A microconsole is a home video game console that is typically powered by low-cost computing hardware, making the console lower-priced compared to other home consoles on the market. The majority of microconsoles, with a few exceptions such as the PlayStation TV and OnLive Game System , are Android -based digital media players that are bundled with gamepads and marketed as gaming devices. Such microconsoles can be connected to the television to play video games downloaded from an application store such as Google Play .
92-615: The PlayStation TV (abbreviated to PS TV ), known in Japan and other parts of Asia as the PlayStation Vita TV or PS Vita TV , is a microconsole , and a non-handheld variant of the PlayStation Vita handheld game console . It was released in Japan on November 14, 2013, and Europe and Australia on November 14, 2014. Controlled with either the DualShock 3 or DualShock 4 controllers,
184-438: A central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), as well as other components such as a memory controller and video decoder . The CPU consists of two 28 nm quad-core Jaguar modules totaling 8 64-bit x86-64 cores , 7 of which are available for game developers to use. The GPU consists of 18 compute units to produce a theoretical peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS . The system's GDDR5 memory
276-599: A headphone jack for headsets or headphones; the console is bundled with a pair of headset earbuds . The controller's motion tracking system is more sensitive than those of the PlayStation 3's controllers. An LED "light bar" was additionally added to the front of the controller; it is designed to allow the PlayStation Camera accessory to further track its motion, but can also be used to provide visual effects and feedback within games (such as, for instance, reflecting
368-455: A headset , which features a 1080p display panel, LED lights on the headset that are used by PlayStation Camera to track its motion, and a control box that processes 3D audio effects , as well as video output to the external display (either simulcasting the player's VR perspective, or providing an asymmetrical secondary perspective). PlayStation VR can also be used with PlayStation Move motion controllers. The PlayStation 4's operating system
460-482: A cursor via the DualShock 4's touch pad, so why didn't Sony enlist its studios and third-party partners to make sure the biggest and best Vita games were patched and ready to play on day one? That's not the kind of thing to ignore or worry about down the line." Richard Leadbetter of Eurogamer ’s Digital Foundry shared these sentiments, arguing that games such as Wipeout 2048 didn't need to be blacklisted, as it only used
552-408: A discussion board, accomplishments and game clips shared by other members, plus the ability to join group chat and launch cooperative games. Sony stated that "communities are a good way to socialize with like-minded players", particularly when "you want to tackle a big multiplayer raid, but don't have enough friends available." Sony has officially stated that starting April 2021, the community system of
644-597: A hardware on-the-fly zlib decompression module. The original PS4 model supports up to 1080p and 1080i video standards, while the Pro model supports 4K resolution . The console includes a 500 gigabyte hard drive for additional storage, which can be upgraded by the user. System Software 4.50, which was released on March 9, 2017, enabled the use of external USB hard drives up to 8 TB for additional storage. The PlayStation 4 features Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, Bluetooth , and two USB 3.0 ports. An auxiliary port
736-425: A higher resolution, with an enhanced graphical experience, but everything else is going to be exactly as you'd expect". The high-end console was publicly revealed on September 7, 2016, as PlayStation 4 Pro. At the same time, Sony unveiled an updated version of the original PS4 model with a smaller form factor. In May 2018, during a presentation to investors, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera stated that
828-504: A list of possible commands. The PlayStation 4 supports Blu-ray and DVD playback, including 3D Blu-ray. The playing of CD is no longer supported, as the console no longer has an infrared 780 nm laser. Custom music and video files can still be played from USB drives and DLNA servers using the Media Player app. The PlayStation 4 allows users to access a variety of free and premium PlayStation Network (PSN) services, including
920-566: A microconsole announced in September 2013 at a Sony Computer Entertainment Japan presentation. It was released in Japan on November 14, 2013 and in North America on October 14, 2014. Gamasutra called Ouya, GameStick, and GamePop "console alternatives" that represent "a potential new market space for developers". Tadhg Kelly, writing for Edge , called 2013 "the year of the microconsole", citing less consumer need for traditional console power,
1012-489: A new media field. They will have the ability to direct, produce, and star in their own video game production, simply by being an awesome (or not so awesome!) gamer." Sony focused on "social" aspects as a major feature of the console. Although the PS4 has improved social functionality, the features are optional and can be disabled. Users have the option to create or join community groups based on personal interest. Communities include
