Sony unveils PlayStation 4

Baraka_Guru · Feb 20, 2013

What?! I didn't know this was coming so soon. I was under the impression that this was going to be a while yet.

Folks, it's time to update your Christmas list!

What do you think of the details? An eight-core processor sounds pretty sweet.

Sony unveils PlayStation 4, updated controller
The Associated Press Posted: Feb 20, 2013 4:55 PM ET Last Updated: Feb 20, 2013 8:59 PM ET

Sony is sharing the PlayStation 4 with the world.

The Japanese electronics giant unveiled the new gaming system Wednesday, hyping the machine as a "supercharged PC" with the ability to effortlessly share interactive experiences, from instantly broadcasting videos of gaming action or virtually handing out health potions to friends online.

"Today marks a moment of truth and a bold step forward for PlayStation," said Andrew House, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment.

'Our long-term vision is to reduce download times of digital titles to zero.'
—Mark Cerny, Sony's lead system architect

Sony said the system will feature an eight-core processor that can juggle more tasks than the PlayStation 3 and be part of a new digital ecosystem that's "the fastest, most powerful gaming network."

"Our long-term vision is to reduce download times of digital titles to zero," said Mark Cerny, Sony's lead system architect on the PS4.

The PS4 is Sony's first major game machine since the PS3 went on sale in 2006.

Wednesday's unveiling is Sony Corp.'s attempt to steal the spotlight from rivals Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co., at least until Microsoft unveils its next Xbox in June, as expected, at the E3 video game expo in Los Angeles.

Among the PS4's revisions is an updated controller that adds a touchpad and a "share" button. The controller also features a light bar, which means a new PlayStation camera can more easily track the device for motion control.

Sony also boasted at the New York launch event that the PS4 would work more seamlessly with its latest mobile gaming device, the PlayStation Vita, which debuted last year.

No price
No prices were revealed for the PS4, but Sony said it would be released later this year.

When the PlayStation 3 went on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 17, 2006, the 20 gigabyte model had a $500 US price tag and the 60 GB version went for $600. They are now cheaper and come with more storage — $270 for 250 GB and $300 for 500 GB. Comparable models of Nintendo's Wii U and Microsoft's Xbox 360 both start at $300.

Among the games that were unveiled for the PS4 on Wednesday were the realistic racing simulator Drive Club, super-powered action sequel Infamous: Second Son, artsy puzzler The Witness and first-person shooter Killzone: Shadow Fall.

Last fall, Nintendo launched the next generation of gaming consoles with the Wii U, which comes with a tablet-like controller called the GamePad. The controller allows two people playing the same game to have different experiences depending on whether they use the GamePad or a traditional Wii remote, which itself was revolutionary when it came out because of its motion-control features.

The original Wii has sold more units since its launch than both its rivals, but it has lost momentum in recent years as the novelty of its motion controller faded. Nintendo said it sold 3.1 million Wii Us by the end of 2012. It was a disappointing start for the first of a new generation of gaming systems.

In some ways, notably its ability to display high-definition games, the Wii U was just catching up to the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, the preferred consoles to play popular games like Call of Duty.

The PS4 is arriving amid declines in video game hardware, software and accessory sales. Research firm NPD Group said game sales fell 22 percent to $13.3 billion in 2012. With the launch of the PS4, Sony is looking to attract audiences who may have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.

All three console makers are trying to position their devices as entertainment hubs that can deliver movies, music and social networking as they try to stay relevant in the age of smartphones and tablets.
Click to expand...

Sony unveils PlayStation 4, updated controller - Business - CBC News

snowy · Feb 22, 2013

Meh. I'm underwhelmed. I hope they update the shit out of the interface. The PS3's interface sucks compared to the 360. The graphics rendering looks pretty bad-ass, but I expect the next gen Xbox 720 to have similar capabilities, and I prefer the current Xbox interface. For us, that is kind of a crucial consideration in purchasing any of these next-gen consoles, as our console gets used frequently for more than just gaming.

