The PlayStation 4 (officially abbreviated as PS4) is an eighth-generationhome video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15 in North America, November 29 in Europe, South America and Australia, and on February 22, 2014, in Japan. It competes with Microsoft's Xbox One and Nintendo's Wii U and Switch.
Moving away from the more complex Cell microarchitecture of its predecessor, the console features an AMDAccelerated Processing Unit (APU) built upon the x86-64 architecture, which can theoretically peak at 1.84 teraflops; AMD stated that it was the 'most powerful' APU it had developed to date. The PlayStation 4 places an increased emphasis on social interaction and integration with other devices and services, including the ability to play games off-console on PlayStation Vita and other supported devices ('Remote Play'), the ability to stream gameplay online or to friends, with them controlling gameplay remotely ('Share Play'). The console's controller was also redesigned and improved over the PlayStation 3, with improved buttons and analog sticks, and an integrated touchpad among other changes. The console also supports HDR10High-dynamic-range video and playback of 4K resolution multimedia.
The PlayStation 4 was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Sony for acknowledging its consumers' needs, embracing independent game development, and for not imposing the restrictive digital rights management schemes like those originally announced by Microsoft for the Xbox One. Critics and third-party studios also praised the capabilities of the PlayStation 4 in comparison to its competitors; developers described the performance difference between the console and Xbox One as 'significant' and 'obvious'.[11] Heightened demand also helped Sony top global console sales. By the end of December 2018, over 94 million PlayStation 4 consoles had been shipped worldwide, surpassing lifetime sales of the PlayStation 3.[12]
The initial version of the system software for the PlayStation 4 is 1.01 as pre-installed on the original consoles. Support for the Remote Play and second screen experiences were added in version 1.50, which was launched on the same day the PlayStation 4 console itself was released in North America on November 15, 2013. After being under beta testing for quite some time, the firmware update version 5.00, aka NOBUNAGA, has been released for the PlayStation 4. This is a big update for the range of consoles and includes a number of big feature updates and improvements.
On September 7, 2016, Sony unveiled the PlayStation 4 Slim, a smaller version of the console; and a high-end version called the PlayStation 4 Pro, which features an upgraded GPU and a higher CPU clock rate to support enhanced performance and 4K resolution in supported games.[13]
History
PlayStation 4 at E3 2013
According to lead architect Mark Cerny, development of Sony's fourth video game console began as early as 2008.[14][15]
Less than two years earlier, the PlayStation 3 had launched after months of delays due to issues with production.[16] The delay placed Sony almost a year behind Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was already approaching unit sales of 10million by the time the PS3 launched.[16] PlayStation Europe CEO Jim Ryan said Sony wanted to avoid repeating the same mistake with PS3's successor.[17]
In designing the system, Sony worked with software developer Bungie, who offered their input on the controller and how to make it better for shooting games.[18] In 2012, Sony began shipping development kits to game developers, consisting of a modified PC running the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit chipset.[19] These development kits were known as 'Orbis'.[20]
In early 2013, Sony announced that an event known as PlayStation Meeting 2013 would be held in New York City, U.S., on February 20, 2013, to cover the 'future of PlayStation'.[21][22] Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 at the event.[23][24] It revealed details about the console's hardware and discussed some of the new features it would introduce.[23][25] Sony also showed off real-time footage of games in development, as well as some technical demonstrations.[26][27] The design of the console was unveiled in June at E3 2013, and the initial recommended retail prices of $399 (NA), €399 (Europe), and £349 (UK) given.[28][29]
The company revealed release dates for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia, as well as final pieces of information, at a Gamescom press event in Cologne, Germany, on August 20, 2013. The console was released on November 15, 2013, in the United States and Canada, followed by further releases on November 29, 2013.[2] By the end of 2013, the PS4 was launched in more European, Asian and South American countries.[30][31] The PS4 released in Japan at ¥39,980 on February 22, 2014.[32]
Sony finalized a deal with the Chinese government in May 2014 to sell its products in mainland China, and the PS4 will be the first product to be released. Kazuo Hirai, chief executive officer of Sony, said in May: 'The Chinese market, just given the size of it, is obviously potentially a very large market for video game products... I think that we will be able to replicate the kind of success we have had with PS4 in other parts of the world in China.'[33]
In September 2015, Sony reduced the price of the PS4 in Japan to ¥34,980,[34] with similar price drops in other Southeast Asian markets.[35] The first official sub £300 PS4 bundle was the £299.99 'Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection 500GB', released in the UK on October 9, 2015; a 1 TB £329.99 version was offered at the same time.[36] On October 9, 2015, the first official price cut of the PS4 in North America was announced: a reduction of $50 to $349.99 (US) and by $20 to $429.99 (Canada).[37][38][39] An official price cut in Europe followed in late October 2015, reduced to €349.99/£299.99.[40]
On June 10, 2016, Sony confirmed that a hardware revision of the PlayStation 4, rumored to be codenamed 'Neo', was under development. The new revision is a higher-end model that is meant to support gameplay in 4K. The new model will be sold alongside the existing model, and all existing software will be compatible between the two models.[41] Layden stated that Sony has no plans to 'bifurcate the market', only that gamers playing on the Neo will 'have the same experience, but one will be delivered at a higher resolution, with an enhanced graphical experience, but everything else is going to be exactly as you'd expect'.[42] The high-end console was publicly revealed on September 7, 2016, as PlayStation 4 Pro.[43] At the same time, Sony unveiled an updated version of the original PS4 model with a smaller form factor.[44]
In May 2018 during a presentation to investors, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera stated that the PlayStation 4 was heading into the end of its lifecycle, and that the company was anticipating decreasing year-over-year hardware sales.[45] He explained that Sony would be countering the expected decline by focusing on 'strengthen[ing] user engagement' including continued investments into new first-party games and other online services for PS4. 'We will use the next three years to prepare the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in the future,' Kodera added in an interview with the press the following day.[46]
Hardware
The technology in the PlayStation 4 is similar to the hardware found in modern personal computers.[47] This familiarity is designed to make it easier and less expensive for game studios to develop games for the PS4.[48][49]
Technical specifications
'[We] have not built an APU quite like that for anyone else in the market. It is by far the most powerful APU we have built to date'.
