UPDATE: The PS4 is Doing Exceptionally Well
Sony has sold more than 50 million PS4 consoles since launch. The company revealed its mega sales, which don’t include December, usually the biggest month for sales, ahead of news of more price cuts to the original console.
"We're truly delighted that the PS4 community continues to flourish since launch three years ago," Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Andrew House said in a statement.
"With tremendous support from our fans and partners across the globe, this year we were able to deliver an unprecedented lineup of hardware such as the new slimmer PS4, PS4 Pro and PlayStation VR."
"We will continue to provide the best gaming experiences available through our ground-breaking software lineup and network services, as we focus on accelerating our business and expanding the PS4 ecosystem," House concluded.
Sony has a couple of very high profile games on the way as well and this, combined with Xmas 2016 and further price cuts, should bolster continued growth for the company’s console division.
The PS4 can now be had for just £219 via Amazon. That's a HUGE saving on the console and it also makes it a great option for those of us without 4K TVs. This is the cheapest the PS4 has ever been, so if you want to get in on the action be sure to check out Amazon's awesome deal right here.
In order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro you will need a 4K TV with HDR and while these types of TV sets are now cheaper than ever, it’s still a big outlay for a lot of people. This is why the PS4 is still a solid option in 2016 and thereafter. Support for the console is not stopping; Sony has said as much, stating the two consoles will live side by side and get equal support.
This means, if you’ve been sat on the fence waiting for the price of consoles to drop there has never been a better time to pull the trigger. You can pick up a console for £219, but I’d advise looking at a console deal that is combined with a game or two, some of the best options are listed below.
On January 10 2017, Sony has announced a new colour variant of the PlayStation 4 Slim; Glacier White. The firm has revealed the console will be available from January 24 in Japan, and then January 25 in Europe. Japanese prices for the 500GB and 1TB storage models are ¥29,980 and ¥34,980 respectively, while for Europe we only know the 500GB price so far; €299. There's no word on whether the 1TB model will be available outside of Japan at this stage, and Sony is yet to reveal anything regarding US availability.
Aside from the colour variation, there's nothing else new about this model as the specs are the same as the regular PS4 Slim and other older PS4 variants - for a spec update you want the PS4 Pro, which supports 4K gaming.
The PS4 had an excellent 2014 and Sony wasn’t shy about discussing this fact at CES 2015, America’s BIGGEST technology expo. Over 4 million units were purchased during the Christmas period, according to Sony chief Kazuo Hirai. And despite renewed vigour in Microsoft’s Xbox camp with price cuts and game bundle deals, Sony’s PS4 still looks like the stronger console of the two after more than 12 months of very consistent performance around the globe.
It’s OFFICIAL: the PS4 is a roaring success. Sony has now confirmed it has shipped in excess of 30 million units — and that’s with the busiest period of 2015 still coming up. Back in March the company confirmed it had sold around 20 million units, though Sony’s biggest rival, Microsoft, has remained mum on exact sales of its Xbox One system, which recently got updated to Windows 10.
Here’s the official line via Sony:
“We are sincerely grateful that gamers across the globe have continued to choose PS4 as the best place to play since launch two years ago," said Andrew House, President and Global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "We are committed to bringing engaging games and entertainment services to users worldwide. Thanks to the support of our partners.”
In a bid to further increase adoption of its next-generation gaming console, Sony has implemented price cuts across all markets. The PS4, now over a year old, is by far and away the best option for next-generation console gaming, surpassing the Xbox One in almost every regard. Chuck in a bunch of awesome, upcoming titles and it is easy to see why gamers that game go for the PS4.
Here’s the official line via Sony:
Here’s the official line via Sony:
“Since the launch of PS4 our aim has always been to provide players with the best gaming experiences at the best value, and we’ve been thrilled with the amount of players who have joined our world. If you haven’t made the jump to next-gen yet then we have some good news for you. We are pleased to announce that from today the 500GB PS4 will be available across the SCEE region* from the new low price of €349.99/£299.99 (RRP).”
Sony has launched a new version of the PS4, adding in A LOT more storage and a new slimmed down chassis. The new system’s hard drive is now 1TB –– twice as much as before –– and the chassis of the 500GB model has been slimmed down by 10% lighter and 8% more power efficient.
The new model, called the Ultimate Player Edition, will get a release in select EU countries in July. Players outside the EU can expect to see the console arrive later in the year, though Sony has not confirmed any additional regions as yet.
PlayStation 2 Games Landing on PS4!
