The device itself was not shown, but the company highlighted many of the platform’s next generation features including:
- 8 GB of unified memory, an X86 CPU, an enhanced PC GPU, and synchronized PC architecture.
- Live recording and compression, allowing gameplay footage to be shared
- A sleep feature allowing games to be switched off, then resumed from where the player left
- Integration with social networks
- Streaming games (and eventually access to all PS/PS2/PS3 games) via the GaiKai tec Sony acquired in 2012
- An updated dual-shock controller with touch pad and motion control capability. Players will also be able to control games with a PSP Vita, smartphone or tablet
The PS4 is not backwardly compatible, so PS3 games will not run on the device. However, the company’s new streaming games service, based on the GaiKai technology it acquired last year will eventually provide access to games from previous PlayStations and allow players to enjoy classic games.
A widely held fear was that Sony would implement a technology, which would now allow pre-owned games to be played. However, subsequent information indicates this is unlikely.
Sony introduced a host of developers who have already signed up to create games for the new PS4 including several noted indie developers such as Jonathan Blow, who are spear-heading a new focus on indie games as part of Sony’s push to make the console more accessible to developers.
This morning a list of 149 companies “almost every major third-party” according to Sony, was released, listing all of the studios signed up to work with the PS4. Apart from Rockstar Games (and no mention was made of Rockstar North specifically), there are no Scottish developers listed.
So, has Scotland moved beyond the console sector? Are the costs too high? Has the industry fragmented to the point where very few (if any) developers can games for the next generation of consoles? Or is it simply to early for developers to consider building content for a console which has yet to prove itself in the market?
We asked many of the developers in and around the industry for their insight and opinion. At the time of writing, no comment had been received.
The launch itself has provoked a storm of debate on the Internet, with enthusiastic coverage from many publications and players, equalled by a skepticism and doubt by other publications, analysts and commentators. Regardless of your opinion, Sony’s stock rose following the announcement.
Next story: Scottish Games Network in shock ‘tabloid style’ headline linkbait scandal.