Sony Says the Days of a 13-Year PS2 Lifecycle Are Over

The PlayStation 4 may be outpacing the PlayStation 2 when it comes to units sold, but Sony doesn't think the PS4 will repeat the 13-year PS2 lifecycle.

[naruga]

ok ..13 years is a bit much....but 5 years is almost thievingly short (if they plan to release/ announce shting nasty like PS5) ...i want pS4 for at least 3 more years from now to be active with exclusives

[darthv72]

Keep in mind that just because a new system releases that does not mean all of a sudden the previous is no longer on the market. sony released the PS1 in 95 and then the PS2 in 2000. 5 years between 1 & 2 and then released the PS3 in 06 making it 6 years between 2 & 3. Even when a new system releases, there is always a transition period of at least another 2-3 years.

If PS5 were to release in 2019 that would be 6 years after the PS4 (3 after the Pro) and PS4 would likely still receive support for another 2-3 years. What Sony is talking about in terms of 13 year cycle is "support" technical support and repairs / replacements if needed. not specifically about continued game development.

In terms of sales, I figure the PS4 will likely surpass the original PS1 but not the PS2. It's a much different time now than it was for the PS2. If sony can reduce the PS4 price to $99.99 then by all means it has a chance to pass the PS2.

[conanlifts]

Every new system releases with 1st party exclusives. Ps4 had killzone, knack then infamous etc. So while ps5 will not kill off all ps4 1st party games it will reduce it. Plus pro only launched last year, they should at least allow 3 years before ps5. My estimate is still 2020. If ps5 launches prior to that it will whether be $500+ or an 8tflop gpu with new cpu at most. 2020 would allow a lower price, new cpu and 10-12tflop gpu.

[Why o why]

Welcome back Darth. . We missed you

[Critic4l_Strik3]

Can we be friends? :D

[Why o why]

The 'real' Darth. . .

[Seraphim]

not only that darth but Sony continued to sell PS2 for a long time after the PS3 dropped. Also, companies, while continuing to thin released quite a few games for PS2 once the 3 was out. But yes, technical support, repairs, manufacturing, etc. That is all part of a life cycle. It's not limited to the PRIME years of a consoles' life.

I said we'd likely see a PS5 in 2020, 2019 at the soonest when the PS4 launched. With the addition of Pro I think that 2020 number is more accurate but either way the PS4 dropped Nov 2013 meaning that in '19 that would be 6 years + another 2-3 on shelf/support/etc making it a good 8-9 life cycle. As technology has advanced it's been easier to push life cycles further from a 5 year frame we saw earlier in gaming history to 6, 7, perhaps more in the future...

[TWB]

I think 6 years is still little on the short side, so Im willing to bet that they are going for 7 years. We havent yet "hit the wall" this gen, where the consoles simply struggle with the new games. Though, we no longer see devs gawking over the "power" of the current gen (except for the premium models), so its safe to say we are over the half point this gen.

Its also true that the old systems simply wont die that quickly. Even PS3 got some AAA support 2 years after PS4 was released, and few years prior many devs had already expressed how the PS360 gen was stalling for too long.

[fenome]

Now that we're into x86 architecture there's no reason that future consoles won't be backwards compatible. I still want 5-6 year cycles though, beef them up a little in the meantime.

[threefootwang]

Agreed! With full backwards compatibility i wouldn't mind seeing updated consoles every 4-5 years. Say it was set up so that every console was rated for 2 cycles before developers can move on, I'd honestly be ok with that...just as long as each cycle is at least 4 years. Meaning each console would last at least 8 years before a replacement is technically required.

[NapalmSanctuary]

@threefootwang
8 years is far too long for a couple of reason, not the least of which is how ancient the tech would be in the last 2-3 years of its life. It would end up arbitrarily holding the industry back. 6 years is a good maximum life span for a generation.

