Sony focused on PS3, PlayStation Vita for 2012 – not PS4

In another interview focused on the impending PS4 reveal, Sony Computer Entertainment America's CEO and President Jack Tretton once again reaffirmed no plans to announced a PlayStation 4 in 2012.

Since the latter part of 2011, we've seen increasing rumors in Microsoft and Sony gearing up for next-gen console announcements.  Back at the beginning of January MCV claimed Microsoft and Sony were poised for the "biggest E3" ever.  From there, rumors continued to swirl about Sony's possible PS4 reveal.

Of course, this forced Sony to respond to rumors, with Sony chairman Kaz Hirai making it clear that Sony had no intention of revealing any new PS4 hardware or announcing any details about a new console at E3 2012.  Hirai emphasized Sony's original plan for the PlayStation 3 to have a 10-year life cycle.  Shortly after, Sony's Andrew House, who also voiced his support for the PS3, also said Sony's primary focus for 2012 is the newly launched PlayStation Vita handheld system.

Despite Sony's continued efforts to squash PS4 rumors, they continue to appear.  The latest effort comes from Sony SCEA CEO Jack Tretton who said he is far too focused on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita to even think about trying to launch new technology.

"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," he said to IGN.

"And right now, we're focused on PlayStation 3, and I've got another platform [Vita] to get out the door in seven days, so I don't want to be thinking about trying to launch new technology any time 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."

While "hitting its stride" might be a stretch, it's hard to argue the PS3's new found success.  About a week ago, Sony called January's sales "solid for the PlayStation 3".

“Following a strong December at retail, PlayStation continued the momentum in January through multi-retailer promotions such as 'Play Days' where we saw a 2x lift over forecast in peripheral sales and solid results for the PlayStation 3,” said Patrick Seybold, Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at SCEA, of January 2012's gaming sales numbers.

"I, quite frankly, would be very distracted if I had to be talking about next generation hardware this year," Tretton added when speaking to IGN.

While Tretton didn't exactly say the words, he pretty much ruled out any possibility of a PS4 announcement in 2012.  If anything, his statements echo former Sony opinions that 2012 isn't the right time to announce a new console.  Whether or not gamers agree with them is another story, but right now it doesn't look as if Sony is looking to launch a next-gen console just yet.