Sony Launches The PlayStation 4

Worth waiting four ... PS4's hands-on touchscreen controller.

  

SONY have announced the PlayStation 4 is coming this Christmas - but gamers have been left guessing how much the device will cost, or even what it will look like.

Tonight's New York Playstation Meeting confirmed many of the rumours about the latest console, the follow-up to the wildly popular PlayStation 3.

Leaked images of the new controller proved to be accurate, with a touchpad placed in the centre just like that of Nintendo's Wii U. Claims of a special button for uploading game footage to the web also proved to be correct, as well as a headphone jack and special "light bar" button built in to every controller.

And gamers were thrilled by the announcement of a new Final Fantasy title, Killzone: Shadow Fall, and Destiny, a new FPS from Halo-creators Bungie.

But news about the console itself even swept aside the AAA-rated titles, as Sony announced a wave of innovations to put rival Xbox under the microscope as they prepare to announce their own next console.

Designed to be more easy and intuitive to play than ever before, the PS4 can be turned on and off instantly - with no boring boot-up times to slow down players.

Remote control ... play anywhere

And gamers can start playing a game as soon as they've begun to download it, without waiting for it to finish.

Sony even suggested the hugely ambitious plan to make EVERY PlayStation game available to download - from the first console onwards.

Nintendo executives will be unhappy at the focus on remote play, with gamers able to use the handheld PS Vita to continue playing even away from their main console.

That innovation takes away the unique selling point of Nintendo's Wii U, which is already struggling to keep up with the market.

'Leaked image' ... snap was revealed before official meeting

And more innovations allow gamers to interact with pals online in a range of different ways, watching each other play and even jumping in to help them if they get stuck.

Amazingly, as the system learns your likes and dislikes it will automatically give you content in your favourite genre, or by your favourite developers.

But while gamers have not even been allowed to see what the new console will look like yet, there has been plenty of information about upcoming titles.

Unreal Tournament 4 provides some low-IQ slaughter, while intriguing puzzler Knack is clearly one Sony are keen to push.

Drive Club will let gamers get to grips with the online team-based capabilities of the new console, rewarding groups of friends for working in teams together, and allowing them to race simultaneously or at different times.

Trimmed-down puzzle game The Witness looks interesting, while Watch Dogs sees you using super powers to run from surveillance cameras, slowing time and hiding your identity.

Diablo 3 will also be making an appearance, as will the cinematic Infamous: Second Son.

Over to Microsoft...

Next generation ... artist's impression of upcoming Xbox and PlayStation.

 history toys

SINCE its UK launch in 1995 the PlayStation has gone from a gaming console to a device that plays movies, downloads data, has 3G wifi capacity and allows gamers worldwide to communicate.

It took on rivals SEGA and Nintendo by using CDs instead of clunky cartridges, offering “sleek graphics and faster gameplay”.

Generation game ... PlayStation through the ages

By 2011 the PlayStation 2 had sold 150 million units, making it the best-selling console to date.

Computer expert and former games developer Mark Eyles, of Portsmouth University, said: “It’s an amazing success story.

“A lot of its success was based on robust technology that delivered games people wanted.

“It’s games that sell consoles, not the other way around.”