e32013
Latest
Engadget and Joystiq's Sony PlayStation event wrap-up broadcast: live from E3!
The Electronic Entertainment Expo's pre-show press day is almost over, but there's still one more thing we have to do: put Sony's E3 presentation into context. Take a moment to let Joystiq and Engadget bend your ear about Sony's announcements, the bombs it dropped on Microsoft, and what it all means for this console generation and the rest of E3. Hit the break to join our intrepid livebloggers in action. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Early Xbox One buyers to get Day One Edition consoles
Let's say you're excited about the Xbox One... so excited, in fact, that you're okay with spending $499 on it before you've even touched the gamepad. Microsoft wants to accommodate you: buy a system quickly enough and you'll get the limited Day One Edition. While the core system won't change, you'll get to flaunt your early adopter status through both a slightly customized controller and a special Xbox Live achievement. Microsoft is also offering a matching (though separate) Xbox Live 12-month Gold pass that bundles an exclusive Killer Instinct character. If those rarities are enough to encourage an early purchase, you can reserve one through Microsoft and other retailers. Let's just hope that there aren't too many launch day quirks.
PS4 now available for pre-order on Amazon at $399 (update: more retailers)
Microsoft may have been the E3 matinée, but Sony's late-night showing was quite impressive -- offering a gaming device that's $100 less, with plenty of other notable features to help it stand out of the next-gen crowd. And if you were waiting around until after the PlayStation press conference tonight before deciding which console to grab, it's finally time to settle on your top choice (if you plan to go with only one, that is). Now that the PS4 has been priced at $399 and a general timeframe of availability has been set for this holiday season, it's now time to head to online retailers to pre-order a unit of your very own. So far we've seen the page pop up on Amazon, though we imagine it will only be a matter of time before several other retailers follow suit. If you know without a doubt that this is the next-gen gaming console for you, you know what to do below. Update: Well, would you look at that. Like clockwork, GameStop and Best Buy have jumped into the PS4 pre-order fray too. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Sony will launch cloud gaming service for PS3, PS4 and Vita in 2014
Sony announced that it will provide streamed PS3 games, powered by Gaikai, to Vita, PS3 and PS4 owners next year. While it won't make the launch of the PlayStation 4, Sony says it will be "fast and responsive," and hopefully worth the wait. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Sony DualShock 4 hands-on (update: video)
Sony just wrapped its E3 press event, delighting attendees and future console buyers with showstopping news: a $399 retail price and lack of used game restrictions on the PlayStation 4. Now, with all those important bits behind us, it's time to once again focus on the hardware, specifically the PS4 controller. We got our grips on the controller immediately following Sony's E3 2013 presser -- our first chance to check out the new DualShock -- and it feels great! We're glad to say that the thumbsticks have dramatically improved and no longer allow your thumbs to easily slip out. The triggers are also much improved, with a little lip enabling a comfortable cradle. The front face buttons are nigh identical with the DualShock 3, as is the d-pad (despite a slight visual alteration) -- the biggest difference is the new touchpad. It's clicky and feels like a surprisingly nice addition to the DualShock. It's easily clickable from the standard two hand position on a controller, though the share and options buttons are a bit out of reach (at least for our small hands). We'll have a closer look at the DualShock 4 this week from E3 and some impressions of it with actual games, so stay tuned for more from E3 2013!%Gallery-190993% Update: We've got our hands-on video embedded after the break, so head on down to check it out. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub. Zach Honig and Benjamin Harrison contributed to this report.
PS4 to require PS Plus membership for multiplayer play
Sony is delivering mixed blessings here at E3: while it's more than willing to avoid DRM on the PlayStation 4, it just echoed Microsoft's approach to multiplayer services. You'll now need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online. That may be a small price to pay when both Plus and the PS4 itself are cheaper than Xbox Live and the Xbox One, but it's an unfortunate extra cost for those used to getting their multiplayer gaming for free. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Sony PlayStation 4 price: $399
Sony has finally revealed release information about its PlayStation 4 console: that it plays used, lent or rented games with no restrictions and its price: $399. That translates to 399 euros, and £349 where applicable, or if you missed it, $100, 100 euros and £70 less than what Microsoft just announced for the Xbox One. There's no specific release date or month yet, just "this holiday season" in the US and Europe. The official spec list confirms that for four bills, you get the system, a controller, USB, HDMI and power cables -- but no PlayStation 4 Eye. So tell us, has this made your decision any easier? Pre-orders are open now. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Sony announces PS Plus edition of Driveclub will be free for a year
Sony's feeling pretty unstoppable right now, and it's adding to the momentum by announcing that the PlayStation Plus edition of Driveclub will be free for the first year to Plus members. The game, which was announced alongside a litany of other PS4 titles in February, is a team-based driving game that features realistic vehicles modeled after their real-life counterparts. Alongside Driveclub you'll find Don't Starve, Outlast and Secret Ponchos as part of the PS Plus instant game collection as well. Follow our liveblog for all of the latest news from E3 2013.
