Xbox One Review Roundup: A Possible Revolution With Rough Edges

The Xbox One has had one of the most rocky roads to launch in the history of gaming. It is nearly six months since the console was revealed to vast criticism and one of the most tumultuous introductions of any gaming console ever. That is why it is remarkable that the console is coming to shelves competing with Sony’sPlayStation 4 with an entirely revamped strategy.

A lot of things have changed since that fateful night in Redmond with the console’s awfully handled DRM policy and an always-watching Kinect having been extracted from the console. Despite all of that changing though, the Xbox One has always been able to keep hold of its identity as an all-in-one entertainment hub for games, TV and the internet.

With the console only a day away, hardware reviews have started hitting for the console and it is time to see if the Xbox One really could be the all-in-one entertainment experience.

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Destructoid (Dale North)


“The Xbox One is a powerful PC connected to a cutting-edge sensor array that handles every living-room duty, from television watching to video streaming to web browsing, and it does it all with a multitasking UI that supports voice and motion control. This has to be the most full-featured game console offering ever brought to market. It does so many things that it’s hard to keep track of them all!

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The way we see it, gamers likely have a good all-in-one gaming/media box now with the Xbox 360. If you’re dying to add voice-controlled television channel surfing to the mix, the Xbox One will definitely get you there. The console will also give you access to a couple of decent launch titles, and a fantastic new controller to play them with. But you’re going to have to make the call on whether these things are worth $499 to you. If not, wait. The Xbox One will still be around when you’re ready.”

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Polygon

“But in many ways, the Xbox One’s bold direction for the future is well in place. The integration of voice controls and its media strategy are a boon to everyone, and the ability to run apps while playing games is something we now want on every gaming console we have. That it has a handful of strong, exclusive games at launch only supports its legitimacy as a gaming console and not just an entertainment hub.

The Xbox One is an impressive marriage of software and hardware that raises the bar in terms of what we expect from a living-room machine. Looking forward more than it looks back, the Xbox One feels like it’s from the future.”

Score: 8/10

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CVG (Andy Robinson)

“There are clear improvements that make the new Xbox stand out, just enough, from its predecessor. The controller has been meticulously refined, the visuals are expectantly better and the new multi-tasking interface is surprisingly excellent.

But Xbox One is a console that feels like it’s missing something. Granted, we all know what that is, considering the extraordinary reversals of its more disruptive philosophies. But, as with Sony’s platform, there’s a clear sense that this is a platform that has laid foundations that it can build on for a whole generation.”

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Wired (Chris Kohler)

“We tried out Snap in various configurations and everything seemed to work well. But it again illustrated a problem with Xbox One’s interface. We could not figure out at all how to stop controlling the snapped window and switch back to the main one. We tried everything we could think of until we finally just closed all the windows and stopped using Snap. Finally, I said, “Xbox, help.” This did in fact take me to a remarkably polished help menu, where I could access video tutorials including exactly what I needed. As it turned out, you can say “Xbox, switch” or you can double-tap the Xbox button on the controller — neither of which I would have thought of.

And that pretty much encapsulated my experience with Xbox One: It does a lot of things, and in a way that you may find extremely helpful, but you’ll need to take the time to learn how to do them — and learn by trial and error when it’s best to just stop trying.”

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Kotaku (Kirk Hamilton)

“With great ambition comes a curious sort of precariousness. With so many interlocking parts, it only takes a small misfire to gum up the whole works. The Xbox One will doubtless sell hundreds of thousands of units in its first weeks on the market, and hundreds of thousands of people will plug it into their home entertainment centers. And so a hundred thousand town bowmen will let fly a hundred thousand arrows, and plenty of them will strike the mighty dragon’s weak spots.

I admire what Microsoft is trying to do with the Xbox One, and I’m rooting for them to give their console that final push to get it to where it needs to be. The whole thing is almost there. The Kinect almost works well enough to get me to use it all the time. The TV integration isalmost smooth enough to make me plug it into the heart of my living-room setup. Multitasking almost works well enough to get me checking the internet while I play games.”

Score (Should you buy?): Not Yet

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The Telegraph (Tom Hoggins)

“Reviewing a video games console at launch is about judging potential and ease of use. Similarly, buying one is buying into that potential. The last generation brought a sea change in that video games console now evolve and improve over their lifetime. The Xbox One seems set up to do just that. And as a starting point, it’s a very good one. The dashboard is dynamic, easy to use and malleable enough that when more content becomes available, you can curate it how you wish. That initial wave of content, while certainly capable enough, doesn’t yet have the power to make the console a must-have, especially considering the chunky price tag. Currently an unessential luxury, then, but one with a bright future.”

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Ars Technica (Kyle Orland)

“As a video game console, the Xbox One offers about what you’d expect from a new Microsoft console: a big, heavy box (though quieter than you might expect), more impressive specs (though less than what you might expect after eight years), an improved controller (though still with a few odd oversights), and some good exclusive games (more reviews are coming but look into Dead Rising 3,Forza 5, Powerstar Golf, and Zoo Tycoon). As the central hub of a living room entertainment complex, though, Microsoft has a much harder sell. The company needs to prove the Xbox really adds enough value to be worthwhile and to justify the extra cost of the included Kinect over its similar competition.

At this point, the voice control and multitasking functions that are meant to really set the Xbox One apart are just shy of being good enough to really push the system over the top. They’re nice conveniences, to be sure, but there are enough kinks in the execution to limit their effectiveness. Even if those are smoothed out with future updates, it’s unclear that these features are worth $100 (though that reason is separate from any compelling exclusive games or visual/computational powerhouses).”

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Complex (Michael Rougeau)

“When all the disparate pieces come together the Xbox one is extremely impressive. You’ll be pleased with the new Kinect when you’re playing a game and want to look something up on the internet and you can snap Internet Explorer to one side while continuing to play, or when you want to check whether a TV show has started yet without interrupting your movie on Netflix.

Even without the snap feature, switching between apps on Xbox One is incredibly easy and painless. That’s one of the things that helps realize Microsoft’s vision for an all-in-one living room machine. With no delays and few hiccups, it’s easy to use the Xbox One for everything. You’ll want to, even.”

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Time (Matt Peckham)

“Let’s talk price, because the Xbox One is $100 more than Sony’s PS4. At $500, no games included, it puts Microsoft in PS3 launch price territory — an unenviable position back in 2006.

But this is 2013, and $500 happens to be the cost of an entry-level iPad, a tablet Apple’s sold 170 million of in less than three years time. That, and $500 buys you more than a souped-up gaming portal: the Xbox One is a content assimilation engine, a vanguard move into a market the competition’s still toying around in by comparison. It’s an immature, somewhat glitchy content assimilation engine at this stage, sure, and it shares the PS4′s launch game weaknesses if you’re coming at it from the gaming side, but if you’re an early adopter or you’re already invested in Xbox Live’s social ecosystem, think of it as the jumping off point for a fascinating experiment. If it’s successful — and I’m not saying it will be; ask me again in four or five years — it has the potential to change everything about TV and streaming media and the living room as we’ve known it for decades.”