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#17330848677841104-533: A player's low health by turning red). Although the PS4 and DualShock 4 continue to use Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, the console is incompatible with PlayStation 3 controllers. An exception are the PlayStation Move motion controllers originally released for PS3, which are officially supported for use with the PlayStation Camera. In October 2013, Shuhei Yoshida stated on Twitter that
1196-475: A rather small chunk of those released in North America, and the omissions are baffling." The omissions included some of the Vita's heavy hitters such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss , Wipeout 2048 , Assassin's Creed III: Liberation , Lumines: Electronic Symphony , Tearaway , Gravity Rush , Borderlands 2 , The Sly Collection and others. Hayward also reported: "It's possible to navigate menus in games with
1288-610: A subscription, as a solution of no backward compatibility on the hardware of the console. The United States Open Beta went live on July 31, 2014. The official United States release of the service was on January 13, 2015. As of March 2015 PlayStation Now was in closed beta in the United Kingdom. At E3 2017 , Sony revealed the "PlayLink" line of games, which let players control the game with their mobile devices and PlayLink companion apps. The apps would release on November 21 that same year and would include games such as Knowledge
1380-437: A television adapter and wireless gamepad that connects the company's video game streaming service to televisions. VentureBeat 's Dean Takahashi described the device as representing the company founder's "vision to turn the video game industry upside down" as an inexpensive console providing "high-end games on low-end hardware" that could eliminate the cycle of regular consumer hardware upgrades. The MicroConsole TV adapter
1472-405: A user is not screen-casting, a friend can send them a "Request to Watch" notification. Share Play allows users to invite an online friend to join their play session via streaming, even if they do not own a copy of the game. Users can pass control of the game entirely to the remote user or partake in cooperative multiplayer as if they were physically present. Mark Cerny says that remote assistance
1564-544: Is Power , That's You , Hidden Agenda , SingStar Celebration , and Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier . On November 14, 2018, more games would be released, including Just Deal With It , Chimparty , WordHunters , UNO , Melbits World , Ticket To Ride , and Knowledge is Power: Decades . In 2019, the delayed release of Erica made no mention of the PlayLink initiative, when it was planned with PlayLink functionality at
1656-536: Is a touchpad ; it is capable of detecting up to two simultaneous touch presses, and can also be pressed down as a button. The "Start" and "Select" buttons were replaced by "Options" and "Share" buttons; the latter is designed to allow access to the PlayStation 4's social features (including streaming, video recording, and screenshot tools). The DualShock 4 is powered by a non-removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can be charged using its micro USB connector. The controller also features an internal speaker, and
1748-458: Is also included for connection to the PlayStation Camera , a motion detection digital camera device first introduced on the PS3. A mono headset, which can be plugged into the DualShock 4, is bundled with the system. Audio/video output options include HDMI TV and optical S/PDIF audio. The console does not have an analog audio/video output. The PS4 features a " Rest mode " feature. This places
1840-478: Is available on PS4 Pro), frame rate options of 30–60 FPS, and the DualShock 4 can be connected via USB . The PlayStation App allows iOS and Android mobile devices to interact with the PlayStation 4 from their device. The user can use this application to purchase PS4 games from the console and have them remotely downloaded, watch live streams of other gamers and view in-game maps while playing games. "Ustream's integration within PS4 consoles will put gamers on
1932-500: Is being driven as a collaboration between East and West, as opposed to a dictation from one side to the other. Developers are fully involved, activated, discussed and doing really cool collaborative things." Pre-release reception to the console from developers and journalists was positive. Mark Rein of Epic Games praised the "enhanced" architecture of Sony's system, describing it as "a phenomenal piece of hardware". John Carmack , programmer and co-founder of id Software , also commended
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#17330848677842024-533: Is called "Orbis OS", based upon a customized FreeBSD 9. The console does not require an Internet connection for usage, although more functionality is available when connected. The console introduces a customizable menu interface, the "PlayStation Dynamic Menu", featuring a variety of color schemes. The interface displays the player's profile, recent activity, notifications, and other details in addition to unlocked trophies . It allows multiple user accounts, all with their own pass-codes. Each player account has
