Report: No PlayStation 4 Until At Least 2014

Insiders told the website that successors to the PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360 could still be a long way off, despite rumours suggesting Nintendo is about to pounce with a new system at E3.

"Both MS and Sony are telegraphing to each other that they're delaying, to milk the current [generation] and fill in previous craters better," said one anonymous source.

Other parties concurred with the 2014 launch window, but added the platform holders might be pressured to move depending on what Nintendo come up with.

"I think we'll see a game of chicken between Sony and Microsoft," commented M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon. "Sony definitely isn't launching a successor before 2014 and could stand to benefit by having Microsoft launch first as PS3 builds in to North America and builds a strong position in Europe.

"Microsoft claims there's a lot more room in Xbox 360 for developers to max out, but here PS3 could have a strong advantage."

Never one to avoid the spotlight, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter had a few words to say on the matter too: "I don't think either Sony or Microsoft are interested in a new console till they can advance the technology, and they certainly don't want to launch at a $600 price point."

All eyes are on Nintendo then. If they launch an uber-device at a reasonable price then we can see Sony and Microsoft responding. But that just doesn't fit into Nintendo's ethos. The rumours surrounding Nintendo's new device hint at a system that its marginally more powerful than the PlayStation 3. If it's still within touching distance of current hardware, then we expect Sony and Microsoft will hold strong.

Personally, we'd prefer to have the PlayStation 3 around a few more years yet. We're still very happy with the system, and developers continue to be pushing more and more out of the aging hardware. It's just hitting its stride really. The NGP should satisfy our hardware cravings for the time being. We're happy with the PS4 remaining a pipe-dream.