- John Taylor, AMD[50]
The PlayStation 4 uses an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) developed by AMD in cooperation with Sony. It combines a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), as well as other components such as a memory controller and video decoder.[51]The CPU consists of two quad-coreJaguar modules totaling 8 x86-64 cores,[51][52] 7 of which are available for game developers to use.[53] The GPU consists of 18 compute units to produce a theoretical peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS.[27] The system's GDDR5 memory is capable of running at a maximum clock frequency of 2.75 GHz (5500 MT/s) and has a maximum memory bandwidth of 176 GB/s.[27][54][55] The console contains 8 GB of GDDR5 memory,[27][56] 16 times the amount of RAM found in the PS3 and is expected to give the console considerable longevity.[47][57] It also includes secondary custom chips that handle tasks associated with downloading, uploading, and social gameplay.[58][59] These tasks can be handled seamlessly in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode.[60] The console also contains an audio module, which can support in-game chat as well as 'a very large number' of audio streams for use in-game.[61] All PlayStation 4 models support high dynamic range (HDR) color profiles.[62]
Its read-only optical drive is capable of reading Blu-ray Discs at speeds of up to three times that of its predecessor.[57][63] The console features a hardware on-the-fly zlib decompression module.[61] The original PS4 model can output in 4K and play multimedia in the format, but does not play games in 4K.[64][65] The console includes a 500 gigabyte hard drive for additional storage,[66] which can be upgraded by the user.[67] System Software 4.50, which was released on March 9, 2017,[68] enabled the use of external USB hard drives up to 8 TB for additional storage.[69]
The PlayStation 4 features Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, Bluetooth, and two USB 3.0 ports.[27][57] An auxiliary port is also included for connection to the PlayStation Camera, a motion detection digital camera device first introduced on the PS3.[27] A mono headset, which can be plugged into the DualShock 4, is bundled with the system.[70] Audio/video output options include HDMI TV and opticalS/PDIF audio.[27] The console does not have an analog audio/video output.[71]
The PS4 features a 'Rest mode' feature. This places the console in a low-power state, while allowing users to immediately resume their game or app once the console is awoken. The console also is able to download content such as game and OS updates while it is in this state.[72][73]
Controllers
DualShock 4 controller
The DualShock 4 is PlayStation 4's primary controller; it maintains a similar design to previous iterations of the DualShock series, but with additional features and design refinements.[74] Among other tweaks, the caps of the analog sticks were given a concave design (similar to the Xbox 360 controller), the shape of the triggers and shoulder buttons were refined, the D-pad buttons were given a steeper downward angle to provide a resting space in the center for the user's thumb,[74][75] and the hand grips were made thicker and given microtexturing to improve their feel.[74][75]
A major addition to the DualShock 4 is a touchpad; it is capable of detecting up to two simultaneous touch presses, and can also be pressed down as a button.[74] The 'Start' and 'Select' buttons were replaced by 'Options' and 'Share' buttons; the latter is designed to allow access to the PlayStation 4's social features (including streaming, video recording, and screenshot tools).[74][76] The DualShock 4 is powered by a non-removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can be charged using its micro USB connector. The controller also features an internal speaker, and a headphone jack for headsets or headphones; the console is bundled with a pair of headset earbuds.[77][78][74]
The controller's motion tracking system is more sensitive than those of the PlayStation 3's controllers. An LED 'light bar' was additionally added to the front of the controller; it is designed to allow the PlayStation Camera accessory to further track its motion, but can also be used to provide visual effects and feedback within games (such as, for instance, reflecting a player's low health by turning red).[79][77][76][80]
Although the PS4 and DualShock 4 continue to use Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, the console is incompatible with PlayStation 3 controllers.[81] An exception are the PlayStation Movemotion controllers originally released for PS3, which are officially supported for use with the PlayStation Camera.[77][82] In October 2013, Shuhei Yoshida stated on Twitter that the DualShock 4 would support 'basic functions' when attached to a PC.[83] In August 2016, Sony unveiled an official USB wireless adapter for the DualShock 4, enabling use of all of the controller's functionality on PC.[84] In December 2016, Valve's Steam platform was updated to provide support and controller customization functionality for DualShock 4, through existing APIs for the Steam Controller.[85][86]
A revision of the DualShock 4 was released alongside the 'Slim' and Pro models in 2016, and is bundled with these systems. It is largely identical to the original model, except that the touchpad now contains a 'stripe' along the top which the light bar's LED can shine through, and the controller can communicate non-wirelessly when connected to the console over USB.[87]
Camera
The PlayStation 4 Camera, which is required for use with the PS VR