2116-455: Is capable of running at a maximum clock frequency of 2.75 GHz (5500 MT/s) and has a maximum memory bandwidth of 176 GB/s. The console contains 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, 16 times the amount of RAM found in the PS3 and is expected to give the console considerable longevity. It also includes secondary custom chips that handle tasks associated with downloading, uploading, and social gameplay. These tasks can be handled seamlessly in
2208-462: Is particularly useful when confronted by a potentially game-defeating obstacle. "You can even see that your friend is in trouble and reach out through the network to take over the controller and assist them through some difficult portion of the game," he said. Share Play requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and can only be used for one hour at a time. PlayStation 4 games are distributed at retail on Blu-ray Disc , and digitally as downloads through
2300-652: The GameStick in early 2013, GamePop in May 2013, and Mad Catz 's MOJO in June 2013. Forbes 's Daniel Nye Griffiths referred to Ouya and GameStick's close release dates as the microconsole field's first "showdown". The GamePop and MOJO announcements in the early summer referred to the devices as "microconsoles". The PlayStation TV (known in Asia as the PlayStation Vita TV) is
2392-552: The Nintendo 64 , specifically designed for the Chinese market. At launch, games were available for download from iQue Depot kiosks. In October 2004, the iQue@Home application store was introduced, allowing users to download games from home, potentially making it the first microconsole of its kind. In the early 2010s, shortly after the rise of mobile gaming on smartphones and tablet devices from 2008, mircoconsoles started to gain traction in
2484-630: The Ouya . Time said the console could compete well against set-top box competitors with a quality library of games. At launch however, the game library was limited to a subset of PS Vita games, which negatively impacted early reviews. The PlayStation TV, along with the PlayStation 4 , won the 2014 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion . The PlayStation TV sold 42,172 units during its debut week of release in Japan. The PlayStation TV
2576-573: The PlayStation Now service. The device is technically referred to by Sony as the VTE-1000 series, to distinguish it from the handheld PCH-1000/2000 series PS Vita models. According to Muneki Shimada, Sony Director of the Second Division of Software Development, the original PCH-1000 series PlayStation Vita already includes an upscaler that supports up to 1080i resolution, however it was decided that
2668-518: The PlayStation Store , PlayStation Plus subscription service, PlayStation Music powered by Spotify , and the PlayStation Video subscription service, which allows owners to rent or buy TV shows and films à la carte . A United States-exclusive cloud-based television-on-demand service known as PlayStation Vue began beta testing in late November 2014. Sony intends to expand and evolve
2760-407: The PlayStation Store . Games are not region-locked, so games purchased in one region can be played on consoles in all regions, and players can sign-on to any PS4 console to access their entire digital game library. All PlayStation 4 games must be installed to the console's storage. Additionally a system called "PlayGo" allows users to begin to play portions of a game (such as opening levels) once
2852-567: The PlayStation Store . PS4 Remote Play functionality for the PS Vita TV gained full support with the release of the 1.70 PS4 firmware update. The device includes the software features of the PS Vita, such as the Web browser and email client. The console measures 6.5 cm by 10.5 cm, about the size of a pack of playing cards. It is powered with (and ships with) the same model/type of power adapter that
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2944-452: The low price of microconsole manufacture, increased system compatibility for easier game development, and more developer freedom from console business interests. Microconsole promises of a less restrictive platform are expected to empower independent game developers . Kelly referred to the "deliberately small" microconsoles as "the netbooks of the console world", not intended to compete with big video game consoles. Other reviewers called
3036-627: The mobile games industry growth. The industry began to refer to the resulting consoles as alternative consoles, or microconsoles. Polygon reported that Android "consoles" were best-in-show at the January 2013 Consumer Electronics Show , citing devices like the MOGA Pro , Green Throttle Games Atlas controller, Nvidia Shield , and news of Valve 's Steam Machine , a non-Android console. Following Ouya's success, other similar set-top Android gaming devices were announced as direct competitors, including
3128-521: The x86-64 architecture, which can theoretically peak at 1.84 teraflops ; AMD stated that it was the "most powerful" APU it had developed to date. The PlayStation 4 places an increased emphasis on social interaction and integration with other devices and services, including the ability to play games off-console on PlayStation Vita and other supported devices (" Remote Play "), the ability to stream gameplay online or to friends, with them controlling gameplay remotely ("Share Play"). The console's controller
