Gamescom is already off to a great start, with Microsoft revealing their official lineup of games for the Xbox One earlier today, and now, Sony finally providing an exact release date for the PlayStation 4.
Initially only providing a release window, Sony finally clarified earlier today that the PlayStation 4 arrives in North America on November 15th, making it a prime target on the nation's biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. It also gives Sony the edge against Microsoft, as its own next-gen console, the Xbox One, isn't due to arrive until November 29th, according to certain reports.
Sony's gaming options for the PS4 at launch aren't as plentiful as Microsoft's for the One, but the list is decent. Including digital downloads, Sony says 33 games in all will be playable on the console by the end of the year. The list of retail games available at launch is as follows:
- NBA 2K14 (2K)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision)
- Skylanders Swap Force (Activision)
- Need for Speed: Rivals (Electronic Arts)
- Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts)
- Madden 25 (Electronic Arts)
- FIFA 14 (Electronic Arts)
- NBA Live 14 (Electronic Arts)
- Killzone: Shadow Fall (Sony)
- #DRIVECLUB (Sony)
- Knack (Sony)
- Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)
- Watch Dogs (Ubisoft)
- Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft)
- LEGO Marvel Superheroes (Warner Bros. Interactive)
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you might want to click the mouse or make a call, because now that we know the release date, the number of orders is about to skyrocket.
Under the hood, the PS4 boasts Supercharged PC architecture, X86 CPU, Enhanced PC GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, Local HDD. It will support the same PlayStation Plus service as the Vita and PS3. However, a Plus subscription will be required for online multiplayer games, but not for additional media services like Netflix. Sony has also updated the Dual Shock controllers with a touch screen and improved shoulder triggers.
The PS4 will have its own Instant Game collection service; the first game of which will be Drive Club PS Plus Edition. Future games include Don't Starve and Outlast. Video streaming and game sharing services are provided via Gaikai.
When the PlayStation 4 arrives, it will retail for $399.