The PlayStation Camera is an optional motion sensor and camera for the PlayStation 4, similar to Kinect on Xbox. It includes two 1280×800 pixel lenses operating with an aperture of f/2.0, with 30 cm focusing distance, and an 85° field of view.[70] The dual camera setup allows for different modes of operation, depending on the initiated and running application.[88] The two cameras can be used together for depth-sensing of its surrounding objects in its field of vision.[89] Alternatively, one of the cameras can be used for generating the video image, with the other used for motion tracking.[90]
PlayStation Camera also features a four-channel microphone array, which helps reduce unwanted background noise and can be used for voice commands.[88] With the PlayStation Camera connected, different users can automatically log-on to the system via face detection.[70]
PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR is a virtual reality system for PlayStation 4; it consists of a headset, which features a 1080p display panel, LED lights on the headset that are used by PlayStation Camera to track its motion, and a control box that processes 3D audio effects, as well as video output to the external display (either simulcasting the player's VR perspective, or providing an asymmetrical secondary perspective). PlayStation VR can also be used with PlayStation Move motion controllers.[91][92]
Software and servicesPlayStation 4 system software
The PlayStation 4's operating system is called 'Orbis OS', based upon a customized FreeBSD 9.[93][94][95]
The console does not require an Internet connection for usage, although more functionality is available when connected.[96] The PS4 is the first to include a WebKit-based web browser, which is a departure from its predecessor's NetFront browser;[97] it is based on the same modern WebKit core as Google Chrome and Safari, giving it high compatibility in HTML5 compliance testing.[98]
The console introduces a customizable menu interface, the 'PlayStation Dynamic Menu', featuring a variety of color schemes.[73] The interface displays the player's profile, recent activity, notifications, and other details in addition to unlocked trophies.[99] It allows multiple user accounts, all with their own pass-codes. Each player account has the option to share their real name with friends, or use a nickname in other situations when anonymity is important. Facebook profiles can be connected to PlayStation Network accounts, making it easier to recognize friends.[100] The default home screen features real time content from friends. The 'What's New' activity feed includes shared media, recently played games, and other notifications.[27] Services from third-party vendors, such as Netflix and Amazon Video, can be accessible within the interface.[101]Multitasking is available during gameplay, such as opening the browser or managing party chat, and switching between applications is done by double-tapping the 'PS' button.[27]
The PlayStation Camera or a microphone enables the user to control the system using voice input. Players can command the interface to start a game, take screenshots, and save videos. Saying 'PlayStation' initiates voice control, and 'All Commands' displays a list of possible commands.[102]
Multimedia features
The PlayStation 4 system software supports Blu-ray and DVD playback and 3D functionality. Playing a CD is unsupported,[103] but custom music and video files can be played from DLNA servers and USB drives using the Media Player app.[104]
PlayStation Network
The PlayStation 4 allows users to access a variety of free and premium PlayStation Network (PSN) services, including the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus subscription service, PlayStation Music powered by Spotify, and the PlayStation Video subscription service, which allows owners to rent or buy TV shows and films à la carte.[27] A United States-exclusive cloud-based television-on-demand service known as PlayStation Vue began beta testing in late November 2014.[105][106] Sony intends to expand and evolve the services it offers over the console's lifespan.[107] Unlike PS3, a PlayStation Plus membership is required to access multiplayer in most games; this requirement does not apply to free-to-play or subscription-based games.[108]
Second screen and remote play
Smartphones and tablets can interact with the PlayStation 4 as second screen devices, and can also wake the console from sleep mode.[109] A Sony Xperia smartphone, tablet or the PlayStation Vita can be used for streaming gameplay from the console to handheld, allowing supported games to be played remotely from around a household or away from home.[110][111] Sony has ambitions to make all PS4 games playable on PlayStation Vita.[27] Developers can add Vita-specific controls for use via Remote Play.[112] This feature was later expanded to enable PS4 Remote Play functionality on Microsoft Windows PCs and on Apple OS X Macs. The update, released in April 2016, allows for Remote Play functionality on computers running Windows 8.1, Windows 10, OS X Yosemite, and OS X El Capitan. Remote Play supports resolution options of 360p, 540p, and 720p (1080p is available on PS4 Pro), frame rate options of 30-60 FPS, and the DualShock 4 can be connected via USB.[113]
The PlayStation App allows iOS and Android mobile devices to interact with the PlayStation 4 from their device. The user can use this application to purchase PS4 games from the console and have them remotely downloaded, watch live streams of other gamers, and/or view in-game maps while playing games.[114]
Social features
'Ustream's integration within PS4 consoles will put gamers on a new media field. They will have the ability to direct, produce, and star in their own video game production, simply by being an awesome (or not so awesome!) gamer.'