[segamaniaco]

With the launch of ps5, sony and third party can make ps4 pro exclusive cross platform games, that wont be compatible with ps4 slim

This maybe boost the graphics of pro
By the time, i think there will be a ps4 pro slimmer (249$) and maybe an even slimmer ps4 slim (149$?) models in 2020.

Forward compatibility is also possible, buy one disc and play it on ps4 pro and ps5, then you can buy ps5 games even without having the machine

Microsoft will do that with that talk about ending generations, so if you put a xbox two disc on a xbox one s it should work (thats why it has a uhd drive)

[narsaku]

Of course there is, why support backwards compatibility when you can charge full price for remasters?

100 dollar Bloodborne, "ultimate blood edition", coming for the ps5. There was a reason we didn't get a pro version. ;)

[Ju]

Backwards compatibility is fine. But you will want those 60fps on your new shiny PS5 while ps4 will run 30. This is only possible if it's a new platform not just a generation

[Eonjay]

Well, this reminds me of those claims of no more generations from Microsoft. Thats doesn't make sense unless they don't plan to make a new Xbox. The only true way to escape generations is to release an upgradable unit (which is the very idea behind PC). And sense we know they are working on another Xbox already, the length of their current system should be around the same as Sony's. I agree I want at least 3 more years from both and to be honest, we probably all have enough content already or known to keep us busy for quite some time. Also, consider the following
Microsoft originally said that the Xbox One was developed to have a 10 year life cycle.
Bungie wants Destiny to last 10 years (did they mean on current gen?)
PlayStation generations last forever.

[conanlifts]

Ms did not mean no future exclusives. They just meant every console going forward will play older games. It doesnt mean the xbox one will play xbox 2 games.

[Kribwalker]

It Makes Total Sense
It'll be like the iPhone or android phones, eventually they get too far behind and support drops for them, but you can carry everything forward with you to your next device. Like 3 years from now they stop supporting the OG Xbox one and the Scorpio becomes the lower end, and etc. They'll prolly support each version for 6-7 years and upgrade every 3-4

[InKnight7s]

Sony always support its platform go check psp, ps1, ps2, ps3 amazing library even after stopped production. As so recent example, Persona 5 is released on ps3!!

[jagermaster619]

What about ps Vita?

[Weeblordbad]

Sony had nothing to do with the development or publishing of Persona 5. I can also guarantee you that it's on the PS3 because they started work on that game before Catherine even came out, the idea that Sony had some hand in Persona 5 is insane. Ever wonder why Persona 5 has zero Pro Support?

[subtenko]

no, ps3 time was pretty good. SO what if its longer to wait, they have more time to R&D, devs have more time to make stuff while learning for the future, and we save some money vs upgrading like we buy new iphones every year (which is now becoming 2 iphones every year for some people; RIDICULOUS)

The only people who want shorter console spans are the people with fewer games....that'd be xbox and nintendo people...

[UKmilitia]

i really hope sony doesnt think they have to release another console becasue of one X,they dont becasue they have the killer line up

[JHippy5000]

Right. It seems the PS4 has not even been pushed to its limits yet. I'd expect the PS5 to have movie cgi level graphics like Transformers or Planet of the Apes

[The 10th Rider]

It'll be 20-30 years before a console has graphics similar to CGI of the new Planet of the Apes series.

[JHippy5000]

@fleecejohnson75 Hey it will not be that long. 20-30 years? Uncharted 4 is damn close besides the hair textures and wait until The Last of Us 2 comes out you will eat those words

[The 10th Rider]

@JHippy5000,

You're absolute bonkers if you think the Last of Us 2 will be anywhere near Planet of the Apes. Movies like that are rendered using many computers with graphics cards that cost far more than a gaming console does.

There's not even a game that looks better than the 13 year old King Kong movie.

[The 10th Rider]

Why is five years too short?

If you buy a $500 console every 7 years over 30 years instead of buying a $500 console every 5 years over 30 years, you're only saving like $28.50 a year.

