Publisher has confirmed months of rumours and revealed its next-generation console; launch window holiday 2013.
Sony has announced the PlayStation 4 will be released later this year.
The announcement was made during the publisher's PlayStation Meeting 2013, broadcast live from New York.
Current president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Andrew House and lead system architect Mark Cerny presented the new console, including a comprehensive breakdown of its hardware specifications.
The PS4 is centered around a custom chip that contains eight x86-64 cores and an enhanced PC GPU graphics processor. Sony says the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) has been enhanced to allow for easier use of the GPU for general purpose computing (GPGPU), including physics simulation. The GPU contains a unified array of 18 compute units, which can reportedly collectively generate 1.84 Teraflops of processing power that Sony says will be applied to graphics and simulation tasks, or a mix of the two.
The new console is also equipped with 8GB of unified system memory using a GDDR5, giving the system 176 GB/second of bandwidth and reportedly providing a "further boost" to graphics performance.
Sony also revealed the PS4 will provide "always on"video compression and decompression systems that enables seamless uploading of gameplay via the share button on the new DualShock 4 controller, which will feature enhanced rumble capabilities, a touch pad, a headset jack, and a dual camera that senses the position of the controller.
The console will also reportedly reduce the lag time between players and content with a "suspend mode", which keeps the system in a low power state while preserving the game session. Gamers will need only to hit the power button again to be returned to the point where they left off. Additionally, users can reportedly boot a variety of applications including a web browser when playing PS4 games, and can download or update in the background while playing.
Digital titles will also be playable as they are being downloaded.
"The long-term goal of PS4 is to reduce download times of digital titles to zero: if the system knows enough about a player to predict the next game they will purchase, then that game can be loaded and ready to go before they even click the 'buy' button," Sony said.
Sony also focused on its second screen strategy, unveiling a remote play functionality that will allow players to use the PlayStation Vita as a companion device to the PS4, pulling PS4 titles from the TV directly on to the Vita.
The publisher also unveiled a new iPhone, iPad, and Android application titled "PlayStation App", which will allow users to see things like maps on their second screens when playing a PS4 title, purchase games for the PS4 when not in front of the console, and remotely watch other gamers playing on their devices.
Sony announced the PlayStation 4 will launch holiday 2013.
Stay tuned to GameSpot for more updated coverage on the new PS4, including a breakdown of the new controller and hardware specifications.
The first concrete evidence of the PS4's existence came from Sony chief financial officer Masaru Kato, who confirmed in May 2011 that a PlayStation 3 successor was in development.
← Find out everything we know about the PS4.
Laura Parker is the Associate Editor of GameSpot Australia. She loves adventure games, sparkly stuff, Trivial Pursuit, cake, Master Chief, earthworms, and rhetorical questions. She once stole a sandwich from Peter Molyneux.
I have to say I was really skeptical, albeit extremely excited, when I heard of Sony's big announcement. I'll be honest, I watched the entire event and was impressed, though I'm more excited to see what games are announced between now and the launch. That being said I'm still awaiting Microsoft's announcement. I consider myself a Sony guy (owned all three Playstations thus far), but I want to see how the PS4 and 720 are going to stack up against one another.
Thats' fast!!! Will the crappy controller and worthless 4k output be included with the console? Not paying for garbage...
I don't care about all the "buddy" gimmicks and features. I just want better graphics and bigger, better games, with less load times. bigger, more full maps in free roamers, that sort of thing.
1 Like PS4 coming this year.... Why would I be interested in a locked-down system with crippled control system and outdated hardware?
1 Like so I wonder what kind of short supply excuse they will use this time and how many people will be dumb enough to pay hundreds more then retail on ebay.
i dont live in USA
so can some one plz tell me when hollidays start over there?
in which month do u think ps4 will release?
1 Like I was not that impressed with PS4 watching the streaming. Ok I have a X box 360 but I would consider myself a PC gamer no doubt and graphics is what I love to see. The titles all looked very cool and interesting to play but I did not feel the wow I got when Nintendo 64 came out, or PlayStation 2 or X box. Even the X box 360 was great, these games look like a PS3 or X box 360 game plus 20% more.
So I find myself waiting for the Xbox 720 and hoping to be not disappointed. I guess all it confirms is that these consoles are like a poor mans pc and that nothing can come close to pc gaming at the moment.
I agree that both companies are just big corporations looking for new ways to recoup the lose on the systems R&D bills.
1 Like I remember buying the 40g launch PS3. That POS broke three times on me, and the third and final was when it was out of warranty (after a year). I was stuck with it as a rather large paper weight. Im definitely waiting longer this time around. That was a 400 dollar hit
You know. I didn't actually see the whole event, but from the little I've seen it was kind of lackluster.Thing is, its just stage1. Now they'll play ball.Whoever makes the first move, will probably fall behind.Sony didn't reveal the the actual hardware because they are waiting for Microsoft to reveal theirs first. Whichever gizmo they'll bring, Sony will find an extra gizmo hardware to top it.
Question is will we reach a stalemate or someone will actually get out a winner with a better machine.What do you guys think? And do you think would make the first and last move?Oh and while you think about it, think of this, the only reason Xbox 360 was called 360 - is because Xbox will always sounds inferior to PS3. Subconciously or not.
1 Like Yeah lets all buy an xbox with kinnect 2 and wave our arms like retards at every game we play. Please. Sony is taking this. Microsoft is going to casual with kinnect.
