Sony Announces the PlayStation 4

[devilsgrin]

One downside, for both consoles: why the hell do Britons have to pay over the odds? The Xbone costs over £100 more than it should, given exchange rates, and the PS4 is similar.

its a brand value thing. If they charge the equivalent exchange rate, it can devalue the item (in this case the ps4) and actually make it seem less appealing. I don't necessarily think its fair, but i know consumers, and its a spot on marketing strategy. Too expensive, no one can afford (but still desperately want, so have to save to buy). Too cheap and no-one wants it.

 

[Lenny]

The madness has died down, and various news outlets have been able to confirm details, so here are some updates!

---

Firstly, the PS4 is region-free for games (like the PS3). Films and PSN content will be region-locked (again, like the PS3).
http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/11/4417948/ps4-region-free-report


Specs-wise, the PS4 has a 500gb HDD that the user can upgrade, two USB 3.0 ports on the front, and power, ethernet, HDMI, optical, and aux (for the camera) on the back (no composite means that the PS4 will only support HDTVs, much like the Xbone).

The $399/€399/£349 gets you, in the box: the console, a controller, a mono headset (that plugs into the controller), a power cable, a USB cable, and an HDMI cable.

If you want a second controller, they will be priced at $59/€59/£54, and if you want the camera it will cost you $59/€49/£44.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/sonys-playstation-4-eye-is-a-59-add-on-ps4-packs-a-500gb-hdd/
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/06/11/playstation-4-hardware-in-detail/
http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/11/44...-hardware-specificaations-hard-drive-size-eye

 

[thaddeus6th]

Hmm. Got an HD-Ready TV. Presumably that's ok? It takes an HDMI cable, so I'd guess so.

Also, the pictures make it appear quite small. Given the PS3 takes up quite a chunk of space (I've got the fat version) that would be very welcome.

 

[Brian G Turner]

One downside, for both consoles: why the hell do Britons have to pay over the odds?

So far as I understand it, the UK price is VAT inclusive - however, the US prices are a base price which will be modified by state sales prices, which are often a similar rate (and make prices more comparable to the UK when factored in).

Also, the PS4 does look more attractive now by comparison to the Xbox One. However, I really don't see a need to abandon my PS3 and "upgrade" to something that is basically a small PC with a lot of RAM that won't play anything I've already bought under the Playstation banner (really, how hard is it to build in an emulator?).

Will see how the games develop, as the PS3 did have some nice exclusives (Little Big Planet is amazing for kids) but I hope the Namco titles become a sales exclusive, even if Tekken has been going downhill for some time.

 

[thaddeus6th]

As usual, I won't buy a new console (the PS4 in this case) in the near future, but if there's a decent stock of games I probably will. Very glad Dragon Age 3 is coming for the PS3, as I'm looking forward to that, but not enough to justify buying a console.

I've heard about US sales tax before. Apparently lots of tourists are perplexed and sometimes annoyed to pick up something with a $30 price tag only to get charged more at the till.

 

[Nerds_feather]

I'm still leaning towards the Xbox One but it's getting close. The cheaper price and lack of charges for selling used games are enticing me to the PS4. However, I've used my 360's media options more than I've used it for gaming and unless Sony can come up with comparable, then that's a big advantage for Microsoft.

 

[Nerds_feather]

Wait...so yesterday Sony bashes Microsoft's used games policy, then today tells us they have the exact same policy. DOH.

 

[Nerds_feather]

I've heard about US sales tax before. Apparently lots of tourists are perplexed and sometimes annoyed to pick up something with a $30 price tag only to get charged more at the till.

Sales tax is set by the states and, to a limited degree, by cities. There's no universal sales tax like a European VAT.

In Los Angeles, we pay just over 10% in sales tax. Delaware, by contrast, has no sales tax. Guide here.

 

[Lenny]

Wait...so yesterday Sony bashes Microsoft's used games policy, then today tells us they have the exact same policy. DOH.

Ah, The Verge. As much as I like the site, their yellow journalism really annoys me.

Polygon have written a far better article that is clearer in explaining Sony's stance.

"Similar to PS3, we will not dictate the online used game strategy (the ability to play used games online) of its publishing partners," a Sony representative told Polygon. "As announced last night, PS4 will not have any gating restrictions for used disc-based games. When a gamer buys a PS4 disc they have right to use that copy of the game, so they can trade-in the game at retail, sell it to another person, lend it to a friend, or keep it forever."

Much like with the PS3, Sony are not going to dictate the online used game strategy, which means that people like EA can still force customers to buy an Online Pass to play a secondhand game online. In terms of single-player, there are no charges, and Sony aren't implementing anything like Microsoft.

http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/11/44...ty-publishers-can-dictate-their-own-drm-terms

Tretton was being an idiot and not making it clear when talking to GameTrailers.

In complete contrast, Microsoft's policy requires daily check-ins, and restricts the lending of games (if a friend plays your disc on their console, they have to pay). I have a feeling they're also restricting which shops can resell games, and have the ability to remotely disable game data.

At the end of the day, Sony aren't changing a thing, and instead are continuing with the status quo, and following the same model as previous generations. Microsoft, on the other hand, are moving into brand new territory and getting it wrong.

