![\"PS4](\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/PS4-controller1.jpg\" "\\"PS4")
<\/a>PS4 controller (rumoured prototype)<\/p><\/div>\n
The PS4 will succeed PlayStation 3 consoles that began their lifespan in late 2006.<\/p>\n
Sony has remained mum, but that hasn’t stopped talk of hardware upgrades such as improved graphics and controllers with touchpads, and chatter of a Sony cable-style service to route film or music content to PlayStation consoles.<\/p>\n
Speculation ahead of the event included talk of being able to play full-scale videogames streamed online — a break from the practice of selling titles on disks.<\/p>\n
“If Sony can offer streamed top-notch games via an affordable pricing plan, that would be a coup,” Steinberg said. “It is a nascent market that will be growing by leaps and bounds in coming years.”<\/p>\n
Free or inexpensive free games on smartphones and tablet computers are increasing the pressure on videogame companies to deliver experiences worth players’ time and money.<\/p>\n
New generation consoles are typically priced in the $400 to $500 range, and blockbuster game titles hit the market at $60 each.<\/p>\n
“Sony is under a lot of pressure,” said National Alliance Capital Markets analyst Mike Hickey. “Gamers are desperate for innovation and better games.”<\/p>\n
While Sony is tethered to “legacy” hardware, companies such as Apple and Google are driving innovation with tablets, smartphones, and ways to route Internet offerings to television sets, according to Hickey.<\/p>\n
In ramping up content and services for PlayStation, Sony needs to motivate people to upgrade from the current model.<\/p>\n
“If Sony wants to win it, they need to show some killer games to get people to go out and spend a lot of money for the core game experience,” Hickey said.<\/p>\n
He blamed a dearth of compelling titles as a reason for disappointing sales of Nintendo’s innovative Wii U consoles, introduced late last year.<\/p>\n
“The Wii U is a case study you can’t ignore,” Hickey said. “Sony at least has to nail it with the games; the core market can drive the mass market.”<\/p>\n
Industry tracker NPD Group reported that just shy of $9 billion was spent in the United States last year on purchasing or renting video and computer games.<\/p>\n
Another $5.92 billion was spent on game downloads, subscriptions, and play on mobile games or at social networks, according to NPD.<\/p>\n
“Tablets are in every household and the computing power of tablets is going up every year,” Hickey said. “Eventually, the tablet could very well become the console.”<\/p>\n
More Playstation 4 news:<\/h3>\n
PS4 premium subscription, release date, pricing rumours<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n PS4 streams PS3 games using Gaikai<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Xbox 720 requires always-on Internet, PS4 gets cloud gaming<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Playstation 4 fever peaks ahead of mystery Sony event<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n