30/7*$500/30 = $71.42 a year

30/5*$500/30 = $100 a year

Considering that's less than half the cost of a new game, it seems like an incredibly small price to pay to have your games consistently running on newer and more up-to-date technology instead of 10 year old tech.

[RosweeSon]

I don't think that's asking too much besides gran turismo 6 etc came out so late in the ps3's life I'm expecting big things for PS4 over next 2-3 years and I'll happily stick to this current generation I'm in no rush to move on again yet barely just phasing out last gen. 360/PS3 gone (well 360 is boxed up) got my Wii U to finish and not far off then Vita? Or 3DS then it's PS4/Switch game on.
Seriously tho PS4 is gonna be around for a while remember when God of war 1 came out on ps2 apart from it not being HD it looked truly great and as good as anything else anywhere at the time.... then then release God of war 2... still on ps2, PS4 is barely just getting to the great part and it'll continue for another couple of years GT sport this year then a proper Gran turismo 7 within 2-3 years. Exciting times ahead and Switch with New Mario I'm one happy gamer. Can't wait for South Park as well.

[BlackTar187]

6 yrs would be the length if the ps5 coms out in 2019

So it's safe to say most likely that 6yrs at the least and up to 7-8 yrs

[MegamanXXX]

Great

[XiNatsuDragnel]

PS2 is a legend, so should PS4.

[BrettAwesome]

Ps4 is already legendary

[yeahright2]

Yeah no kidding, when a console that old gets a game that's releasing on it's grandson, you know it's on a whole other level. (seriously, fifa 14 released on PS2.)

[FITSniper]

Wow I did not know that.

[Gamble20]

Not to take anything away from the accomplishment, as it is very impressive still, but the reason why FIFA 14 released on PS2 is largely because of under developed countries where they can only afford really old systems like the PS2. Even so it is pretty incredible.

[PhoenixUp]

@ yeah

Same thing happened for Wii. Just Dance 17 arrived on it and its grandchild Switch

[yeahright2]

Didn't know that one. Amazing the legs some of these consoles have.

[DevilOgreFish]

@ the title

If they want to be more like a PC sure, but in the end it would only cripple the amount of games released on the console. PCs by comparison don't have games attached to hardware so shorter lifespans don't really matter. A good lifespan for consoles is 6 years, for PCs it doesn't really make a difference other than for new features and performance boosts.

[Tech5]

agreed. shorter lifespans for consoles is bad for game development studios. most games these days need at least 2-3 years for development. for PC that's nothing but for a console that's like half of it's lifespan. consoles should be out a while longer in order to receive the game.

[DevilOgreFish]

@^^ " consoles should be out a while longer in order to receive the game."

That's actually the main issue with SqaureEnix. the FFVII remake has been in development for so long now. of course in the end no one wants a rushed game. so in the end the consoles should out a while longer, or their games get pushed over to the next console generation.

[PhoenixUp]

Meanwhile PS3 is going on 11 years of support strong

All hail the decade plan

[OC_MurphysLaw]

We know 13 is too long... but what about 10? Is that still realistic? Is 5 or 6 too short?

[ziggurcat]

it wasn't 13 years in between consoles... it just meant that they supported the PS2 for 13 years, just like they continue to support the PS3 even though the PS4 has been out for almost 4 years.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I agree its about time around supporting a console... but I would disagree on the notion that they continue to support PS3. Pulling away a service like PSNow from the PS3 is clearly showing they do not support that device any longer.

[ziggurcat]

the support for the console has severely dwindled, you're absolutely right. to be honest, I don't even know what the last game they put out that also had a PS3 version happens to be. I also think that the last FW update happened a long time ago, too.

[Evolve]

I would like to see PS4 go up to at least 8 years.

[ziggurcat]

I am certain they've already said it'll have at least a 10-year development cycle.

