Sony Unveils New PlayStation 4 Pro

NEW YORK—Sony Corp. on Wednesday laid out its road map for continuing to dominate living rooms with its PlayStation 4 videogame console, including plans to release a more powerful version of the top-selling machine called "Pro."

The new high-end model, previously code-named "Neo" and now called the PlayStation 4 Pro, come with a faster processor and enhanced graphics, the company said at the PlayStation Theater in New York's Times Square. It also unveiled a slimmer PlayStation 4 slated to hit store shelves Sept. 15 for $299. The original fourth-generation machine made its debut in November 2013 at $399.

Sony has already sold more than 43 million PlayStation 4 consoles, far exceeding sales of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox One and Nintendo Co.'s Wii U. But those rivals are also planning to introduce new high-end gaming machines next year, and consumers sometimes switch to competing systems when upgrading. Meanwhile, Microsoft in early August began selling a smaller, less expensive version of the Xbox One, called the Xbox One S.

With the two new PlayStation 4 models, Sony is seeking to appeal to both gamers craving the latest technology and fans looking to stay current on budget. Buyers won't need to rebuild their software libraries and they'll be able to connect the new machines, like the original, to Sony's $399 virtual-reality headset due out October 13. The strategy behind the coming models is aimed at continuing to generate lucrative revenue from software sales and paid subscription services such as PlayStation Plus, which provides access to online-gaming networks, exclusive demos and other perks to more than 20.8 million members.

Sony has previously released slimmer versions of its consoles before, but the coming new high-end PlayStation 4 Pro represents a departure from tradition, as Sony has in the past waited six to seven years in between releasing new machines with major enhancements. The first PlayStation machine came out in 1994, followed by the PlayStation 2 in 2000, the PlayStation 3 in 2006 and the PlayStation 4 in 2013. Console releases from Microsoft and Nintendo have followed a similar pattern.

Now all three companies are starting to release pricey new hardware more frequently to keep pace with fast-changing technology and a growing array of rivals, including high-end personal computers, sophisticated smartphones and set-top boxes that can play games.

Write to Sarah E. Needleman at sarah.needleman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 07, 2016 16:05 ET (20:05 GMT)

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