Grave Gamer News & Views — ps4

So something rather intriguing happened this week.  It would appear this new fangled “next-gen” officially kicked off.  Well, unless you count the Wii U next-gen, which you’re completely allowed to (inversely, I get to call you wrong).  That’s right, Sony finally ripped off the wraps on the PlayStation 4.  Fast, socially integrated, the ability to stream games, two separate cup-holders – Sony’s future proofing their brand and the attempt is, surprisingly, not a laughable disaster.

You can find my initial reaction to the hardware’s specs hereabouts, but we’re dialing back the technophilia today and also focusing on something more important than even a brand new, highfalutin’, Facebookin’ console: the games.

Hit the jump to check out what’s in store for gamers next generation; a generation right around the corner.  Oh, and welcome back to the Roundup.

Sony’s live conference has come to a close and if you happened to miss it, or felt too guilty having your Xbox stare into your soul as you attempted to watch the stream, kindly allow me to spill the beans.  Focusing on immediacy of use in playing and downloading games while also trying to destroy technical limitations between developer and machine, Sony officially announced their next-gen beast tonight: the PlayStation 4.  And it’s coming this Holiday. 

Over the next few months leading up until E3, where we’ll see way more of the system and the games racing to its launch window, you’re going to hear a shitload about the PS4.  You’ll hear so much about it, even the system’s logo is likely to give you a migraine.  Or send you into fits of animalistic rage which only warm blood can calm.  Happens every goddamn time they announce new hardware (just relax; gamers are given, like, three grace kills before the law takes notice).

So I’ll keep this quick and sweet, folks.  Hit the jump for a full lowdown.

Sony Teases the “Future of PlayStation”

Suddenly and all at once Sony’s hype machine tossed up a teaser across every major social sphere on the internet.  All signs guided us to one site and a trailer fancy as it is cryptic.

The site’s address contains the phrase “meeting2013,” which apparently refers to a press junket being held in New York at the date and time up above.  “What’s all this cloak and dagger shenanigans really about?” you may be astutely wondering.  Well, “The Future of PlayStation,” but of course, and that’s as much as Sony is putting on the record for now.

Mighty big coincidink that educated guesses and above-whisper-level rumor mongering have been pointing to a PS4 reveal in the early part of 2013.  Though, me and the rest of the internet seem to recall Sony’s Prez Kaz Harai was more than happy to allow rival Microsoft to reveal their own next-gen competitor first (“Why go first when your competitors can look at your specifications and come up with something better?” said Harai, methodically folding his hands behind his head while a sinister, all-too-knowing grin spilled across his face).

Check back in when we find out what the hell all the fuss is about on Feb. 20th.

Next-Gen Rising: Latest Predictions for the New Wave of Consoles

The dark clouds are rolling in too fast, the earth rumbling too loudly.  Faint rumors have been promoted to a dull roar, and we all know what Sony and Microsoft are about to say: new consoles are on the way.

One industry analyst in particular, a Mr. Colin Sebastian of Baird Research and Insights (I’ll save you a mouse-click: it’s an organization paid money for telling other companies how to spend money), has offered up his opinion and educated guesses as to what to expect this year when it comes to the coveted next-gen.

Speaking with both industry developers and distributors, Sebastian thinks Microsoft and Sony are aiming to announce new hardware this year, right before E3 which will, in turn, make this year’s expo the biggest since 2000 when the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox went toe-to-toe.  What’s more, Sebastian believes these new systems – utilizing the same tech found in today’s higher-end PC’s; a sexy prospect for would-be developers – will launch as early as this Fall, both likely landing between the $350 to $400 price range.

Related predictions Mr. Sebastian conjured see brick n’ mortar retail threatened by the new consoles’ penchant for digital distribution, but until download speeds and pricing catches up with demand, physical sales will remain valid and strong at least several years into the next generation’s life cycle.

Also, he sees Nintendo as goddamn doomed once competition ratchets up, thanks in no small part to the Wii U’s limp launch.  Sebastian says the company needs to deliver on their trademark first-party goods (like this rumored monolithic Zelda game), lest Nintendo suffers the same sad fate as Sega, and is forced to back away from the home console market and license out those same first-party games onto competing platforms.  A grim outlook, indeed.

So, fellow gaming connoisseurs, what are your next-gen predictions and what’s it going to take for you to jump on the new console bandwagon?

Kaz Hirai, Sony’s Executive Deputy President, finally dispelling rumors of the PS4’s announcement at E3 2012.  This news is a crushing blow to consumers distraught over having hundreds of dollars lined up in their wallet with nowhere to go.