PlayStation 4
Lead architect Mark Cerny began work on Sony's fourth video game console as early as 2008. This timeline started less than two years after the PlayStation 3 launched following months of production delays. Those delays had placed Sony almost a year behind Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was already approaching unit sales of 10 million by the time the PS3 finally arrived. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan stated that the company wanted to avoid repeating the same mistake with the successor to the PlayStation 3. In designing the system, Sony worked closely with software developer Bungie. Bungie offered their input on the controller and how to make it better for shooting games. By 2012, Sony began shipping development kits to game developers. These kits consisted of a modified PC running the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit chipset. Developers referred to these kits as Orbis. In early 2013, Sony announced an event known as PlayStation Meeting 2013 would be held in New York City, U.S., on the 20th of February 2013. The event covered the future of PlayStation. Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 at this gathering. It revealed details about the console's hardware and discussed some of the new features it would introduce. Sony also showed off real-time footage of games in development during the presentation. The design of the console was unveiled in June at E3 2013. The initial recommended retail prices were set at $399 for North America, €399 for Europe, and £349 for the UK. Sony took advantage of problems Microsoft had been having with their positioning of the newly announced Xbox One. This included its higher price point of $499 in North America and strict regulations on how users could share game media. Besides its lower price point, Sony focused on the ease one would have in sharing media with the PS4. The company revealed release dates for North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia at a Gamescom press event in Cologne, Germany, on the 20th of August 2013. The console was released on the 15th of November 2013, in the United States and Canada. Further releases followed on the 29th of November 2013. By the end of 2013, the PS4 was launched in more European, Asian, and South American countries. The PS4 was released in Japan at ¥39,980 on the 22nd of February 2014. Sony finalized a deal with the Chinese government in May 2014 to sell its products in mainland China. The PS4 was the first product to be released under this agreement. Kazuo Hirai, chief executive officer of Sony, said in May that the Chinese market was potentially very large for video game products. He stated they hoped to replicate the kind of success they had with PS4 in other parts of the world within China.
The technology in the PlayStation 4 is similar to the hardware found in modern personal computers. This familiarity is designed to make it easier and less expensive for game studios to develop games for the PS4. The system uses an Accelerated Processing Unit developed by AMD in cooperation with Sony. It combines a central processing unit and graphics processing unit along with other components such as a memory controller and video decoder. The CPU consists of two 28 nm quad-core Jaguar modules totaling eight 64-bit x86-64 cores. Seven of these cores are available for game developers to use. The GPU consists of 18 compute units to produce a theoretical peak performance of 1.84 TFLOPS. The system's GDDR5 memory runs at a maximum clock frequency of 2.75 GHz or 5500 MT/s. It has a maximum memory bandwidth of 176 GB per second. The console contains 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, which is 16 times the amount of RAM found in the PS3. This gives the console considerable longevity. Secondary custom chips handle tasks associated with downloading, uploading, and social gameplay. These tasks can be handled in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode. The console also contains an audio module that supports in-game chat and a very large number of audio streams for use in-game. All PlayStation 4 models support high dynamic range color profiles. Its read-only optical drive reads Blu-ray Discs at speeds up to three times that of its predecessor. The console features a hardware on-the-fly zlib decompression module. The original PS4 model supports up to 1080p and 1080i video standards. The Pro model supports 4K resolution. The console includes a 500 gigabyte hard drive for additional storage, which users can upgrade. System Software 4.50 released on the 9th of March 2017 enabled the use of external USB hard drives up to 8 TB for additional storage. The PlayStation 4 features Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity along with Bluetooth and two USB 3.0 ports. An auxiliary port connects to the PlayStation Camera motion detection digital camera device first introduced on the PS3. A mono headset plugs into the DualShock 4 controller bundled with the system. Audio/video output options include HDMI TV and optical S/PDIF audio. The console does not have analog audio/video output. The PS4 features Rest mode which places the console in a low-power state while allowing users to immediately resume their game or app once awoken. The console downloads content such as game and OS updates while in this state.
