E3 2015: Highlights from Sony's Press Conference
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The Final Fantasy VII HD Remake is real. As I passively mentioned last night, Final Fantasy VII is hands down my favorite video game ever, and despite developer Square Enix's mishandling of the Final Fantasy franchise over the past decade (re: exploitative sequels, spin-offs, narrative retcons, numerous production delays, etc.), I haven't felt this excited about video games in a very long time. Rumor has it that the Final Fantasy VII Remake will be released sometime in 2017 to commemorate the game's 20th anniversary. The game will debut on the PS4 first before being released on other platforms (namely Xbox One and PC). Watch that teaser video over and over (and over and over) until the game's released - I know I will.
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Unlike Microsoft's E3 press conference, Sony didn't have much to discuss in terms of hardware, focusing on software instead. One game that I was sure would never see the light of day is Team ICO's The Last Guardian, which was originally announced as a PlayStation 3-exclusive back in 2009. The subsequent years since its announcement left the project shrouded in mystery, with game director Fumito Ueda leaving Sony back in 2011 (although still on staff to see the game through completion) and a lack of presence at major gaming conferences over the years. However, Sony not only confirmed that The Last Guardian was still in development and re-developed for the PS4, it also has a definitive 2016 release date.
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Fighting game fans already know Street Fighter V will be coming to the PS4 and PC exclusively. However, Sony revealed that there will be a PS4-exclusive public online beta for the fighter scheduled to begin on July 23rd (for those who pre-order the game).
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To cap off the night's theme of revitalizing cherished video game franchises, Sony made a surprise announcement and revealed Shenmue 3 would be a PS4 console exclusive (and will also appear on the PC). Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki appeared to discuss the franchise's legacy and to reveal the game would be partially funded via Kickstarter. At press time, the game has surpassed its initial $2m goal with more than $2.5m already pledged.
You can find a full list of Sony's E3 announcements here.
3 million Xbox Ones, 4.2 million PlayStation 4s sold in 2013
Monday, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One sold 3 million units across 13 different countries in 2013. That's 3 million units in fiveweeks. Astounding number, isn't it? After all, that extra million is on top of the 2 million Xbox Ones the company sold in the console's first eight days. Quite an accomplishment, no?
However, just as Sony was wont to do in 2013, demonstrated by their E3 debut of the system in which Sony not only undercut the Xbox One's price point, but also poked fun at Microsoft's DRM policy, they swept the rug from under Microsoft and stole some of their thunder. At Sony's CES keynote yesterday, the company announced that it sold 4.2 million PS4s in the final six weeks of 2013.
In case you're wondering, Nintendo has sold 3.92 million Wii Us as of October 2013 since its launch in November 2012. They just can't catch a break, can they?
With both the PS4 and Xbox One yet to launch in Japan, as I noted recently, expect that number to increase exponentially during the first quarter of 2014. If you're a visual person, IGN has a few bar graphs comparing the PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U against one another, as well as lifetime and launch sales of the PS3, 360, and Wii.
[via IGN]
PlayStation 4 outsold Xbox One in November
The official numbers are in, and it appears that the PlayStation 4 has outsold the Xbox One in North America last month. After more than a resounding 1 million units were sold in its first 24 hours, the PS4 ended up selling 2.1 million consoles last month across North America, Europe, and some Asian countries. Its highly successful launch netted Sony the largest console launch in history. On the same note, the PS4 was also the go-to console for software as the majority of November's top-selling games were for the system.
However, while the PS4 sold the most consoles last month, Microsoft's Xbox One was the fastest selling console in history, selling its 2 million units in eight days across the world, 900K of those units in North America. With a huge release in the Middle East this week, staggered releases across Asia over the next few weeks, and a final huge release in Japan in February, the PlayStation 4 is due for yet another big upswing in sales.
Which side have you chosen for this generation of gaming?
