Reports have surfaced recently that Sony is considering scrapping the keystone cell architecture found in the Playstation 3 for a more modern alternative in the Playstation 4.
According to Japanese outlet Impress Watch the manufacturer is considering a number of options for the ‘Playstation 4’; which Sony has yet to officially announce. In fact the company is rumoured to be looking towards more PC centric multi core options for the follow up console.
Tech journalist Hiroshige Goto has also suggested that Sony is looking at an updated, modified version of the Cell processor and Intel’s Larrabee as possible candidates. Despite this he also added that it is unlikely that consumer will see the release of the PS4 until at least 2015 owing to the fact that consoles take at least two years to progress from concept to release.
According to IGN the Cell processor has posed a challenge to developers in the past. SEGA’s Bayonetta PS3 port is reportedly a prime example.
Nonetheless it is likely that Sony is currently considering its options for its next console release.
Despite these rumours the PS3 still has some life left in it. Sony this month announced that the console would feature forwards compatible support for upcoming 3D Blu Ray technology. In addition the company is planning to release motion control hardware for the PS3 in early 2010 which is set to compete with Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s incoming Project Natal hardware for the Xbox 360.