Playstation 4: What We Learned

Short, sharp and simple. Here are the main points we gathered from Sony’s conference, along with the latest assets.

Here are the major points we can take away from Sony’s reveal. There’s a lot of questions left unanswered, but at least we can finally put some of that speculation to bed.

PS4 is very much like a “supercharged pc” with a X86 CPU, enhanced PC GPU, 8GB unified memory and local storage HDD
Dedicated video compression and decompression
The DualShock 4 controller will see reduced latency, it will also incorporate a touchpad and adds a brand new share button. For the first time, there’ll also be a headphone jack, increased rumble, and it will be weigh lighter than previous models.

There is also a camera on the DualShock 4. It will track the position of a player and they can navigate the game environment using the touchpad

Players can pause and resume game sessions by using the power button. Their progress will be saved in the PS4’s RAM.
Players can begin the download of a digital title and then play a portion of the game while the rest of it is still downloading
It appears the Trophy system will be retained and probably backwards compatible with your earned trophies on Playstation 3.
The Share button enables players to livestream game footage and take screenshots and share with their friends.

Depending on the games a player plays, the PS4 adapts to their choices and will preload content onto your console for them to try, then purchase after a certain point.
If a friend is stuck at a point in a game, the player can take over and play a section for them.
All games on the PS4 will support remote play through PS Vita, similar to Nintendo’s Off-TV play on Wii U. Handheld purchase validated?
While the PS4 itself won’t be backwards compatible, an extensive library of PS1, 2 and mobile games will be available via the Gaiki Cloud Service.

Some things we have learned post conference

Playstation 4 will NOT block used games. (Source: Eurogamer)
Playstation 4 won’t require an internet connection (Source: Eurogamer)
Playstation 4 Firmware Updates will probably happen in the background (Source: Eurogamer)
Current Gen PSN Purchases and Saves will not be transferrable to PS4 (Source: Engadget)
Playstation 4 app is coming to iOS and Android (via IGN)
Playstation 4 will have a Blu-Ray Disc Drive, much like the PS3 before it (Source: Game Informer)

Several points that we’d still like clarified.

Will PS4 support dual-screen technology like Wii U, enabling players to have a second screen of information and detail on Vita while they’re playing on PS4
Will PS Plus work with the Cloud Service, potentially offering free retro games through the service, as well as more recent offerings?
What disc format will games play on? Will there be any discs at all?
If there are no discs, will the system be capable of playing DVD or Blu-Ray movies?
What does this mean for the future of DLC and marketplaces and the general expansion of games?
What does the console look like??

Playstation 4 titles in development

During the presentation, several games were shown; some in an earlier form than others.

Knack

Drive Club

inFamous: Second Son

The Witness

Deep Down – Working Title (New IP from Capcom)

Diablo III (also confirmed for Playstation 3)
Killzone: Shadow Fall (Confirmed as a PS4 Launch Title)

Watch Dogs (Confirmed as a Playstation 4 Launch Title)

New Final Fantasy Title to be announced at E3
Destiny

Of course, this doesn’t represent all of the games coming to Playstation 4. Here are all the developers/publishers confirmed to be working with the new platform…