This year on February 20th, the highly anticipated next-generation videogame console Sony PlayStation 4 was announced. It is the second next-gen console, after the Xbox One, to be revealed following the launch of Wii U in 2012.
This slew of new features gives us a heads-up on what to expect from Sony’s upcoming gaming device – check out some of the PS4’s new features, as well as Sony’s developments in cloud-gaming, sharing and game interaction.
New controller
Alongside the PS4, Sony is releasing the DualShock 4, the latest iteration of its signature controller. The new Dualshock 4 controllers have a touchscreen in the centre, a share button and feature color-coded sensory bars, which will interact with a light bar to determine depth, location and more. Other new features include a clickable touchpad and redesigned joysticks. The new controller also features motion-tracking capabilities based on those used in the PlayStation Move. The Playstation Move will also be compatible with the PS4.
Remote play
Announcing remote play between the PS4 and PlayStation Vita, Sony leapfrogged one of the competing Wii U’s selling points: the ability to take a full-fledged console game off the television and onto a mobile device. Utilizing Gaikai’s streaming software, the PS4 will act as a server and the Vita as a client. According to Gaikai Chief Executive David Perry, the ultimate goal is to make “every PS4 game playable on the PlayStation Vita.” However, it remains unknown how PS4 games, which use a controller with more buttons than the Vita has, will work with such a transition.
Hardware specs
The PS4 will feature an X86 CPU, enhanced PC GPU, 8GB unified memory, local HD and GDDR 5 system memory. What that means in layman’s terms is that the PS4 will be significantly more powerful than the PS3. Nevertheless, users shouldn't expect the same graphical leap as was experienced from the PS2 to PS3. Given the demos on display during Sony’s debut, it’s likely that all but the most hardcore PC gamers will be impressed by the console’s initial graphical displays.
Games
The PS4 has an incredibly vast line-up of games, with more than 40 titles announced before the system has even been released. This includes games from many of Sony’s flagship franchises, such as Gran Turismo 6, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Infamous: Second Son, and Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
Social as priority
There were rumours that Sony would pursue a significant social infrastructure in the PS4, and for once, rumours are true. The PS4 appears to have been built from the ground up with social in mind, integrating real-world identification, Facebook and dynamic real-time sharing. Players will be able to not just quickly cut clips of recent gameplay footage, but stream live game sessions to friends, thanks to Sony’s collaboration with Ustream.
Second Screens
The PS3 was linked with PlayStation Vita through Cross-Play, and players are able to stop playing the game on one device and resume on the other. With the PS4, an entire game can even be streamed from the console to PS Vita over Wi-Fi networks. In fact, Sony had indicated their goal of making most PS4 game titles playable on PS Vita, except those exclusively camera-based games. The capacity of remote play is made possible with Sony’s acquisition of Gaikai cloud technology as a game server. Tech just keeps getting cooler.
Yuan Liu is a freelancer who is going to FlexiRent the PS4 before she buys – she’s worried she’ll like the Xbox One more.
This slew of new features gives us a heads-up on what to expect from Sony’s upcoming gaming device – check out some of the PS4’s new features, as well as Sony’s developments in cloud-gaming, sharing and game interaction.
New controller
Alongside the PS4, Sony is releasing the DualShock 4, the latest iteration of its signature controller. The new Dualshock 4 controllers have a touchscreen in the centre, a share button and feature color-coded sensory bars, which will interact with a light bar to determine depth, location and more. Other new features include a clickable touchpad and redesigned joysticks. The new controller also features motion-tracking capabilities based on those used in the PlayStation Move. The Playstation Move will also be compatible with the PS4.
Remote play
Announcing remote play between the PS4 and PlayStation Vita, Sony leapfrogged one of the competing Wii U’s selling points: the ability to take a full-fledged console game off the television and onto a mobile device. Utilizing Gaikai’s streaming software, the PS4 will act as a server and the Vita as a client. According to Gaikai Chief Executive David Perry, the ultimate goal is to make “every PS4 game playable on the PlayStation Vita.” However, it remains unknown how PS4 games, which use a controller with more buttons than the Vita has, will work with such a transition.
Hardware specs
The PS4 will feature an X86 CPU, enhanced PC GPU, 8GB unified memory, local HD and GDDR 5 system memory. What that means in layman’s terms is that the PS4 will be significantly more powerful than the PS3. Nevertheless, users shouldn't expect the same graphical leap as was experienced from the PS2 to PS3. Given the demos on display during Sony’s debut, it’s likely that all but the most hardcore PC gamers will be impressed by the console’s initial graphical displays.
Games
The PS4 has an incredibly vast line-up of games, with more than 40 titles announced before the system has even been released. This includes games from many of Sony’s flagship franchises, such as Gran Turismo 6, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Infamous: Second Son, and Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
Social as priority
There were rumours that Sony would pursue a significant social infrastructure in the PS4, and for once, rumours are true. The PS4 appears to have been built from the ground up with social in mind, integrating real-world identification, Facebook and dynamic real-time sharing. Players will be able to not just quickly cut clips of recent gameplay footage, but stream live game sessions to friends, thanks to Sony’s collaboration with Ustream.
Second Screens
The PS3 was linked with PlayStation Vita through Cross-Play, and players are able to stop playing the game on one device and resume on the other. With the PS4, an entire game can even be streamed from the console to PS Vita over Wi-Fi networks. In fact, Sony had indicated their goal of making most PS4 game titles playable on PS Vita, except those exclusively camera-based games. The capacity of remote play is made possible with Sony’s acquisition of Gaikai cloud technology as a game server. Tech just keeps getting cooler.
Yuan Liu is a freelancer who is going to FlexiRent the PS4 before she buys – she’s worried she’ll like the Xbox One more.