Despite guarantees it would never happen, Sony has now confirmed it has backtracked and is instead working on a PlayStation 2 emulator for the PS4, bringing classic and much-loved PlayStation 2 titles to the latest console. Speaking to Wired, a Sony rep said, "We are working on utilising PS2 emulation technology to bring PS2 games forward to the current generation. We have nothing further to comment at this point in time."
What isn't clear, then, is whether we are looking at a full emulator designed to run any classic PS2 disc, or Sony re-launching titles as digital downloads on PSN. Our guess is the latter would be more likely, but that's pure speculation at this point. Having said which, Sony may be attempting to keep up with the Joneses in terms of what Microsoft has offered on the Xbox One; an emulator allowing the use of classic Xbox discs, but it also works with digital copies too.
Following news of the statement, Sony has taken to Twitter to ask gamers what titles they would like to see - again implying a limited selection of digital downloads over disc backwards compatibility.
Playstation Now Lands In UK As Beta Trial
It’s been an AGE in the making but Sony’s Playstation Now service has finally made its way over to the UK in the form of a free, public Beta.
The Service, which allows users to stream PS3 games on a range of internet-connected devices, including the PS3, PS4 and compatible Bravia TVs, charges users £2.99 and £7.99 to rent games for either 48 hours or 30 days.
Titles offered during the open beta include Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, The Last of Us, God of War: Ascension, Bioshock Infinite, Final Fantasy XIII, Tomb Raider Underworld, Ultra Street Fighter IV, Dead Space 3 and Mirror’s Edge.
The full Playstation Now service is expected to go live later on this summer, however, Sony has given no firm release dates as yet. It should be a huge hit with Playstation fans, though, as all content is stored in the cloud, meaning you do not need to be on your PS4 to play games on it, opening up an entire myriad of gaming potentials –– like on a plane, for instance, providing its a newer aircraft with Wi-Fi.
So what is Playstation Now like? According to our sister site, Expert Reviews, the new streaming service is bloody amazing. Not only does it offer excellent value for money and backwards compatibility, but it also introduces a bunch of new and innovative features to an already excellent console.
“As it stands, PlayStation Now is a brilliant demonstration of what’s possible with streaming technology. If your internet connection can handle it, there are times when it’s virtually indistinguishable from playing a game off a disc or local download. It’s not perfect, however, with visual fidelity restricted by your connection bandwidth and the emulated PS3 experience is slightly jarring when jumping in from the incredibly slick PS4 UI,” noted Expert Reviews. “Sony's pricing structure remains in flux too, and until the service exits open beta it remains unclear as to what gamers will actually be asked to pay in order to play. It might not be a direct response to Microsoft's backwards compatibility win at E3, but it's a great alternative.”
The Xbox One is still the PS4’s biggest competitor and this is something that will not change for at least the next half-decade. But if you haven’t made the jump to a next-generation console yet, how do you decide which machine is best for you? We’re big fans of both here at KYM, however, two-thirds of the team are PS4 and the other is solely PC-based for gaming. We do like the Xbox but, when asked by friends which to get, we usually go with the PS4.
Read on to find out why.
The Box
Sony hit some backlash after not releasing the box at the original press conference almost 12 months ago. I can understand why many thought they’d be getting an
White Edition PS4 Coming Soon
Soon you’ll be able to grab the PlayStation 4 in a nice new paint job. At the moment it’s currently only available in the black but we know the white version will soon be coming. It will also be available with a white controller and a brand new stand in the same colour.
In the US the white version will only accompany the new game from Bungie, called Destiny, whilst in Europe it’ll be available on its own.
image of the box but in the long run, it really doesn’t matter. Sony went the route of explaining what it wanted to do and how it was going to achieve it. Time was much better spent explaining software, games and the development process.
When the box was finally unveiled, Sony didn’t let us down. The original design of the PS3 resembled a home Epson printer but a few iterations later and the PS3 Super Slim resembled something you’d be proud to place under your TV. When you first gently edge the PS4 out of its packaging it strikes you how light the entire console is. And then the design hits you - it is, in a word, exceptional.
As well as being light, the form factor is sleeker and more refined than its older brother and resembles more closely the design of the PS2 in many ways, most of them good.
Much like the PS3, games go into the disc drive without anything else popping out to say "hi" and the power on/disc drive buttons run in seamlessly with the subtle light panel on the top of the box. On the front we’ve also got two USB 3.0 ports but both are indented into the grooves making them disappear into the console. Stylish stuff.