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Through browsing the reviews, it is clear to see that Microsoft is trying to create something that is more than its competitors. The console has its sights set higher than either the PlayStation 4 or Wii U. Microsoft is trying to bring together a console that ties together the entire living room. While the PlayStation 4 is endeavoring to be the best games console, Microsoft is trying to create a technological revolution in the ilk of the iPhone.

That isn’t to say that it isn’t a great games console as well. While it varies as to which is better, both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launch libraries are comparable. While it seems like the Xbox One certainly has some rough edges that it needs to iron out, it has the potential to be a wonderful device.

Xbox One hits store shelves November 22, 2013.

Sony’s PS4 Reportedly Costs $381 to Manufacture

As most gamers already know, Sony is selling their new PS4 console at a loss. With the next-gen console war hitting a fever pitch, the console maker thought it better to come in at an “affordable” price point then to focus on profit.

Despite the knowledge that Sony was taking a loss on each PS4 console, however, we still didn’t know the value of the console when looking at the parts, manufacturing, and nothing else. That all has changed now that the console isavailable on store shelves, and any consumer can take the thing apart.

According to research firm IHS (via AllThingsD), each PS4 unit costs about $381 to build. That’s only $18 below the cost of the actual console, which retails for $399 in North America.

The report cites the console’s processor and individual memory chips as main contributors to the price, which is typical of these types of devices. AMD’s custom-built PS4 processor comes in at $100, while the 16 memory chips total about $88 of the PS4 cost. As well, the console’s 500GB HDD, made by Seagate, costs $37 and the optical drive $28.

What’s most revealing about the report is the breakdown the DualShock 4, which IHS figures to cost only $28, nearly half of its $60 price tag. Each PS4 unit does come with one DualShock 4 controller, but every additional controller purchase after that puts a little more profit in Sony’s pocket.

It appears that like the Wii U, Sony is counting on game sales for profits and choosing to deliver their PS4 console at the best price point possible. That doesn’t mean the retail price of the console won’t come down in the future, maybe evenwithin the first year of release, but for now Sony is taking a loss on each sale.

That being said, the PS4 hit the ground running last Friday, selling more than 1 million units (to retailers) in its first 24 hours of availability. Since then, the console has been in short supply around North America – save for those exorbitant eBay auctions – but Sony is hopeful the console will be back in stock during the Holiday shopping season.

Do you think it’s a smart move by Sony to keep the retail price of the PS4 as close to the manufacturing cost as possible? Does knowing this make you more apt to purchase a first party game?

This Is How Sony Hopes To Boost PS Vita Sales

The PS Vita has endured an interesting journey since its debut in early 2012. First touted as a system that would bring AAA gaming experiences on the move, it has slowly changed into something else entirely. The console now sports a ton of popular indie games with many more coming, but not a lot of ‘big meaty’ titles that were initially promised. Maybe due to that identity crisis, the console has never quite been able to live up to that promise and as such, has been left in the dustby Nintendo’s 3DS system.

With the release of the PlayStation 4, Sony is attempting to turn things around and boost the appeal (and therefore sales) of the device. One of the features thatmany reviewers have been impressed with on the PS4 is just how well the system implements Remote Play with the PlayStation Vita. This allows users to play PlayStation 4 games on the Vita screen, freeing up the television for others to use, in the ilk of the Wii U’s tablet controller.

According to Adam Boyes, Sony’s VP of Publisher and Developer Relations, in aKotaku interview, Remote Play is just one of the three prongs that Sony wants to use to get the Vita back on track. The other two are put on the shoulders of AAA and indie games.

Those who invested in the Vita early on the promise of big AAA experiences on the move, may be a little disappointed with the console’s recent output. Boyes tries to reassure those customers that Remote Play is a big part of convincing publishers to output games onto the Vita.


“I do think that the Remote Play aspect of PS4 is going to help the amount of Vitas that are out in the wild, and then that will start informing more publishers to build that bigger, meatier content.”

Finally, Boyes also feels like indies have a really important part to play in the Vita’s success.


“When I play Spelunky or when I play Hotline Miami on my Vita, I play differently than when I play on my PS3, it feels like it’s at home. And that’s why I think you see a lot of focus on getting great content for the Vita. And we had a ton of announcements at Gamescom for great content like that on the Vita. So the reality is, we’re trying to create a bunch of different content for a variety of gamers so they get satiated with a device on the go or within their house.”

Sony seems to be putting a lot of hope on the Remote Play feature of the Vita and PlayStation 4 to save the handheld console. The powerful mobile console is already split between AAA and indie games and its struggle to have a definite identity may have confused gamers about what to expect on the console in the future. Hopefully Sony will outline its plans real soon to clear that very issue up.

Do you think the Vita can be saved? Do you want to pick one up to support your PlayStation 4? If you have one, are you happy with it and have you tried Remote Play yet?

PS4 Should be in ‘Good Supply’ Through the Holiday

Less than a week has passed since the PS4 ushered in the next generation of gaming consoles and interested parties all around the world are debating whether or not the system is worth the $399 price tag this holiday season. Despite the surprising amount of lackluster reviews for highly-anticipated exclusive launch titles like Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack, plus a handful of missing features, the new Sony console still delivers a serious amount of potential.

Demand for the PS4 has been incredibly high so far. Over one million units were sold within the first 24 hours to dedicated fans who pre-ordered the console or braved the midnight release lines. Although there are over one million happy customers playing PS4 from the comfort of their own homes, Sony hopes the sales will continue to thrive throughout the holiday season. Longtime Sony fans that remember hunting down a PS3 in the months after the console launched in 2006 may raise a hesitant eyebrow at the company’s optimism concerning console availability this shopping season.

As the company acknowledged last week, Sony remembers the flaws surrounding the PS3 launch just as well as the fans do. In addition to making sure the next-gen console had a lower financial barrier of entry, Sony also wants to make sure consumers can actually find the new console on the shelves this winter. Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House addressed the issue of stock shortages in a recent interview with Game Informer.

“We are ensuring that we have the broadest reach to ensure that people are satisfied, especially when they’ve been loyal to brand for so long. On the other hand, we’re not engendering frustration by having a shortage of supply. I think through the holiday season that we’ll be in good supply.”

Assuming the consoles remain available in stores in the coming months, the company’s sales target for the console is five million units sold by March 31, 2014 (the end of Sony’s fiscal year). At this point in the US, availability isn’t quite as abundant as House suggested.

A quick series of calls to local GameStops, Wal-Marts, and Best Buys confirmed that there are no consoles available at any of the major retailers in the surrounding area of this writer. That said, most stores have not had a chance to restock since last Friday’s launch of the consoles and it’s likely we’ll see more units arriving in the coming weeks – especially in the lead-up to the Black Friday shopping frenzy around November 29th.

