An executive at game publisher Electronic Arts has hinted that both Sony and Microsoft will roll out new consoles in stages.

Speculation about an Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 have been around since, well, two days after the Xbox 360 and PS3 were launched.

But Rich Hilleman, Chief Creative Officer at EA, said: “I expect we’ll see a PlayStation 3.5 before we see a PlayStation 4, and an Xbox 560 before we see an Xbox 720.”

Hilleman’s comments – made at a recent gaming event in the US, according to website Venturebeat – suggest that Sony and Microsoft will try to update their consoles in stages, rather than replace existing models with brand new ones.

The incorporation of motion-capture gaming is likely to drive this process. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer recently suggested the company's 'Project Natal' motion-capture system will debut next year in a new Xbox 360. ®

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