The second thing you may notice comes when you're ready to plug it in- that is the lack of connections. Unlike the Xbox One, Sony’s PS4 comes without the traditional brick power supply freeing up a load of much needed room on my desk. The power outlet goes through one, surprisingly short, scart lead into the system. All we need from there is an HDMI cable going from the console into the TV and it’s all set. We’re ready to roll.
Wi-Fi out of the box is a lovely touch meaning setting up to the internet is a breeze without having to run an Ethernet cable through the living room. Ethernet is available though if you haven’t got strong Wi-Fi available. One thing to note is the PS4 does not support Scart any longer, and why should it?
Also included from the PS3 is the Blu-Ray player which can also play DVD’s and audio CD’s. The one sad thing is the lack of backwards compatibility. Coming from the Microsoft side of the tracks there are a bunch of PS3 games I want to get my hands on and not being able to play them on my PS4 is a right bugbear. The Last of Us, Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Journey and Beyond: Two Souls are all out of my grasp. The same is true for anyone switching from PS3 to the Xbox One, sadly still no backwards compatibility. That is the world we now live in.
Of course Sony's PlayStation Now streaming service will eventually remedy this backwards compatibility issue. US users need not be so concerned as it is pegged to arrive for them this year, but for those of us elsewhere on the globe we're looking at 2015 at the earliest.
Controller
Dualshock 4 - could it be the best controller ever designed? It’s one impressively well-designed piece of kit. Sony has taken the Dualshock 3, inspected everything impressive about the Xbox 360’s controller and attempted to combine the two. The trigger system is now concave feeling much more like the 360’s triggers without as much pull.
Similar to the Dualshock 3 the connection is Bluetooth and of course wireless. From there the controllers begin to differ, the analogue sticks are further apart than before and there are even little grooves for your thumbs to sit in. Then we say goodbye to the iconic Start and Select buttons for the new clickable touchpad. Upon the first few plays the touchpad feels useless but some games do integrate some of the features reasonably more enthusiastically than others, more about that later. If titles begin to pick up on the uses for the touchpad it’ll work out nicely.
Buttons on the gamepad now inlcude Share and Options. Both are a little too flush with the controller meaning to hit them you need to apply a lot of pressure. Share allows you to share up to the last 15 minutes of gameplay on Sony’s social networking platform. Again, more about that later.
Another new addition is the light bar across the bottom of the controller, which initially seems like yet another puzzling addition. Until you start to use the controller in a darkened room and the mood set by the controller helps immerse you into the gameplay. It also dictates which player is which when using multiple controllers.
There are so many little additions to the controller which I thought would be pointless, but my favourite of the lot has to be the addition of a speaker in the Dualshock 4. When I first heard it’d come with a speaker I thought it would become annoying but games are using it well. It’s satisfying whilst playing Resogun and your orders are being barked from a matter of inches away. Also there is a headphone jack for the first time allowing you to play privately without disturbing the rest of the house.
Charging the controller is easy through a USB cable, which is nice and simple. It's just as well, because the battery life isn’t particularly good.
From a full-charge I could get about six hours average gameplay out of the controller. This isn’t a problem if you can sit within USB cable range of the system to make it a wired controller but if that isn’t possible it may be a case of buying another controller to charge if you’re expecting long periods of gameplay.
Charge through the cable is surprisingly fast though, so maybe it’ll give you that much needed fresh air break. Another nice touch is the controller still charges whilst in standby mode.
The one thing we always want to see is inside our gadgets, now you can see inside the controller. Some students at The Budapest University of Technology and Economics threw one inside a X-Ray machine just to see what was inside and below is the result.
Camera
Unlike the Xbox One, the PlayStation's camera accessory doesn’t come inside the box. First off, this probably means a number of developers will decide against developing titles to make use of the device, as there will be a smaller install base. And secondly, I couldn’t afford to fork out another £50+ just to have my face on the screen - I'm sure this will be a factor for others too. If Sony drops the price, perhaps it will become more attractive, but fewer camera-ready games might remain a turn-off.
User Interface
Goodbye XrossMediaBar, hello full customization. Both the 360 and PS3 user interfaces were lacking in my opinion – being stodgy and unpredictable. Both next-generation consoles have redesigned the user interface and the PlayStation 4 now comes with a fully customizable PlayStation Dynamic Menu.
Customisation is easy, once you know how, and proves useful allowing the user to prioritise whichever features they use most. If you’re into your Netflix, you can bring that to the fore, if you prefer the music app, it can take pride of place instead. It’s a simple process and works extremely well.
In the US there's a bunch of apps to play with, but in the UK the number is considerably reduced, though it is still a fair selection. As long as you’re a LoveFILM or Netflix subscriber you’ll be entertained for hours on end.