— Ustream co-founder Brad Hunstable[115]
Sony is focused on 'social' aspects as a major feature of the console. Although the PS4 has improved social functionality, the features are optional and can be disabled.[107]
Community creation
Users have the option to create or join community groups based upon personal interest. Communities include a discussion board, accomplishments and game clips shared by other members, plus the ability to join group chat and launch cooperative games. Sony stated that 'communities are a good way to socialize with like-minded players', particularly when 'you want to tackle a big multiplayer raid, but don't have enough friends available'.[116]
Media sharing
The DualShock 4 controller includes a 'SHARE' button, allowing the player to cycle through the last 60 minutes of recorded gameplay to select a screenshot or video clip appropriate for sharing. Media is uploaded seamlessly from the console to other PSN users or social networking sites such as Dailymotion, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or else users can copy media to a USB flash drive and upload to a social network or website of their preference.[117] Players can also use a free video editing application named ShareFactory to cut and assemble their favorite video clips, add custom music or voice commentary with green screen effects. Subsequent updates have added options for picture-in-picture layouts, the ability to create photo collages and animated GIFs.[118][119]
Live streaming
Gamers can either watch live gameplay of games which their friends are playing through the PS4 interface with cross-game camera and microphone input, spectate silently, or broadcast their own gameplay live via DailyMotion, Twitch,[120]Ustream,[27]Niconico,[121] or YouTube Gaming,[116] allowing for friends and members of the public to view and comment upon them from other web browsers and devices. If a user is not screen-casting, a friend can send them a 'Request to Watch' notification.[116]
Share Play
Share Play allows users to invite an online friend to join their play session via streaming, even if they do not own a copy of the game. Users can pass control of the game entirely to the remote user, or partake in cooperative multiplayer as if they were physically present. Mark Cerny says that remote assistance is particularly useful when confronted by a potentially game-defeating obstacle. 'You can even see that your friend is in trouble and reach out through the network to take over the controller and assist them through some difficult portion of the game', he said. Share Play requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and can only be used for one hour at a time.[122][123]
Games
PlayStation 4 games are distributed at retail on Blu-ray Disc, and digitally as downloads through the PlayStation Store.[124] Games are not region-locked, so games purchased in one region can be played on consoles in all regions,[125] and players can sign-on to any PS4 console to access their entire digital game library.[126] All PlayStation 4 games must be installed to the console's storage.[citation needed] Additionally a system called 'PlayGo' allows users to be begin to play portions of a game (such as opening levels) once the installation or download reaches a specific point, while the remainder of the game is downloaded or installed in the background. Updates to games and system software are also downloaded in the background and while in standby.[61] PS4 users will, in the future, be able to browse games and stream games via Gaikai to demo them almost instantaneously.[27][127] Sony says it is committed to releasing an ever-increasing number of free-to-play games, including PlanetSide 2 and War Thunder.[128][129] Sony also took steps to make it easier for independent game developers to release games for the PS4 by giving them the option to self-publish their own games rather than rely upon others to distribute their games.[130][131]
Backward compatibility
PlayStation 4 is not compatible with any game for older PlayStation consoles.[132][133] Emulated versions of selected PS2 games are available for purchase via PlayStation Store, which are upscaled to high definition and have support for PS4 social features.[132] Selected PS3 games are available for streaming via the subscription service PlayStation Now.[134]
PlayStation Now
In December 2013, Andrew House indicated that Sony was planning to launch a cloud gaming service for the PS4 in North America within the third quarter of 2014, with a European launch to follow in 2015.[135][136]
At Consumer Electronics Show on January 7, 2014, Sony unveiled PlayStation Now, a digital distribution service which will initially allow users to access PlayStation 3 games on the PS4 via a cloud-based streaming system, purchasing games individually or via a subscription, as a solution of no backwards compatibility on the hardware of the console.[134] The United States Open Beta went live on July 31, 2014.[137] The official United States release of the service was on January 13, 2015.[138] As of March 2015 PlayStation Now was in closed beta in the United Kingdom.[139]
ReleaseCritical receptionPre-release
'It's abundantly clear that PS4 is being driven as a collaboration between East and West, as opposed to a dictation from one side to the other. Developers are fully involved, activated, discussed and doing really cool collaborative things.'
— Mark Rein, Epic Games[140]
Pre-release reception to the console from developers and journalists was positive. Mark Rein of Epic Games praised the 'enhanced' architecture of Sony's system, describing it as 'a phenomenal piece of hardware'.[140]John Carmack, programmer and co-founder of id Software, also commended the design by saying 'Sony made wise engineering choices',[141] while Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Software expressed satisfaction with the amount of high-speed memory in the console.[142] Eurogamer also called the graphics technology in the PS4 'impressive' and an improvement from the difficulties developers experienced on the PlayStation 3.[57]
