Sony will launch its next generation home console when developers are unable to improve the games they make, a senior executive at the company has said.

When that happens, Sony will have to "seriously consider" launching the PlayStation 4, worldwide studios boss Shuhei Yoshida told Eurogamer.

"Looking at the platform cycle, when the platform becomes something game developers are not able to improve their creations with, that's the time we have to really seriously consider shifting to the next generation," Yoshida said.

While Microsoft is rumoured to be preparing to launch its new Xbox in 2013, we've heard little about Sony's next home console.

Sony has insisted its focus is on the PS3, which recently enjoyed a price cut, and the PS Vita, due out in Europe early next year.

Game publishers, generally, agree that the introduction of the next generation is not needed. In January THQ core games boss Danny Bilson told Eurogamer the introduction of new hardware now "would be horrible".

A number of developers, however, have told Eurogamer they are reaching the limit of what the current generation can do in terms of technical performance, and would love the opportunity to work with more RAM.

Yoshida explained to Eurogamer why now is not the right time to launch the PS4.

"As far as we are concerned, we have no desire now to do that [release a new home console]," Yoshida said.

"Gamers always need something new and more exciting. If they're seeing just similar types of games coming year after year, they will quickly lose their interest.

"Looking like that, when you see games coming out on PS3, both the traditional type of games as well as new kind of games using PS Move, there is a lot more we can do from the game development standpoint.

"So as long as we and our developers can create new experiences that are more exciting to consumers, I see no need to transition into newer generation."