[Bronxs15]

It can only mean one thing. They were comfortable letting things play out as they are dominant at the moment. But because of their premature release of PS4 pro they are now forced to move up the release date of the next system (PS5) to compete with Scorpio's power advantage.

With this statement they are basically telling their fans to adjust their exceptions. PS4 lifespan will not be as long. Sony will have a new system out less than 1 year after Scorpio launches. Expect them to start talking about it in February and reveal at E3.

When Sony was on top with PS2, they let MS get a year head start on them with the 360, and we know how that turned out. Sony lost a lot of market share that generation, i doubt they'd want to risk that repeating.

Problem is, I think MS has a thought out game plan now, and they are designing their systems and dev tools around the idea of scaleable games and scalable hardware and cross platform tools with PC. Where Sony has been planning a traditional generational cut where one ends and the other begins.

MS is doing their thing now and if Sony isn't careful they may be caught making rash decisions in reaction to what MS does.

[ModiJi]

Don't worry about Sony, they will handle whatever MS will throw at them, Sony is King of Consoles for a reason.

[Bronxs15]

Ok...

They used to be king of portable music too. RIP WALKMAN.

They used to be king of TVs too. Now they are buying OLED panels from LG to put in Sony tvs.

Nintendo was king of consoles for a reason too I guess.

And what makes you think I was worried? I'm excited for whatever the next PlayStation is.

[ModiJi]

Whatever plan MS has worked out acoording to you, won't work on Sony. Was simply pointing that out. :)

[txboy05]

I know you want this gen to be over already lol but nah it ain't happening. Why would Sony be worried about the damn Scorpio lmao I forgot that thing was even released. Tbh man Sony is so in control they would be crazy not to milk this gen for all its got. The PS4 isn't going anywhere and all you MS gamers will continue to be a laughing stock.

[Weeblordbad]

Roll back there fella, so if someone chooses to use or owns an Xbox they're a laughing stock? 12 year olds today are getting INTENSE. There is something really wrong with any one of us if you think a persons choice in console is a reason for them to be ridiculed. Like that's some deep seated psychological stuff, seek help.

Sony was way in control at the end of the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube combined didn't even add up to half the PS2. Yet from 2005-2008 it was nothing but Xbox and Wii, why was that? It's a business, you're crazy if you think MS doesn't watch Nintendo and Sony, or Sony doesn't watch MS and Nintendo. Tech tribalism and the "Us vs Them" mentality is somehow getting worse, which is pretty sad.

[txboy05]

You are the one who is taking this way too serious by your choice of words lol. Yes I use laughing stock because this is all in fun. I have friends who have Xboxs' and i talk smack to them they are just not as sensitive as you are. They know MS is not delivering this gen but they stick by them no matter what. So you list 3 years out of the last 10-15 to brag about lmao listen to yourself. This is why you guys are a laughing stock, so pathetic.

[Razzer]

Well that is an Xbox fan spin on it. Sony said a while back that hardware releases would come more frequent. This isn't new. And you call Pro premature but fact is that it is at a more desirable price point than 1X. Sony is in position to release PS5 within 2 years of 1X and retake the power advantage while maintaining its dominance in games.

Either way, be clear about one fact. One X is a reactionary response to PS4 dominance. Sony has had the luxury to focus primarily on games and make smaller hardware changes that are more wisely priced. They didn't have to reinvent the PS4 midway in this generation like Xbox did.

[porkChop]

So what they're essentially saying is that the PS3 will probably be discontinued this year. It's going on 11 years.

[PhoenixUp]

It was already announced PS3 would be discontinued in Japan. It's only a matter of time until it gets discontinued worldwide

[Kiwi66]

The PS3 was discontinued here in New Zealand on September 29 2015

[ttbob]

I honestly think console cycles will be a new console every 4 to 5 years with a mid range upgrade in between. So basically a new console every other year be very expensive keeping up with them one of the reasons am getting a pc instead next year will be expensive too but at least can get a machine that runs everything max detail no issues

[Father__Merrin]

Every gen should be 5 years

[_LarZen_]

There should be no more gen consoles.