Numerous industry professionals have acknowledged the PlayStation 4's performance advantage over the Xbox One. Speaking to Edge magazine, multiple game developers have described the difference as 'significant' and 'obvious'.[11] ExtremeTech says the PS4's graphics processing unit offers a 'serious advantage' over the competition, but due to the nature of cross-platform development, games that share the same assets will appear 'very similar'. In other scenarios, designers may tap some of PS4's additional power in a straightforward manner, to boost frame rate or output at a higher resolution, whereas games from Sony's own first-party studios that take full advantage of the hardware 'will probably look significantly better than anything on the Xbox One'.[143]
In response to concerns surrounding the possibility of DRM measures to hinder the resale of used games (and in particular, the initial DRM policies of Xbox One, which did contain such restrictions), Jack Tretton explicitly stated during Sony's E3 press conference that there would be 'no restrictions' on the resale and trading of PS4 games on physical media, while software product development head Scott Rohde specified that Sony was planning to disallow online passes as well, going on to say that the policies were designed to be 'consumer-friendly, extremely retailer-friendly, and extremely publisher-friendly'.[144][145] After Sony's E3 2013 press conference, IGN responded positively to Sony's attitude towards indie developers and trading games, stating they thought 'most gamers would agree' that 'if you care about games like [Sony] do, you'll buy a PlayStation 4'.[146] PlayStation 4's removable and upgradable hard drive also drew praise from IGN,[147] with Scott Lowe commenting that the decision gave the console 'another advantage' over the Xbox One, whose hard drive cannot be accessed.[148]
GameSpot called the PlayStation 4 'the gamer's choice for next-generation', citing its price, lack of restrictive digital rights management, and most importantly, Sony's efforts to 'acknowledge its consumers' and 'respect its audience' as major factors.[149]
Post-release
The PlayStation 4 has received very positive reviews by critics. Scott Lowe of IGN gave it an 8.2 rating out of 10 praising the console's DualShock 4 design and social integration features. He criticized the console's lack of software features and for underutilizing the DualShock 4's touch pad.[150]The Gadget Show gave a similar review complimenting the DualShock 4's new triggers and control sticks, in addition to the new Remote Play feature, yet criticized the system's lack of media support at launch.[151] IGN compared the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 over various categories, allowing their readers to vote for their preferred system. The PS4 won every category offered, and IGN awarded the PS4 with their People's Choice Award.[152]
Shortly following the launch, it became apparent that some games released on multiple platforms were available in higher resolutions on the PS4 as opposed to other video game consoles. Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku reported on the differences in early games such as Call of Duty: Ghosts and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag which ran at 1080p on the PS4, but in 720p and 900p, respectively, on the Xbox One.[153]
Sales
Demand for PlayStation 4 was strong. In August 2013, Sony announced the placement of over a million preorders for the console,[161] while on the North American launch alone, one million PlayStation 4 consoles were sold.[162] In the UK, the PlayStation 4 became the best-selling console at launch, with the sale of 250,000 consoles within a 48-hour period[163] and 530,000 in the first five weeks.[164]
On January 7, 2014, Andrew House announced in his Consumer Electronics Show keynote speech that 4.2 million PS4 units had been sold-through by the end of 2013,[165] with more than 9.7 million software units sold.[166] On February 18, 2014, Sony announced that, as of February 8, it had sold over 5.3 million console units following the release of the PS4 onto the North American and Western European markets.[167][168] Within the first two days of release in Japan during the weekend of February 22, 2014, 322,083 consoles were sold.[169] PS4 software unit sales surpassed 20.5 million on April 13, 2014.[170] During Japan's 2013 fiscal year, heightened demand for the PS4 helped Sony top global console sales, beating Nintendo for the first time in eight years.[171]
According to data released by Nielsen in August 2014, nine months after the PS4 was released, thirty-one percent of its sales were to existing Wii and Xbox 360 owners, none of whom had by then owned a PS3.[172] At Gamescom 2014, it was announced that 10 million PS4 units had been sold-through to consumers worldwide,[173] and on November 13, it was announced that the PlayStation 4 was the top-selling console in the U.S. for the tenth consecutive month.[174]
Playstation 4 Version 5.55 Download
In its first sales announcement of 2015, Sony confirmed on January 4 that it had sold-through 18.5 million PlayStation 4 units.[175] Sony updated the sell-through figures for the system throughout 2015: over 20 million consoles as of March 3, 2015,[176] over 30 million as of November 22, 2015,[177] and over 35 million by the end of 2015.[178] As of May 22, 2016, total worldwide sell-through reached 40 million.[179] As of December 2018, over 91 million consoles and more than 876 million PlayStation 4 games have been sold worldwide.
The PlayStation 4 holds a market share of at least 70% within all European countries, as of June 2015.[180]
![]()
Hardware revisions
The PlayStation 4 has been produced in various models: the original, the Slim, and the Pro. Successive models have added or removed various features, and each model has variations of Limited Edition consoles.