PlayStation Plus membership will carry over from PS3 to PS4
Just moments after baiting Microsoft with the PlayStation 4's less restrictive DRM policies, Sony announced that existing PlayStation Plus memberships will apply to all Sony gaming devices for no additional fee. "Members will have access to all the benefits across PlayStation 3, Vita and PlayStation 4 for one price," Tretton explained, sweetening the deal by outing a few of the free titles subscribers could expect to see in the coming year: Don't Starve, Outlast and Secret Ponchos. Naturally, Tretton summed up the PS Plus' major services as a steal at $5 a month -- just remember to buy in bulk, kids. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Sony PS4 will support used games: no restrictions, online check-in or authentication required
Perhaps the biggest news post-console reveal here at Sony's E3 presser: the PS4 will play used games without any restrictions or authentication. In broader terms, that means that when you purchase physical media, that disc can then be traded-in at retailers like GameStop, lent / sold to friends or kept forever as part of your enduring library. What's more, unlike Microsoft's controversial Xbox One 24-hour offline gaming window, PS4 owners will not have to connect to the internet in order to continue playing games. Effectively, that makes the PS4 fully playable offline; it also arguably hands the E3 2013 crown to Sony. For a brief instructional (and intentionally cheeky) demo on how this used game process works, check out Sony's homemade video after the break. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Elder Scrolls Online coming to the PS4 in the spring
In case you haven't already lost enough sleep (and probably a few girlfriends) to the Elder Scrolls Saga, Bethesda is turning the world into a next-gen MMO. The title appears to have many of the same, non-traditional (for an RPG) elements that made titles like Skyrim so successful but brings them to a massively multiplayer world in the vein of WoW. And, if any franchise has the ability to unseat the current king on online RPGs, it's the Elder Scrolls. There will be a beta period kicking off, starting with the PS4, before the title will officially hit shelves in the Spring of 2014. It's probably best to start stocking up on Red Bull and Cliff Bars now. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts 3 announced for PlayStation 4
When Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura made a cameo at Sony's E3 press conference, we expected to hear an update on Final Fantasy Versus XIII -- we were wrong, but not disappointed. Instead of the heavily anticipated spinoff, Nomura revealed Final Fantasy XV to the world, promising the title for the PlayStation 4. It was hard to tell from the action packed trailer, but XV seems to to be a departure from the series' traditional turn-based combat, looking more to us like an action title than an RPG. Speaking of highly anticipated Square-Enix titles that eschew the RPG norm, Nomura followed the announcement with a trailer for Kingdom Hearts III. Unfortunately, neither title was given a specific release date, only the promise that both of them could be enjoyed on the PlayStation 4. Eh, we'll take it. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Transistor coming to the PS4, Sony doubles down on indie games
Amir Rao and Gavin Simon from Supergiant Games hopped on stage with Sony to announce that Transistor, the company's next title will be making its console debut on the PlayStation 4. The creators of Bastion will be making Sony's console their home early next year and it's bound to be one of the highlights of this year's E3. But, if you think the embrace of indie developers ends with the cyber-punk follow up to the surprisingly successful and original Bastion, you're wrong. Klei Games is bringing its hit Don't Starve to the PS4 and Octodad: Dadliest Catch from Young Horses is also on tap. Ragtag Studios, Red Barrels and 17-Bit Games are also bringing titles to the PlayStation before other consoles. There's even going to be a remake of Oddworld, called Oddworld: New 'n Tasty. Huzzah! And don't miss the trailer for Transistor after the break. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Quantic Dream's The Dark Sorcerer demo highlights PS4's graphics power
Remember the Emotion Engine from back in the PS2 days? Well, Sony's still on about the emotional connection its consoles will bring to gamers -- specifically, that of the PS4. And to showcase the console's graphical sophistication, Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida played a 12-minute tech demo of Quantic Dream's upcoming PS4 title, The Dark Sorcerer. The majority of the demo focused closely on the sorcerer in question, giving gamers an early glimpse of the nuance and hyper realistic expression capable in characters' eyes and faces. Only a short snippet was shown on stage here at E3, but if you want to digest the entire thing, Sony's planning to unveil the full 12-minute demo tomorrow afternoon. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub. %Gallery-190986%
Redbox Instant, Flixster to join Sony's own live event streaming service on PS3, PS4 and PlayStation Vita
Sony's own PlayStation 3 just happens to be the most used Netflix-streaming device in the word, but that doesn't mean the outfit isn't offering a diverse array of streaming options. Today at its E3 press event, the company announced that the all three of its consoles -- PS3, PS4 and Vita -- will support a Sony live viewer service, Redbox Instant and Flixter, as well. Sony didn't say when support for these services would arrive, but made sure to mention that its own Music and Video Unlimited apps would be available on the PlayStation 4 at launch. Hit up our ongoing liveblog for additional coverage.
