If you were hoping to be playing video games on a next generation Sony console by year’s end, prepare to be a bit disappointed. In a recent interview with IGN, Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, confessed that the chances of seeing the PlayStation 4 this year are slim to none.

So why isn’t Sony pushing for a next generation console this year, especially with Nintendo’s release of the WiiU in late 2012 and reports that Microsoft is going to unveil a new console at this year’s E3? Tretton explained to IGN that the current strength of the PlayStation 3 and the recent release of the PlayStation Vita have all of Sony Computer Entertainment’s resources all tied up.

 “In terms of when you talk about [the next generation] and when you announce it, it really depends on the health of the existing platform and the other things you have going on… And right now, we’re focused on Playstation 3, and I’ve got another platform to get out the door in seven days, so I don’t want to be thinking about trying to launch new technology anytime soon. I want to focus all our energy on our console business, which is really just hitting its stride, and Vita, which really deserves a dedicated push from us.”

“I, quite frankly, would be very distracted if I had to be talking about next generation hardware this year.” 

Check out the full interview with Tretton over at IGN.

[Via IGN]

Discuss:

Is it time for Sony to launch a new home console or would this year be too soon for the PS4? What are you looking forward to most with the next generation PlayStation?