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PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 to launch in Q1 2013? Analyst sees pricing upto $400

PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 to launch in Q1 2013? Analyst sees pricing upto $400

By KS Sandhya Iyer | Updated: 17 January 2013 10:54 IST

When it comes to next-fen consoles form Microsoft and Sony, the question is not if, but when. Gamers across the world are highly anticipating the launch of the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 (presuming that's what they will be called) at E3 2013.

Now, fresh reports from Game Informer via Videogamer suggest that both Sony and Microsoft could be hosting "special Apple style press conferences" in March, close to the Gamers Developers Conference scheduled to take place in San Francisco between March 25-29, much before E3.

The report in the February 2013 issue of the magazine reads:

We hear that both Sony and Microsoft are targeting special Apple-style press conferences to unveil their platforms near the Game Developers Conference in late March.

The magazine further anticipates that Sony may in fact take the lead and launch the PlayStation 4 ahead of Microsoft's Xbox 720. (Also see: Could Sony's PlayStation 4 debut at Destination PlayStation?)

If that happens, we could perhaps look forward to next-gen games at the E3 convention that will take advantage of the new hardware.

Rumours surrounding both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 have been floating around for quite a while now. But nothing has been anticipated with regards to the pricing of both these next-gen consoles until now.

The findings of analyst Colin Sebastian from Baird Equity Research indicate that the Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 could debut at a price point of $350-$400, reports Gamesindustry International.

In a note issued to investors, Sebastian bases his findings on the various conversations that he had with game developers and distributors present at CES 2013.

He estimates that the PC-based architecture of the new consoles will prove quite advantageous, in term of a shorter learning curve for developers compared to existing technology. He also feels that this will allow developers to more easily build online services and capabilities, including subscriptions and free-to-play titles. He goes on to add, "For Microsoft, this design will also allow for more integration with Windows 8 and Windows Mobile devices".

Sebastian, however, does not believe we'll see thenext-gen consoles in the first half of this year. He expects an October launch for the new Sony console followed by the next Xbox launch in November. But based on his "field checks", he cautions that Sony may face delays owing to production issues.

Expressing his views on the Nintendo Wii-U, Sebastian stated that the company will find it difficult to find buyers beyond the core Nintendo fan base. He feels the company has to bring first-party titles like Zelda and retain support of crucial third-party developers.

Sebastain is of the view that this year will witness an increase in tablet games as well as Android apps being developed for Smart TVs. He predicted that 2013 is going to be a rather difficult year for the gaming industry.

Nevertheless, according to him, games like GTA V, new releases in the Skylanders, Call of Duty, Battlefield franchises and Bungie's Destiny are on their way to success.

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