2013 sees the release of two very different rival consoles. The Xbox 720 and the PS4. With the Xbox720 already being covered, (here’s a link for anyone who would like to read it https://pwnersmanual.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/special-report-xbox-720-the-latest-stage/) it’s time to focus on the, soon to be, arrival of Sony’s PlayStation 4.
Rumours are speculating that Sony are to hold an “apple-like” event to announce the PS4 to the world. In order to have an “apple-like” event you will need a main speaker, a conference with people in the respecting field and the all important press for publicity. The annual Game Developers Conference (GDC), being held on the 25th to the 29th March 2013 (expo dates 27th to 29th March) in San Francisco California presents the perfect opportunity for this. Although, there is still the possibility of the announcement being made around 11th to 13th June at E3 in Los Angeles in California.
(Update: Kazuo Hirai CEO of Sony has announced today (21st January) that it will let Microsoft make the first move. This could lead to Microsoft announcing the all new 720 at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California held on 25th to 29th March. Therefore maybe the new PS4 will be announced at E3)
Whenever the announcement happens all eyes will be awaiting to see if Sony have decided to continue with the 18 button DualShock controller they are known for globally. If this does happen it could drastically change not only the video game business for Sony but also other companies will await the reviews. If they drop the DualShock controller for an LDC touchscreen will this then lead to an impact on future Xbox’s and game consoles? With the 720 also being released this year it does not look like Microsoft will make any similar drastic changes soon.
Time for a makeover?
Launching more than 16 years ago,
3rd December, 1994 – Japan
9th September, 1995 – North America
29th September, 1995 – Europe
15th November, 1995 – Australia
the world was able to lay it’s eyes on this; what is known to many as the first of the ubiquitous PlayStation series.
By March 31, 2005, the PlayStation and PSone had shipped a combined total of 102.49 million units, becoming the first video game console to reach the 100 million mark. Every time Sony add on to the PS family they make certain that they continue to push limits and boundaries. The original PlayStation really does own it’s title as a “classic” and has given many children and adults great memories of continuous hours of game play.
Now come March…or June we may see this;
or 
The image on the left is taken from the “Official PlayStation 4 Magazine” website, a link will be at the bottom of this post.
This does seem impressive and clearly shows the modern menu, which we have seen on other PS consoles, along with several options.
The image on the right is taken from the website “Geeky Gadgets”, again a link will be at the bottom of the post. Here we do see the DualShock controller but what is interesting is it’s built around a screen. This would certainly allow for better cross play experiences especially between the already great consoles PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. Featuring a touch screen would certainly raise competition with the WiiU.
Mock up designs are now appearing on the internet with some looking great and featuring the essential buttons along with the new screen. For more mock up designs see the Push Square link below, this one is my personal favourite,
Mock up design
Whatever it will look like people are speculating biometric sensors, a processor with a run-capability of 1.84 teraflops, if this sparks true it will be 50% more powerful than Xbox 720. A downside is one rumour sees the PS4 ignore the possibility of backwards compatibility and focusing firmly on the next generation, this means if you want to continue playing PS3 games it’s best, for now, to keep hold of your PS3. You never know one day it could be useful for vintage gaming.
If the PlayStation 4 real name changes to become known as Orbis or Omni. Whenever it is released, possibly December 2013, Sony will not disappoint and release another great console ready for gamers and PS fans everywhere to have many fun hours of game play on.
UPDATE 7th February 2013
One of Japan’s biggest newspapers, the Asahi Shimbun, has run an interesting story they hint towards the new PlayStation 4 will cost over 40,000 Yen, or about $430/£270/€320. Interestly they only converted the price from Yen into $, perhaps Europe may have to wait a little longer for the PS4. For more on this story see ‘The Verge’ link below.
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Sources;
Digital Trends (2013) PlayStation 4 drops the DualShock controller after 15 years | Digital Trends. [online] Available at: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/playstation-4-drops-the-dualshock-controller-in-favor-of-a-new-wii-u-style-dna-sensing-pad/ [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
GDC (2012) Game Developers Conference. [online] Available at: http://www.gdconf.com/ [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
Geeky Gadgets (2013) PlayStation 4 Controller To Have A Touchscreen? . [online] Available at: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/playstation-4-controller-to-have-a-touchscreen-19-01-2013/ [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
Offical PlayStation Magazine (2012) PS4 News – Official PlayStation Magazine. [online] Available at: http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2012/01/30/ps4-sony-ceo-says-we-will-probably-be-the-last-to-announce-something/ [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
PS4 (2013) PS4 Site – Playstation 4. [online] Available at: http://www.ps4site.com/ [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
Square, P. (2013) Which of These PS4 Controller Mock-Ups Is Your Favourite? – Push Square. [online] Available at: http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2013/02/which_of_these_ps4_controller_mock_ups_is_your_favourite [Accessed: 8 Feb 2013].
Tech Radar (2013) PS4 release date, news and rumours. [online] Available at: http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/ps4-release-date-news-and-rumours-937822 [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
Telegraph (2013) PlayStation – Sony’s gaming highs and lows. [online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/picture-galleries/9776067/PlayStation-Sonys-gaming-highs-and-lows.html [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
The Guardian (2013) PS4 rumours: ‘50% more powerful than Xbox 720’. [online] Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2013/jan/18/xbox-720-ps4-rumours [Accessed: 19 Jan 2013].
The Verge (2013) PlayStation 4 report suggests $400+ price . [online] Available at: http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3961512/ps4-price-and-release-date-in-asahi-shimbun-report [Accessed: 7 Feb 2013].
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