Sony's PlayStation blurring lines between console, PC games

The renewal of PlayStation 4 is a sign that video game consoles are turning away from a life cycle of six to seven years, to more frequent updates aimed at players looking for the flexibility offered by personal computers, said the head division games Sony Corp.

[Tokyo] Renewal of PlayStation 4 is a sign that video game consoles are turning away from a life cycle of six to seven years, to more frequent updates aimed at players looking for the flexibility offered by personal computers, said the head of the division of Sony Corp. games

This step by the electronics company based in Tokyo follows an announcement last month that PC users can enjoy hundreds of PlayStation games via streaming service without a console Sony.

Andrew House, the head of the division, said the threat of players defecting to computers played a role in the decision of the company to launch PS4 Pro, an update that will be released 10 Nov.

He also indicated PlayStation Now streaming service Sony will have an increasingly important role in the strategy games company, which now includes the PC.

The decision to release a more powerful version PS4 was driven in part by "the feeling that maybe some of our most engaged users, perhaps gravitate to the PC at some point in their life cycle, as they put great emphasis on graphics, "House said.

Sony announced last week two variants of its PlayStation 4 console: a more powerful version called PS4 Pro designed for high-quality video and VR, and a thinner, more efficient version of the PS4 that was originally for sale in November 2013 .

"This came also from conversations with our own creative partners who said that perhaps the last cycle of life was too long," said Mr. House.

Sony is also pushing virtual reality. PlayStation VR headset company will go on sale within weeks, and should be paired with the PS4 console to operate the company. The new hardware is priced at $ 399 in the US, significantly less than competing head receptors Facebook Inc and HTC Corp.

Sony has said it plans to compete in areas beyond games, including related to movies, concerts, sporting events and, possibly, education and medicine experiences.

CEO Kazuo Hirai has relied increasingly on division games House transformation of the company, which last fiscal year recorded its highest net income since 2008.

The strong pace has continued this year, with operating income of the gaming unit more than doubled in the last quarter.