 

[Nerds_feather]

Hmm, unfortunately I'm dubious. The fact is that it's in all the producers' interests to go the DRM route. Publishers hate used game sales, after all, and you know both Sony and Microsoft would just love to control all the retail a la iTunes. This is made the more acute by the industry's recent contraction.

If Sony is already "clarifying" their position to converge with Microsoft's, then more convergence is possible--and probably in the wrong direction. I'd hope Microsoft would be the one converging and away from DRM. But let's just say I'm pessimistic about it.

If Sony does stay on the good end of things, that's a compelling argument in favor of the PS4. One console maker seems to act with hubris every generation, and I guess historically speaking it is Microsoft's turn for that. But we'll see. Again, I'm pessimistic about this aspect of things.

 

[thaddeus6th]

We'll have to wait and see to be certain, but I don't think Sony's position is the same as Microsoft's.

 

[Nerds_feather]

We'll have to wait and see to be certain, but I don't think Sony's position is the same as Microsoft's.

Yeah, apparently it's not--right now. But it's already 50% closer than it was 13 hours ago. #nottrendingintherightdirection

 

[thaddeus6th]

Is it? From Lenny's post it sounds like being the same as the approach for the PS3.

 

[Nerds_feather]

Is it? From Lenny's post it sounds like being the same as the approach for the PS3.

It went from no restrictions on the use of used games to "letting the publishers decide." That's basically what Microsoft says they will do as well, though Sony is at present stating that it only pertains to multiplayer components. My hope is that if Sony sticks to this, at least, Microsoft will feel compelled to cave to this position.

That said, I'm just very cynical about the whole thing. Long-term, the used game market is contra the interests of Sony, Microsoft and game publishers. Since the US games market contracted by nearly 20% last year, this is obviously of major significance.

If publishers push Sony to cut closer to Microsoft on DRM, I think it's more likely that Sony will eventually comply. Why wouldn't they? The only reason is to grab market share. If--actually when--it turns out that this is an issue that resonates more with the cognoscenti (like us) than the masses, I expect them to start introducing or "facilitating" the inclusion of more DRM.

I hate to say it, because I hate DRM, but I see the industry headed in that direction.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I don't know whether that'll happen in the short term, but I agree with you, sadly, that in the long-term that seems to be the way that the industry wants to move.

Digital possessions does raise some interesting issues around ownership. I like gaming (I still remember, just, cassette videogames with a 30 minute loading time), but DRM, always-online requirements and an always-on camera are really unpleasant features. Happily the PS4 looks ok from that perspective, but I do wonder how long that'll last.

 

[Warren_Paul]

Wait...so yesterday Sony bashes Microsoft's used games policy, then today tells us they have the exact same policy. DOH.

Like Lenny has already pointed out, what you read there is misleading. The media got it wrong by misunderstanding what Tretton was talking about and overreacted without thinking.

The used game policy in place for the PS4 is exactly the same as what the PS3 has had all this time.

When it comes to online play, there are security measures that developers have to take, especially with MMOs, but it is up to them to implement those systems, not Sony. In the end, nothing will be different to how it is on the PS3 -- and in case you are still worried, the "up to the developer" phrase was used back when the last generation was first released. "Up to the publishers/developers to decide" has been thrown around for many years now. It means nothing.

What does mean something is games and xbox machines being tied to the player's Xbox Live Account. What does mean something is a friend having to be on your Xbox Live Account's friendslist for 30 days before you can trade a game to them, and you can't get it back. You're giving them the game permanently, not lending it to them. They cannot use your xbone game discs unless you do this. That is completely different to Sony's approach. What you should be worried about is that Microsoft are encouraging developers to lock out the used game market. Sony isn't.


This about sums it up -- and digs the knife a little deeper: Official Playstation 4 used games instructions.



Trust me, there is a reason IGN and Gamespot polls are voting in PS4's favour by 80%. I said earlier in this thread that Microsoft taking this direction would be suicide. Those polls show the truth of it. Gamespot twitter poll*


There is no question about it for me: I'm getting a PS4. E3 was a knockout win for Sony.


*Although interesting to note the region of a large portion of votes in that poll so perhaps some legitimacy of it is a bit skewed. Although other polls have much the same results in favour of the PS4.

 

[Cayal]

Should check out the Amazon poll. The numbers are laughable.

 

[Lenny]

It's Cheese Central, but here's an advert from Sony showing off the PS4 UI:

Interesting things of note:

* You can drop out of a game entirely to use the PS4 OS (which includes talking to people, watching videos, and using the store)
* Multi-recipient messages
* What looks like full access from phones (using the PlayStation Suite/PlayStation Mobile/whatever it's called)

Slightly worrying:

* It looks like Facebook, Twitter, and G+ went on an all-night bender and vomited the UI

 

[Lenny]

Just ordered mine!

Thought I would have missed out by waiting to order it until I had the cash, but today day one stock of the Killzone bundle (though sadly not the one with a second controller and the camera) popped up on a handful of sites.

If anyone really doesn't want to wait until after Christmas for a PS4, have a look at sites like ShopTo.net and Zavvi, who are both claiming to have stock available (I went with Zavvi, because they're a few quid cheaper).

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

I've had mine ordered for a good while now and will get killzone the second controller.
It's been quite interesting seeing the first proper comparisons of games on this and the XBone as well. Looks like MS might have cocked up a bit here.