If all goes according to Sony’s plan, the console should be readily available to holiday shoppers sooner than later. Considering that the cost is a full hundred dollars less than the Xbox One’s $499 price tag, the console is likely to be quite appealing to savvy shoppers. The combination of convenience of availability and (arguably) affordable pricing may make the PS4 a safe bet for best-selling console this winter.

Do you plan on hunting down a PS4 before the new year or are you waiting to see how things shake out? Sound off in the comments.

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The PS4 launched on November 15 and is currently available.

Can The Xbox One’s Kinect Tell If You Are Aroused?

Today is a bit of a weird one for the Xbox One. After it was revealed that Microsoft had worked on a smell-emitting controller, now we have found out if the console can tell if you are sexually aroused or not. With the Xbox One only a few days away from getting into player’s hands, it is likely this isn’t the kind of coverage that Microsoft thought that it would have on its hands.

In theory, Kinect Fitness is able to read your heart rate from up to ten feet away due to “micro-fluctuations” in your skin. This is one of the aspects of the Kinect 2.0 that Microsoft pushed to try to sell the power of the upgraded camera, even if the capability was just a tinsy bit creepy. That also begged the question, could it read the heart rate for things that weren’t fitness based? Say… whether or not you are turned on?

Thanks to Cara Ellison at the Guardian, we have the hard answer. Talking toRare‘s development director and Kinect specialist, Nick Burton, Ellison asked just how intimate could the Kinect be with its user?


“Kinect for Xbox One cannot detect skin heat – rather it can detect skin colour, using RGB and Active IR, and human blush response from that. Coupled with player movement analysis, you could potentially infer excitement levels, but we could not speak to the accuracy of this data right now.”

Past all the techno-babble, that basically means it is at least possible, even though no one has really tried it. While asked in jest, it does leave open the question of whether this could be used in nefarious or even beneficial ways. The most cynical will deem this a gross invasion of privacy that could be used for advertising reasons. The more optimistic could see this as a strange, but effective tool in game design.

To draw up an example, if there was a game that was heavily dependent on your relationship with certain characters, the Kinect could read your emotional reaction to each character, be it positive, negative or even physical attraction. Hoping for that kind of fidelity in the bundled Kinect may be hopeful, but you can at least see the future potential in this kind of hardware.

What do you think? Would you be freaked out if the Kinect could tell if you were aroused? Is it crossing a line?

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The Kinect 2.0 comes bundled with the Xbox One, which is released on 22 November, 2013.

The Game Rant Guide: November 2013 Edition

It’s been a long time coming, but the next generation of gaming is about to arrive. November is arguably the most important month in quite a while, with plenty ofXbox One and PS4 launch titles ready to take the industry to the next level. Let’s take a look at what’s coming out this month!

Wii Fit U kicks off the month, arriving November 1st on the Wii U. Up next is Call of Duty: Ghosts, blasting its way onto all major systems November 5th. On the 15th of November, the next iteration of Sony’s PlayStation console finally hits shelves. Along with it, anticipated titles like Battlefield 4, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Killzone: Shadow Fall will appear front and centre. On the 19th, Need for Speed: Rivals races onto PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows. Hot on the tails of the PS4 release comes the Xbox One, Microsoft’s next console which makes its debut on November 22nd. Various launch titles for the system include Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, and Ryse: Son of Rome. Nintendo also boldly chooses the 22nd for the release of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds for its 3DS handheld system.

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November 2013 Release List

(Note: Based Off North American Release Dates; All Information Is Subject To Change)

Week of November 1st, 2013
Wii Fit U (Wii U; November 1st)
Call of Duty: Ghosts (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Windows; November 5th)
State of Decay (Windows; November 5th)
The Guided Fate Paradox (PS3; November 5th)
Rayman Fiesta Run (iOS, Android; November 7th)

Week of November 8th, 2013

• Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Wii U; November 8th)
• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Vita; November 12th)
• Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3; November 12th)
• World of Warplanes (Windows; November 12th)

Week of November 15th, 2013

• Angry Birds Star Wars (PS4; November 15th)
• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (PS4; November 15th)
• Battlefield 4 (PS4; November 15th)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (PS4; November 15th)
• Contrast (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Windows; November 15th)
• DC Universe Online (PS4; November 15th)
• FIFA 14 (PS4; November 15th)
• Flower (PS4; November 15th)
• Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (PS4; November 15th)
• Just Dance 2014 (PS4; November 15th)
• Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4; November 15th)
• Knack (PS4; November 15th)
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (PS4; November 15th)
• Madden NFL 25 (PS4; November 15th)
• Minecraft (PSN; November 15th)
• NBA 2K14 (PS4; November 15th)
• NBA Live 14 (PS4; November 15th)
• Resogun (PSN; November 15th)
• Skylanders: Swap Force (PSN; November 15th)
• Sound Shapes (PSN; November 15th)
• The Pinball Arcade (PSN; November 15th)
• Warframe (PSN; November 15th)
• War Thunder (PSN; November 15th)
• X Rebirth (Windows; November 15th)
• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Windows; November 19th)
• Eve Online: Rubicon (Windows; November 19th)
• Need for Speed: Rivals (PS3, Xbox 360, Windows; November 19th)
• Young Justice: Legacy (PS3, Xbox 360, Windows, 3DS; November 19th)

Week of November 22nd, 2013

• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Battlefield 4 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Crimson Dragon (XBLA; November 22nd)
• Dead Rising 3 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• FIFA 14 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Fighter Within (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Forza Motorsport 5 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Just Dance 2014 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Madden NFL 25 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Mario Party: Island Tour (3DS; November 22nd)
• NBA 2K14 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• NBA Live 14 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Need for Speed: Rivals (PS4, Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Peggle 2 (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Powerstar Golf (XBLA; November 22nd)
• Ryse: Son of Rome (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Skylanders: Swap Force (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Super Mario 3D World (Wii U; November 22nd)
• Tearaway (Vita; November 22nd)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS; November 22nd)
• Zoo Tycoon (Xbox One; November 22nd)
• Zumba Fitness: World Party (Xbox 360, Wii U, Wii; November 22nd)

There’s so much happening this month, it’s hard to settle on a favorite upcoming release! Ranters: Is there anything you are looking forward to over the coming weeks? Let us know in the comments section below! As for me, I’ll be playing A Link Between Worlds!

PlayStation 4 Review

November 15, 2013 marks the true beginning of the 8th generation of home video consoles with the release of Sony’s PlayStation 4. Announced earlier this year, alongside its primary competitor in Microsoft’s Xbox One a few months later, The PS4 is first out the gate a full seven years after its predecessor.

The PS4 promises to deliver a platform that’s developer-friendly and gamer-focused, on that’s as powerful as it is social. In our lengthy review of the system, we’ll touch on the setup process, the new interface, social and sharing features. We’ll also review the DualShock 4 controller and non-gaming applications the system delivers on day one.


