because this generation unlike past generation consoles are no longer "static platforms"

"Because this isn't even a question; it will launch within 18 months and no later. It wouldn't make sense from a business point. "

why not, from a "business point" it's to make money, right? How would keep supporting the PS3 as their main platform not be wise from a "business stand point"

because some other company has a more uptodate platform? if that was the case Nintendo would have made and released the WiiU later than they did? No it's about support and demand for said product. the PSVita currently is in low demand, right so by that mindset sony need's to stop production on the PSVita, hell people right on this forum already stated as such. why they should have reduction or investment into such a platform because it does not take off right out the gate? If that was true, no platform would ever be good enough right out the gate for any market.

that is why there is business plans made before you start any project, not every plan made will generate the same result's out the gate or be a certified Hit but the one's that are a hit you keep supporting, AND THE PS3 Currently is selling very well and the PS3 was not a Hit for quite some time out the gate until much later, it's not always about front loaded sales!

Look im not saying that Sony would not release a platform in the next 18 months, but if they wait longer i would not be shocked if they did wait longer, many would call it death for Sony in this market. but the same was said about Apple at one time in the PC market, Hell the same was said for Nokia in the market recently.

Not a chance.

They can continue to support the PS3 and probably will for a few more years. Though nothing in the level of what happened till this day.

It would all depend on wether the PS3 could produce visuals in the same level as the Wii U. If they did then they can split the market with Nintendo and leave Microsoft to dry because not man would go through the trouble of making exclusives for a console more expensive to develop for. Microsoft would just have its exclusives and the ports of the other consoles. It would be a bit like the dreamcast was.

But, thats a big IF. I am not convinced the PS3 can do things on the level of Xenoblade 2.

consoles sells have a lot to do with momentum.  If they delay that long Sony would lose all that momentum, and then when they released the ps4 would probably have sales and software support comparable to the vita now.  

Basically, it doesn't make sense.  The profit in video games is mostly from software sells and what you describe would result in significantly less software sells in a the long run.  

What sony needs to do if they are worried about profit is make a new system that is actually profitable.  They should cut back on specs and focus on innovation like nintendo has done.   Even microsoft looks to be focusing more on innovation next gen with stuff like illumiroom and virtual reality being the supposed priority of the nextbox.  

You don't cling to a sinking ship trying to get as much distance out of it as you can, you abandon ship and find a new ship to get you where you need to go...

2014 March, a potential chance. But 2016 will put Sony in lot of trouble.

You obviously do not understand Microsofts intentions with Sonys marketshare. Sony has to look after it like a dog because if not Microsoft will try to take them out and then monopolize the industry while dumbing everything down to specific to multimedia hubs over games. Multimedia is the very reason Microsoft joined the gaming industry aside from Sonys visible stance as a threat to PC gaming in the late 90's. 

"consoles sells have a lot to do with momentum.  "

How much  momentum Would Sony Loose when they are Already Lower in sales  momentum. ALREADY!

you keep saying that Sony   

"The profit in video games is mostly from software sells and what you describe would result in significantly less software sells in a the long run.  "

what other iP aside from gran turismo  that Sony owns that sales like that one iP? the Point is if they are worried about making a Profit, they can with a reduced footprint in trying to directly compete with Nintendo and Microsoft at this point, because right now Sony is already seen by many to not really competeing with them anyway. or not putting up a good amount of competition. Say for instance Sony wait's until 2016 what would they loose , than they have already lost already? More Market share? How much? all of it?

It comes down to the point is do you want the opponents to determine when you release something or do you want the Consumer's to decide!

Kaz just stated why go first with an announcement?

for all we know, he could be waiting and than realease the PS3 before the next xbox, or let's say he wait's. Microsoft releases the next box, will developer's up and leave the xbox360 high and dry? How about the consumer's who have an xbox360 will 343 studios give the xbox360 it's own Halo exclusive or a spin off?

what happens if Halo for the xbox360 is a spin off and the next xbox get's the exclusive, what than, even better yet while that happens Sony keep's makeing exclusives for the PS3. While the Sony 1st party development studios still make even more PSN exclusives and Playstation Home exclusive content!

People seem to think that Playstation Home has no bearing on usage of the PS3 but everytime i log into Home, many many people are playing game's using that part of the service with purchase for premium content.

its a very healthy thriving community.

Sony could may bundle the PSVita with the PS3 to new consumer's with bundled add in's while updating the firmware with new aplications for use. remember even though the ram is low, there is network services and very fast streaming processor's inside each and every PS3. combined with a PSVita as an extension into the mobile section + the Xperia and Playstion Mobile platform. they could very well extend low cost high return profit's for years to come.

and Apple and Samsung and Google is not trying to do the same thing?

Trying to take on that sheer number of companies making their footprint into your market when they can outspend you freaking 10 to 1 is not a choice for Sony, You do not think Sony does not see this. remember what russia did to napoleon 1812?

think about that for a sec.

1. Sony has the lowest total sales, yes, but they have the momentum right now as they consistently lead week after week in global sales.  So, yes, Sony has some momentum right now.

2. You are only looking at first party, Sony makes money off of all software sold on their systems.  You need to look at total software sells.  Basically, the strategy being debated here is the kind of strategy that would turn off third party support, or in other words the vast majority of software sells on the console.  

3. Not sure what home has to do with anything, but honestly it is completely irrelevant.  It is not a feature Sony even markets or talks about anymore.  It's basically the playstation version of second life.  

4. So in a thread talking about maintaining profitability, you suggest bundling the vita with the ps3?  I'm sure including a device that is sold at a loss and has little consumer interest would absolutely drive consumer interest and profit...

During the PS2 / PS3 transition, 5.5-6.5m systems in the US (2006-2007), and 250m+ games were shipping globally. In the PS3 / PS4 transition Sony will be lucky to sell 3m systems in the USA (PS3 sold 3.3m in 2012 in the US, will be down again), and global game shipments are well under 200m now. They'd be insane not to replace the declining PS3 / PSP with a growing PS4 until 2016.

Samsung has been going at it with Sony for a while, Google...I don't even understand that reference pertaining to Sony. Microsoft has been at it with Apple for a while and Apple has been taking a chunk out of the gaming marketed for a couple years now, but that is based off of casual sales which cannot completely stopped.