Sony attempted to include the PlayStation 4 Eye camera peripheral with the console at launch but dropped its plans after costs proved prohibitive, Sony Computer Entertainment president and Group CEO Andrew House revealed this week.

SCE Japan senior vice president Masayasu Ito notes that the company was determined to reach a $399 price point for the PlayStation 4 at launch, putting it $100 under the Kinect-bundled Xbox One. At the same time, Sony executives wanted to minimize loss on each console sold, driving the company's decision to release the PS4 Eye separately at $59.99.

House downplayed the Eye's importance to PlayStation 4 buyers at launch. "Certainly for the earlier part of the lifecycle, the vast majority of the audience that we speak to tells us that their primary wish is for the full controller interface and there's not necessarily a huge emphasis being placed on camera interaction," he said.

House hinted at plans to "adjust messaging" regarding the peripheral over the PlayStation 4's lifespan, suggesting that the PlayStation Eye could be included with future PS4 bundles.

Posted: Oct 09, 2013 3:03 pm
Related Forum: PlayStation Forum

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/10/09/sony-abandoned-plans-to-bundle-eye-camera-with-ps4-at-399/