Sony Computer Entertainment America announced at a press conference that took place at 6pm on June 10 (Pacific Daylight Time), the design and a suggested retail price of the new PlayStation 4, which is due to be released at the end of 2013.
We were teased back in February about what the new PS4 will look like and we’re finally getting some more information.
Retail price: 399USD, 399CAD, 399EUR, 349GBP Color: Jet black Size: W275mm x H53mm x D305mm Weight: Approx. 2.8kg Main Processor: Single-chip custom processor CPU : x86-64 AMD “Jaguar”, 8 cores GPU : 1.84 TFLOPS, AMD next-generation Radeon based graphics engine
A liberal attitude to used games and now no region-locking: the PlayStation 4 is shaping up to be the console of choice for the freedom-obsessed gamer. The PS4 won’t come with any regional locking, Sony’s Brad Douglas confirmed at E3, meaning greater flexibility in where you buy your games. It’s perhaps not surprising that Sony
We know the pricing, a loose holiday release schedule, and now, that the PlayStation 4 won’t be locked-down according to geography. That’s according to Sony Computer Entertainment’s Brad Douglas, who mentioned on Twitter that the company’s new console has “no region locking”, hopefully freeing up the opportunities for import gaming when it arrives later this year.
Update: SCE’s Shuhei Yoshida has now also confirmed the PS4’s global passport.
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Finally, the PS4’s menacing-looking box has been revealed. More importantly, however, Sony clearly aimed for the Xbox One‘s throat during its E3 press conference — especially with software, services and a cheaper retail price. Alongside a friendly policy toward used games and epic title reveals for the PS4, Sony introduced a new PS3 bundle for the fall and more. Get you fix of all the stories from the event by clicking past the break for our full roundup.
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
At tonight’s pre-E3 press conference, Sony finally showed off the physical hardware for the PS4. Sure, we already know a whole lot about the next-gen PlayStation’s specs and capabilities, but it’s always nice to have a piece of actual hardware to ogle.
Compared to the black box that is Microsoft’s Xbox One, Sony’s black box has a little more character, with sloping lines when viewed from the side. It can also be set on a flat surface or stood up vertically.
It’s got two front-mounted USB ports, and the back of the console has only an HDMI out, digital optical out, Ethernet, and an Aux connector, which is presumably used for the PlayStation Eye/Move camera accessory (which is unclear if it is or isn’t included in the base price.)
In addition to showing off its hardware, Sony spent a little time addressing the media aspects of the PS4. Obviously, the system will have access to Sony’s extensive collection of music, movies and television programming for download or rental. In addition, they will be offering subscription-based streamed music and video services.
Of course as Sony reiterated tonight, it’s all about the games and they stated that they have over 30 PS4 titles currently in development within their own studios, with 20 launching within the first year. 12 of these titles are brand new IP. Including 3rd party developers, Sony says that over 150 games are already in development for PS4, with 100 titles due within one year of launch.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Xbox One is its complicated policies on rentals and lending games. Well, you’ll be thrilled to know that Sony has no such plans for the PS4. They confirmed tonight that the console will fully support selling and loaning out disc-based games, and there is no online requirement for disc-based games either (except for online play, of course.) This announcement resulted in the very first standing ovation of E3 2013. Take that, Microsoft!
Also of note is that existing PlayStation Plus memberships will carry over to PS4, meaning that a single membership will cover PS4, PS3 and PS Vita. In addition, PS4 members will get access to their own Instant Game Collection, which includes Driveclub PS Plus edition at launch, plus one free title each month.
Sony didn’t talk too much about its cloud-based gaming features it acquired from Gaikai, but did say it won’t be ready until 2014, and will offer PS4 and PS3 users access to a library of “critically-acclaimed” PS3 games – so you’ll get at least minimal backwards compatibility this way. PS Vita users will be able to take advantage of the service down the road as well.
Of course, the big shocker of the night was that Sony announced that the PS4 will sell for a full $100 less than the Xbox One. At launch this holiday season, the PS4 will sell for $399(USD), €399(EUR), and £349(UK). Despite having announced some pretty great looking games earlier, it looks like Microsoft is going to have a tall hill to climb against the PS4.
Well, it pays to stick around a launch venue as the cleanup crews begin to roll out. We just caught a glimpse of Sony’s brand new PlayStation 4 following the company’s press event tonight, and it’s really quite stunning. We were only able to view the console from a right angle, but we did manage to make out a dark black glossy finish up top, with a gray matte panel just below. It’s difficult to judge depth from the side, but from this front view at least, we definitely liked what we saw.
A small silver PlayStation logo is positioned towards the bottom of the glossy panel, representing the only branding visible from this side of the device. There’s a Sony logo on the left side as well, as you can see in our gallery below. It’s really quite a sleek design, so even though you may opt to toss the console away in a cabinet, it’ll look just fine sitting out, too. Unfortunately Sony staffers ushered us out after snapping this shot, so that’s all we’ve got for now. We’ll be hitting up the company’s booth bright and early tomorrow morning, though, and you better believe we’ll be back to share our full hands-on impressions then.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo’s pre-show press day is almost over, but there’s still one more thing we have to do: put Sony’s E3 presentation into context. Take a moment to let Joystiq and Engadget bend your ear about Sony’s announcements, the bombs it dropped on Microsoft, and what it all means for this console generation and the rest of E3. Hit the break to join our intrepid livebloggers in action.
Update: The stream is over — but stay tuned, we’ll be uploading an archived version of the wrap-up for your viewing pleasure later tonight.
Just hours after Microsoft’s presentation at E3 2013, home to a market point and additional presentation of the Xbox One, Sony came out to reveal their heat. With the Xbox One priced at a cool $499 in the USA, Sony’s announcement of the PlayStation 4 price at $399 USD sent the crowd howling, literally. This
Microsoft may have been the E3 matinée, but Sony’s late-night showing was quite impressive — offering a gaming device that’s $100 less, with plenty of other notable features to help it stand out of the next-gen crowd. And if you were waiting around until after the PlayStation press conference tonight before deciding which console to grab, it’s finally time to settle on your top choice (if you plan to go with only one, that is). Now that the PS4 has been priced at $399 and a general timeframe of availability has been set for this holiday season, it’s now time to head to online retailers to pre-order a unit of your very own. So far we’ve seen the page pop up on Amazon, though we imagine it will only be a matter of time before several other retailers follow suit. If you know without a doubt that this is the next-gen gaming console for you, you know what to do below.
Update: Well, would you look at that. Like clockwork, GameStop and Best Buy have jumped into the PS4 pre-order fray too.
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Microsoft may have been the E3 matinée, but Sony’s late-night showing was quite impressive — offering a gaming device that’s $100 less, with plenty of other notable features to help it stand out of the next-gen crowd. And if you were waiting around until after the PlayStation press conference tonight before deciding which console to grab, it’s finally time to settle on your top choice (if you plan to go with only one, that is). Now that the PS4 has been priced at $399 and a general timeframe of availability has been set for this holiday season, it’s now time to head to online retailers to pre-order a unit of your very own. So far we’ve seen the page pop up on Amazon, though we imagine it will only be a matter of time before several other retailers follow suit. If you know without a doubt that this is the next-gen gaming console for you, you know what to do below.
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
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