Sony/Playstation 4
The Road So Far:
Sony’s next-generation home console was first unveiled to the industry back in February. Since then, the PlayStation 4 has accumulated an overly positive rapport with much of the gaming community; what with its attitude to indie developers and its pragmatic approach to the medium as a whole. That momentum continued into E3 before hitting the stratosphere when Andrew House – president and Group CEO of Sony –announced that their next-gen hardware would be $100 less than the opposing Xbox One all the while excluding any form of DRM red tape.
As I’ve previously mentioned, though, with Microsoft reversing their once stringent policies and online requirements, these two consoles have recouped their sense of parity. No longer is the mindshare unbalanced to the degree it was immediately after E3, which means Sony can no longer rest on their laurels. Sure, the price point could serve as the determining factor for the more casual audience – $100 is a significant difference between each respective Day One packages – but for the dedicated fanbase, Sony need to bulk up their launch line-up with more exclusive content. The pro-gamer standpoint is no doubt an admirable avenue to take; particularly as it opposes the Xbox One’s extensive audience reach, but in order to double down on the core gamer, the Japanese giant must ensure that a plethora of games are available on day one, rather than two to three months post-launch.
Unlike Microsoft, however, Sony have the opportunity to invest time in their portable gaming console; the PlayStation Vita. While it isn’t reaching sales figures like its 3DS brethren, the dedicated handheld still has the ability to become a core component of the PlayStation ecosystem going forward. The Remote Play feature – which was relegated to an underused gimmick on the current PS3 – will be a prime focus in the interchange between the device and the PlayStation 4. It’s a Wi-Fi fuelled synergy that has the potential to bestow the ailing handheld with a unique selling point, though Vita owners will want more from the conference than a feature reminiscent of the Wii U’s GamePad.
A Vita price cut, perhaps? Some new first-party support? Either way, in that case of the PlayStation Vita, the old industry adage of software selling hardware couldn’t be more apt.
What’s Expected:
Much like their competitor, Sony have been banging the war drum in order to champion the number of games in active development. Shuhei Yoshida has been quoted as saying that the PlayStation 4 has, at present, thirty games currently being developed. Of these thirty titles, two-thirds will ship within the first year of the hardware’s life cycle and 12 of said games will be new intellectual properties. These figures, while enticing, are simply hearsay until we get some concrete information. In saying that, Jim Ryan – president of Sony America – has ensured fans that there’s “a lot more coming” when referring to Gamescom, 2013.
Before Sony focuses on new announcements, though, it seems highly likely that the company will provide updates on confirmed titles such as The Order 1886 while also providing the community with further clarification on the console’s inherent features. The fact that PlayStation pillars such as Uncharted and God of War were absent from E3 hints towards a possible development in Cologne. A fourth iteration in each respective franchise would seem like the safest bet, although it may well be that one, if not both, could make their appearance on Vita – for the second time no less, in Nathan Drake’s case.
Either way, the transition to PlayStation 4 for Sony’s staples will undoubtedly break new ground in terms of visuals and gameplay experiences. With a supposedly large roster of unannounced titles in their next-gen vault, it’ll be interesting to see what the company have to offer when they approach the podium at 6pm GMT/1pm EST/10am PST on August 20st.
The Wild Card:
Speculating ahead of time in regards to a gaming exhibition is always fun. It gives you the opportunity to toss your suggestion into the figurative hat; one which you often look back at in hindsight and wonder what the hell you were thinking. Nevertheless, let’s stipulate about Sony’s Gamescom, 2013 showing next week.
First off, we know there will be a major focus on the PlayStation Vita, one which the company have backed up on numerous occasions. And quite frankly, Sony’s handheld could do with several software announcements, considering the quiet release window in the aftermath of Killzone: Mercenary and Tearaway. As such, Sony could well plug this gaping void by releasing an inFamous title on the Vita.
Now, with Sucker Punch toiling away on PS4’s inFamous: Second Son, it’s almost certain that this possible development will be shipped off to another developer. Still, the addictive, open-world style of the series would suit the Vita; which has been cramming for its ‘killer app’ for some time yet. Of course, Call of Duty and Resistance stumbled within the niche market, but an inFamous title that was developed to serve the universe’s overarching storyline is an exciting prospect – just so long as the touch-screen gimmicks remain on the floor of the editing room.
I would say The Last Guardian, but then again, a shock announcement by Team Ico will be that little bit more likely at Tokyo Game Show in September. Hey, if Final Fantasy Versus XIII was able to claw its way from development hell, why can’t Team Ico’s long gestating project do the same?
In terms of Microsoft and Sony’s respective press conferences, is there anything in particular you’d like to see? Do you anticipate many surprises when they address the gaming community next week? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
