Sony Confirms More Powerful PS4 in Development, But It Won't Be at E3

A more powerful version of the PlayStation 4--referred to previously as everything from the PS4.5 to PS4K to PS4 Neo--is indeed in the works, Sony has confirmed. However, it won't be showcased at the upcoming E3, as was widely expected.

The new system is codenamed Neo and will feature improved graphics and support for 4K resolution, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House told the Financial Times. A release date was not announced.

"It is intended to sit alongside and complement the standard PS4," he said. "We will be selling both [versions] through the life cycle."

A price for Neo was not announced, though House said it would be higher than that of the standard PS4. However, he didn't say the existing PS4 would remain at its current $350 price, which would leave open the door for the Neo to assume that $350 spot.

House also didn't share the specific hardware it will be equipped with, making it difficult to get a sense of how much it will cost to Sony to produce. Whatever the case, the new system will not be sold at a loss out of the gate.

Neo won't be unveiled at E3, as Sony is looking to ensure it has "a full range of the best experiences on the new system that [it] can showcase in their entirety."

He also offered reassurances that existing PS4 owners won't find themselves unable to play future games.

"All games will support the standard PS4 and we anticipate all or a very large majority of games will also support the high-end PS4," House explained.

One concern that has emerged among reports of more powerful PS4 (and Xbox One) hardware is the burden that will place on developers. House claimed it will only require a "small but manageable" amount of work to get a game working on both the old and new PS4 consoles.

"The consumer is attuned to a different cadence of innovation in technology thanks in great part for the upgrades cadence on mobile phones or PCs," House said of this new strategy to offer a more powerful version of the same system.

Reports of the system first emerged in March, and have been followed by a number of other rumors regarding its power and the fact that dev kits were on the way to developers.

Microsoft's E3 press conference is scheduled for this coming Monday, June 13, where it may choose to reveal its new version of the Xbox One. If a previous report is accurate, that system will be significantly more powerful than this new iteration of the PS4.

Sony's E3 press conference takes place on June 13 at 6 PM PT.