AtypicNic · Feb 25, 2013

I still prefer PC gaming over Console gaming. Now with these new consoles, PS4 and '720' maybe the games will have a bit more of a burden on gaming PC rigs. Ultimately, I will still stick to PC Gaming for various reasons. I must say that PS and Xbox work better for a quick game or two and playing with friend at your bachelor pad...until of course you have multiple PC gaming rigs

martian · Feb 25, 2013

I'm mildly interested in the Playstation 4, but I think I'm going to want to wait for a while after launch to get one. I feel like it's best to give them a year or two after launch before picking one up; the selection of games is better by then, and there's usually a price cut somewhere around the 12 month mark.

We did the Wii U at launch, but the lack of games and design/interface quirks they're still working out are making me think it was a mistake. I don't think I'll do it again.

snowy · Feb 25, 2013

Martian said: ↑

I'm mildly interested in the Playstation 4, but I think I'm going to want to wait for a while after launch to get one. I feel like it's best to give them a year or two after launch before picking one up; the selection of games is better by then, and there's usually a price cut somewhere around the 12 month mark.

We did the Wii U at launch, but the lack of games and design/interface quirks they're still working out are making me think it was a mistake. I don't think I'll do it again.
Click to expand...

I've had a chance to play the Wii U at a friend's house, and I really enjoy some of the sillier Nintendo Land games that involve one person using the GamePad to do something the others can't see, like in Mario Chase and Animal Crossing: Sweet Day. Of course, we were playing these games with several people and a fair amount of beer, so that may have some influence on my enjoyment of them. I'm interested to see what else they come out with that takes advantage of the GamePad.

Fremen · Feb 25, 2013

Now that I learned Sony might not be blocking used games on the PS4, I may end up buying this one over the 720.
Like Martian said, waiting for a while before buying either one is probably best.

PS4 won't block used games, 143 developers on board - CBS News

PS4 won't block used games, 143 developers on board

Sony announced its next-generation video game console at a press event Wednesday. The PlayStation 4 itself was a no-show, but the gaming giant showed off several games for new device. And rumors circulating that the PS4 would not play used games have been put to rest.

Sony says that the PS4 features a PC-like body architecture, x86 CPU, enhanced PS GPU, 8 gigabytes of unified memory and local storage hard drive. The PS4 will come with an updated DualShock 4 controller with a touchpad, light-friendly censor, stereo camera and button for sharing. Play session will be saved in RAM and updates will now happen in the background.
In an interview with the video game blog Eurogamer, Sony Worldwide Studio president Shuhei Yoshida says that the PS4 will not block second-hand games.

"That's the general expectation by consumers," Yoshida told Eurogamer. "They purchase physical form; they want to use it everywhere, right? So that's my expectation."
Yoshida added: "So, used games can play on PS4. How is that?"
According to CNET, a Sony patent for "Electronic Content Processing System" and "Use Apparatus" that was recently discovered suggested that the company could link purchased games to individual consumers, blocking access to any unmatched user.
GameSpot reports that 143 video game developers are working on games for the PS4. Major studios making games for the PS4 include Electronic Arts, Activision and Capcom, among others.
At Wednesday's press event, Sony showed off demonstrations or announced games like "Diablo III," "Killzone: Shadow Fall," "Unreal Engine 4," "The Witness," "Deep Down," "Destiny" and "Final Fantasy."
Sony said the PS4 is coming "holiday 2013." There is currently no confirmation on the price nor are there photos of the console. The PS3 was launched in North America on Nov. 17, 2006 and initially retailed for about $600.
Click to expand...

martian · Feb 25, 2013

snowy said: ↑

I've had a chance to play the Wii U at a friend's house, and I really enjoy some of the sillier Nintendo Land games that involve one person using the GamePad to do something the others can't see, like in Mario Chase and Animal Crossing: Sweet Day. Of course, we were playing these games with several people and a fair amount of beer, so that may have some influence on my enjoyment of them. I'm interested to see what else they come out with that takes advantage of the GamePad.
Click to expand...

There's no denying that Nintendoland is a lot of fun, especially with a crowd. It's just that the selection is otherwise not fantastic yet. I'm not actively regretting the purchase, we've had fun with it, but I feel like I could have been just as happy picking one up a year from now when there will be more bundle options, and probably a cheaper price tag. Live and learn, I guess -- this was my first time buying a console at launch, since I've never had the cash before.

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Sony unveils PlayStation 4

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Sony unveils PlayStation 4

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