Losses grow at PlayStation as PS4 R&D ramps up

Sony’s gaming division has seen operating losses grow from 3.5bn to 14.8bn ($149m) for the quarter ending June 2013.

Sales were flat at 117.9bn primarily due to a decrease in unit sales of the PS3, PSP and PS2” while gaming losses increased significantly primarily due to an increase in research and development expenses related to the upcoming introduction of the PS4”.

Last year’s quarter was also boosted due to a Blu-ray disc patent royalty payment.

Sales of PS3 and PS2 combined hit just 1.1m while Vita and PSP sold 600,000 units. The company had previously predicted annual sales of 10m units for PS3 and PS2 and 5m for Vita and PSP.

Remember, in the same period Microsoft sold 1m Xbox 360s, Nintendo sold 160k Wii Us and Apple sold 31.2m iPhones.

Sony predicts a better sales performance from games than it previously predicted in May, although operating results are now likely to be significantly lower”.

Overall results for the June quarter saw sales climb 13 per cent to 1,712.7bn ($17.3bn) and operating income rocket 479 per cent to 36.4bn.

Sony thanked exchange rates and financial service revenue increases for the jump, as well as a marked increase in smartphone sales. Sales of digital cameras and chemical products fell.