Sony’s hopes for the PS4 are increasing, and it expects partners to follow its lead with DRM

Two pieces of post-E3 news paint a picture of a Sony with high hopes for the PlayStation 4. Following a well-received showing at the convention last week, Sony increased its sales projections for the next-gen console, the Wall Street Journal reports (via GamesIndustry). Further, Sony does not expect third party publishers to inflict any DRM on the console, despite them having the ability to do so, according to Polygon.

Sony answered several of the industry’s burning questions regarding used games and online policies during its E3 press conference last week. Its announcements that the PS4 supports used games and does not require an internet connection were met with near universal praise. It would be surprising if publishers didn’t take the hint from that and avoid any restrictions on the PS4, PlayStation senior vice president of Worldwide Studios America Scott Rohde told Polygon.

“Technically they could do something, but it’s the standard we’re setting that we believe is the right standard and I believe that’s the way it’s going to work,” Rohde said. “When Jack [Tretton, SCEA president and CEO, during the E3 conference], punch after punch after punch, and the house almost came down with all the cheers, [publishers] heard that. They heard it loud and clear and they saw the reaction to what our friends in green talked about. I think it’s pretty clear that we’ve set a nice precedent.”

Following that positive reception, Sony boosted its own internal sales projection for the console, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House told the WSJ. Specific numbers were left out of the discussion, but House predicted that “demand may well outstrip supply.” GameStop executives reportedly agreed. The question now is whether Sony can keep this momentum going through the holidays, as Microsoft is certainly plotting ways to turn the tide.

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