News
Playstation 4 Launch Failure
Sony's Press Release
TOKYO, Nov. 15, in the year of our Lord 2013 --
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today launched
PlayStation®4 (PS4™), a system built for gamers and inspired by
developers. The PS4 system is now available in the United States
and Canada at a suggested retail price of USD $399 and CAD $399,
arriving with a lineup of over 20 first- and third-party games,
mainly games for hardcore gamers. In total, the PS4 system will
have a library of over 30 games by the end of the year. *1 Only
a couple for families though.
"Today's launch of PS4 represents a milestone for all of us at
PlayStation, our partners in the industry, and, most
importantly, all of the PlayStation fans who live and breathe
gaming every day," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO,
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "With unprecedented power, deep
social capabilities, and unique second screen features, PS4
demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering phenomenal
play experiences that will shape the world of games for years to
come."
The PS4 system enables game developers to realize their creative
vision on a platform specifically tuned to their needs, making
it easier to build huge, interactive worlds in smooth 1080p HD
resolution.*2 Its supercharged PC architecture – including an
enhanced Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and 8GB of GDDR5 unified
system memory – is designed to ease game creation and deliver a
dramatic increase in the richness of content available on the
platform. The end result for players is an abundant software
library, as more than 180 games are currently in development.
The PS4 system takes social connectivity into the next
generation by enabling gamers to immediately share their best
gameplay moments with friends. With a press of the "SHARE"
button on the DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller, images and videos
can be shared with other players in the activity feed on their
PS4 system's Dynamic Menu, or on social networking services such
as Facebook®. Gameplay images can also be shared with friends
through Twitter. In addition, players can broadcast their
gameplay in real-time using live internet streaming services
such as Ustream and Twitch. During live broadcasts, friends can
even make comments on the streamed gameplay.
The PS4 system integrates second screens, including the
PlayStation®Vita system (PS Vita), smartphones and tablets, to
connect gamers to the PlayStation ecosystem wherever they are.
Through Remote Play, gamers can play most PS4 titles on their PS
Vita system via Wi-Fi on their home network, freeing up the
television for other uses.*3 The "PlayStation®App" will further
enhance the PS4 system experience by allowing iPhone, iPad, and
Android™ based smartphones and tablets to become second screens.
Once installed, users can, for example, see maps on their second
screens when playing an adventure game on the PS4 system,
purchase a PS4 game while away from home and download it
directly to their system, or find and watch shared PS4 gameplay.
PlayStation App is now available for free on the iOS App Store
and Google Play.
The PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) paid membership service has been
further enhanced on the PS4 system, helping gamers discover a
world of extraordinary game experiences through access to a
regularly refreshed collection of free games. At launch, PS Plus
members will have access to Resogun™ from SCE Worldwide Studios
(SCE WWS) and Contrast from Compulsion Games for free as part of
Instant Game Collection™, along with DRIVECLUB™PS Plus Edition
from SCE WWS anticipated in early 2014. PS Plus gives PS4 system
users access to online multiplayer worthy of the next
generation, one GB of online storage for game saves, automatic
save data backup, and game patch automatic downloads.
With third-party developer support from day one, the PS4 system
launches with games like NBA® 2K14 from 2K, FIFA 14, Madden NFL
25, Need for Speed Rivals and NBA LIVE 14 from Electronic Arts.
PS4 also launches with a diverse list of indie games. PS4's
games portfolio expands in 2014 with games like #DRIVECLUB™ from
SCE WWS.
In addition to a best-in-class gaming lineup, the PS4 system
offers a curated portfolio of entertainment apps at launch,
providing access to movies and television shows, unique
specialized content, and live sports programming. The
entertainment apps, which can be found on PlayStation®Store in
North America.*4
Looking ahead, the PS4 system will change through PlayStation's
cloud gaming services, available in the U.S. in 2014. Based on
Gaikai Inc.'s cloud technology, the services will enable users
to have access to a catalog of critically acclaimed
PlayStation®3 (PS3®) games on the PS4 and PS3 systems, followed
by the PS Vita system.
With the launch of the PS4 system, Sony Computer Entertainment
America LLC (SCEA) has rolled out a massive advertising campaign
with the official tag line, "Greatness Awaits," which is
featured in retail partnerships, digital banners, and television
commercials. In addition, SCEA and Taco Bell® partnered to give
consumers the chance to win a PS4 system every 15 minutes via
the "Play The Future First" campaign, which ran from September
26, 2013 through November 10, 2013. In total, more than 4,000
consumers won PS4 systems prior to the official launch date.
*1 Information as of November 15, 2013. Release titles may
differ according to country/region. Release dates may be changed
depending on individual titles
*2 Some games may not support 1080p resolution.
*3 SCE expects that many, if not most, PS4 titles will support
Remote Play. Remote Play may or may not work over a wide area
network. Remote Play will work best when the PS Vita system is
located within the same WiFi network where PS4 is connected. SCE
also recommends that the PS4 system be connected to the local
area network via an Ethernet cable, that a router suitable for
gaming be used and that the PS Vita system be within close
proximity of the WiFi access point so that the connection is
free of interference.
*4 Entertainment apps to be released will vary by regions. User
responsible for applicable service fees.
Family
Friendly Gaming Coverage