While Sony’s newest next generation console PlayStation 4 has already reached the markets (alongside all the different problems related to it), fans are still waiting to find out if the Gaikai streaming service related to the console is worth what Sony had announced about it. Thankfully enough, according to Sony, it seems like the streaming service is perfectly on track for a successful 2014 launch, and might even support Sony’s PS Vita handheld in the process.
According to Sony Computer Entertainment president and chief executive Andrew House in a recent conversation with The Guardian, Sony will be targeting to ultimately move the Gaikai service to the Vita, Smart TVs and other related devices in the near future.
“We’re still on track for a 2014 launch of the commercial service. It’s a brand new proposition: we’re pioneering a different way to experience games, ie server-delivered from the cloud. And we’re taking a very gradual, step-by-step approach because, first and foremost, we want to ensure that it’s a good experience for consumers,” House stated.
Also, on asked whether Sony is planning still to deliver backwards-compatibility via the cloud with Gaikai’s technology, House stated: “I’m not sure I look at it as backwards-compatibility; I look at it as a different way to offer PlayStation 3 gaming experiences – eventually to a much broader range of devices.”
"So it starts with PlayStation 4, then it’s possible on PlayStation Vita, but eventually it will move out to things like smart TVs and other connected boxes.”
Additionally, House was also asked if he’s happy with the PlayStation 4’s launch lineup with the general consensus stating that Microsoft outdid Sony in that department at least. He stated: “Yes, a launch line-up is to a certain degree a statement of intent. But we’ve got two games right here which are great. Killzone: Shadow Fall has seen very significant sales during the first part of the US launch, which is very encouraging.”
“Looking further out, we have Driveclub coming and Infamous. We took the decision with Driveclub to push its launch date out, because we want it to be a really great experience that carries the PlayStation 4 banner, and I’m confident that the guys are hard at work making sure that it does that. Within roughly the same period, I think you’ll see a really fantastic experience with Watch Dogs as well,” he further added.
Sony’s PS4, as of now, offers titles including Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, Resogun, and more, with the console itself retailing for $399.
