All eyes were on Sony last night to see how they would counter Microsoft’s earlier presentation, particularly regarding the new PlayStation 4 console versus the Xbox One.
Sony began their presentation with the usual pomp and circumstance to get the crowd pumped up then concentrated on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita (125 games and counting since its launch).
Game announcements for the PlayStation Vita, the “companion for PS4”, included a remaster God of War HD 1 & 2, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2, Flower, Dead Nation.
Other upcoming PlayStation Vita titles include:
Walking Dead Episode 400 Days will release this summer with a new bundle this August that will include the complete first season, 400 days and other bonus content.
PS3 game announcements/show features included Puppeteer, Don’t Starve, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Bungie’s Destiny, Batman Arkham Origins (fall) with exclusive content, a Mad Max game, NBA 2K14, and Grand Theft Auto V exclusive bundle Sept 17 $299 and game bundle with special headset.
Sony also touted their Video Unlimited service (150,000 movies and counting), Music Unlimited services (20 million songs and counting), and upcoming original programming including ventures from Sony Pictures as well as new upcoming services including Redbox Instant (PS3, PS4 and PSV) and Flixster.
We finally got a good look at the sleek, squared PlayStation 4 console design with a nice view of the main console, controller, and camera. The initial 500 GB hard drive in the console is removable and upgradeable.
Sony announced several important details in simple terms that received very positive responses from the crowd.
The PS4 will cost $399—$100 less than the Xbox One and requires a PSN account & PlayStation Plus subscription for online play – current subscriptions will carry over to the PS4. The first game in the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection will be Drive Club.
The PS4 will be region free. No restrictions on used PS4 games. No online requirements for single player gameplay. PS4 owners will be able to trade and sell game discs.
Additional game announcements included Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts 3, fantasy shooter The Order: 1866, Transistor (early 2014), Quantic Dream’s The Dark Sorcerer, the open world adventure game Shank, Mercenary Kings, the Tom Clancy open world RPG The Division and a remastering of Oddworld: Abe’s Oddyssee.
No new game announcements on the mainstay franchises God of War, LittleBigPlanet or Uncharted, as the PlayStation 4 console took center stage.
Did you think Sony is winning E3 so far?
I absolutely think they are – focus on gaming, focus on gamers, focus on letting Microsoft look like idiots. Tri-winning 🙂