Sony pressured to change game with PlayStation4 console

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Sony is expected to reveal its vision of the future of home entertainment on Wednesday by providing a glimpse at a new-generation PlayStation console that streams games, films, music and more.

"Sony needs a big hit with this game console," said Forrester analyst James McQuivey. "Not just because it has lost its dominance in gaming to Microsoft's Xbox 360, but because the company needs to make what might be its last attempt to be relevant - not as a device maker but as a digital platform."

Analysts and industry insiders are certain that a Sony event in New York on Wednesday evening will be devoted to introducing the PlayStation 4, a console that would hit the market next year.

The company will likely also announce "kick-ass games and development talent recruited to the cause", TechSavvy Global strategic innovation consultant Scott Steinberg said, explaining that "Sony has traditionally been run by engineers and focused on high-performing gaming systems".