Sony reveals new PlayStation 4

[busybeeburns]

 

Sony reveals new PlayStation 4 to rival Xbox One - and at £349, it's also £80 cheaper

 

• PlayStation 4 owners will be able to trade and sell second-hand games without paying a fee
  
• Console doesn't need to be connected to the internet like the Xbox One
  
• New DualShock controller has a 'share' button, touchpad and built-in motion sensor to rival Microsoft's Kinect
  
• Sony working with indie developers to produce new PS4 games
  

 

Sony has revealed its hotly anticipated PlayStation 4 will cost $399 in the U.S and £349 in the UK, giving rivals Microsoft 'a bloody nose' in the battle over their latest gaming consoles. Sony chief executive Andrew House gave the audience the first glimpse of the PS4 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, hailing it as a console of 'unparalleled power'.

 

It came hours after Microsoft revealed that its new XBox One games console will set gamers back $499 in the US and £429 in the UK when it launches in November. And the price announcement wasn't the only shot fired at Microsoft during Sony's presentation at the trade show.

 

The loudest applause at the company's event show came when Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, announced that the company would not try to restrict used game sales. Tretton was making reference to Microsoft's plans to restrict second-hand game sales on its Xbox One console. During its own E3 event earlier in the day, Microsoft confirmed that every game bought for the Xbox One must be installed to the system and linked to the user's profile.

 

The games can then be played on other consoles, but the user will have to access it through a cloud server each time. Other people's profiles can play games on a user's console at any time, and up to ten family members can log in and play shared games on other systems, but not at the same time. The firm then added that loaning and renting games won't be available but it is 'exploring the possibilities with our partners.'

 

Adding that trade-ins will be possible but only through 'participating retailers'. Tretton also announced that the PS4 would not require a persistent online connection. Microsoft also said that games can be 'gifted' to friends although they must have been on the user's friends list for at least 30 days and games can only be 'gifted' once.

 

'PlayStation 4 disc-based games don't need to be connected online to play or any type of authentication,' said Tretton. 'If you enjoy playing single-player games offline, PS4 won't require you to check in online and it won't stop working if you haven't authenticated in 24 hours.'

 

Microsoft has been criticised for is plans to make Xbox One users connect the console to an internet connection at least once every 24 hours in order to play games. This drops to connecting once an hour if a user wants to play on someone else's Xbox One. Microsoft did add that this only applies to games and that live TV, Blu-ray and DVD options aren't affected.

 

Sony's PlayStation 4 is set to go on sale in November. Sony first gave a sneak preview of the PS4 earlier in the year.

It is the first major game machine the Japanese firm has built since the PlayStation 3 went on sale in 2006.

 

The PlayStation 4 will come with 8GB of DDR3 RAM powered by a custom 8-core AMD CPU plus 500 GB hard drive. The console will have the Blu-ray drive seen in its previous model, the PS3. Like Microsoft, Sony is betting big on social networking features.

 

The new version of its DualShock controller includes a 'share' button that allows you to post gameplay footage and screenshots online. Friends can watch as you play a game, and you'll even be able to let a pal take control of your game from afar if you can't get past a tough battle. The DualShock controller weighs around 210g.

 

It has a two-point touchpad and six-axis Move motion sensor that works with a 3D camera placed near the TV set. Other features include a Light Bar, Vibration and a built-in mono speaker. The controller will be available at launch for $59 in the U.S and £54 in the UK. The 3D camera will cost $59 (U.S) and £44 (UK) at launch.

 

Both accessories will come in the same 'Jet Black' colour as the console. Beyond those issues, Sony gave potential PS4 buyers plenty of games to look forward to later this year. The company's Santa Monica Studios, the developer of the God of War franchise, introduced the steampunk thriller The Order: 1866. Quantic Dream, the French studio behind Heavy Rain and the upcoming 'Beyond: Two Souls, provided a comical glimpse at the fantasy 'The Dark Sorcerer.'

 

Shu Yoshida, president of Sony Worldwide Studios, said the company's studios have more than 30 PS4 games in development, including 12 brand new intellectual properties. Sony also showed new footage from previously announced PS4 games like the superhero adventure InFamous: Second Son, the auto racing simulator 'Drive Club and the sci-fi shooter 'Killzone: Shadow Fall.'

 

Several third-party developers also debuted next-generation titles at Sony's event. Bungie, the creator of the blockbuster Xbox series Halo, showed the first in-game footage of its highly anticipated first-person shooter 'Destiny.

 

Warner Bros showed a clip from a new Mad Max game, while Square-Enix announced the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy XV. Overall, Tretton said, more than 140 PS4 titles are in the pipeline. That includes an assortment of games from smaller, independent developers, which Sony featured onstage next to giant publishers like Activision and Ubisoft.

