[PS3, X360] Microsoft and Sony Target 2014 for New Consoles

[PS3, X360] Microsoft and Sony Target 2014 for New Consoles
Sony and Microsoft aren't feeling any pressure to release their new consoles earlier than expected as a result of Nintendo's (still unconfirmed) plans to launch a new console next year, according to industry insiders.

"Both MS and Sony are telegraphing to each other that they're delaying, to milk the current [generation] and fill in previous craters better," an anonymous insider told Kotaku. Other sources echoed the sentiment that 2014 is the target date for new consoles, although some admitted that 2013 remains a possibility if either company feels pushed. A 2014 launch would mean a 9-year cycle in between Microsoft console launches and 8 years for Sony.

So why such an unusually long gap? Several factors are playing into the decision to prolong the lifespan of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, including the belief that there is still a lot of untapped potential for the current consoles, particularly for the PlayStation 3, along with the recent launch of major peripherals such as Kinect and PlayStation Move. The poor economy would make it difficult to successfully launch a new console as well, and it is believed that in order to implement the latest technology into new consoles, they would either have to be sold at a prohibitive price point or the companies would take a significant loss on each unit that is sold.

Billy Pidgeon of M2 Research admits, however, that a strong performance by Nintendo's new console may force the hand of Microsoft and/or Sony: "If Nintendo does very well with the next console," he said, "Microsoft and Sony will quickly get a lot more serious about next generation."

Both Microsoft and Sony unsurprisingly declined to comment on their plans for future consoles.

Written by: Mike Glubish

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