Sony to bring original programming to PS4 and PSN
With its much anticipated PS4 console reveal out of the way, Sony brought out Entertainment head Michael Lynton to talk media services for the platform. When the PS4 launches later this year, gamers will be privy to exclusive, original programming crafted specifically for PSN and made by Sony's studios. No further details were given on just what the company has in store nor what the pricing model would be (free vs paid?). But like Microsoft, Sony's looking to maximize on its living room position and, of course, that familiar buzz word: corporate synergy.
PlayStation 4 console hardware finally revealed
Well, we know what the controller and the Eye look like, we've got all sorts of details about what's under the hood and we've even seen some games in action. What we haven't seen yet is the PlayStation 4 itself. Well, thankfully Sony didn't make us wait too long at this year's E3 before fleshing out those little sneak peaks with a full on reveal. Shocker: it's all black! Well, almost all black. There is a strip of purple dividing the mostly murdered-out tower. Like the Xbox One it's a pretty unassuming looking console. Gone are the dramatic swoops and curves of the PS3, and so are just about any obvious buttons. The two halves of the PS4 are slightly offset and angled to create a slightly agressive profile when viewed from the right angle, but mostly it seems designed not to draw attention to itself -- pretty much the exact opposite of the last generation of gaming platforms. The one portion of the device with the Sony and PlayStation logos on it is that glossy "piano black" we're all familiar with. But, the rest of the device appears to be a matte black which makes the console look serious. And not business serious like a BlackBerry, hostile serious like a knife. As you can see, as with previous iterations, there is a stand for keeping the console upright, should you have more vertical than horizontal space. There's plenty of images in the galleries below. But, don't worry, we'll be back with plenty more once we get to see it in the flesh. %Gallery-190979% %Gallery-190982%
Sony announces GTA V exclusive PS3 bundle and headset, coming September 17th for $299
Sony's making a whole bunch of announcements at tonight's E3 press conference, and GTA V is on the list. The company just unveiled a bundle and headset for the PlayStation 3. Included in the package is a 500GB PS3, a Blu-ray copy of the game, 30-day trial PlayStation Plus membership, a custom GTA V Pulse and a special audio mode. If you're still in the market for the current-gen console despite tonight's revelations of the PS4, expect the bundle to arrive on September 17th, and it'll cost you $299 for the whole package. Follow our liveblog for all of the latest news from E3 2013.
Sony E3 2013 PlayStation liveblog!
Since Sony's big PlayStation 4 announcement event in rainy New York City February, the Japanese electronics giant has been relatively quiet on the gaming front. With a teaser video in late May and an even teasier email sent to PlayStation Network users this past week, Sony's begun emerging from the dark. Tonight, the proverbial curtain will be whisked away for the largest unveiling of PlayStation 4 to date. And knowing Sony, we'll get an earful about the PlayStation 3 and Vita in the process. Follow belong after the break as we report live from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena -- fingers crossed for massive damage jokes! June 10, 2013 8:45:00 PM EDT
Engadget and Joystiq's Sony PlayStation pre-event broadcast: live from E3
Been aching to find out what Sony's PlayStation 4 actually looks like? So have we. Fortunately, Engadget's Ben Gilbert and Joystiq's Alexander Sliwinski are right outside of the company's E3 press event, happily speculating on the box's potential shape -- not to mention what games we might see for it today. Head past the break to hear the pair's predictions for the show -- and of course, you can always follow along on our liveblog when they're finished. Update: You can find an archived video of the stream after the break!