PlayStation 4 Slim
The slim PlayStation 4 model
On September 7, 2016, Sony announced a hardware revision of PlayStation 4, model number CUH-2000, known colloquially as the PlayStation 4 Slim. It is a revision of the original PS4 hardware with a smaller form factor; it has a rounded body with a matte finish on the top of the console rather than a two-tone finish, and is 40% smaller in size than the original model. The two USB ports on the front have been updated to the newer USB 3.1 standard and have a larger gap between them, and the optical audio port was removed.[201] This model also features support for USB 3.1, Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi.[202]
It was released on September 15, 2016, with a 500 GB model at the same price as the original version of the PlayStation 4.[44] On April 18, 2017, Sony announced that it had replaced this base model with a 1 TB version at the same MSRP.[203]
PlayStation 4 Pro
The PlayStation 4 Pro
PlayStation 4 Pro (codenamed Neo, model number CUH-7000)[41] was announced on September 7, 2016, and launched worldwide on November 10, 2016.[204][205] It is an upgraded version of the PlayStation 4 with improved hardware to enable 4K rendering and improved PlayStation VR performance, including an upgraded GPU with 4.2 teraflops of processing power and hardware support for checkerboard rendering,[206] and a higher CPU clock. As with PS4 'Slim', this model also features support for USB 3.1, Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi.[202] The PS4 Pro also includes 1 GB of DDR3 memory that is used to swap out non-gaming applications that run in the background, allowing games to utilize an additional 512 MB of the console's GDDR5 memory.[207] Although capable of streaming 4K video, the PS4 Pro does not support Ultra HD Blu-ray.[208][209][210]
Games marketed by Sony as PS4 Pro Enhanced have specific optimizations when played on this model, such as 4K resolution graphics and/or higher performance.[211] For games not specifically optimized, an option known as 'Boost Mode' was added on system software 4.5, which can be enabled to force higher CPU and GPU clock rates on existing games to possibly improve performance.[212]
Polaris architecture
Rendering games at 4K resolution is achieved through various rendering techniques and hardware features; PlayStation technical chief Mark Cerny explained that Sony could not 'brute force' 4K without compromising form factor and cost, so the console was designed to support 'streamlined rendering techniques' using custom hardware, 'best-in-breed temporal and spatial anti-aliasing algorithms', and 'many new features from the AMD Polaris architecture as well as several even beyond it'. The most prominent technique used is checkerboard rendering, wherein the console only renders portions of a scene using a checkerboard pattern, and then uses algorithms to fill in the non-rendered segments. The checkerboarded screen can then be smoothed using an anti-aliasing filter. Hermen Hulst of Guerrilla Games explained that PS4 Pro could render something 'perceptively so close [to 4K] that you wouldn't be able to see the difference'.[213][214][215]
PS4 Pro supports Remote Play, Share Play, and streaming at up to 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, as well as capturing screenshots at 2160p, and 1080p video at 30 frames per second.[216]
In late-2017, Sony issued a new PS4 Pro revision (model number CUH-7100) that featured updated internal components. The actual hardware specifications and performance remained the same as the original model, although it was found that the revised console has a slightly quieter fan profile than the original (and as a result, operating at a slightly higher temperature under load than the CUH-7000). In October 2018, Sony quietly issued another revision (model number CUH-7200), initially as part of Red Dead Redemption 2 hardware bundles. The revision has a different power supply which uses the same type of cord as the 'Slim' model, and was shown to have further improvements to acoustics.[217][218][219]
References
Playstation 4 Version 5.53External links
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PlayStation_4&oldid=917677095'
The PlayStation 4 system software is the updatable firmware and operating system of the PlayStation 4. The operating system is Orbis OS, based on FreeBSD 9.
Technology[edit]System[edit]
The native operating system of the PlayStation 4 is Orbis OS, which is a fork of FreeBSD version 9.0 which was released on 12 January 2012.[6][7]
The PlayStation 4 features two graphics APIs, a low-level API named Gnm and a high-level API named Gnmx. Most developers start with Gnmx, which wraps around Gnm, which in turn manages the more esoteric GPU details. This can be a familiar way to work if the developers are used to platforms like Direct3D 11.
Another key area of the game is its programmable pixel shaders.[8] Sony's own PlayStation Shader Language (PSSL) was introduced to the PlayStation 4.[9] It has been suggested[by whom?] that the PlayStation Shader Language is very similar to the HLSL standard in DirectX 11, with just subtle differences that could be eliminated for the most part through preprocessor macros.[8]
Besides the kernel and related components, other components included and worth mentioning are Cairo, jQuery, Lua, Mono, OpenSSL, WebKit, and the Pixman rendering library. Many of these are open-source software, although the PlayStation 4 is not an open console.[7][10]
The Software Development Kit (SDK) is based on LLVM and Clang, which Sony has chosen due to its conformant C and C++ front-ends, C++11 support, compiler optimization and diagnostics.
Graphical shell[edit]
The PlayStation 4 uses the PlayStation Dynamic Menu as its graphical shell,[11][12][13] in contrast to the XrossMediaBar (XMB) used by the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3, as well as the LiveArea used by the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV. It is named 'Dynamic Menu' because the options it offers to players are context-sensitive, changing based on what a player is actually doing with their PlayStation 4 at any given time. This makes navigation simpler than the previous iteration. This dynamic menu can alter itself so that there's as little time as possible between the users placing a game in the disc drive and the actual gameplay beginning.[14]
The PlayStation 4's user interface attempts simplicity as a priority. The main place for entertainment options, the Content area, is prominently displayed with large square icons on a horizontal line arranged by the most recently used. Users can scroll through this gamer newsfeed in an alternating, brick-like formation reminiscent of the social media site Pinterest. Many other main objects will display additional information when having the cursor selected on them. A game may have news updates or advertisements for its downloadable content. Recently played games receive tiles along with a number of mandatory items like the Live from PlayStation and the Internet Browser applications. Content icon customization and options on how to sort them would give players a way to mold the display to better suit their needs.[15]
Augmented Reality[edit]
The augmented reality application, the Playroom comes pre-installed with the PlayStation 4 console. It was demonstrated at E3 2013 and utilizes the Sony PlayStation Camera technology. According to Sony, it is a 'fantastically fresh augmented reality entertainment experience', which has been created by combining the light bar located on the front of DualShock 4 controller with the PlayStation Camera. Players are allowed to produce a small floating robot called Asobi, who interacts with the players, scans their faces and shoots fireballs. Once the PlayStation Camera identifies the player with the help of the light bar on the front, a flick on the touchpad of the DualShock 4 controller brings up the augmented reality Bots function of the PlayRoom, which creates the illusion that there are hundreds of little bots inside the controller, which can be released simply with a tap on the track pad that functions like the PlayStation Vita. PS4 owners can view their smartphone or PlayStation Vita for drawing the object and flick it anywhere for the augmented reality Bots to play with.