[The 10th Rider]

It's crazy you have so many disagrees. Here's what I said in another comment:

"Why is five years too short?

If you buy a $500 console every 7 years over 30 years instead of buying a $500 console every 5 years over 30 years, you're only saving like $28.50 a year.

30/7*$500/30 = $71.42 a year

30/5*$500/30 = $100 a year

Considering that's less than half the cost of a new game, it seems like an incredibly small price to pay to have your games consistently running on newer and more up-to-date technology instead of 10 year old tech."

Why are people so opposed to the idea of shorter console generations? The cost is minimal and the benefits would be great. As long as they're not changing architecture every couple generations it makes perfect sense.

[zerocarnage]

Is just another way this industry has become leeching on the gamers pocket, in every way devs have sucked people dry and it's only going to get worse down the line to the point that they will end up spitting consoles out like phones and developers making games where you have to buy pretty much everything just to play it.

This gen I've had to pick and choose what I buy with caution as games shot up in price compared to last gen. Then there's the fact a dlc pass or season pass means exactly a season now where last gen most developers were giving you all the content for the pass you owned. Even some developers are getting you to buy the pass putting a set amount of content with that pass then creating extra content that doesn't come with that pass to make extra money. Same with vanity items, last gen you used to get all that in with the season passes, no more, developers are creating there own stores in game for you to buy these at extra costs. These are just some of the ways this industry has changed and not for the better but for the worse for gamers.

when that day arrives I will say goodbye to gaming when the hardware starts being spat out like phones.

[Weeblordbad]

k bye, you can bring your broken crystal ball too.

[ifrit_caress]

Now it's up to the emulators and roms to keep the PS2 games alive.

[Starman69]

A machine that could run all games at 1080p / 60fps could last 13 years. What more could the masses want!!?? Including me. Ps5 maybe.

[Weeblordbad]

That's not how hardware works! What is wrong with you people?! Jesus.

[_LarZen_]

The PS2 life cycle was crazy. The PS3 life cycle was painful. Sony and Microsoft have learned hopefully .

[C-H-E-F]

The thing is they say "13 year life cycle, for the PS2, but in that "time" we had the following launched (NA Launch years): (PS2 - 2000)

PSP - 2005 (all of its iterations)
PS3 - 2006 (all of its iterations)
PS Vita - 2012 (all of its iterations)
PS4 - 2013

So, I mean, personally I don't think they should confine developers to not develop for a platform for atleast a decade. Forcing devs onto latest and greatest consoles may not be what the devs want.

So at the end of the day, who cares? If you are still making newer consoles, then let the devs do whatever they want as long as you are able to have support on current/new consoles.

A new console tends to drop 6-7 years after the predecessor,
ps1 - ps2 (94 - 00')
ps2 - ps3 (00' - 06')
ps3 - ps4 (06' - 13')

yall are worried about things that don't matter hahaha.

[txboy05]

Don't do PS5 yet please I am truly enjoying my PS4 just let it ride.

[Weeblordbad]

"I just got one for christmas"

[ocelot07]

I think 2019 is when we see the PS5. PS4 will stick around until 2023 before production ends I think.

[Miacosa]

A rotating tech cycle that is updated but carries all the old software titles along with it is the future let's all hope PS & MS don't drop the ball.

[1nsomniac]

Thanks to people like me who got suckered into purchasing the PS4 Pro based on what we were told pre-launch vs what we actually got. But of course it's too late by then the ball has already started rolling.

Of course everyone who was brace enough to say that it was obviously leading us down a very slippery slope we're right of course. Now we're just going to get buckle & dimes every other year.

[Weeblordbad]

Some of you guys are so dramatic it's cringey. Does this kind of stuff keep you up at night or something? Do you spend your day thinking about console life cycles?