Setting Up The Console

Plugging in and setting up the PlayStation 4 console is thankfully quick and easy. The basics are the same as its predecessor and the package comes with all of the necessary parts to get Sony’s next-gen game system up and running. As we discussed in our PS4 demo and preview impressions, the console itself is slanted and flat in design for two reasons. On the front, the tilted shape makes it a tad easier for users to hit the power button and on the back, the overlap conceals some of the cords that plug into the back. There’s also a break along the front which will conceal the two USB ports.

A built-in power bar prevents the need for a large brick on the power cord and is again appreciated. The slanted design and the light line down the top and front are more for aesthetic than practicality but it looks good and it looks different than its rounded predecessors.

Turning on the system for the first time will require a one-time-only setup process to set the system’s internet and networking settings and to create or login with a Sony account. There’s of course, a Day One (1.5) update as well to enable many of the console’s features but it downloads rather quickly in the background while users can play disc-based games offline.

If users purchase the $60 PlayStation 4 Eye camera peripheral, the system can sign them in via facial recognition. To login this way, you’ll need to hold the controller up so the camera can see the light bar to prevent accidentally turning the system on when in standby. The facial recognition works fairly well under most lighting conditions but takes longer than simply selecting a player profile.

New to the PS4 is the guest sign-in feature which lets any user sign-in on another person’s console. It’s a way to prevent issues with having to delete accounts when leaving a friend’s house and it lets you access digital content on any other system while signed in. It’s another welcome addition and the console allows up to four users sign in at the same time.
PlayStation 4′s New Interface

PS3 users upgrading to its next-gen successor will immediately notice that the outdated XMB (XrossMediaBar) has been replaced with a new interfaced dubbed the PlayStation Dynamic Menu which embraces larger, easier to read Microsoft-esque tiles. Sony claims its new GUI is designed on the five pillars of being Simple, Immediate, Social, Integrated, and Personalized.

At launch, we can safely say it’s at least three of those things. The PS4 menu system is very fast and much more user-friendly than the PS3′s XMB. On the main menu there’s a ‘What’s New‘ screen which is essentially a social wall and of course, there’s social media and sharing integration with Twitter and Facebook. The interface still isn’t as intuitive as the Xbox 360′s home screen but once learning where everything is, users will quickly be able to access all of its features.

Players can use the mic that ships with the PS4 or the Eye peripheral (or any working third-party headset) to access screens and various functions with voice commands as well. There’s also the official PlayStation app, available on iOS and Android devices, which users can connect to the PlayStation 4 system for more second screen features.

Outside of accessing the PlayStation store remotely and adding friends and sending messages over Sony’s network to other users, the main features currently available let users control what’s on the screen with their mobile device by sliding around. It’s a little difficult to use and we quickly gave up on it in favor of using the primary DualShock 4 controller to navigate the screens. The other more useful feature is the ability to type via the app in text boxes on screen since going from one character to another to write a message is tedious and inefficient.

Even here the app is still not as user-friendly as it should be since it requires going back and forth between the DualShock 4 controller and a mobile device to input and submit text in each separate field. There’s also a few extra unnecessary steps involved in adding friends, so it and the interface have room for improvement.

We were not impressed by the system forcefully requiring us to enter credit card information after redeeming a code for the PlayStation Plus subscription in order to “use this product.” A credit card is required to redeem any voucher code and by default, it’s set to auto-renew from said card so the system is designed to get money from you.

That obstacle aside, the design of the PlayStation store and how it’s integrated into the social wall is smart. It’s easy to read and developers have a place to highlight news and updates for their own games. The system supports free-to-play games and the store makes it easy to sort by various categories. Some titles offer the choice of downloading one component before the other so if you wanted to play multiplayer and download the single player in the background, you can do that. If you’re going to be downloading a lot of full retail titles in the future, be weary of what you want to keep installed since the PS4 harddrive is only 500gb and some games like Killzone: Shadow Fall are upwards of 40gb in filesize.

As a digitally-focused system, the PS4 also has a standby mode which allows it to download updates in the background when not fully “on.” By default the console will check for updates late at night but it can turn on remotely and download purchases made on the PlayStation App or Vita while out and about as well. In this state, the console can also charge plugged-in controllers which make standby mode – and its pretty orange light across the top of the console – a welcome addition.
The DualShock 4 Controller

The DualShock 4 controller embraces the same traditional PlayStation button layout as its predecessors, but adds a few new features and important tweaks. The mold of the controller however, sees the biggest and most long overdue change, dropping the old school DualShock design from 1997 (when it was first introduced on the original PlayStation in Japan) and embracing an ergonomic, more rounded design with better grips. It’s light weight, smooth and slick.

In addition to altering the spacing of the dual analog sticks and face buttons, the sticks themselves see an important change, with Sony moving from the rounded dome top of the DualShock 3 and predecessors to grip-friendly concave sticks with an outer ring on the DualShock 4. This change makes using the sticks for lengthier periods of time feel more comfortable while also making it feel more precise. Unfortunately, the sticks are still placed low and far from where human hands naturally place their thumbs so it’s possible to get hand cramps in extended periods of play.

As for the next-gen DualShock 4 features, the center of the controller now hosts a capacitive touchpad that also clicks in. Some of the PS4 launch titles, including Killzone: Shadow Fall and Warframe use the touchpad as a secondary D-Pad of sorts where users can swipe in any of the four main directions to access special abilities. To the left and right of the touchpad are the ‘Share’ and ‘Options’ buttons which replace the ‘Select’ and ‘Start’ of old, respectively. ‘Options’ serves the same purpose as ‘Start’ previously did but the ‘Share’ button opens up one of the most important features supported by both next-generation consoles: social media and screenshot/video sharing. But more on that later!

The PS button (featuring the PlayStation logo) has been moved to the bottom of the controller to make room for the touchpad. It functions the same way it did on the PS3, bringing up the dashboard upon pressing. Double-tapping it lets users switch between any two apps, or a game and an app on the fly which is handy for checking notifications, social feeds or even the browser while gaming.

The DualShock 4 controller also embraces the PlayStation move tech of the PS3 and has a light bar built into it which not only makes it extremely precise – enhanced with an improved three-axis gyroscope & accelerometer – but can also serve as a extra layer of immersion. The color of the light bar for instance, can change color as an extra form of game feedback and in The Playroom suite pre-installed on the console, holding one’s hand in front of it simulates darkness for the little robots on screen. We can think of a few ideas already of how some games can use that in conjunction with the improved motion controls that still let you have the rest of the controls in your hands. At launch, there are not many games/apps available that take advantage of the controller’s features.
Social Media Integration

The PlayStation 4′s friends list builds upon and shares the same friends lists as PS3 and Vita, except users can now link their Sony account with Facebook and Twitter. These accounts are required if users plan to share screenshots or video. Facebook is currently the only way to grab a real-world photo to use as a profile Avatar. Otherwise, you’re stuck with the weak library of default image choices.

