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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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 in 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. | It also said that it would not impose restrictions on second-hand games. |
| The firm added that the machine would be sold for £349 in the UK, $399 in the US and 399 euros across Europe, making it cheaper than the Xbox One. | |
| Microsoft had earlier said its console would cost £429 in the UK, $499 in the US and 499 euros. | |
| The firm also attracted big cheers when it announced it would not introduce any new restrictions on pre-owned disc-based game bought from friends or retailers, nor would it require users to authenticate their machines via the internet at least once a day to allow games to be played. | |
| By contrast, Microsoft has introduced limitations on who consumers can buy second-hand titles from and introduced a requirement to connect to the net once every 24-hours to play on the Xbox One. | |
| "With Sony continually pushing their gaming credentials and the development of the PlayStation brand for gamers throughout their presentation - it has very publicly slapped Microsoft across the face," said Alex Simmons, UK Editor-in-Chief of gaming news site IGN.com. | |
| "This support the sale of pre-owned games and no requirement for a permanent internet connection are two of the largest consumer concerns surrounding Xbox One and next generation consoles." | |
| 'Big opening' | |
| 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 PS4's 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. | Even so, the Japanese firm took time to highlight its video programming and music services for the PS4 before it discussed games. |
| New games | New games |
| Sony said that 140 PS4 games were in development, 100 of which should be released within its first year. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 ofexperiencing 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. | "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." | "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." |
| Vita lives on | |
| In addition to the PS4 news, Sony also talked up the PS Vita. | |
| It has previously acknowledged that the handheld console's sales had fallen behind expectations. | |
| But at E3 it stressed the machine was still "just beginning its life cycle". | |
| It said that 85 titles were coming to the platform this year including Batman Arkham Origins, Killzone Mercenary and a new episode in Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series. | |
| It also described the Vita as "the ultimate companion device" to the PS4 since the handheld can stream the bigger machine's titles. |