No PS4 at E3

Sony Computer Entertainment chairman Kazuo Hirai has officially refuted the rumours that Sony would show their next-generation console platform at this year’s E3 trade show.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal at the CES show in Las Vegas, Hirai said that “Andy (chief executive of SCE) is absolutely right in that we are not making any announcements at E3. I’ve always said a 10-year life cycle for PS3, and there is no reason to go away from that.”

Hirai was referring to the ongoing debate over the length of the hardware cycle for home consoles, which has traditionally lasted around four to six years. However, given the massive research and development costs involved in designing and building new technology, and the fact that platform holders often sell consoles at a loss to subsidise a swift-growing installed base, the big players are keen to stretch out that lifespan as long as possible.

The denial follows an incendiary story earlier this week in industry publication MCV, which seemingly confirmed new hardware would be forthcoming from both Sony and Microsoft this year.

In the event, it appears it may be only Nintendo showing off new kit, with the already-announced Wii U.