PS4 - The newest next-gen console from Sony!

PlayStation 4 - Sony's newest console

(source: egmnow.com)

PLAYSTATION 4 (PS4), is an upcoming video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment. It was announced as a successful PlayStation 3 (PS3) successors during a press conference on February 20, 2013.

The console will go on sale in the US and Canada on November 15, and will launch in Australia and European countries including Austria, Germany, Sweden and the UK on Nov. 29. The PS4 will also go on sale that day in 10 Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

PlayStation 4 announcement in New York

(source: IGN News)

Sony has rapidly followed up its E3 announcement of the PlayStation 4's pricing with the local version, with US $399 turning into $549 here in Australia. This still makes it cheaper than the Xbox One, the PS4 major competitor, which is set to cost $599 in Australia, but the smaller gap is likely to make the decision between the two consoles a bit more tougher. 

Also announced during the press conference was the fact that Sony will now charge players to use online multiplayer features, one of the main points of differentiation between it and Microsoft in the current generation. PlayStation 4 owners will need a PlayStation Plus subscription  to take advantage of such features, although they won't need it for single player titles. PS Plus currently costs $69.95 for a yearly subscription.

Being the cheaper player in the console game is a massive change from last generation, when the PlayStation 3 launched at a whopping $999.95 price. 

-Arif Hartono-

Smartphones' must have games - Action & Adventure

So, what are the hot games on smartphones these-days?

Image : http://www.brightfutura.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/smartphone_gaming.jpg

According to http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/21/50-best-games-apps-tablets-smartphones, and from personal experience I have picked out 2 games that are good to have on your phone. In particular, I have chosen one game from each categories (i.e. Action and Adventure)

Action 

Image : phandroid.com

Minecraft definitely has been a huge hit with children and adults alike, with its virtual world you build, explore and craft using tools and blocks. It was first introduced to PC and MAC and attracted a lot of young generations and was known to be one of the most popular games or 'Indie game'. This game almost make you feel like a god because, you can build any objects including tables, walls, rooms, houses or even an entire city! 

'Minecraft Pocket Edition' which is a mobile version of Minecraft, is so popular and successful because it works so well, almost as good as a PC or MAC version. It definitely deserves a win in the Action category.

Adventure

Image : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(video_game)

Top adventure game for smartphones was a difficult call between 'The Walking Dead' and 'Infinity Blade II'. While both games offers well structured story-line, interesting characters and environment, 'Infinity Blade II' felt like another generic RPG/Adventure game with no other fresh element built into the game. (Don't get me wrong it still contains heap of features, and items and such to keep you interested). But, what's so intriguing is the fact that, 'The Walking Dead' makes you feel like you are actually in the situation of surviving, away from all the zombies. The story-line actually alters depending on what decisions YOU make through out the game.

Definitely a must have game!

-Aaron(Young Kyun)

Playstation over the Decades

 

 

The Sony Playstation console has come leaps and bounds since its first arrival in 1994

 

 

 

 

(Image:  http://fuuka.warosu.org/vr/image/2ffbqYeM4h14tuT6QvuqAg)

 

 



As with many things technology continually gets older and outdated and is replaced by something new and something better. With the ever expanding computing power of technoloogy these days we consider how did we live before without it, now we expect something better with every new piece of technology released.

 

Until the arrival of the PlayStation, cartridges were the norm - and their reign over the video game industry was never challenged nor questioned. The CD provided significant increases to storage space, allowing better video and sound production.

 

How ever this was a double edge sword as this also opened the market up to piracy which was one of the biggest issues associated with Sony and Playstation one and still continues to this day.

 

The next big step for Sony was the Playstation 2 which was released in the year 2000 with a complete makeover.

 

( Image: http://imagery.playerattack.com/PS2-Versions.jpg)

 

This release was probably one of the most anticipated as it took the market by storm and was a hard act to follow and established a dedicated fan base.

 

It was marketed not only for avid gamers but as a music player and dvd player more like a home entertainment system, it brought them our of the bedroom and into the loungeroom.

 

The PlayStation 2's biggest strength was undoubtedly its vast game library, which gave it the edge over competing consoles from Sega, Nintendo and Microsoft. The Playstation 2 took games to great heights for example Grand Theft Auto (2004) which has sold over 17 million units to date.

 

( Image: http://media.gtanet.com/images/312_gtasa_ps2_boxart.jpg)

 

 

Much like the original PlayStation console, the PS2 suffered greatly due to piracy. Events repeated themselves almost exactly when a mod-chip was developed for PS2 that allowed users to play 'backup' versions of games, which could be copied straight from an original game disc or simply downloaded and burned onto a DVD.

 

The next big release for Sony only 6 years later is the Playstation 3 (2006/2007)

 

 

( image:http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ps3-hacked.jpg)

 

 

The Playstation 3 was marketed as a premium piece of hardware that was more of an entertainment hub than a games console. Although the Ps3 was a huge advancement in entertainment and gaming the release was disappointing due to the price bracket.

 

As Sony released different versions the price came down and its potential is really starting to take off with a system that is also a gaming hub, blue ray DVD player, music player, photo viewer, and the ability to be able to network into the local area connections has really seen this hardware take off and will be in use for quite a while.



 

 

 

 

Joshua Bamback  

Tablet/Phone Games

Image : sandiway.blogspot.com

It isn't unusual for us to see people using their tablets or their phones on the train. In fact, it is becoming our new 'time killer device' while we are travelling. Due to massive improvement in mobile device technology, people are able to text, check their emails, or even read a blog, and play games using their mobile phones or tablet devices.

Image : http://images.intomobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ipad-gaming2-o-650x366.png

And these devices act as a new gaming console these-days, enabling users to play touchscreen enabled-3D games. These Phone/tablet games have boomed so much that, it is almost impossible for people to NOT know what 'Angry Birds' is. It is a tablet/phone game which was introduced on iOS and Android 

platform which attracted a lot of phone users.

Image : www.fanpop.com

And here’s where it gets shocking! people play Angry Birds 200 million minutes per day! - See more at: http://aytm.com/blog/research-junction/angry-birds-addiction/#sthash.B6s6jxW4.dpuf

Tablet and phone gaming market is quickly expanding and with this many users, we really cannot predict what other exciting games could come out via iOS or Android platform.

-Aaron(Young Kyun)