It’s also in these social feeds where users can post videos, screenshots and links to livestreams. Users of course can customize settings so they don’t flood their personal walls with PS4-related content and for Facebooking videos, the system lets users select specific predefined groups of friends from their Facebook lists or from their friends who are playing that same game or have a PS4.

An important step in the process that helps protect privacy is that when associating a Sony account to Facebook, users can choose to grab their real name and display it, making their gamer account much more personal. They don’t have to if they don’t want to, and even if they do, your real name won’t display to friends unless they send a “Name Request,” but it just goes to show how far gaming has come in the world of personal social media. Users can similarly choose what posts show up on the PS4′s ‘What’s New’ social wall.
Sharing Screenshots & Video

The sharing ability built into the PlayStation 4 operating system works super slick and is very easy to setup and use, even for newbies to the world of live broadcasting. At any time during gameplay, simply pressing the ‘Share’ button on the DualShock 4 controller brings up the sharing menu with three options: upload video, upload a screenshot or broadcast video.

The PS4 records the last 15 minutes of gameplay at all times and choosing to upload a video lets the user trim it down into short intervals or upload the entire 15 minute clip to Facebook. All video is maxed out at 720p. Unfortunately there are quite a few limitations when it comes to straight-up video uploading that make it a half-baked feature. The 15-minute cap for instance, is too short, especially considering that multiplayer matches in Battlefield 4 can easily go much, much longer, and that players who do let’s plays and walkthroughs of campaigns, often post lengthier clips. There’s inexplicably no way to retrieve the video outside of uploading to Facebook and the biggest shocker of all, YouTube is not supported (yet).

‘Uncharted’ on PS4 Will Be Pirate-Themed?

There may not have been an ounce of gameplay contained within in, but the first teaser trailer confirming that the Uncharted series would be coming to PlayStation 4 was undoubtedly one of the high points of Sony’s console launch event. Featuring the standard cryptic narration and a hand-painted treasure map, fans weren’t left with much information to decipher. Or…were they?

A closer look at the first trailer for what we assume will be Uncharted 4 reveals some key names and locations that, when taken together, imply the next game in the series will feature a search for pirate treasure off the coast of Africa. If that’s the case, then is Nathan Drake guaranteed to return? Or will Naughty Dog dive even farther into history with a new lead?

We’ll leave that question for now, since many would claim that at this point, Nathan Drake simply is the Uncharted brand. That being said, it’s no secret that the minds behind the series originally intended something far more fantastical than a modern-day treasure hunter, so stranger things could happen.

Those die-hard fans of Naughty Dog may find talk of pirates and period sailors a bit familiar, since it was just last May that a developer diary for The Last of Usoffered a quick glance at some concept artwork being shown in the background of Naughty Dog’s offices. The apparent slip featured concept art of 17th or 18th century clothing, and the rumors of a PS4 historical adventure soon to be announced ran rampant.

With nothing else to go on, the momentum soon slowed (as many assumed the art was related to the then-unannounced The Order: 1886). And as Naughty Dog’s leadership maintained that their production team was enjoying a long-deserved break – given the fast and furious shift from Uncharted 2 toUncharted 3 – the speculation ran its course, and fans remained confident that Naughty Dog’s flagship series would make a return on the next-gen console at some point.

That wait has come to an end, but fans weren’t treated to a signature Nolan North-narrated teaser trailer at Sony’s event, but an unnamed character (voiced by Todd Stashwick) apparently bent on revenge, having been “buried alive” and “forgotten” by a similarly unnamed character. Only time will offer more details on who these characters may be, and what relationship they may have to the series’ star, but the trailer itself is telling.

The first locations noted on the map reveal the African coastline as that being ‘charted’ (Cape of Good Hope among them, with the first legible handwritten phrases scrawled across the map clear to see: “I have lost everything” and “Every betrayed us all.” And in this case, capitalization is everything.

The man being alluded to by that line is Henry Every (1659-??), an English privateer who became known as one of the most infamous pirates of his day. It isn’t easy to attain the nicknames ‘The Arch Pirate’ or ‘The King of Pirates,’ but in his time captaining The Fancy throughout the Indian Ocean, Every distinguished himself as one of history’s most notable pirates.

Much of that reputation comes from his attack on a convoy of ships traveling from India – an attack that made Every the richest pirate in the world, and one of the first men ever made the target of a global manhunt. That kind of money attracted attention, and Every and his crew spent the rest of their lives evading capture.

Although it is unknown whatever became of Every – if he was captured under a false name, for instance – but it is widely assumed that he managed to retire with his fortune, and live in secrecy. That makes Every one of the few famous pirate captains who ever accomplished that task, and one who would no doubt have made enemies along the way.

But the greatest clue comes in the final frames of the trailer: the ‘X’ marking Ile Sainte-Marie (also known as St. Mary’s Island, and Nosy Boraha). The island may be unheard of for even casual pirate fans, but it was home to hundreds of pirates throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. In fact, the population was so heavily composed of pirates, their wives, and children, that it features one of the onlylegitimate pirate cemeteries to this day.

That alone makes the piracy connections clear (if the skull and crossbones were too subtle), but the legends of Nosy Boraha and the surrounding area go beyond simple history, and much deeper into the realms with which Uncharted is familiar. According to legend, the island was part of an anarchist colony known as ‘Libertatia,’ founded by pirates under the leadership of Captain James Mission. Pirates with the motto: “for God and Liberty.”

Considering that one of the competing rumors surrounding Henry Every’s fate has him acting as king of a pirate utopia, the links between Every, Libertatia, and Ile Saint-Marie in particular are clear. It’s still unknown if Libertatia ever actually existed, but if it did, and if Every found retirement in its safety, then that would make a good resting place for his colossal treasure.

That’s an awful lot of speculation based on the first teaser, but the evidence is indisputable. For now, it’s impossible to tell if the voice demanding vengeance is after Every or Drake, or what significance should be placed in the Latin phrase “Hodie Mecum Eris In Paradiso” (“Today you will be with me in Paradise,” among the last words of Jesus Christ) but one thing’s for certain: with Sir. Francis Drake dead for over sixty years before Every’s birth, there seems little chance that players will be walking in the shoes of Nathan’s ancestor.

What do you think of Naughty Dog’s decision to turn towards piracy? Does this reveal come too close to Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag for your tastes, or are you confident the team will take the setting and style in a completely new direction? And exactly how do you think the game will blend modern with history? Share your own thoughts and theories in the comments.

PlayStation 4 Console Review Round-Up: Promising But Lacking For Now

It is finally here. After ten months since it first made its public appearance, thePlayStation 4 is finally out and consumers are getting their first taste of Sony‘s next-gen experience. It has been a remarkably busy road on the way to the next generation. A spirited reveal, a historic E3 and a corporate war have all paved the way to today.

With all that behind us and a new console in front of us, it is time to see what outlets have been making of the PlayStation 4? Will the console be able to over come some of the UI short comings of the PlayStation 3? Will the shaming of theXbox One at E3 ring true now the console is here? And will the hardware be able to come up lacklustre hardware?

