Sony’s PS4 Launch A Success

Seven years after the PlayStation 3 was released, Sony finally ushered in the next generation of video game consoles with the PlayStation 4 on Friday. Unveiled back in February, the PlayStation 4 promised gamers a revolutionary experience with improved graphics, new online features and integrated social media. The PlayStation 4 released on Nov. 15 for $399 with much anticipation, and the system is ready to be judged out in the wild.

Sony has been saying since the beginning that the PlayStation 4 is focused on games. The PlayStation 4 currently has 22 games available with a wide variety between them. The games range from blockbuster first-person shooters such as “Call of Duty: Ghosts” and “Killzone: Shadowfall” to family-friendly adventures in “Knack” and “Lego Marvel Super Heroes.” The PlayStation 4 has games that are completely free-to-play and smaller titles that are cheaper than the typical $60 asking price for new games.

Sony says 33 games will be available by the end of the year, and more than 180 games are currently in development for the PlayStation 4. Sony has several exclusive titles to be released next year, which include “Infamous: Second Son,” “The Order 1886,”“DriveClub” and “MLB 14: The Show.”

Interacting with the PlayStation 4 is a breath of fresh air compared to the current generation of game consoles. Waiting for a game to download an update or install to the hard drive is nonexistent; all of downloads, updates and installations are handled in the background by a dedicated chip inside the PlayStation 4. With a press of a button, the PlayStation 4 instantly suspends your game, allowing the user to browse the web, watch a video or chat with friends.

The social features of the PlayStation 4 allow users to easily share their gameplay footage. Players can upload their last 15 minutes of gameplay to Facebook by pressing the Share button on the DualShock 4 controller. Pressing the button also takes a screenshot that can be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter. The PlayStation 4 can live stream gameplay footage to Twitch or Ustream, and with the optional PlayStation Camera, players can include footage of themselves playing the game.

Unlike the PlayStation 3, a $50 annual PlayStation Plus subscription is required to play certain online multiplayer games on the PlayStation 4. PlayStation Plus subscribers have access to the Instant Games Collection, allowing them to download select games for free. “Resogun,” a side-scrolling arcade shooter, and “Contrast,” a 3-D puzzle platform game, are the two free games available at launch. New games are added to the Instant Games Collection each month. PlayStation Plus features automatic uploads of game saves to the cloud and exclusive access to game demos and beta tests.

Every PlayStation 4 game with the exception of games requiring the PlayStation Camera supports Remote Play. Remote Play uses the PlayStation Vita to interact the PlayStation 4. With Remote Play, the PlayStation Vita can play PlayStation 4 games anywhere over Wi-Fi. The PlayStation Vita can turn on the PlayStation 4 and begin playing games in minutes. So now, the numerous visually astounding games available on your big screen through Sony’s PlayStation 4 can be taken on the go.