Nintendo........Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:34 pm PT

    It will not fail because of me, that is for sure, I did suport Sega's Dreamcast and I will suport Sony's PlayStation 3. I wont suport xbox ever. Microsoft has got your soul and you know it. I suport fully nintendo and then Sony because they are doing a great job with games now too.

    xbox is for american freak gamers that like shooting! It better be good to convince me to get a xbox360 damn good!

    Gears of war is the only thing that is poking me with anticipation!

  • EverAB

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 1:49 pm PT

    "the PC rules anyway."

    hah, fanboy. The PC is fine and all, but with all the system requirements, technical difficulties and patches after patches after patches, I rather stick with consoles.

  • ITaLiaN_BrO_699

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:41 am PT

    Sony has actually confirmed a Playstation 4 that will release sometime after 2010!!!! Update this information.

  • nice2400

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 6:12 am PT

    personally the game industry nevers stops. if sonys game industrie dies. so what. Its just going to be another cooperation with another great console. please people don't only think about sony, because the ps1 is the first console and it isn't that old. so the coorporation isn't that old.

  • marine284

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    I cannot stand the playstation. I had a ps one when it first came out it stopped working after a short time. I had a ps2 for a short time it stopped working. I got a xbox when it first came out took it to afgahnistan when i was in the marine corps and only got rid of it to get a xbox360. So i think sony systems suck, anyway so if they go away good riddens.

  • Killer-Krunch

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 3:58 pm PT

    emruffalo said...
    "great now we can just let microsoft screw us all over with their crappy hardware"

    I Agree

  • Killer-Krunch

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    Hmmm...

  • CCyberDDemon

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 2:46 pm PT

    Wake up fanboys. The man is saying that from a executive point of view so grow up. Doenst matter if you precious final fantasy is so cool.

    No PS4 in the future means only one thing... the decrease of fun in the industry. Go ahead you cowards and give it up, the PC rules anyway.

  • laowaigeez

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 8:38 am PT

    So "Yuta Sakurai" can't imagine a PS4 huh... We'll, I'd be more interested to know if he can imagine 11-dimensional space. Can you "Yuta Sakurai"? Well can you? That shut him up...

  • Grimmreaper074

    Posted Jan 5, 2007 12:25 pm PT

    Did anyone ever hear about the PlayStation X that came out only in Japan and flopped, so technically, the PS3 is the ps4 so I personally can't wait till the PS 5 comes out...

  • gabwa007

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 2:55 pm PT

    They won t take the same approach as the PS3 for the PS4 , they ll get it out early, maybe even before Microsoft or very soon after and they won t make it as expensive.

  • sleepyTown

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 7:54 am PT

    I´m pretty sure that ps4 will come in five to ten years but definitely not soon

  • xtremeg4m3r

    Posted Jan 2, 2007 12:22 pm PT

    Already planning for a ps4. Wait till ps3 the success or downfall of ps3.

  • emruffalo

    Posted Dec 31, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    great now we can just let microsoft screw us all over with their crappy hardware

  • espoac

    Posted Dec 30, 2006 8:21 pm PT

    the reason Sony osted Kutaragi is because he was losing Sony exclusives like Asassin's Creed and GTAIV. This is bogus in 2005 Sony even ppatented technology widely suspected to be in use for PS4.

  • ShadowDeathX

    Posted Dec 30, 2006 10:04 am PT

    Playstation is not dead at all.... Look at Nintendo they have been alive since ages and they are only a GAME CORP. nothing else, expect the T-Shirts. Sony is one of the hugest Corps in the worlddd. If the Playstation Branch loses a bit of Money the others make up for it. Sony BMG Music, Sony Pictures, Vaio, etc.... If Sony can get about 3 million units by March then Blu-Ray will Win and Playstation would be talked as much as other like Xbox 360 and Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

  • chino_mangibin

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 11:55 am PT

    when the ps3 came the ps1 is gone and when the ps4 comes the ps2 is gone and when the ps5 comes the ps3 is gone! when ill ppl stop making consoles (hope they never stop)

  • CorruptedData

    Posted Dec 28, 2006 2:21 pm PT

    I wounder what the new features would be on it ?

  • foxer_2005

    Posted Dec 28, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    I bet it will be delayed until next 10 years

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