[1nsomniac]

Not at all, fortunately I can afford to do it which is why I upgraded.

I am however at least intelligent enough to understand that not everybody is that fortunate & that I may have been part in facilitating the greed of these companies & for that I'm sorry. Now were all going to get screwed further. If you don't understand that though I'm not going to hold it against you. Lots of people wont because they simply don't care until the point it puts them out personally. It's just how some people are able to see the wider picture.

[narsaku]

Ps2 was not a 13 year console. The ps3 came out 6 years after the ps2. Even if there was a handful of games still left to be released on it here and there, it doesn't mean it was a 13 year platform. Everyone had moved to the ps3 long long long long before 13 years.

[KickSpinFilter]

PS5 2020
PS4 2022 that's 9 years of support, two years after release of PS5.
Just this year Sony stopped production of PS3

[glenn1979]

One of the best or the best console ever made ?

[EatCrow]

Why?
I see only reasons to worry regarding the statement.
They make games with awesome graphics so graphical power is not an issue. Tons of new ip can be created for this gen without having any real need to move to a new one.

[2pacalypsenow]

The last game on PS2 was Pro Evolution 2014, that's impressive.

[WelkinCole]

What Sony will do is they will just move the base model to the PS4 Pro with the high end to the PS5 once it launches.

PS5 will be bc and so devs that still make games on the PS4 like many 3rd party will still have a huge audience for their games.

However 1st and 2nd party will move their focus on to the PS5 games which will still scale down to the PS4 Pro.

PS4 Pro should be 250-299 by 2020. With the shackles off it should do well with 4k 30fps which will be fine for most mass consumers while the PS5 will still be for the general core gamers.

The advantage of this model is that Sony will not have to restart from zero come next gen. There should be about 20-30 PS4 pro by then that will be transferred into next gen.

[Enigma_2099]

Sony: We'll be d*mned if we let our console drop to an affordable $99 ever again.

[jokerisalive]

Sony knows best.

[GlitchChan]

God bless the PS2

[Artemidorus]

I'm not buying regular consoles like it's a contract with a renewal.

I don't do it with TVs, Smartphones etc and pretty sure many do the same.

[Firebird360]

Ps5 will be unveiled at e3 2020 and launch 2021

[RosweeSon]

7-8 is about my limit sure if the games keep comin but once the next gen from a manufacturer is announced and then if the majority of the big hitters are going next gen or a massive game I love is ready on next gen then that's when i normally jump, majority of the time it's day 1 unless I can see there's bound to be major problems ahead (xbox1) was happy to grab a switch tho could have waited sure but hey got one now mario Kart 8 is still as amazing if not better? On switch than it was Wii u but being a multiplatform gamer but also always got time for Nintendo, 4-6 year console cycles aren't a massive shock to me Nintendo are generally cheaper be it for hardware (Gamecube £130 Wii £180 with game) or the games are cheap until this gen when they want £50 a switch game 🙄 They'll come down tho once they realise that's the main problem they'll have to figure out another way to cut costs they've already removed manuals etc.
I'll always keep a good console going if it's still got the legs but normally happy to go next gen after 5-6 years depends what's releasing and where and how expensive next gen is going to be... PS4 day one cheap as chips not a lot cheaper now and I've had 2 free games a month since day 1... well a year or so before wit Vita and PS3 so that more than pays for itself. Might grab a pro like a did an XL to swap my launch 3ds and sure Switch will get revised we've had how many iterations or 3ds, XL new, New XL 2ds, new 2ds... etc a revised switch is as likely as a Wii mini or a Ps2/3 slim if the console warrants it and is popular enough it'll get itself a release in various forms... hell Sega did 3 master systems and 2 mega drives this isn't new those consoles barely had anything different except aesthetics. 🕹🤓

[jc12]

no shi*.

[Traingamez]

Cant wait for ps5... 2018 Released day after e3 hopefully or sooner... progress must march on !!