We’ll have our own review of the PlayStation 4 hardware posted in the coming days, but in the meantime, read our hands-on preview and check out this collection of reviews from around the web.

NOTE: Not all reviews come with a numerical score.

The Verge (Sean Hollister, Ross Miller, and David Pierce)


“For right now, though, there’s little incentive to spend $399 on a PlayStation 4. Not only are there few games worth the price of admission, the vast library of PS3 games is more compelling than anything the PS4 currently offers. If you’re desperate for a new console, rest assured that eventually the PS4 will be one; it has plenty of power, a great controller, and a lot of good ideas about how we can play games better and how we can play them together. But for right now, they’re mostly still just ideas.”

Score: 7.7

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Polygon


The PS4 hints at plenty of other possibilities. Local network play via the PS Vita has an enormous amount of potential. The PlayStation App and even the Playstation Camera may provide opportunities for developers to broaden the appeal of the PlayStation 4 beyond the hardcore audience it currently seems so intent on courting. Unlike the PlayStation 3, Sony’s latest effort was built to evolve.

But the PlayStation 4′s focus on gaming — and only gaming — is undermined by a distinct lack of compelling software. That failing is sure to improve — better games and more of them will appear on the PlayStation 4 — but right now, this is a game console without a game to recommend it. Early adopters of the PS4 this fall are buying potential energy. We’re just waiting for a place to spend it.

Score: 7.5

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Time (Matt Peckham)


“When I reviewed the Wii U last November, I wrote that Nintendo had “a lock on the future of big-idea gaming.” But sometimes big idea gaming isn’t what captures imaginations (or hearts, or wallets). Sometimes refinement’s enough — taking an imperfect idea and perfecting it (or further trying to). That’s what $400 for a PS4 buys you this time around: a system that feels like something that’s been around the block off the block, instead of a feature-incomplete, overpriced collage of half-baked apps and feature hypotheticals. You’re still buying a promise, but for once it feels like a promise made from solid, well-trodden ground.”

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T3 (Matt Hill)


“With the PS3 and Xbox 360 producing some of the finest games of the moment and acting as fully operational media hubs while they do it, a new console is undoubtedly a want rather than a need right now. But through its super-fast UI, noticeable graphical jump and expansion plans, PS4 looks like one worth buying into in the long run.”

Score: 4/5

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Ars Technica (Kyle Orland)


“Well, it leaves us at the beginning—a messy beginning for a system that’s liable to grow and change a lot over the next few years. The PlayStation 4 has an excellent controller, decently powerful hardware, some intriguing, well-executed new features, and an interface that shows belated acknowledgement of some of Sony’s most user-unfriendly past designs. It also has a lot of features that are half-assed, missing, or downright bewildering at this point. Still, overall, it’s a good starting point for a system that’s meant to last a long time.”

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CNET (Jeff Bakalar)


“Sony has positioned the PS4 as the “gamer’s console,” putting blockbuster and indie gaming at the forefront of its campaign. That might be music to the hardcore gamer’s ears, but it doesn’t necessarily satisfy the ever-growing demands of all-in-one entertainment devices. Microsoft’s Xbox One seems to have a plan laid out about how to tackle media, live TV and gaming in one fell swoop, and has had a lot experience already doing so on Xbox 360. It might not be the case just yet, but the idea of a devices focused solely on gaming has the potential to seem narrow minded down the road. Thankfully, software updates, content deals, and other investments and business relationships can change all that.”

Score: 3.5/5

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Game Revolution (Anthony Serverino)


“Unless you’re a dedicated PlayStation fan or an early adopter, or just dying for new hardware after such a lengthy cycle last-gen, you’d be fine to pick the PS4 up next year…That’s not to say you wouldn’t be happy with the PS4 now if you have one pre-ordered—as a gamer, you’ll love it. And as a PlayStation console, you know the investment in PlayStation-exclusive games from studios like Naughty Dog and Sony Santa Monica will pay off sooner rather than later”

Score: 4/5

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Stuff (Tom Parsons)


“Delivering on the next-gen promise of 1080p gaming and digital distribution are the core things, but that’s backed up by a super-slick UI that feels ‘live’ and interactive, and delivers the content you want with a degree of snappiness that the previous generation couldn’t get close to.

Add stand-out features such as Remote Play, which really is terrific, and you’ve got a massively strong launch for the PS4. And it will only get better as more games, apps and features are released.

Over to you, Microsoft.”

Score: 5/5

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CVG (Jonathan Cooper)


“The PlayStation 4 is a long-overdue leap forward for Sony, but it doesn’t take any risks. Sharing features might change how players approach playing and watching games, but it doesn’t change the central experience. The controller will make playing them more comfortable, but it too is merely an advancement on an a controller blueprint that was etched in the mid-nineties. … There’s a good chance that the software platform will allow for greater innovations in the future, such as more streaming options expected to be added later down the line, but for now, Sony is selling a futuristic machine with not many new things to do on it.”

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Yahoo! Games (Chris Morris)


“The PS4 is bound to be one of the holiday season’s hottest gadgets – and the geek bragging rights that will come with owning one are undeniable. Ultimately, it’s a system that feels almost – but not entirely – finished. There’s no one major flaw to point to, but a number of small ones start to add up.

Fortunately, they’re all fixable – and Sony is well aware of them. Even better, the game lineup for the foreseeable future is a solid one. Once the launch madness ends, there are Infamous: Second Son, Watch Dogs, and Destiny waiting in the wings – proof positive that Sony learned not only from its own missteps seven years ago, but from the mistakes Nintendo made with the Wii U. And that could be a big factor in the PS4’s success for months and years to come.”

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It seems that after all is said and done Sony has delivered a very good console, albeit, with a flawed launch. Many cite the “potential” and “promise” of the console as one of the key reasons to invest in the PlayStation 4. Gaikai, sharing options and incoming games in the future promise tons of fun on the horizon.

The main problem with Sony’s new console appears to be the circumstances of the launch. With few worthwhile titles on the system, gamers are literally buying a promise. A well designed and fluid promise, but a promise none the less.

Are you still interested on picking up the PlayStation 4 early? Do you want to join the Sony party before everyone else? Do you think the Xbox One could have a better launch? Let us know in the comments.

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The PlayStation 4 is available now in North America.

‘Uncharted’ Confirmed for PS4; First Teaser Trailer Released

As they promised, Sony took to their PS4 launch event in New York City ready to make some major announcements. With all eyes focused on the PS4, they knew it was the perfect opportunity to tease what the future holds for their next-gen console.

And as far as that future goes, it looks like Naughty Dog’s action adventure franchise will be making the jump to next-gen in a new Uncharted game developed exclusively for PS4. The game was teased in a short trailer, which you can watch above.

Although the trailer is decidedly lacking in gameplay (read: there wasn’t any), the important thing to take away is that Naughty Dog is not done with the Unchartedfranchise. They are ready to bring Sony’s blockbuster franchise to the next-gen platform, and will presumably not make fans wait long for this sequel.

