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| E3: PlayStation 4 console shown off by Sony | E3: PlayStation 4 console shown off by Sony |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Sony has unveiled its PlayStation 4 console. | Sony has unveiled its PlayStation 4 console. |
| Although many of the video games machine's features were previously announced it February, the firm kept the look of the box hidden until a press conference at the E3 trade show. | Although many of the video games machine's features were previously announced it February, the firm kept the look of the box hidden until a press conference at the E3 trade show. |
| It also said that it would not impose restrictions on second-hand games. | |
| Sony's gaming division accounted for $7.5bn (£4.8bn) worth of sales in its last financial year, representing just under 10% of its total revenues. | Sony's gaming division accounted for $7.5bn (£4.8bn) worth of sales in its last financial year, representing just under 10% of its total revenues. |
| The firm has acknowledged that sales of its PS Vita handheld console fell behind expectations, adding to pressure for the PS4 to be a success. | The firm has acknowledged that sales of its PS Vita handheld console fell behind expectations, adding to pressure for the PS4 to be a success. |
| Its predecessor, the PlayStation 3, beat the Xbox 360 in terms of global shipments but was in turn outsold by Nintendo's Wii, according to market research firm IDC. | Its predecessor, the PlayStation 3, beat the Xbox 360 in terms of global shipments but was in turn outsold by Nintendo's Wii, according to market research firm IDC. |
| However, the Wii U - which launched in November - has failed to meet its sales projections, something Nintendo has blamed on delayed games releases. | However, the Wii U - which launched in November - has failed to meet its sales projections, something Nintendo has blamed on delayed games releases. |
| "It's a big opening, the Wii U hasn't performed up to Nintendo's expectations or that of the broader industry" IDC's gaming analyst Lewis Ward told the BBC. | "It's a big opening, the Wii U hasn't performed up to Nintendo's expectations or that of the broader industry" IDC's gaming analyst Lewis Ward told the BBC. |
| "You only get about once a decade to reset expectations around what a platform will be, and therefore the launch of the PS4 has the potential to move Sony back into the pole position it was at with the PS2." | "You only get about once a decade to reset expectations around what a platform will be, and therefore the launch of the PS4 has the potential to move Sony back into the pole position it was at with the PS2." |
| However, it will also face competition from the Xbox One which Microsoft is pitching as an "all-in-one" entertainment system, while Sony has said the PS4 had been designed with video gamers as its focus. | However, it will also face competition from the Xbox One which Microsoft is pitching as an "all-in-one" entertainment system, while Sony has said the PS4 had been designed with video gamers as its focus. |
| Even so, the Japanese firm took time to highlight its video programming and music services for the PS4 before it discussed games. | |
| New games | |
| Sony said that 140 PS4 games were in development, 100 of which should be released within its first year. | |
| Among the titles that will be exclusive to the PS4 which had not previously been revealed was The Order: 1886, a steampunk-styled shooter set in the 19th century. | |
| Square Enix also announced that it was bringing Kingdom Hearts 3 - a role playing game involving locations and characters from Disney cartoons - to the platform. | |
| Sony said it also wished to make the PS4 the most "open and inclusive" platform to independent developers and highlighted a range of titles from the sector including a remake of 1997's Oddworld. | |
| One expert suggested this was a deliberate effort to take advantage of the fact several small studios had complained of experiencing problems when trying to release titles onto the Xbox. | |
| "While Microsoft has found itself incurring the wrath of many indie developers, Sony has taken the opportunity to reach out to the sector earning it access to great games and also a great deal of good will." said Christopher Grant, editor-in-chief of games news site Polygon. | |
| "But while Sony says that it allows 'self publishing', it's not the kind of open market we might think of when we hear the term in association with smartphone platforms like iOS or Android." |