@Waynespread Omgosh oh noes games for normal peoplez! Too mainstream! Too casual! I only play World of Warcraft in my Mom's basement in the dark - thatz how teh hardcorez gamerz play! Ne thn less is too casual bruh.
@hatieshorrer But PS3 is outselling the xbox360 right now. So it means that sony will have more buyer nxt gen
@hatieshorrer there hasnt been a loser since sega, and before that atari... there are no losers since... small footnote for the xbox which only got in the black before being pastured.
This comment has been deleted
@crunchb3rry
The Wii U wont even be able to play PS4 multi-platform games, lest they are poor ports, so much for getting their shit together. Are you blind? There is a clear advantage of PS4 over Wii U in multiplatform games and in power. Not liking a system is one thing or the games for that matter, but getting emotional about it. WTF? U got problems. Bet you predict Uncharted series was coming in 2007. You dont know shit with your wishful expectations and prophetic speculation that are about as accurate as the prediction of the end of the world. U terrible....
Most of the third party games at the Sony Press Event were also coming to Wii U. Whats the point in having for example a Vita if the games arent as good as its less powerful competitor 3DS.
1 Like I'm mostly a PC gamer, but I'm still pleased about new consoles coming out, if just because the ports will look a lot better.
@Xenrathe that implies that the games themselves were good with gameplay and mechanics... thought id never hear a pc gamer admit to that.
1 Like if PlayStation launch this year it will not go well , for one thing the economy is still in bad shape for 2nd when playstation 3 came out they had to stop the sell of the ps2 in order to get the people to buy the ps3 , the vita is not going well the timing is off. 2015 should have be the target. the xbox will hold off and take in profits for another year. sony has bad marketing skills.
@matrixxs Incorrect my friend, as you noticed 3rd party developers are slowing down big time. There is nothing to look forward to and why buy new games at the end of console cycle?!!
PS4 has never picked a better launch date!! its all over the news/radio as well. Why would people still be playing Xbox 360, when a PS4 is out? Microsoft, should not hold back now!! if they do, they will loose money big time.
Think about it?...... ok think harder now.... there you go!!!!
@matrixxs ask ms if it was a mistake to go first. also i too would like a look at that crystal ball for traces of lsd or whatever psychedelic drugs, and likely bodily fluids, are on it.
So tell me what's the specs BC I guess I missed it? Dont be board give in detail BC playstation sure as hell didnt
1 Like Nextbox is a Nazionist propaganda tool, that's all, it's funded by elitist eugenisists Gates and Co. and all they want is to brainwash ignorant 80 I.Q. morons into signing up to the military to die of depleted uranium.
Free the world with PS4, rail against the eurobanker elitists and UN war criminals, buy PS4.
Launch the Playstation 4 on November 11 2013 exactly 7 years to the day that the PS3 debuted in Japan. The PS3 will last another 4 or 5 years after the Playstation 4 is on the market
@Yuusha09 ps2 had games for quite a while after the ps3 launch... but hopefully with new tech comes new innovation.
2 Like I am looking forward to buying a PS4 and Wii U in the future. I will skip the next Xbox.
I can't wait to see Jinxmaster1337's wife's hairy boobies live on the screen because he forgot to turn his raving rabbits game off
1 Like Well, the speculation has finally come to an end and the Troll food supply has dried up. Sony has put it all out there now and the bottom line is what we see is what we get.
I thought it was a very good show personally. But if you were hoping for some massive over-powered hardware monster, you now know it's not. If you were hoping Sony would steer clear of the social aspect, unifying all your devices and what-not for a connected community (Ala Wii U) you now know it's going down the very same path.In fact, there are a ton of similarities between the PS4 and that other console. Even the tech demos (which are about a year apart now) look equally brilliant.
Before any of you think I'm bashing on Sony, I'm not. I own a PS3 too. But my question is this: What's it going to cost me? Cuz I'm absolutely NOT going to vest $400-$500 for this. It's nice and I like it, but it is not the ground-breaking revolution Sony is trying to make it sound like. It's certainly not worth that kind of dough.
1 Like Xbox is better than ps3. Everyone games on the xbox. if your playing games online xbox is the only way to go. The entire online system is way better than PS3. the next xbox looks like it will be better than ps4 also. And who cares about the 50 bucks you have to pay for one whole year that is like nothing. I could burn 50 dollars a year literally and it would mean nothing to me. Go xbox!!
@Jrounder82 This guy is like "Imma take MS xballz and ram it like deep.. deeeep...DDEEEEEEP in my A$$ lol
3 Like @Jrounder82 "Everyone games on the xbox"
You do realize that, even after getting a YEAR head-start on the Playstation, the 360 actually TRAILS the PS3 sales by 2 million units as of 2 months ago, right?
way to make gamers and americans look bad. I would agree you are by far the dumbest person possibly on gamespot.
1 Like move along...nothing to see here....
Hardly anything to excite anyone who hasn't got ADHD.
Will be interesting to see what Microsoft have up their sleeve, personally ill leave this console at least 2014 , not because i cant afford just because every new console that comes out has games that suck released in the first year.
1 Like While certainly intrigued, I didn't see one thing that makes me want to go out and buy one at launch. This is exactly what I suspected Sony would do......and that worries me.
@HydePark1980 My feeling as well, but also I feel that they might change our minds when E3 arrives, that's what I believe...since this meeting that we had now is just to clarify that PS4 is not just a rumor.
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