PS4 launches in North America, set to release in other territories on November 29

Written by Brandon Hofer on November 15, 2013

PS4 News: Sony’s new console launches in the United States and Canada today with other countries following later this month.

PS4 is now available throughout North America. With strong third-party developer support from day one, the PS4 system launches with blockbuster games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag from Ubisoft Entertainment, NBA 2K14 from 2K, Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Need for Speed Rivals and NBA LIVE 14 from Electronic Arts. PS4 also launches with a diverse list of indie games including Blacklight Retribution from Zombie Studios, Warframe from Digital Extremes, and Super Motherload from XGen Studios.

The PS4 system enables game developers to realize their creative vision on a platform specifically tuned to their needs, making it easier to build huge, interactive worlds in smooth 1080p HD resolution. Its supercharged PC architecture – including an enhanced Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and 8GB of GDDR5 unified system memory – is designed to ease game creation and deliver a dramatic increase in the richness of content available on the platform. The end result for players is an abundant software library, as more than 180 games are currently in development.

"Today's launch of PS4 represents a milestone for all of us at PlayStation, our partners in the industry, and, most importantly, all of the PlayStation fans who live and breathe gaming every day," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "With unprecedented power, deep social capabilities, and unique second screen features, PS4 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering phenomenal play experiences that will shape the world of games for years to come."

The PS4 system takes social connectivity into the next generation by enabling gamers to immediately share their best gameplay moments with friends. With a press of the "Share" button on the Dualshock 4 wireless controller, images and videos can be shared with other players in the activity feed on their PS4 system's Dynamic Menu, or on social networking services such as Facebook. Gameplay images can also be shared with friends through Twitter. In addition, players can broadcast their gameplay in real-time using live internet streaming services such as Ustream and Twitch. During live broadcasts, friends can even make comments on the streamed gameplay.

The PS4 system integrates second screens, including the PlayStation Vita system (PS Vita), smartphones and tablets, to connect gamers to the PlayStation ecosystem wherever they are. Through Remote Play, gamers can play most PS4 titles on their PS Vita system via Wi-Fi on their home network, freeing up the television for other uses. The "PlayStation App" will further enhance the PS4 system experience by allowing iPhone, iPad, and Android based smartphones and tablets to become second screens. Once installed, users can, for example, see maps on their second screens when playing an adventure game on the PS4 system, purchase a PS4 game while away from home and download it directly to their system, or find and watch shared PS4 gameplay. PlayStation App is now available for free on the iOS App Store and Google Play.

The PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) membership service has been further enhanced on the PS4 system, helping gamers discover a world of extraordinary game experiences through access to a regularly refreshed collection of free games. At launch, PS Plus members will have access to Resogun from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and Contrast from Compulsion Games for free as part of Instant Game Collection, along with DriveClub PS Plus Edition from SCE WWS anticipated in early 2014. PS Plus gives PS4 system users access to online multiplayer worthy of the next generation, one GB of online storage for game saves, automatic save data backup, and game patch automatic downloads.

Looking ahead, the PS4 system will evolve through PlayStation's cloud gaming services, available in the U.S. in 2014. Based on Gaikai Inc.'s cloud technology, the services will enable users to have access to a catalog of critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 (PS3) games on the PS4 and PS3 systems, followed by the PS Vita system.

Have you picked up your PlayStation 4 yet? If not, do you plan on doing so? For our international readers, do you plan on picking up a PS4 when it launches in your country?