3220-532: The " Slim " model, as well as a high-end version called the PlayStation 4 Pro , which features an upgraded GPU and a higher CPU clock rate to support enhanced performance and 4K resolution in supported games. By October 2019, PS4 became the second-best-selling home game console of all time, behind the PlayStation 2 . Its successor, the PlayStation 5 , was released in November 2020; the PS4 continues to be produced as of 2024. According to lead architect Mark Cerny ,
3312-819: The "future of PlayStation". Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 at the event. It revealed details about the console's hardware and discussed some of the new features it would introduce. Sony also showed off real-time footage of games in development, as well as some technical demonstrations. The design of the console was unveiled in June at E3 2013 , and the initial recommended retail prices of $ 399 (NA), €399 (Europe), and £349 (UK) given. Sony took advantage of problems that Microsoft had been having with their positioning of their newly announced Xbox One , which included its higher price point ($ 499 in North America), as well as strict regulations on how users could share game media. Besides its lower price point, Sony focused on
3404-676: The 2017 Paris Games Week event. It would be confirmed by Sony in 2020 that PS4 PlayLink titles would be backwards-compatible with the PlayStation 5. Since 2021, many of the PlayLink companion apps have been delisted from the Apple App Store and Google Play , such as Uno . On December 14, 2023, companion apps for Chimparty , Frantics , Hidden Agenda , Knowledge is Power , Knowledge is Power: Decades , and That's You were no longer downloadable for new Google Play users with devices above Android 9 or 11 due to compatibility issues, with iOS users being unaffected. "It's abundantly clear that PS4
3496-529: The Apple TV "continue[d] to be dangerously close to upending the mobile gaming space" and speculated that an Apple TV App Store could spark "a rush of games to the television". As of 2024, no such rush has manifested. PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 ( PS4 ) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment . Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it
3588-425: The DualShock 4 was released alongside the "Slim" and Pro models in 2016, and is bundled with these systems. It is largely identical to the original model, except that the touchpad now contains a "stripe" along the top which the light bar's LED can shine through, and the controller can communicate non-wirelessly when connected to the console over USB. The PlayStation Camera is an optional motion sensor and camera for
3680-481: The DualShock 4 would support "basic functions" when attached to a PC. In August 2016, Sony unveiled an official USB wireless adapter for the DualShock 4, enabling use of all of the controller's functionality on PC. In December 2016, Valve 's Steam platform was updated to provide support and controller customization functionality for DualShock 4, through existing APIs for the Steam Controller . A revision of
3772-478: The PS TV is capable of playing many PlayStation Vita games and applications, either through physical cartridges or downloaded through the PlayStation Store . However, not all content is compatible with the device, since certain features in the PS Vita such as the gyroscope and microphone are not available on the PS TV. Nevertheless, the PS TV is able to emulate touch input for both the Vita's front and rear touchpads using
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3864-400: The PS TV, including Sound Shapes , Flower and Guacamelee . In 2015 and 2016, hackers found ways to overwrite the PS TV's Whitelist to allow any Vita game to load. But while all games will load, compatibility issues persist in certain Vita games reliant on touch and motion controls. For example, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is playable up until any mini game prompting the player to tilt
3956-516: The PS Vita TV to penetrate the Chinese gaming market, where video game consoles have previously been prohibited. The PS Vita TV was released in five other Southeast Asian countries and the special region of Hong Kong on January 16, 2014. At E3 2014 , the system was announced for North America and Europe, under the name PlayStation TV, for release in Q3 2014. Final release dates for the western release were announced at Gamescom 2014. System software update 3.15
4048-545: The PS3 and PS4 controller. In Japan, "PlayStation TV" was the name given to PlayStation 3 retail kiosks from 2006 to 2014, which consisted of a PS3 unit, an LCD monitor and a number of controllers. The system was released in Japan on November 14, 2013. The device on its own sold for 9,954 yen tax inclusive (about US$ 100), whilst a bundle version with an 8 GB memory card and DualShock 3 controller retailed for 14,994 yen (about US$ 150). Andrew House , CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, explained that Sony hoped to use
4140-479: The PS4 by giving them the option to self-publish their own games rather than rely upon others to distribute their games. PlayStation 4 is not compatible with any disc of older PlayStation consoles. Emulated versions of selected PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable games are available for purchase via PlayStation Store, which are upscaled to high definition and have support for PS4 social features. In December 2013, Andrew House indicated that Sony
