Next-Gen PlayStation "Orbis" Expected In 2013

It's not clear if Sony intends to reveal a new PlayStation at E3 this year, but new details have emerged regarding the console, including what it could potentially be called. Kotaku has learned that the current working codename for the next PlayStation is "Orbis". The console is also being planned for a 2013 release during the holiday season.

The Latin name "Orbis" means "circle", or "ring". Combined with Sony's portable PlayStation Vita, you could be looking at a Latin play on words: "circle of life." Specs for the console aren't finalized, but Sony is said to be working with an AMD x64 CPU and an AMD Southern Islands GPU right now. The Orbis' GPU will be capable of displaying a 4096x2160 resolution, and playing 3D games at 1080p.

Kotaku also reports that "select developers" have been courted to work on the console, receiving development kits at the start of the year. Finalised beta versions of the console will be sent out towards the end of this year. That will give developers time to work on any games planned to launch with the console during the holiday season in 2013.

Finally, it's revealed that Orbis will not be backwards compatible with PS3 games, just like the PS3 removed the ability to play PS2 games. Sony are also working on an "anti-used games" system. Games will be available on both Blu-ray Discs and the PlayStation Network, and once you purchase/download and fire up the game, you'll be required to "lock" it to your PlayStation account. If you were to try and trade the game or sell it second-hand, the new buyer would be limited in gameplay, and be required to unlock/purchase the full game again.