We all knew that it was coming, but somehow Microsoft has managed to shock the industry by finally acknowledging its next generation console. The company sent out invites earlier this evening, confirming that it’s poised to uncover its impending system on 21st May. As you’d expect, the event will be livestreamed through a variety of sources, including long term partner Spike TV.
Writing on his official blog, company spokesperson Major Nelson promised that the Redmond-based manufacturer would pull back the curtain on a “new generation of games, TV, and entertainment”. Judging from that small snippet, we'd imagine that the rumours regarding the console serving as some kind of cable box were true, but we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to find out for sure.
The date itself is particularly interesting, as it’s just over a fortnight before E3. Microsoft promises that it will deliver a double-whammy of press conferences, which makes us wonder if Sony will respond. We speculated earlier in the year that a second PlayStation 4 event would probably make a lot of sense.
From the PlayStation perspective, it’s going to be fascinating to see what the Japanese manufacturer does next. Everyone knew that this day was coming, but it seems to have taken the Xbox maker a long, long time to react to February’s PlayStation Meeting. Now that the day has finally come, we're curious what Sony will do to stop the pendulum from swinging in Microsoft’s favour.
What do you think is next for the PS4? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
[source majornelson.com, via purexbox.com]
Comments 25
We will fiiiiiiight!
@KenB ROUND ONE!
Wait I thought the fight began last year with Wii U.
This whole "cable box" thing is irrelevant to me, and I fact quite a turn-off. I already have a TV service which will always surpass anything a console can offer... as I'm sure do most people. It might be a selling point in the US, but outside there I'm not so sure.
So far, nothing I've heard about their system inspires me to buy one. They almost seem out of touch with what people want. I'm not sure it will even be a competitor to PS4 - it seems like they're aiming at a different audience now.
Bout dang time... but point blank. ..seems like there not that focused on gaming anymore from all the rumors....so I guess we will find out may 21st
@Paranoimia Yeah, I'm interested to see how all of the TV stuff is going to work outside of North America, too. It's going to be an interesting couple of months for sure.
Tv.... Entertainment ? What about gaming ? Sony ps4 it only does gaming <3<3<3
@Sanquine Based on what I've read, it looks like they may focus on games at E3 and get the media stuff out of the way first. I don't really know, though. I'd be absoutely amazed if they didn't have some megaton game announcements, though.
Its Burning Gundam ( Sony ) Vs Gundam Maxter ( Microsoft )!! Gundam Fight all set, READY GO!!
I have never bought a Microsoft console and don't see that changing anytime soon.
hope they bring something new...ps3 and xbox 360 is too alike...
PS4 will be the best console because it will have the next Hyperdimension Neptunia game
LEANBOX VS. LASTATION. Yeaaah...
Xbox meeting on May 21!..yay who cares, Microsoft is one disappointment after another ¬¬ Show a system that actually works, that might be cool...
This generation belongs to PlayStation 4 and Wii U, Xbox deserves NOBODIES money.
Microsoft: We're announcing our new console soon. It's gonna have a tv tuner and robots with lasers that go "pew pew".
Sony: That's cute, I guess.
@Epic
LOL
@Paranoimia
It may or may not be a competitor for PS4 and Wii U the way most of us look at games, that's still up in the air, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if it's the best selling console in North America by a significant margin. With the possible exception of Apple, there is no company that knows how to manipulate the clueless consumers over here like MS.
Microsoft needs to fix Windows 8 before I trust them with my games. My current video card has features that are too advanced for 8 (advanced AA causes artifacts!) I can't give them any more of my time. Sony, on the other hand, just gave me Soul Calibur lol
@Gamer83
"“No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.” - H.L. Mencken (paraphrase)
But jokes aside, MS is not in the gaming business for its artistic merit. They are there to make money. And if they can sell their product to the American mass market and be successful, then whether or not their product is the best (or even good) etc is irreverent.
I agree with you that it is highly likely that the NeXtBox will continue to be the biggest selling console in North America. Sony has its work cut out.
@Gamer83 I'm glad you said that and not me!
@Paranoimia
LOL, I don't know about others but eventhough I'm from the U.S. I wouldn't have taken offense if you posted how dumb consumers over here can be. It's true that American consumers are by far the easiest to fool. To be fair I don't know about the Canadians, I know they're much friendlier folk but don't know much about their buying habits. It's entirely possible they're harder for MS to manipulate.
@Ginkgo
The one thing Sony has going for it is that it has dominated this market before. I don't believe it can ever get back to that point but if it ups the advertising it could be closer this time. MS' advertising is fantastic though and it does have some excellent exclusives in Halo, Gears and Forza. It'll be interesting to see how the next gen plays out.
@TheRealBatman LMAO! Your comment made my day
Well at least Microsoft doesn't have to worry about any competition at E3 from white-flag-waving Nintendo.
I won't buy 1, but I'm curios about the always-on. I wonder if MS delayed this so some of that bad press had time to die down?
I don't know if I'd say Nintendo is waving the white flag. The different approach to E3 this year is interesting. Most of the noise will be about the consoles from Sony and MS, Nintendo is just going to show games, sure they could do that at a big event but why go to all the money when you can just show stuff on the floor? If the games are good, they'll get their coverage and as far as announcements, there's Nintendo Direct and other shows throughout the course of the year. Who knows, maybe with the money that would've been used at E3 Nintendo will host its own event in NYC or Japan.
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