Both apps work much better than their predecessors and offer HD streaming as standard. Currently there are iPlayer apps and a couple of other less useful ones.
Throughout 2014 there will be many more new apps joining the store to keep you entertained, but this isn’t the Xbox One, it isn’t an entertainment hub - that's a secondary role. This is bit on the side for when you’re bored of gaming.
Games
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Undeniably the flagship title for the PlayStation 4. It’s a shooter, it’s exclusive, and it’s bloody beautiful. Unlike other Killzone titles the latest version brings in plenty of colour, vibrant city scapes and next-level visuals.
Most other Killzone games have been set in dark, dull and grim worlds but Shadow Fall, despite the name, went the opposite route with a visually diverse approach. It’s done the series some real good to get out of the deep, dim hole of the apocalypse.
Shadow Fall opens in the middle of a 30 year long cold war. Needless to say this doesn't last for long, but gameplay consists of stealthy movements, controlling your own drone bot using the touchpad or going all guns blazing and dying a lot!
The online gameplay is a sci-fi version of classic shoot, die, respawn deathmatch. There are various other gameplay versions such as capture the flag but you can't beat the old fashioned slugging match.
Resogun
Resogun is a contender for game of 2013. It’s a side scrolling, cylinder based shoot-‘em-up developed by Housemarque, which previously created the Super Stardust series. The title is a PS4 exclusive and for a next-generation game, an arcade game this perfect was unexpected.
The aim of the game is to fly your spaceship, destroy the other spaceships and save the little humans. Simple premise but the game quickly becomes more difficult and at times frustrating, some levels can be a real challenge - but that's a good thing right? Bring back the old hardcore arcade style.
The game works on a high score and leader board system of points gathering. Resogun is free for PlayStation Plus members but you’ll need to act quickly to get your hands on it. Resogun is also expected to get 3D support sometime in the near future.
Contrast
Contrast was also free to PlayStation Plus subscribers and is a puzzle-platformer created by Compulsion Games. The game is set in a film noir style world, where you play a character called Dawn, the imaginary friend of Didi, who can phase in and out of shadow form.
You use the shadow powers and various light sources across the levels to solve puzzles and reach collectibles. Dawn and Didi are the only visible characters in the game, all others act within the environment as if they are real but are only visible in their shadow form.
Contrast isn’t without its problems, some of the puzzles are uninspiring and the game really does suffer by not including other characters. The environments sometimes feel lacklustre and without life. You’re meant to assume the streets are full of people, you just can’t see them, but it feels more as if the developers got a little lazy.
Don’t Starve
Originally available only on PC, this PS4 version is essentially the same but looks splendid on the next-gen console. Available for free on PlayStation Plus with its Instant Game Collection, the game follows a gentleman scientist named Wilson who is thrown into the wilderness by a demon.
The aim of the game from there is to survive for as long as possible against the elements, starvation and the creatures around you.
The gameplay works on a permanent death process encouraging a die and re-try approach to getting by. In time you begin to learn your way around the world. Throughout Don’t Starve you learn how to cook, build, and protect yourself, where to set up camp and what kills you very quickly.
It’s then a case of seeing how many days you can survive, at night the monsters come so you’ll need fire to see you through the night.
It’s a learning process and surprisingly it’s the most fun element of Don’t Starve. The game is a refreshing break from the shoot-at-stuff approach most modern videogames adopt and throws you head first into a harsh, alien world full of things that want you dead.
Conclusion
If you were desperate to buy a next-generation console it’ll likely be sat underneath your TV already. If you're reading this, it’s more likely you’re undecided on whether to stick with the current generation consoles before more titles are released for next-gen.
PlayStation 4 is beginning to build up a catalogue of must-play titles. Alongside everything released since launch there’s a big batch of games incoming this year and then the launch of PlayStation Now in the UK in 2015. PlayStation Now will bring with it the chance to play every PlayStation game ever made.
Some are arguing it’s retreading old ground but it means you can avoid shelling out for a PS3 to play must-play titles from the previous generation.
If you’re not desperate for some next-generation goodness then maybe you should wait for the inevitable price drop and the first few issues to be ironed out. On the plus side, previous generation titles will keep you going as the price continues to drop on classic titles for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
If you do want a new console though, PlayStation 4 is a gaming system offering a slicker, better-looking experience than ever before. Sony has done a near perfect job with tweaking older features, creating mostly beenficial newer ones and making a system which seems to work without fault. The controller is a large step-up from the DualShock 3, now it’s just a case of waiting for some more killer titles to get playing.
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