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GameSpot Video Games, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

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.
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot
Posted Dec 1, 2006 3:20 am GMT

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.

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1286 Comments

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chickmagnet_1

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.

Posted Mar 22, 2008 8:40 am GMT
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davor_25

ps4 will come out between 2010 and 2012

Posted Jan 12, 2008 4:36 pm GMT
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HK-47-M4

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

Posted Aug 9, 2007 10:01 am GMT
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gizmo_logix

Story, Posted Nov 30, 2006.

Sigh...so shortsighted.

Posted Jul 22, 2007 10:41 pm GMT
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bonus6

i hope PS4 will cheap & will be available soon.

Posted Jun 13, 2007 8:45 am GMT
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exigo89

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

Posted Apr 9, 2007 2:40 pm GMT
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c_smithii

buh, buh, the ps9

Posted Mar 25, 2007 4:31 am GMT
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whothewu

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.

Posted Feb 19, 2007 9:44 pm GMT
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ibnalam85

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

Posted Feb 10, 2007 12:13 pm GMT
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unreal_ll417

wtf ps3 jast come out

Posted Jan 25, 2007 1:14 pm GMT
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Cface

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

Posted Jan 24, 2007 8:21 pm GMT
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Adnan959

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

Posted Jan 24, 2007 3:02 am GMT
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MTB_rider

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.

Posted Jan 24, 2007 2:45 am GMT
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eskoink

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

Posted Jan 22, 2007 10:41 pm GMT
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xatman911

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

Posted Jan 22, 2007 12:29 pm GMT
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crazy-player

Bring back the Sega consoles!! YEAH

Posted Jan 20, 2007 6:45 pm GMT
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x_cosmo_x

"Good PS3 sucks!!!"

Posted Jan 20, 2007 10:35 am GMT
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nerd_rock_riot

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...

Posted Jan 20, 2007 9:05 am GMT
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rugripper40

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

Posted Jan 18, 2007 3:10 pm GMT
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xBLOODSHEDx

DAMNATION MUCHACHAS

Posted Jan 17, 2007 5:18 pm GMT
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squid360

lol sony.

Posted Jan 17, 2007 12:24 am GMT
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Ace_V0rn

Agian sony gets pwnd...

Posted Jan 16, 2007 5:53 pm GMT
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re-raid

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?

Posted Jan 15, 2007 9:53 pm GMT
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lrsp

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.

Posted Jan 15, 2007 1:55 pm GMT
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stripeknight

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

Posted Jan 13, 2007 9:58 pm GMT
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masterXCYN

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.

Posted Jan 12, 2007 5:58 am GMT
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NormanOfTorn

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!

Posted Jan 10, 2007 4:52 pm GMT
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2w-sephiroth

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!

Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:34 pm GMT
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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.

Posted Jan 7, 2007 1:49 pm GMT
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ITaLiaN_BrO_699

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

Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:41 am GMT
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nice2400

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.

Posted Jan 7, 2007 6:12 am GMT
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marine284

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.

Posted Jan 6, 2007 4:17 pm GMT
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Killer-Krunch

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

I Agree

Posted Jan 6, 2007 3:58 pm GMT
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Killer-Krunch

Hmmm...

Posted Jan 6, 2007 3:56 pm GMT
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CCyberDDemon

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.

Posted Jan 6, 2007 2:46 pm GMT
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laowaigeez

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...

Posted Jan 6, 2007 8:38 am GMT
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Grimmreaper074

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...

Posted Jan 5, 2007 12:25 pm GMT
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gabwa007

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.

Posted Jan 4, 2007 2:55 pm GMT
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sleepyTown

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

Posted Jan 4, 2007 7:54 am GMT
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xtremeg4m3r

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

Posted Jan 2, 2007 12:22 pm GMT
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emruffalo

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

Posted Dec 31, 2006 8:01 pm GMT
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espoac

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.

Posted Dec 30, 2006 8:21 pm GMT
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ShadowDeathX

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.

Posted Dec 30, 2006 10:04 am GMT
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chino_mangibin

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)

Posted Dec 29, 2006 11:55 am GMT
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CorruptedData

I wounder what the new features would be on it ?

Posted Dec 28, 2006 2:21 pm GMT
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foxer_2005

I bet it will be delayed until next 10 years

Posted Dec 28, 2006 12:05 pm GMT
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FredArmstrong

"I can't imagine a Playstation 4 either" I couldn't imagine a PS3 when the PS2 came out sooo lets not get ahead of ourselves here.

Posted Dec 26, 2006 7:49 pm GMT
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berserkermonkey

so, now we wait

Posted Dec 26, 2006 12:46 pm GMT
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The_Weekend

it would float like something that i have put onto my toilet bowl ... unpleasent as it is now, it will it survive and make those who curse at it eat their words at the end.

Posted Dec 26, 2006 7:25 am GMT
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