PS4 could cost around $450, will include Gaikai functionalities – reports

A Japanese newspaper has reported that the PlayStation 4 will cost more than 40,000 Yen, which is roughly $430.

Asahi Shimbun also reports (as translated by Gematsu) that the PS4 will release in 2013 and that Sony is in a rush to meet year-end demand in Japan and America. No mention of Europe lends credence to an earlier report, which suggested that the console will arrive in Europe, and therefore India, in 2014.

It’s worth noting that the base PS3 model was launched in Japan at close to 50,000 Yen and in America at $499. While this suggests that the PS4 will be cheaper than its predecessor, we’ll only know for sure once Sony breaks its silence on the matter.

It’s important to state that $430 (approximately Rs 23,000) isn’t an indicator of how much the console will cost in India, as the European prices dictate prices here. Judging from the Europe’s PS3 launch pricing, the PS4 would launch at around 430 Euro, which would take the Indian price to over Rs 30,000.

The PS3 had launched in India at a staggering Rs 39,990.

Meanwhile, another Japanese publication, Nikkei, is reporting (also translated by Gematsu) that the PS4 will boast expanded network functionality and include a social interaction feature that lets players exchange opinions with friends.

The new network features are said to leverage cloud service Gaikai, which Sony acquired last year. There’s no mention of whether the console will also use Gaikai to stream games.

The PS4 is expected to be unveiled at the PlayStation Meeting 2013 in New York on 20th February.

Sign up for the free MCV India newsletterhere.