4232-405: The PlayStation 4 at the end of 2021 in favor of the PlayStation 5, but due to a global chip shortage that lasted from 2020 to 2023, this made it difficult for Sony to keep up with PlayStation 5 demand. Instead, the company planned to continue PlayStation 4 production; besides helping to offset the PlayStation 5 shortage, this production method would help assure deals with its component providers for
4324-452: The PlayStation 4 was heading into the end of its lifecycle and that the company was anticipating decreasing year-over-year hardware sales. He explained that Sony would be countering the expected decline by focusing on "strengthen[ing] user engagement" including continued investments into new first-party games and other online services for PS4. "We will use the next three years to prepare the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in
4416-489: The PlayStation 4, rumored to be codenamed "Neo", was under development. The new revision was revealed to be a higher-end model meant to support gameplay in 4K . This new model was sold alongside the existing model, and all existing software was compatible between the two models. Layden stated that Sony has no plans to "bifurcate the market", only that gamers playing on the Neo will "have the same experience, but one will be delivered at
4508-441: The PlayStation 4, similar to Kinect on Xbox . It includes two 1280×800 pixel lenses operating with an aperture of f / 2.0, with 30 cm focusing distance, and an 85° field of view . The dual camera setup allows for different modes of operation, depending on the initiated and running application. The two cameras can be used together for depth-sensing of its surrounding objects in its field of vision. Alternatively, one of
4600-511: The PlayStation 5. The technology in the PlayStation 4 is similar to the hardware found in modern personal computers . This familiarity is designed to make it easier and less expensive for game studios to develop games for the PS4. "[We] have not built an APU quite like that for anyone else in the market. It is by far the most powerful APU we have built to date". (February 2013) The PlayStation 4 uses an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) developed by AMD in cooperation with Sony. It combines
4692-481: The PlayStation Network will be discontinued. This, however, will not prevent users from communicating with their friends in private messaging or in group chats on the PlayStation Network. The DualShock 4 controller includes a "SHARE" button, allowing the player to cycle through the last 60 minutes of recorded gameplay to select a screenshot or video clip appropriate for sharing. Media is uploaded seamlessly from
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#17330848677844784-597: The PlayStation TV in Japan. Sony confirmed shipments were discontinued in Americas and Europe at the end of 2015, however will continue in Asia contrary to reports. Instead of featuring a display screen, the console connects to a television via HDMI . Users can play using a DualShock 3 controller (with functionality for DualShock 4 controllers added with the 3.10 firmware update released on March 25, 2014), although due to
4876-821: The Vita side to side in order to balance Nathan Drake as he crosses a log. But for the most part, the Whitelist hack was well received by journalists, as many other games were playable from start to finish. Kyle Orland of Ars Technica reported: "some enterprising hackers have apparently gone a long way toward fixing this problem by increasing the PlayStation TV's software compatibility with a simple hack." Joel Hruska of ExtremeTech reported that "a full 30 additional titles" from his collection of Vita games were compatible with PS TV Whitelist hack. J.C. Torres confirmed that Assassin's Creed III: Liberation , Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified , Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F , Silent Hill: Book of Memories and Gravity Rush were among
4968-472: The Xbox One. Speaking to Edge magazine, multiple game developers have described the difference as "significant" and "obvious". ExtremeTech says the PS4's graphics processing unit offers a "serious advantage" over the competition, but due to the nature of cross-platform development, games that share the same assets will appear "very similar". In other scenarios, designers may tap some of PS4's additional power in
5060-461: The ability to create photo collages and animated GIFs . Gamers can either watch live gameplay of games which their friends are playing through the PS4 interface with cross-game camera and microphone input, spectate silently, or broadcast their own gameplay live via DailyMotion , Twitch , Ustream , Niconico , or YouTube Gaming , allowing for friends and members of the public to view and comment upon them from other web browsers and devices. If
5152-437: The background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode . The console also contains an audio module, which can support in-game chat as well as "a very large number" of audio streams for use in-game. All PlayStation 4 models support high dynamic range (HDR) color profiles. Its read-only optical drive is capable of reading Blu-ray Discs at speeds of up to three times that of its predecessor. The console features
5244-426: The big screen." He also felt "this exploit opens up some delicious gaming opportunities." Marliella Moon of Engadget even joked about the incompatibility of a stock PS TV in her review of the Whitelist hack: "If you have a PlayStation TV collecting dust in a cabinet somewhere, this might make it useful again." Microconsole The iQue Player was released in 2003 as a low-cost handheld TV game console based on