[via Engadget]
More than 6.5 million shares through the PlayStation 4 Share button
One of my favorite features of the PlayStation 4 is the ability to instantly share videos and images directly from the system. I haven't used it much, but it feels great knowing that I can easily share my NBA 2K14 dominance mere seconds after finishing a game, whether it's an image of my player posterizing Brook Lopez or bringing the Bucks back to defeat the Rockets down 13 with 2 minutes left to go in the 4th. With the PS4 selling over 2 million consoles since its North American release two weeks ago (following 1 million in its first 24 hours), the PS4 is definitely the console to have this holiday season.
Recently, Sony announced that more than 6.5 shared content has come through the PlayStation 4's Share button. Through the Share button, users can upload their screenshots or videos to either Twitter or Facebook, or they can easily stream live content through Twitch, a video service that supports live video game streams. While the editing options are limited through the native Share software, it poses easy access for gamers to simply share their content rather than having to own a capture card with all of the extra, third-party hardware and software that was once necessary.
If you have a PlayStation 4, share some of your memorable videos or images with us on either Twitter or Facebook so we can feature them on the site!
[via Destructoid]
How many PlayStation 4s were sold in its first 24 hours?
Considering the PlayStation 4 only launched in two regions (United States and Canada), it's an amazing, yet surprising accomplishment to find out that Sony sold more than 1 million PS4s in its first 24 hours. With the PS4's MSRP set at $400, that's a cool $400m the company made from Friday to Saturday alone. The international rollout will continue on the 29th in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil set to launch the the vaunted gaming console with releases spreading out further throughout the world until Japan releases the console in February.
With such a strong Day 1 showing, the PS4 has become Sony's fastest-selling console in history. It's no surprise the PS4 found early success, thanks in no small part to its public debut at this year's E3 where Sony CEO and president Jack Tretton praised the PS4's innovations and lambasted Microsoft's Xbox One policies. With a lower price tag, a clear-cut focus on gaming, and a variety of technical upgrades, both for consumers and developers, the PS4 has been predicted to take the throne back from Microsoft in this next generation of gaming.
However, Xbox One's day to shine is this Friday, so it'll be interesting to see how Microsoft's PR fumbles and policy backtracking will not only affect their early sales, but Sony's sales in the process. Unlike the PS4, the Xbox One will have a simultaneous launch in North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Japan on Friday, so the numbers are practically guaranteed to top 1 million across all of the major regions.
Still, I doubt that the Xbox One will be able to match the PlayStation 4's amazing Day 1 sales. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some Spawn Beacons to set in Killzone: Shadow Fall.
[via The Verge]
Amazon offering Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale on PlayStation 4 games
The PlayStation 4 is launching this Friday. Have you guys saved up all of your pennies? I've had my pre-order made since the summer, yet I didn't really plan on picking up many games. However, an email I received this morning altered all of those plans. Between 11am CST and 3pm CST (or while supplies last) tomorrow, Amazon will be offering a "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" sale on select PlayStation 4 games to jumpstart gamers' foray into the next generation of console gaming. All customers have to do is simply add the three games to their carts with the coupon code "GR8TNESS" to have the sale applied.
The full list is as follows:
- Angry Birds: Star Wars
- Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag
- Battlefield 4
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- FIFA 14
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
- Just Dance 2014
- Killzone: Shadow Fall
- Knack
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
- Madden NFL 25
- NBA 2K14
- Need for Speed Rivals
- Skylanders SWAP Force
Do any of these games catch your fancy? I'm personally picking up LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, NBA 2K14, and Killzone; Shadow Fall, completing the Geoff holy trinity of superheroes, shooters, and basketball. I'll catch you guys online!
Sony releases the ultimate PlayStation 4 FAQ
With the PlayStation 4 a little more than two weeks away from release, Sony has released a huge FAQ detailing everything new PS4 owners can expect when they get their hands on the console on November 15th. The page includes information for everything from prices and peripheral compatibility to hardware differences compared to the PS3. Also of note are some of the "minor" changes that might not be so minor after all.