The trailer features a foreboding narration from an unnamed character (voiced by Todd Stashwick) as the camera pans across what appears to be a treasure map. The narration is fairly wordy, but the gist is that this character was betrayed, left to “rot” for 15 years, and now wants revenge.

Who this character wants revenge against, however, isn’t quite as clear, but easy money and a lack of info leads us to believe it’s Nathan Drake. We wouldn’t be so fast to completely assume Drake’s return, though, as the trailer makes no mention or allusions to the character…at least as far as we can ascertain. Naughty DogCo-President Evan Wells was quick to point out that there are some clues hidden within the teaser, so chances are we’ll know more about this game in a few hours.

Similarly, a release date and a subtitle (if there is one) for this game are a mystery. Chances are Sony wanted to simply confirm a new Uncharted game was coming if only to build buzz and maybe sell a few more PS4 units tomorrow. In fact, we had heard rumors earlier this year that Sony might make this announcement at E3 2013, but that never came to pass.

The good news is that Uncharted is coming to the PS4, but the bad news is we know next to nothing about the game. Let the speculation begin.

Are you ready for Uncharted to make the leap to next-gen? Do you see any clues in the trailer? How would you feel if Nathan Drake was not the hero of this game?

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Shuhei Yoshida Reassures Fans After Reports of PS4 Hardware Issues

Launch dates are upon us and things are getting intense as the two gladiators of this generation’s console war prepare to land in the hands of the public: in the blue corner is Sony with the PlayStation 4, and in the green corner is Microsoft with the Xbox One. The PS4 is the first to go on sale, and so it is also the first to come under sharp scrutiny as the first units are handed over to waiting critics and gamers.

Game Rant has posted a preview the PS4′s interface and design, but reviewing these new consoles is a slightly tougher challenge. Since they are designed to have a lifecycle of about ten years, the best test of their qualities will be how they both fare over time and with a wide range of next-gen games. After all, the PS3 and Xbox 360 came out seven and eight years ago, respectively, and gamers are still fiercely divided over the matter of which is the better console.

With the first previews from gaming sites and reports from gamers who got early units through special promotions, there have already been some early reports of hardware issues with the PS4. IGN’s review unit would not work after downloading the 1.5 update. Kotaku also noted that while three of the retail units and the pre-release unit used by the site’s reviewers had no problems, one retail unit had a faulty HDMI jack that prevented a stable signal being sent to the television. Two users on Neogaf who received early release units have also reported HDMI output issues.

Sony president Shuhei Yoshida responded with a tweet assuring gamers that Sony is investigating the issues that have been reported, and that the number of units experiencing issues seems to be relatively small. In a statement made to IGN, Sony states that only an estimated .4% of units shipped have been affected by these issues, which is within expectations for a newly-launched console:


“A handful of people have reported issues with their PlayStation 4 systems. This is within our expectations for a new product introduction, and the vast majority of PS4 feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are closely monitoring for additional reports, but we think these are isolated incidents and are on track for a great launch.

“There have been several problems reported, which leads us to believe there isn’t a singular problem that could impact a broader percentage of systems. The number of affected systems represents less than .4% of shipped units to date, which is within our expectations for a new product introduction.”


Another issue with the PS4 has been affectionately dubbed “Wobblegate,” after theGiant Bomb unboxing video showed that pressing a finger down on one of the left-hand corners of the PS4 will cause the console to tip slightly, due to the location of the rubber feet on the underside. The best solution to this problem, as far as we can gather, is to not press down on the left-hand corner of the PS4 – it seems to sit perfectly flat otherwise.

When the PS4 goes on sale tomorrow it will be a lot easier to gauge how widespread these hardware issues are, but based on the current information it doesn’t look like there’s any reason to panic.

The PlayStation 4 will be available to buy from November 15th, 2013.

Sony Boss Disappointed By Unimpressive PS4 Software Review Scores

After all the in-fighting and corporate digs, it is now the eve of the next-generation with the PlayStation 4 set to hit shelves in the US and Canada tomorrow. After only a few months of the consoles being public, the battle between Microsoft andSony has had enough toing and froing to last several years.

The PlayStation 4 came out of E3 in a remarkably strong position. At the time it appeared that Sony was in danger of running away with the eighth generation of gaming before it had even begun. Only five months later, Microsoft has madeseveral policy reversals that benefited the Xbox One‘s public standing and the generation is again a two horse race. With the PlayStation 4 so close to release, several outlets have been releasing early console launch reviews to whet gaming appetites. While many will be excited to see that the console has great potential, it appears that it and especially its games have underwhelmed reviewers on first impressions.

This hasn’t gone unnoticed by Sony Computer Entertainment Boss Shuhei Yoshida. In an interview with GamesIndustry International, Yoshida expressed his disappointment in the lukewarm reception of the PlayStation 4 launch library. He attributes the media having to rush through games to get ready for the systems launch as one of the reasons they may not have enjoyed what they had to offer.

“It’s disappointing but I don’t think it’s worrisome for the launch of the system. I’ve played through all of our games, Killzone, Knack and Resogun, and I totally enjoyed playing through these games. I’m now on my second run of Knack and Resogun at a higher difficulty – these games really grow on you when you play more. I’m very confident that once you purchase these games and play, you’ll be happy that you’ve done so.”

One of the games that has disappointed reviewers most is Knack. What looked like a bright and entertaining platformer has been judged as somewhat of a disappointment by many reviewers. Yoshida talks about the game directly, saying he is disappointed in its critical performance, but that the game wasn’t necessarily designed to review well.


“The game wasn’t designed [to meet specific] review scores – I was hoping Knack could score in the mid 70s and last I checked it’s around 59-60, so I’m hoping it goes up. The game uses only three buttons to play, so it’s not the type of game reviewers would score high for the launch of a next-gen system. The game was targeted as what we call a second purchase; you know, people may purchase PS4 for Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed or Killzone, but if they also buy Knack, this is a game that you can play with your family or your significant other”

All isn’t lost though. What the PlayStation 4 lacks in games, it has in promise. While titles like Knack and Killzone: Shadow Fall have underwhelmed some, Sony has a slew of world class teams under their brand like Naughty Dog and Team Ico that will be trying to deliver on the promise of the next generation inthe future.

Do the mixed reviews of the PlayStation 4 software worry you? Can you wait until there are more games or are you too excited for the next generation?

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The PlayStation 4 will be available on November 15, 2013

Preview: Up Close & Personal With The PlayStation 4

The PS4′s unique shape is for aesthetics and functionality, as we were told yesterday during Sony’s launch event for their long-awaited new home console. The PlayStation 4′s slanted design makes it easier for users to hit its power button and to slightly cover the wires on the rear of the unit. The power bar is inside the console so there’s no brick on the power cable. Along the top and face of the console there’s a semi-transparent line down the front which lights up to indicate the status of the device. Blue is powering on while orange represents standby mode.