5336-445: The cameras can be used for generating the video image, with the other used for motion tracking. PlayStation Camera also features a four-channel microphone array, which helps reduce unwanted background noise and can be used for voice commands. With the PlayStation Camera connected, different users can automatically log-on to the system via face detection . PlayStation VR is a virtual reality system for PlayStation 4; it consists of
5428-495: The caps of the analog sticks were given a concave design (similar to the Xbox 360 controller ), the shape of the triggers and shoulder buttons was refined, the D-pad buttons were given a steeper downward angle to provide a resting space in the center for the user's thumb, and the hand grips were made thicker and given microtexturing to improve their feel. A major addition to the DualShock 4
5520-512: The concept of microcomputers of the 1970s and 1980s compared to mainframes and minicomputers . Just as microcomputers represented low-cost, less powerful, and smaller form-factor versions of their larger equivalents, microconsoles tend to be similarly available at lower cost using cheaper computation hardware and packaged in smaller systems. In some cases, these packages were small enough to be encased into handheld controllers. In late 2010, cloud gaming startup OnLive released MicroConsole,
5612-432: The console in a low-power state while allowing users to immediately resume their game or app once the console is awoken. The console also is able to download content such as game and OS updates while it is in this state. The DualShock 4 is PlayStation 4's primary controller; it maintains a similar design to previous iterations of the DualShock series, but with additional features and design refinements. Among other tweaks,
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#17330848677845704-665: The console to handheld, allowing supported games to be played remotely from around a household or away from home. Sony has ambitions to make all PS4 games playable on PlayStation Vita. Developers can add Vita-specific controls for use via Remote Play. This feature was later expanded to enable PS4 Remote Play functionality on Microsoft Windows PCs and on Apple OS X Macs. The update, released in April 2016, allows for Remote Play functionality on computers running Windows 8.1 , Windows 10 , OS X Yosemite , and OS X El Capitan . Remote Play supports resolution options of 360p, 540p, and 720p (1080p
5796-491: The console to other PSN users or social networking sites such as Dailymotion , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube , or else users can copy media to a USB flash drive and upload to a social network or website of their preference. Players can also use a free video editing application named ShareFactory to cut and assemble their favorite video clips and add custom music or voice commentary with green screen effects. Subsequent updates have added options for picture-in-picture layouts,
5888-436: The design by saying "Sony made wise engineering choices", while Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Software expressed satisfaction with the amount of high-speed memory in the console. Eurogamer also called the graphics technology in the PS4 "impressive" and an improvement from the difficulties developers experienced on the PlayStation 3. Numerous industry professionals have acknowledged the PlayStation 4's performance advantage over
5980-445: The development of Sony's fourth video game console began as early as 2008. Less than two years earlier, the PlayStation 3 had been launched after months of delays due to issues with production. The delay placed Sony almost a year behind Microsoft's Xbox 360 , which was already approaching unit sales of 10 million by the time the PS3 launched. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan said Sony wanted to avoid repeating
6072-415: The difference in features between the controller and the handheld, certain games are not compatible with PS Vita TV, such as those that are dependent on the system's microphone, camera, or gyroscopic features. The device is said to be compatible with over 100 PS Vita games, as well as various digital PlayStation Portable , and PlayStation titles, along with a selection of PlayStation 3 titles streamed from
6164-519: The ease one would have in sharing media with the PS4. The company revealed release dates for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia, as well as final pieces of information, at a Gamescom press event in Cologne , Germany, on August 20, 2013. The console was released on November 15, 2013, in the United States and Canada , followed by further releases on November 29, 2013. By
6256-450: The end of 2013, the PS4 was launched in more European, Asian and South American countries. The PS4 was released in Japan at ¥39,980 on February 22, 2014. Sony finalized a deal with the Chinese government in May 2014 to sell its products in mainland China, and the PS4 was the first product to be released. Kazuo Hirai , chief executive officer of Sony, said in May: "The Chinese market, just given
6348-433: The future," Kodera added in an interview with the press the following day. Following the launch of the PlayStation 5 in November 2020, Sony discontinued production in Japan of all but the 500 GB Slim model of the PlayStation 4 on January 5, 2021, with the standard PS4 and PS4 Pro still being produced for western markets. According to a report from Bloomberg News in January 2022, Sony had been poised to discontinue
6440-458: The global market. These units were seen as a means to marry the idea of home video game consoles with smartphone and tablet gaming, taking advantage of the large library of games already available for the Android operating system . While OnLive's MicroConsole brought the name "microconsole" to the field, the term "microconsole" was more widely adapted to describe these units as a whole as it mirrored
6532-772: The idea for video output for the original Vita was to be scrapped in favor for releasing the PlayStation Vita TV as a separate device for television connectivity. The in-built scaler has been removed from the PCH-2000 series PlayStation Vita model. The system supports Remote Play compatibility with the PlayStation ;4 , allowing players to stream games from the PlayStation ;4 to a separate TV connected to PS Vita TV, and also allows users to stream content from video services such as Hulu and Niconico , as well as access
6624-590: The installation or download reaches a specific point, while the remainder of the game is downloaded or installed in the background. Updates to games and system software are also downloaded in the background and while in standby. PS4 users will, in the future, be able to browse games and stream games via Gaikai to demo them almost instantaneously. Sony says it is committed to releasing an ever-increasing number of free-to-play games, including PlanetSide 2 and War Thunder . Sony also took steps to make it easier for independent game developers to release games for
6716-452: The interface. Multitasking is available during gameplay, such as opening the browser or managing party chat, and switching between applications is done by double-tapping the "PS" button. The PlayStation Camera or a microphone enables the user to control the system using voice input . Players can command the interface to start a game, take screenshots, and save videos. Saying "PlayStation" initiates voice control, and "All Commands" displays
6808-484: The microconsoles competitors, though not a threat, and referred to a crowded "non-traditional console space" as a disadvantage. Kelly added that Ouya is heavily focused on the early adopter audience and its interests, and that Ouya's "natural advantage" of price has not been communicated effectively. Edge questioned possibilities of microconsole success due to competition within the field as well as from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft's new consoles. The pre-release Ouya
6900-496: The option to share their real name with friends, or use a nickname in other situations when anonymity is important. Facebook profiles can be connected to PlayStation Network accounts, making it easier to recognize friends. The default home screen features real time content from friends. The "What's New" activity feed includes shared media, recently played games, and other notifications. Services from third-party vendors, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video , can be accessed within
6992-468: The rear touchpad came back to haunt Sony, as vast swathes of the system's library was rendered incompatible with a regular gaming controller. And even some games that should by rights have worked just didn't, for whatever reason." Andrew Hayward of IGN wrote: "Sadly, anyone with a large Vita library will surely find the incredibly massive holes in the PlayStation TV's compatibility list quite quickly. The 140+ compatible Vita games as of this writing represent
7084-412: The restrictive digital rights management schemes like those originally announced by Microsoft for the Xbox One. Critics and third-party studios, before its launch, also praised the capabilities of the PlayStation 4 in comparison to its competitors. Heightened demand also helped Sony top global console sales. In September 2016, the console was refreshed with a new, smaller revision, popularly referred to as
7176-677: The same mistake with PS3's successor. In designing the system, Sony worked with software developer Bungie , who offered their input on the controller and how to make it better for shooting games. In 2012, Sony began shipping development kits to game developers, consisting of a modified PC running the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit chipset. These development kits were known as "Orbis". In early 2013, Sony announced that an event known as PlayStation Meeting 2013 would be held in New York City , U.S., on February 20, 2013, to cover
7268-460: The services it offers over the console's lifespan. Unlike PS3, a PlayStation Plus membership is required to access multiplayer in most games; this requirement does not apply to free-to-play or subscription-based games. Smartphones and tablets can interact with the PlayStation 4 as second screen devices, and can also wake the console from sleep mode. A Sony Xperia smartphone, tablet or the PlayStation Vita can be used for streaming gameplay from
7360-504: The size of it, is obviously potentially a very large market for video game products ... I think that we will be able to replicate the kind of success we have had with PS4 in other parts of the world in China ." In September 2015, Sony reduced the price of the PS4 in Japan to ¥34,980, with similar price drops in other Southeast Asian markets. The first official sub-£300 PS4 bundle was the £299.99 "Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection 500GB", and
