Playstation 4 to introduce new services and 'Digital Focus' aspect

Following the official announcement of the Playstation 4 on February 20, Sony is looking to focus on digital media and subscriptions entirely once the console hits the market. In an interview with The Guardian, Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida said that content subscription is the aim, with most if not everything shifting to digital download purchases through the Playstation Network. In a bid to promote Multiple Business Models, Sony is positioning itself very much like a cable TV company, offering several incentives to members and subscribers worldwide. When asked by The Guardian how the plan supports smaller studios, Yoshida said, "We’re shifting our platform more and more to the digital side – PS4 will be similar to PS Vita in that every game will be available as a digital download, and some will also be available as a disc. The Witness will be a digital release and because of the flexibility of the digital distribution scheme, we can have more small games that might be free or available for a couple of dollars, or different services like free-to-play or subscription models.” Long pursued and primed to be incorporated into their upcoming new console, Gaikai streaming technology is considered the new initiative behind the Playstation 4. Yoshida hints that there could be “gold, silver or platinum” types of membership for subscribers, allowing access to different kinds of services which include games, videos, and other forms of media. No official word has been given on the actual release date of the Playstation 4, but it is expected to hit stores sometime the third quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, Sony released the official trailer for the Playstation 4 on YouTube. — DVM, GMA News