Those not acute to video game news might be surprised of some of the changes for the PlayStation 4. For instance, PlayStation 3 games will not be backwards compatible with the PlayStation 4; unfortunately, this also includes downloadable games bought in the PlayStation Store. Online play will also only be available to PS+ subscribers, although considering how many free games and discounts PS+ offers, most gamers should already be subscribed to the program.
You can read the full list of PS4 changes on the PlayStation Blog. Are any of these a deal breaker for those thinking about picking a PS4 up at launch? Personally, I'm bummed out about not being able to play the games I bought from the PlayStation Store, but it's nowhere close to a deal breaker for me. I am a bit letdown that I can't change my PlayStation Network ID, though...
[via PlayStation Blog]
Sony announces PlayStation 4 will cost $399, drops mic in the process
"$399."
And just like that, the PlayStation 4 made the first official move to combat Microsoft's once-feared domination in the video game industry. Whereas the Xbox One E3 conference was full of generic FPS and sports games, not to mention the ridiculous $499 price tag, Sony's keynote featured a variety of games. Eschewing this current generation's abundance of shooting games, the PS4 keynote put the spotlight on games that were not only brighter and more vibrant in an aesthetic way, but also from a variety of genres from action/adventure to platformers to, yes, FPS and shooters.
While the PlayStation 4 was officially announced a few months ago, the system itself was still under wraps for whatever reason; Sony must have wanted to build up as much hype as they could possible, as they unveiled the console's new look to moderate fanfare. Honestly, it looks like a mix between an Xbox One and a black Wii or two PS2s glued together, but hey, gaming consoles are meant for playing games, not winning design awards, right? Oh, the games...
Sony highlighted a few exclusive games, such as inFamous: Second Son and Killzone: Shadowfall. However, the biggest reveal for Sony's conference was the announcement that the long-awaited game, Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been re-buffed and re-titled to the more appropriate Final Fantasy XV. As if the surprise wasn't enough, a proper sequel to the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Kingdom Hearts III, was announced, ending Square-Enix's absurd practice of blasphemous title practices for the Disney-partnered franchise.
However, one of the biggest questions Sony faced going into their E3 keynote was how they would handle the uproar Microsoft caused with their DRM-friendly, anti-consumer used games policy. (For those that are in the dark, the upcoming Xbox One registers discs to individual profiles, meaning users can't simply share games with their friends; instead, they must wipe the game from their profile to allow their friends to play, who themselves must pay a fee just to access the game. Furthermore, the Xbox One mandates owners to connect online at least once a day to update and authenticate their games. While this might not mean much to most, it's a terrible move for gamers in rural areas or military bases who don't have easy access to internet.) Sony easily brushed aside any concerns that the PlayStation 4 would follow suit with four simple words: "PS4 supports used games." They then took targeted swipes at Microsoft, also confirming that the PS4 won't have to connect online every day (or at all, if they choose not to), and gamers can choose to do whatever they want with their games, whether it's selling them, trading them, or simply lending them.
As if that wasn't clear enough, Sony released a tongue-in-cheek jab at Microsoft by releasing an Official PlayStation Used Game Instructional Video. Take a look:
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However, there was one big misstep that went temporarily unnoticed: When announcing that pre-existing PlayStation Plus memberships would carry over for the PS4, as well as news that only one subscription would suffice for full PS3, PS4, and PS Vita support, it was also slipped that online multiplayer for the PS4 would come at a price. PS+ members won't have to worry about this price, but considering the PlayStation Network was free, some gamers might feel a bit slighted at Sony's acceptance of a pay model for online play. Still, if at roughly $5 a month, the PS+ membership is worth it, especially with the amount of free games and discounts Sony offers on a monthly basis. It essentially pays itself within the first month of enrollment.
With the PlayStation 4 officially coming out this Holiday 2013, the next generation of console gaming is set to begin. Sony did everything Microsoft didn't do; Sony also didn't do everything Microsoft did. That, in and of itself, was enough for Sony to demand a huge first step in the so-called "console war." If you're ready to officially take sides, the PlayStation 4 is already on pre-order on Amazon, while in-store pre-orders at Best Buy, GameStop, and other similar stores will begin filling their lists tomorrow.