Playstation 4 Version 5.05Remote Play and second screen[edit]
Through Remote Play users can operate their PS4 through the uses of a PlayStation Vita handheld game console, allowing for the play of PS4 games and other media on the small device via streaming.[16] All games except exceptions that require the PlayStation Move or PlayStation Camera are compatible.[17]
The second screen can be used to display unique content when playing games that support this option, but it should not be confused with a split-screen. The second screen may be used to show extra content for example maps, alternate camera angles, radar or even playbooks in sports games. Apart from PlayStation Vita, other mobile devices such as iPads or Android tablets can also be used as a second screen.[18] That comes in the form of both the official PlayStation App and game companion apps such as Knack's Quest.[16]
Social features[edit]
A heavy emphasis on social features has been placed on the PlayStation 4 console, loading up the PS4 with a number of share-centric apps and features. The [What's New] feature, which allows users to check out their friends' latest activities via a landing page full of their pictures, trophies and other recent events, is an easy way to find out what friends have been up to. On the other hand, a cross-chat feature dubbed [Party Chat] is an interesting way to keep in touch. This gives gamers the ability to chat with other users whether or not they're playing the same title.
The PS4's sharing capabilities adds another layer to console gaming. PS4 owners are able to capture or livestream the gameplay with a simple button touch. They can record up to 60 minutes of their latest gaming exploits with a quick press of the Share button on the controller. Footage can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. They also have the ability to broadcast their gameplay in real-time to Twitch and Ustream in addition to recording videos.[19]
There are also other social features such as community creation. Some of them are introduced via system updates. Favorite Groups is a new section within the Friends app, and acts as a way to quickly access other people a user plays with the most. This feature is aimed at making it easier and faster to get into a game session with friends. On the other hand, communities are new hubs that can be formed around shared interests like games, activities, or play styles. There also exist other smaller social features on PS4, such as the ability to message a friend with a request to watch their gameplay live.[20]
Internet features[edit]
While the PlayStation 4 console can function without an Internet connection at all, it provides more functionality when it is connected to the Internet.[21] For example, updates to the system software may be downloaded from the Internet, and users may play online when the Internet is properly connected. Online play is the main pillar for the PlayStation 4, but a PlayStation Plus subscription is required to play the majority of PS4 titles online, unlike PlayStation 3 titles. According to Sony, they are developing many new ways to play and connect for PS4 which requires a large investment of resources. As a result, Sony claim they cannot keep such a service free and maintain its quality at the same time considering the cost, and they thus decided that it would be better to charge a fee in order to continue to offer a good service.[22]
The web browser included in the PlayStation 4 console is based on the open source WebKit layout engine, unlike the PlayStation 3 which uses the NetFront browser.[23] Using the same modern Webkit core as Safari from Apple, the PS4 web browser receives a very high score in HTML5 compliance testing.[24] However, it does not support Adobe Flash, which means that websites which require Flash might not display properly or function as intended. Also, the PDF format is not supported. However, one clear advantage for gamers is being able to cut between gaming and browsing and back again with no loss of gameplay due to the multitasking feature of the web browser.[25] Additionally, while the PS4 web browser has limited support for USB keyboards, it does not seem to support USB mice at all.[26]
Furthermore, with Internet connection enabled the PlayStation 4 allows users to access a variety of PlayStation Network (PSN) services, including the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus subscription service, and more. Users may download or buy games and other content from these services. Also, gamers are able to play a selection of PS3 titles via the Internet-based PlayStation Now gaming service.[27]
Multimedia features[edit]
The PlayStation 4 supports playing standard 12-centimeter DVD-Video discs; DVD recordable and rewritable discs except those that have not been finalized; and standard Blu-ray discs with the exception of Blu-ray Recordable Erasable version 1.0 discs and Blu-ray XL format discs. Unlike all previous PlayStation consoles the system does not support the Compact Disc format at all, including Compact Disc Digital Audio and Video CD format discs.[28]Blu-ray 3D support was added in system software version 1.75.[29]. In 2015, Sony partnered with Spotify to bring the music streaming service to the PlayStation 4, allowing music to be streamed in the background of any game or application for both free and premium members of Spotify.[30]
Playstation 4 Version 5.55
The Media Player application included with the system can be used to play media files on USB storage devices or media servers. According to the PlayStation 4's user guide, media formats supported include videos contained in the MP4, MKV and AVI formats and encoded in H.264 AVC High Profile 4.2, MPEG4 ASP, MPEG2 Visual, AVCHD, and XAVC S; audio encoded in MP3, FLAC, or AAC; and photos encoded in JPEG, BMP, or PNG. The PlayStation 4 Pro also supports videos encoded in H.264 AVC High Profile 5.2. If users have a PlayStation VR headset connected, they can view 360-degree videos inside the headset.[31]
Backward compatibility[edit]
The PlayStation 4 was not backward compatible with any games from previous PlayStation consoles at launch. Though PlayStation 4 users cannot play PlayStation 3 games directly, in 2014, the PlayStation Now cloud-based streaming service allowed for the streaming of selected PS3 games.[32][33] In December 2015, Sony added PlayStation 2 backward compatibility and republished some PS2 games such as Dark Cloud and Grand Theft Auto III on the PS4 via the PlayStation Store in the Americas and Europe. Supported PS2 games run via software emulation (upscaled to high definition) on PS4 systems instead of having been remastered.[34][35] Each one has been updated to access various PS4 features, including Trophies, Share Play, Broadcasting, Remote Play and second-screen features. However, the original PS2 game discs, and PS2 Classics re-released for the PS3 are not compatible with the PS4 system.[36][37]
Supported System Languages[edit]![]()
Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (United Kingdom), English (United States), French (Canada), French (France), Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Romanian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese.