 

Sony will also be developing Cloud technology, allowing owners to play their old games from previous PlayStation models via the internet. However, to play games online, users will need to pay for a PlayStation Plus subscription that costs £39.99 a year, or £11.99 for a 90-day subscription.

 

To soften this blow, Sony also announced it would be giving PS+ subscribers a copy of upcoming racer Drive Club for free as part of the subscription.

 

 

Bookmakers Paddy Power slashed the odds on Playstation 4 outselling the Xbox One in 2013 following Sony's announcement that it will retail for £79 less than its rival.

 

It chopped the odds on the Playstation 4 being the top selling console in 2013 from 4/11 to 2/9 while the Xbox One’s odds drifted from 15/8 to 11/4.

 

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said 'There’s still a long way to go but the huge variation in price has certainly handed the advantage to Playstation and we reckon that there’ll be more girlfriends cursing Sony than Microsoft this Christmas.'

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

[busybeeburns]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK0Cnnkj7cI]The PlayStation 4 Console Revealed - E3 2013 Sony Conference - YouTube[/ame]

[Mollyxyloto]

I think it's kind of ugly :/

[James.]

I feel sorry for Microsoft right now.

 

edit: Actually what am I talking about, Microsoft don't deserve my sympathy :angry:

[busybeeburns]

I think it looks great!

[Reilly]

 

Before seeing the video I really thought there was a weird perspective/angle on that picture.

 

It looks horrendous, but of course I couldn't care less, I'm a PS man and will stick that way (Owned an Xbox for about 4 months before never using it over the PS and selling it) thought admittedly growing up with that controller in my hand, the Xbox one never felt right, but other than that I've always much preferred most PS games anyway.

 

There are pretty militant Xbox fans out there, but a lot of that's to do with Xbox live, I've heard that the PS4 will be much improved for the online features. Most importantly people are rightly fuming about being unable to trade Xbox One games, from what I understand once you buy the game you have a one-off code you can use, meaning your Xbox is the only one that will be able to play it. Apparently, unlike previously promised, not every game will even be connected to your account, so if you want to take a game you've purchased to your friends, you need to bring your Xbox, and also if your Xbox dies and you get a new one, you've lost out on certain games which you've legally bought.

 

This has all been word of mouth for me so if anyone knows if some of this is true or false then let me know cuz I'm too lazy to look it up.

[James.]

^ :nod: Those things you've heard are mostly true. I've been a loyal Xbox fan for the last few years, and was fairly convinced I was going to get the new Xbox but those recent announcements have put me right off. I doubt I'll buy a PS4 either though, at least not until the prices go way down.

[Italian Plastic]

I think it looks cool. I'll probably get one in a few years...

The price markup in NZ is ridiculous, about $150nzd more than it should be. Apparently the PS4 won't be region locked though so people could just order from the US

[Cobalt]

There are pretty militant Xbox fans out there, but a lot of that's to do with Xbox live, I've heard that the PS4 will be much improved for the online features. Most importantly people are rightly fuming about being unable to trade Xbox One games, from what I understand once you buy the game you have a one-off code you can use, meaning your Xbox is the only one that will be able to play it. Apparently, unlike previously promised, not every game will even be connected to your account, so if you want to take a game you've purchased to your friends, you need to bring your Xbox, and also if your Xbox dies and you get a new one, you've lost out on certain games which you've legally bought.

 

This has all been word of mouth for me so if anyone knows if some of this is true or false then let me know cuz I'm too lazy to look it up.

 

Unconfirmed about the code, though the game will install on your HD and be linked to your account.

You can share your games library with 10 chosen 'family members', you just can't be playing the same game at the same time. You can give away a game to a friend as long as they have been on your friends list for 30 days, and unsure if the game is removed from your library (most likely).

You can trade in your games with 'participating retailers', but only games where the publisher has enabled this.

Trading in your games won't be available at launch.

 

 

I don't really care about the Xbox One, it pretty much is blatantly ignoring gamers like myself. Having a SDTV (at this point it has only been stated to be compatible with HDTV), crap internet speed and a really small bandwidth limit already means it isn't a technology fit for me. Also that most of the launch titles look to be GUNS ASPLOSIONS BOOM BANG - I don't really give a shit about those sorts of games, especially the FPS genre that now seems to just cater to its seasoned fans (pity).

 

The one thing I am curious about is how will the Xbox One manage many years in the future when Microsoft inevitably stop supporting it? It won't be able to phone home anymore. I don't know how on earth you would buy used games for it when the 'selected retailers' stop selling Xbox One games. At the moment until we know more details it sounds like eventually it will just become a bit of a paperweight apart from the games you bought during its shelf-life.

[Black Rose]

Sony will rope you in with promises, then do an enforced update to limit the use of the machine.

 

Developers will look on the Xbox as the future, payments when the game is sold on and on.

[getithom]

Sony will rope you in with promises, then do an enforced update to limit the use of the machine.