The DualShock 4 is PlayStation 4's primary controller maintaining a similar design to previous iterations of the DualShock series but with additional features and design refinements. Among other tweaks, the caps of the analog sticks received a concave design similar to the Xbox 360 controller. The shape of the triggers and shoulder buttons was refined. The D-pad buttons received a steeper downward angle to provide a resting space in the center for the user's thumb. Hand grips were made thicker and given microtexturing to improve their feel. A major addition to the DualShock 4 is a touchpad capable of detecting up to two simultaneous touch presses. It can also be pressed down as a button. The Start and Select buttons were replaced by Options and Share buttons. The latter allows access to the PlayStation 4's social features including streaming, video recording, and screenshot tools. The DualShock 4 is powered by a non-removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery charged using its micro USB connector. The controller features an internal speaker and headphone jack for headsets or headphones. The console bundles a pair of headset earbuds. The controller's motion tracking system is more sensitive than those of the PlayStation 3 controllers. An LED light bar added to the front of the controller allows the PlayStation Camera accessory to further track its motion. This light bar can also provide visual effects and feedback within games such as reflecting a player's low health by turning red. Although the PS4 and DualShock 4 continue to use Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, the console is incompatible with PlayStation 3 controllers. An exception are the PlayStation Move motion controllers originally released for PS3 which are officially supported for use with the PlayStation Camera. In October 2013 Shuhei Yoshida stated on Twitter that the DualShock 4 would support basic functions when attached to a PC. In August 2016 Sony unveiled an official USB wireless adapter for the DualShock 4 enabling use of all the controller's functionality on PC. In December 2016 Valve's Steam platform updated to provide support and controller customization functionality for DualShock 4 through existing APIs for the Steam Controller. A revision of the DualShock 4 released alongside the Slim and Pro models in 2016 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 shines through. The controller can communicate non-wirelessly when connected to the console over USB.
The PlayStation 4 operating system is called Orbis OS based upon a customized FreeBSD 9. The console does not require an Internet connection for usage although more functionality is available when connected. The interface introduces a customizable menu called the PlayStation Dynamic Menu featuring a variety of color schemes. The interface displays the player's profile recent activity notifications and other details including unlocked trophies. 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 connect to PlayStation Network accounts making it easier to recognize friends. Anna Peel reported on the 15th of November 2013 that Facebook Inc integrated with PS4 for gamer identity value. 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. Services from third-party vendors such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video access within the interface. Multitasking occurs during gameplay by opening the browser or managing party chat. Switching between applications happens by double-tapping the PS button. The PlayStation Camera or microphone enables the user to control the system using voice input. Players command the interface to start a game take screenshots and save videos. Saying PlayStation initiates voice control while All Commands displays a list of possible commands. Operating manuals dated the 28th of October 2014 detail these voice capabilities. The PlayStation 4 supports Blu-ray and DVD playback including 3D Blu-ray. Playing CD is no longer supported since the console lacks an infrared 780 nm laser. Custom music and video files play from USB drives and DLNA servers using the Media Player app. Users access free and premium PlayStation Network services including the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus subscription service. PlayStation Music powered by Spotify allows listening to music. The PlayStation Video subscription service lets owners rent or buy TV shows and films à la carte. A United States-exclusive cloud-based television-on-demand service known as PlayStation Vue began beta testing in late November 2014. Sony intends to expand and evolve the services it offers over the console's lifespan. Unlike PS3 a PlayStation Plus membership required accessing multiplayer in most games. This requirement does not apply to free-to-play or subscription-based games. Support documentation from the 3rd of November 2014 confirms online multiplayer requirements.
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. John Carmack programmer and co-founder of id Software commended the design saying Sony made wise engineering choices. Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Software expressed satisfaction with the amount of high-speed memory in the console. Eurogamer called the graphics technology in the PS4 impressive and an improvement from difficulties developers experienced on the PlayStation 3. Numerous industry professionals acknowledged the PlayStation 4 performance advantage over the Xbox One. Speaking to Edge magazine multiple game developers described the difference as significant and obvious. ExtremeTech says the PS4 graphics processing unit offers a serious advantage over the competition but due to cross-platform development nature games sharing same assets appear very similar. In other scenarios designers tap some of PS4 additional power in straightforward manner boosting frame rate or output at higher resolution. Games from Sony own first-party studios taking full advantage of hardware probably look significantly better than anything on Xbox One. Sebastian Anthony reported for ExtremeTech on the 22nd of November 2013 comparing final hardware specs. Jack Tretton explicitly stated during Sony E3 press conference there would be no restrictions on resale and trading of PS4 games on physical media. Software product development head Scott Rohde specified that Sony planned to disallow online passes as well. Policies designed to be consumer-friendly extremely retailer-friendly and extremely publisher-friendly. After Sony E3 2013 press conference IGN responded positively to Sony attitude towards indie developers and trading games stating most gamers agree if you care about games like Sony do you will buy a PlayStation 4. PlayStation 4 removable and upgradable hard drive drew praise from IGN with Scott Lowe commenting decision gave console another advantage over Xbox One whose hard drive cannot be accessed. GameSpot called PlayStation 4 gamer's choice for next-generation citing price lack restrictive digital rights management and Sony efforts acknowledge consumers respect audience. The PlayStation 4 received very positive reviews by critics. Scott Lowe of IGN gave it an 8.2 rating out of 10 praising DualShock 4 design and social integration features. He criticized console lack software features underutilizing DualShock 4 touch pad. The Gadget Show gave similar review complimenting new triggers control sticks plus Remote Play feature yet criticized system lack media support at launch. IGN compared Xbox One and PlayStation 4 over various categories allowing readers vote preferred system. PS4 won every category offered earning People's Choice Award. Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku reported differences in early games such as Call of Duty Ghosts Assassin Creed IV Black Flag running at 1080p on PS4 but 720p and 900p respectively on Xbox One. Demand for PlayStation 4 was strong. In August 2013 Sony announced placement over million preorders for console while North American launch alone sold one million units. UK PlayStation 4 became best-selling console at launch selling 250,000 consoles within 48-hour period and 530,000 first five weeks. On the 7th of January 2014 Andrew House announced Consumer Electronics Show keynote speech that 4.2 million PS4 units sold-through end 2013 with more than 9.7 million software units sold. Gematsu reported this sales figure on the 18th of February 2014. By February 8 it had sold over 5.3 million console units following release onto North American Western Central European markets. Within first two days release Japan during weekend the 22nd of February 2014 sold 322,083 consoles according to Famitsu. PS4 software unit sales surpassed 20.5 million the 13th of April 2014. During Japan 2013 fiscal year heightened demand helped Sony top global console sales beating Nintendo first time eight years. Data released by Nielsen August 2014 showed nine months after release thirty-one percent sales to existing Wii Xbox 360 owners none owned PS3. Eddie Makuch reported for GameSpot the 26th of August 2014. At Gamescom 2014 announced 10 million PS4 units sold-through consumers worldwide November 13 announced PlayStation 4 top-selling console U.S tenth consecutive month. First sales announcement 2015 confirmed January 4 sold-through 18.5 million PlayStation 4 units. Updated sell-through figures throughout 2015 reached over 20 million over 30 million over 35 million end 2015. the 22nd of May 2016 total worldwide sell-through reached 40 million. December 2018 over 91 million consoles more than 876 million PlayStation 4 games sold worldwide. October 2019 PS4 sold 102.8 million times making second best-selling video game console all time behind PlayStation 2. PlayStation 4 holds market share at least 70% within all European countries.
The PlayStation 4 produced in various models original Slim and Pro. Successive models added removed features each model variations Limited Edition consoles. On the 7th of September 2016 Sony announced hardware revision model number CUH-2000 known colloquially as PlayStation 4 Slim phasing out original model. Revision smaller form factor rounded body matte finish top rather two-tone finish 40% smaller size original model. Two USB ports front updated newer USB 3.1 standard larger gap between them optical audio port removed. Model supports USB 3.1 Bluetooth 4.0 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. Released the 15th of September 2016 with 500 GB model same price original version PlayStation 4. the 18th of April 2017 Sony replaced base model 1 TB version same MSRP. PlayStation 4 Pro codenamed Neo model number CUH-7000 announced the 7th of September 2016 launched worldwide the 10th of November 2016. Upgraded version improved hardware enable 4K rendering improved PlayStation VR performance including upgraded GPU 4.2 teraflops processing power hardware support checkerboard rendering higher CPU clock. PS4 Pro also supports USB 3.1 Bluetooth 4.0 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. Includes 1 GB DDR3 memory swap non-gaming applications running background allowing games utilize additional 512 MB console GDDR5 memory. Capable streaming 4K video PS4 Pro does not support Ultra HD Blu-ray. Pro model release price $399 NA €399 Europe £349 UK. Games marketed by Sony as PS4 Pro Enhanced specific optimizations played model such 4K resolution graphics higher performance. For games not specifically optimized option Boost Mode added system software 4.5 force higher CPU GPU clock rates possibly improve performance. Rendering games 4K resolution achieved various rendering techniques hardware features. PlayStation technical chief Mark Cerny explained Sony could brute force 4K compromising form factor cost so designed support streamlined rendering techniques using custom hardware best-in-breed temporal spatial anti-aliasing algorithms many new features AMD Polaris architecture even beyond it. Most prominent technique used checkerboard rendering wherein console renders portions scene using checkerboard pattern then uses algorithms fill non-rendered segments. Screen smoothed using anti-aliasing filter. Hermen Hulst Guerrilla Games explained PS4 Pro render something perceptively close to 4K wouldn't able see difference. PS4 Pro supports Remote Play Share Play streaming up to 1080p resolution 60 frames per second capturing screenshots 2160p 1080p video 30 frames per second. Late 2017 Sony issued new PS4 Pro revision model number CUH-7100 featured updated internal components. Actual hardware specifications performance remained same original model found revised console slightly quieter fan profile operating slightly higher temperature load than CUH-7000. October 2018 Sony quietly issued another revision model number CUH-7200 initially part Red Dead Redemption 2 hardware bundles. Revision different power supply uses same type cord Slim model shown further improvements acoustics. In May 2018 during presentation investors Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera stated PlayStation 4 heading end lifecycle company anticipating decreasing year-over-year hardware sales. Explained Sony countering expected decline focusing strengthening user engagement including continued investments new first-party games other online services PS4. We use next three years prepare next step crouch down jump higher future Kodera added interview press following day. Following launch PlayStation the 5th of November 2020 Sony discontinued production Japan all but 500 GB Slim model PlayStation 4 the 5th of January 2021 standard PS4 PS4 Pro still produced western markets. Report Bloomberg News January 2022 said Sony poised discontinue PlayStation 4 end 2021 favor PlayStation 5 due global chip shortage lasted 2020 to 2023 made difficult keep up PlayStation 5 demand. Company planned continue PlayStation 4 production helping offset PlayStation 5 shortage assure deals component providers PlayStation 5. PS4 continues produced as 2025.
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Common questions
When did Mark Cerny begin work on the PlayStation 4?
Lead architect Mark Cerny began work on Sony's fourth video game console as early as 2008. This timeline started less than two years after the PlayStation 3 launched following months of production delays.
What were the initial recommended retail prices for the PlayStation 4 in different regions?
The initial recommended retail prices were set at $399 for North America, €399 for Europe, and £349 for the UK. These prices were lower than Microsoft's Xbox One which had a higher price point of $499 in North America.
How much memory does the PlayStation 4 contain compared to the PlayStation 3?
The console contains 8 GB of GDDR5 memory which is 16 times the amount of RAM found in the PS3. The system's GDDR5 memory runs at a maximum clock frequency of 2.75 GHz or 5500 MT/s with a maximum memory bandwidth of 176 GB per second.
Which date was the DualShock 4 controller officially released alongside new models?
A revision of the DualShock 4 released alongside the Slim and Pro models in 2016 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 shines through.
When did Sony announce the discontinuation of PlayStation 4 production in Japan?
Following launch on the 5th of November 2020 Sony discontinued production in Japan all but 500 GB Slim model. The standard PS4 and PS4 Pro were still produced in western markets until January 2021.