The latter is important to the new ways players can operate the console, while actually not using the console. While in standby, the PS4 can turn on by itself and download games purchased on a PS Vita or a mobile device via the PlayStation app, no matter where you are when making the purchase. At night, during the hours of 2-4am, the console will also exit standby to download updates automatically. PlayStation Plus subscribers (a paid subscription is now required to play games online) get the added bonus of having the system keep up to date with any game they’ve played in the prior three months.

When turning the system on, users select a profile to sign-in with just as they do on the PS3, but there’s now an option to sign in as a guest. Choosing guest lets other players with PlayStation accounts sign into someone else’s PS4 with their account without having to worry about needing to deleting the profile later. Once they’re done, the profile is signed out and removed with no remnants left on that other console. For users who buy and attach the PlayStation 4 Eye peripheral, they can setup the console to sign in via facial recognition as well.

Users do not however, need the Eye camera to take advantage of voice controls. The mic/headset that comes with new purchases of PlayStation 4 (or any third-party headset that works with the system) can be used for voice controls to navigate the interface or perform certain functions as well.

The PS4 aims to push social media and it begins with the new landing page, dubbed the What’s New screen. It’s a wall of social updates (pictured just above) that’s catered to a user based on their interests. Killzone: Shadow Fall fans for example, will see more friend accomplishments or postings about that title. These can be sorted and any post can be selected for more information. Developers have the ability to post news, highlight events and promote DLC, etc. on their respective game pages.

PS4 profiles can be linked to Twitter and Facebook and on Day One, these are the only accounts where users can share screenshots. For video sharing, only Facebook will work at launch. The third sharing function is live broadcasting and here players can stream out to their Twitch or Ustream account, and include a link to the broadcast to their Facebook or Twitter pages.

While streaming, players can use the Eye peripheral should they want to broadcast an image of themselves while playing and they can turn on the mic to allow for live commentary during play. In our demo, we broadcasted ourselves and then watched it live via the Twitch.tv website on a tablet. Streamers can opt in to have viewer comments display on the screen as they play as well if they’re feeling interactive.

The resolution seemed blurry but it’s our understanding that it supports 720p video. We also watched via the console another playing playing Knack and we could could leave comments as he played. Some games we were told, will even allow for interaction elements although no examples were provided. There’s an ‘Interact’ button on the screen while we were streaming the other player’s footage.

The PlayStation 4 always records the most recent 15 minutes of gameplay footage and at anytime, users can hit the share button and share a clip from that footage by uploading the entire 15 minutes (that’s the max) or trimming down a short interval of it using the simple editor.

Users can pick and choose what activities they see on their What’s New screen and what information they want to show up in their own activity feeds. For Facebook postings of videos or screenshots, players can select what group(s) of Facebook friends the messages will show up for – by custom group, by players who have the same game, etc. When browsing recordings or screenshots, users can sort by game or by most recent.

PS4 player profiles pull real-name info and photos from their Facebook profiles but users can control what information they want to share. Other players won’t be able to see your personal info without first sending a request. Facebook is the only method of the PS4 grabbing real-world photos even if you have the PS4 Eye camera, so for users without Facebook, there’s a predefined gallery of avatar images to choose from.

The PlayStation 4 lets users form parties of up to 8 players, cross-platform with voice support between PS4 and Vita users, no matter what application or game they are in. Another interesting change is in trophies – there’s now a percentage rarity level associated with every trophy that’s constantly changing based on how many players around the world who have said game, have acquired the trophy.

In terms of online connectivity, the browser on the PS4 seemed faster than the PS3′s but still oddly slow for what internet users expect from using a browser on PC/Mac or any other device. Setting up remote play on the PS Vita also requires a bit of a wait but once it’s on, the gameplay is nearly seamless. Streaming gameplay video to Twitch or Ustream however, does of course come with a few seconds lag just as it does on PC.

As for the core interface design, the layout of features and easier accessibility of basic functions, social feeds, apps, store and sharing making the PS4 a much more user-friendly device than its predecessor. Buttons or tiles as they appear on screen are bigger, easier to read and quick to respond and the hardware gives users even more ways to interact with it all, and to interact with other players while doing so.

For more, read our preview of the PlayStation 4 Eye and The PlayRoom. Stay tuned for our PS4 reviews beginning Friday.

PlayStation 4 releases November 15, 2013.

Sony: The PlayStation 4 Has Learned from The PS3′s Mistakes

Although the Wii U was released a full year ago, many gamers will consider this Friday, November 15, the real kickoff of the next generation of consoles. ThePS4 will be in stores by the end of the week and the Xbox One will arrive just a few days later on November 22.

After comparing the new consoles side-by-side and weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a console during its launch, many consumers will be ready to shell out four or five hundred dollars for a new machine this holiday season. According to Sony, shoppers that decide on a PS4 will end up going home with “the most powerful video game console ever created.” A title the manufacturer claims didn’t come to it easily.

That bold claim, made by PS4 architect Mark Cerny in an interview with Polygon, was backed up by an argument that Sony has learned some valuable lessons from the missteps of its most recent console, the PS3. Cerny outlined some of the shortcomings and problems – both on the consumer and developer sides – that the PS3 had to overcome to stay competitive in the market.


“PlayStation 3 really hit a rough patch and a lot of that had to do with – on the consumer side – of the console being so expensive. So we had this goal with PlayStation 4 that we’d be a much more affordable console than PlayStation 3.”

This is one goal that Sony definitely managed to accomplish. The $399 price tagon the PS4 makes the next-gen console $100 cheaper than the 20GB PS3 was at launch in 2006 and $200 less than the 60GB PS3. More importantly, the (arguably) affordable starting price is $100 cheaper than the main competition, the Xbox One. Although consumers have to consider many factors, from exclusive titles to new controller designs, the lower price barrier for entry definitely gives the PS4 an edge for thrifty shoppers.

Cerny went on to detail some of the lessons that Sony learned through its own development partners:


“But on the developer side, PlayStation 3 had a reputation for being very hard to work with. I mean I knew that, I worked on a launch title, and so we wanted to make sure that PlayStation 4 would be smooth sailing, that it would be the sort of thing where you wouldn’t have to learn every detail of the hardware, in order to make a game. That it could be much more about the vision of the director of the title.”

It will be harder to assess how well the architects at Sony accomplished this goal until we see what kind of gaming experiences are delivered on the PS4 over the course of the next year. Exciting exclusive launch titles like Knack and Killzone: Shadowfall are definitely a good start.

Cerny believes that the development team has successfully managed to prepare for the shift in gaming towards DLC and the longer relationships that players have with each game. He hinted that the PS4 will see a “tremendous evolution” in order to keep up with the six-to-twelve month stints that players are spending with games that offer downloadable add-on content.

Do you think the PS4 will really be the most powerful console available, or is Sony is just generating some last minute hype? Sound off in the comments.

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PlayStation 4 releases on November 15, 2013.