 

Developers will look on the Xbox as the future, payments when the game is sold on and on.

 

What? Sony has learned each and every mistake of theirs with the PS3. I love Sony, but 2006/2007 was absolutely disastrous. Everyone figured Sony would do horrible the entire time, but as time went on, it became clear they were fixing themselves. Clearly, Sony knows what they're doing. E3 made that apparent. Microsoft shifted their focus to the very casual gamer. It's literally just TV, sports, Call of Duty dogs and more TV.

 

Plus, developers have been saying for quite some time now the PS4 is easier to work with, and it's their console of choice. Unless Xbox can recover, I sincerely doubt they will win this upcoming console generation.

[Reilly]

Sony will rope you in with promises, then do an enforced update to limit the use of the machine.

 

It's that time yet again where I ask you to be a bit more specific with your claims.

[Cobalt]

I thought Sony's presentation was pretty convincing but their claims still gave them a little wriggle room for some kind of DRM, I had proper thoughts on this but I will have to rewatch the conference to recall them.

[Black Rose]

It's that time yet again where I ask you to be a bit more specific with your claims.

 

PS3, removal of ability to play PS1&2 games, removal of the other OS feature (allowing Linux to be installed making it more like a computer), tidying to silence a massive system hack.

[Reilly]

PS3, removal of ability to play PS1&2 games, removal of the other OS feature (allowing Linux to be installed making it more like a computer), tidying to silence a massive system hack.

 

The first 2 points were known before the PS3 was released, you said they rope people in with promises and then update it to remove them. The 3rd point, I assume you mean trying to make their system more secure after a huge blunder? That's hardly making promises and then taking them away.

[Cobalt]

Awkwardly enough the latest PS3 firmware update is bricking consoles that have a 750GB or 1TB hard-drive installed.

[busybeeburns]

Sony gives brief look at the PlayStation 4 experience

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s32Q7MxvH0]Exclusive PS4 Interface video | Check out the first look of the PS4 interface - YouTube[/ame]

 

Sony gives brief look at the PlayStation 4 experience

 

This over-the-top video will certainly inspire some eye rolls, but still serves up some valuable footage that shows how gamers may interact on the PS4.

 

Despite the bountiful PlayStation 4 chatter and coverage, some people still don't have an idea what it's like to actually use the highly anticipated gaming device. A new video produced by Sony gives a feel for the console by showing several actors playing games, sharing gameplay footage, and setting up downloads remotely.

 

While the presentation comes off a bit cheesy (I mean, really, do people ever act like this in real life?), several interesting observations can be gleaned from the footage.

 

Right off the bat, you get a sense of the PlayStation 4 software menu structure, how you can like content, and how gamers can speak to one another regardless of what game they're playing (referred to as cross-game chat). The bromance expressed in the video might make you groan, though.

 

The video demonstrates how easily people can capture gameplay video and share that content with friends -- often demonstrated as a way to show a fellow gamer how to defeat a difficult encounter. With the ability to watch those same videos and remotely set up purchases, smartphone users (compatibility's unknown at this time) can get in on the action as well. (Little known fact: the Sony Entertainment Network store Web site lets you set up remote game and content downloads for the PlayStation 3 and Vita.)

 

Did any PS4 feature seen in the video resonate with you? One that jumped out to me was the option to separately download the multiplayer portion of a game (as opposed to a full game install) so you can join a friend as quickly as possible.

 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57590110-1/sony-gives-brief-look-at-the-playstation-4-experience

[Lodder]

This poster was just spotted in a big dutch store:

 

[Black Rose]

The first 2 points were known before the PS3 was released, you said they rope people in with promises and then update it to remove them. The 3rd point, I assume you mean trying to make their system more secure after a huge blunder? That's hardly making promises and then taking them away.

 

The 3rd point was about the PlayStation live network hack, how they tried to say nothing was wrong for nearly a week before admitting they had been hacked with personal details stolen.

[Stefan8]

This poster was just spotted in a big dutch store:

 

 

Yeah, I saw this. Apparently it's not legit and they just took the release date from an online store (bol.com).

[Reilly]

The 3rd point was about the PlayStation live network hack, how they tried to say nothing was wrong for nearly a week before admitting they had been hacked with personal details stolen.

 

Oh my god.

 

Right, fair enough on that, whatever, but like I just wrote, that has nothing to do with them making promises and then providing an update that goes back on them, which is what you said they did and was my whole reason for replying to you.

 

Just don't even bother if you're going to keep dodging it.

[Jayden]

I plan on getting the PS4. I've been with Xbox for around 3 years now, but not only does PS4 seem better to me than Xbox One but I need a change.

[Lodder]

Yeah, I saw this. Apparently it's not legit and they just took the release date from an online store (bol.com).

 

Hmm, bol.com already changed their release date from 13-12-2013 to 31-21-2013. So we just have to wait for the official release date.