Sony has yet to officially confirm territory specific launch plans for PS4, but an executive at the world’s largest specialist games retailer has claimed the company’s planning a global launch for the new console later this year.
The platform holder revealed PS4 in February and announced a “holiday 2013” release in at least one of the US, Europe and Japan, although it has since declined to offer further details.
But speaking to investors and analysts on GameStop’s fourth quarter earnings call last week, executive vice president Michael Hogan said (via Seeking Alpha): "We know that Sony will introduce the PlayStation 4 globally in 2013, but we are still waiting to see what Microsoft's final plans are. We have scenarios with one console introduction, as well as with two. Even a single launch in 2013 will drive double-digit console growth in 2014; and two launches would likely drive the console category north of 20 per cent growth."
Showing off a slide highlighting purchase interest among the retailer's most active customers, GameStop PowerUp Rewards members, Hogan also said: "In this case, purchase interest means do they plan to buy in the next year? As you can see, purchase interest for the new PlayStation 4 is very strong. In fact, across a wide range of products, including new smartphones, new tablets, laptops, et cetera, the PlayStation 4 is by far the top scoring item. This is further supported by the fact that nearly 900,000 members have already signed up for the PS4 First to Know List on PowerUp Rewards."
Prior to PS4’s official announcement, Edge sources who turned out to be on the money with a number of the console’s features claimed the system will receive a US and Japanese launch in late 2013 and a European release in early 2014. The later European launch would be the result of the complexities involved in distribution in the continent, they said. For more on the upcoming console, check out our hub for the latest PS4 coverage.