7452-460: The system menus. Open beta trials for PlayStation Now functionality on the PS TV began on October 14, 2014 in North America, the same day that PS TV was released there. By the end of March, in Europe, Sony has dropped the price of PlayStation TV by 40% with the new price of €59.99. That same week the sales had increased by 1272%. On February 28, 2016, Engadget reported that Sony has stopped shipping
7544-540: The titles compatible with the hack. He also reported: "Interestingly, Netflix also becomes compatible with this hack. Netflix is a curious case for the PS TV, as the app, which worked for the Vita, remains broken for the mini console. A tragedy for a set-top box device." Leadbetter rejoiced: "For the first time, you can play non-approved games like Wipeout 2048 and the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on your handheld, then continue playing them at home on
7636-466: The touchscreen for the menus and could be accessed using the DualShock 4's touch pointer emulation: "Life as a PlayStation TV owner can be pretty frustrating - especially when a vast array of mobile Vita titles that should work just fine on the under-utilised micro-console fail to load at all, blocked by their lack of inclusion on Sony's whitelist of approved titles." Sean Hollister of Gizmodo complained that even ports of PlayStation 3 games didn't work on
7728-436: Was also redesigned and improved over the PlayStation 3, with improved buttons and analog sticks, and an integrated touchpad among other changes. The console also supports HDR10 High-dynamic-range video and playback of 4K resolution multimedia. The PlayStation 4 was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Sony for acknowledging its consumers' needs, embracing independent game development , and for not imposing
7820-482: Was heavily marketed alongside God Eater 2 which was released on the same day as the device, and placed at the top of the Japanese software sales charts for that week. Journalists criticized the platform's lack of compatibility with the Vita's overall software library. Sam Byford of The Verge commented: "Vita TV’s most egregious failure was that it failed at being a Vita. Many games’ reliance on dubious Vita features like
7912-560: Was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America , November 29, 2013, in Europe , South America , and Australia , and on February 22, 2014, in Japan . A console of the eighth generation , it competes with Microsoft 's Xbox One and Nintendo 's Wii U and Switch . Moving away from the more complex Cell microarchitecture of its predecessor, the console features an APU from AMD built upon
8004-417: Was panned by early reviewers. The Verge called it unfinished, and in a later review, Eurogamer questioned why consumers would purchase a console that duplicated the functionality of smartphones they already had. The video game industry saw Apple 's Apple TV as potential microconsole competition due to the company's experience in the mobile games market. Polygon reported in January 2013 that
8096-420: Was planning to launch a cloud gaming service for the PS4 in North America within the third quarter of 2014, with a European launch to follow in 2015. At Consumer Electronics Show on January 7, 2014, Sony unveiled PlayStation Now , a digital distribution service which will initially allow users to access PlayStation 3 games on the PS4 via a cloud-based streaming system, purchasing games individually or via
8188-536: Was produced at a loss . OnLive's MicroConsole made the company an early leader in the nascent microconsole field. Amidst a "new war for TV" in the consumer electronics industry, an inexpensive and simple Android-based video game console designed for televisions called Ouya was announced for crowdfunding in July 2012. The Ouya was an overnight success and raised $ 8.5 million. Significant interest in low-cost Android console gaming followed Ouya's success, spurred by
8280-463: Was released in the UK on October 9, 2015; a 1 TB £329.99 version was offered at the same time. On October 9, 2015, the first official price cut of the PS4 in North America was announced: a reduction of $ 50 to $ 349.99 (US) and by $ 20 to $ 429.99 (Canada). An official price cut in Europe followed in late October 2015, reduced to €349.99/£299.99. On June 10, 2016, Sony confirmed that a hardware revision of
8372-399: Was released on April 30, 2014, which enabled PS4 remote play functionality for the PS Vita TV. In October 2014, the system was updated so that it could be used with PlayStation Network accounts originating from outside the original launch territories of Japan and Asia following the release of system software firmware version 3.30 update, which also renames the PS Vita TV system to PS TV within
8464-465: Was used for the original PlayStation Portable . PC World called the device an amazing invention, praising the opportunity to play Vita and PSP games on the big screen. IGN said the console "may be one of Sony's most exciting new products and could provide a critical edge for the PS4." Various commentators have compared the device to set-top boxes—including media streaming devices (such as Apple TV and Chromecast ) and other microconsoles, such as
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