The PlayStation 4 will "likely" be a more profitable system than the PS2, the best selling console in history, according to Sony CEO Kaz Hirai.
Hirai made his remarks during corporate strategy meeting as reported by Impress Watch. He commented:
"It is likely that PS4 will become the platform which exceeds the profits earned with PS2."
The PlayStation 2 sold 155 million units during its time on the market though the Nintendo DS almost caught up, finishing at 153 million before production of the handheld ceased.
Sony expects to sell 17 million hardware units this fiscal year while seven million PS4s had been purchased by consumers by April 6th. Analyst group IDC recently projected that 51 million PS4s will be sold by the end of 2016 and noted that while the Xbox One will overtake its rival in North America, Sony will be ahead globally.
IDC's projections were made based on the assumption that Microsoft would unbundle Kinect from Xbox One and drive down the price, which will now happen on June 9th.
Hirai noted that he expects PS4 profits to exceed those of the PS2 thanks to network services, meaning he doesn't necessarily believe Sony has another 150 million plus selling system on its hands.
The company recently reported its fifth annual loss in six years despite strong sales of the PS4 and a significant rise in software sales with losses partially accredited to costs surrounding the console's launch. For the current fiscal year ending March 31st, 2015 Sony expects to generate a net loss of $490 million.