History of updates[edit]
The initial version of the system software for the PlayStation 4 is 1.01 as pre-installed on the original consoles. Support for the Remote Play and second screen experiences were added in version 1.50, which was launched on the same day the PlayStation 4 console itself was released in North America on November 15, 2013. Both features are accessible from the PlayStation Vita console by using its PS4 Link application, and the second screen functionality is also accessible from smartphones and tablets through the PlayStation Mobile app. It is also able to record or share video clips as well as broadcasting gameplay to Twitch.tv or Ustream.[38] It supports Blu-ray and DVD-Video playback, and version 1.60 was released on February 4, 2014, improving DVD playback. Version 1.60 also adds support for Pulse Elite wireless headsets.[39] Version 1.70 was released on April 30, 2014, and adds a number of new features, such as the addition of a rich video editor called ShareFactory that offers users the tools to combine, edit and personalize captured video clips. This update also adds the abilities to share video clips and screenshots while streaming, and to copy video clips and screenshots to USB storage.[40] Version 1.75 was released on July 29, 2014, further adding the support for playback of Blu-ray 3D. It also improves the sound quality during 1.5-speed playback with Blu-ray and DVD video.[41] Version 1.76 was released on September 2, 2014, came with minor changes and was the last update until version 2.0.[42]
Released on October 28, 2014, version 2.00 is a major upgrade to the PlayStation 4 system software. Among the features introduced is Share Play, which allows PlayStation Plus users to invite an online friend to join their play session via streaming, even if they do not own a copy of the game. Users can pass control of the game entirely to the remote user, or partake in cooperative multiplayer as if they were physically present.[43][44] This version also adds a YouTube app and the ability to upload video clips to YouTube, and users can now play music stored on USB storage devices. Also, with the support for custom themes and the ability to change the background color, users can set themes for home screens and function screens for each user in this version.[45] Version 2.50 was released on March 26, 2015, adding a suspend/resume feature to allow players to jump in and out of games with the PS button, and games are suspended in the low-power Rest Mode instead of closing completely. This version also allows the console's hard drive to be backed up or restored to a USB flash drive.[46]
On September 30, 2015, Sony released PS4 update 3.00. It introduced 'entirely new features' and user-interface enhancements. Among the new features was the ability to share videos directly to Twitter, a dedicated PlayStation Plus section, tweaks to the interface for streaming on YouTube, improvements to social features such as messages and group creation, and the ability to save screenshots as PNGs. An increase in online storage capacity from 1 GB to 10 GB was also introduced for PlayStation Plus Members. Sony states that this update will create 'new ways to connect with friends and players around the world, expanding the social capabilities of the system even further'.[47] On April 6, 2016, Sony released PS4 update 3.50, that would enable the PS4 to use Remote Play functionality on Windows and macOS (formerly named OS X). VG247 reported that the update will allow Remote Play functionality on computers running Windows 8.1, Windows 10, OS X Yosemite, and OS X El Capitan. Furthermore, the article explains that Remote Play will support resolution options of 360p, 540p, and 720p, frame rate options of 30 FPS and 60 FPS, and that one DualShock 4 controller can be connected via the computer's USB port.[48]
On September 13, 2016, Sony released PS4 update 4.00, which added High Dynamic Range (HDR) and home screen folder support, 1080p streaming, tweaks to menus and game info screens for greater overview, and streamlined interfaces.[49][50] On March 9, 2017, Sony released the next major firmware update, version 4.50. The update includes support for installing applications on external hard drives, custom wallpapers, a refined Quick Menu, a simplified notifications list, custom status updates in What's New, and 3D Blu-Ray support for the PlayStation VR[51] and includes support for the preloading of game patches, however it is up to the developer to make use of it. The first game to take advantage of this feature is LittleBigPlanet 3.[52]
On October 3, 2017, Sony released PS4 update 5.00. Overhauling the master/sub-account system, the update allows for more customization of accounts for family members and roles, and applying parental controls to each account. The groups system is replaced with a new friends management system, along with support for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound configurations for PlayStation VR. A new tournament bracket viewer has been made, along with tweaks to broadcasting (with 1080p streaming at 60 frames per second on Twitch now possible), and other changes to PS Message, notifications, and the quick menu. Lastly, it introduces localization for Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Romanian, Thai, and Vietnamese languages.[53]
5.50 was released on March 8, 2018. It includes playtime restrictions for child accounts, the ability to hide applications from the library, custom wallpapers via USB, a supersampling mode on PS4 Pro and the ability to delete notifications.[54]
On September 13, 2018, Sony released PS4 update 6.00. The major feature that was added was the ability to use Remote Play on iOS devices, and some other minor improvements.[55]
On May 10, 2019, Sony Interactive Entertainment added the ability to remove purchased games from the Download List for PlayStation Store and delete games from My Profile.
See also[edit]
Other gaming platforms from Sony:
Other gaming platforms from this generation:
Other gaming platforms from the seventh generation:
References[edit]Playstation 4 Version 5.56
Playstation 4 Version 5.01 Download
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PlayStation_4_system_software&oldid=917380685'
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |