PlayStation 4 code-named 'Orbis', expected to launch in 2013

If you were disappointed that there would be no new hardware shown off at E3 2012 except for more details on the Wii U, here’s a little news that will cheer you up! Reports on the Internet suggest that Sony has been hard at work on the PS4, codenamed Orbis, and the system is expected to launch in 2013. Considering Kinect was code-named “Project Natal” for its duration of development and the PS Vita the NGP, it’s no surprise that console manufacturers have very bad taste in code names. Why not just call it the PlayStation 4?

Past rumours about Sony next gen console suggested that it would be ditching the cell-based architecture, which is there on the PS3 for a more “developer friendly” architecture. According to reports, the processor is an AMD x64 CPU and an AMD Southern Islands GPU will power the graphics. The device is also expected to support a resolution of 4096x2160. That 4K! Take thatApple Retina Display!

The fact that Sony’s new hardware could support 4K may not be a hoax considering the PlayStation history. Every PlayStation console has brought with it a new disc format and supported a higher screen resolution. The PS1 was the best CD player, the PS2 was the best DVD player and the PS3 brought with it the Blu-Ray format.

The biggest disappointment with the PS3 was that its backward compatibility to PS2 games wasn’t great and this feature was eventually dropped in the subsequent iterations of the console. Reports suggest that the PS4, the Orbis, will not be backwards compatible at all!

Recent speculations on the Internet suggested that the next gen XBOX would not be compatible with used games. This may just become an industry norm as reports suggest that the Orbis too will not be compatible with used games. You may need to link the game to your PSN account or use an activation code to play the game.

Sony has always maintained a 10-year lifecycle for its gaming hardware and even if the Orbis launches in 2013, you can expect to see developer support for the PS3 till 2016 at the very least.