PS4 launches Nov. 15 in North America, Nov. 29 in Europe
Sony confirms 1 million preorders for next-gen system, announces discounts for next-gen upgrades on big games
The PlayStation 4 will launch in North America November 15, with a European bow to follow on November 29. Sony confirmed the release dates today as part of its Gamescom press conference, adding that the system will roll out in a total of 32 countries this holiday season.
Before announcing the dates, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House also touted the company's success in building anticipation for the system. To date, he said the PS4 has attracted more than 1 million preorders globally.
House also used the event to unveil a new next-gen upgrade program, saying gamers who purchase the PS3 versions of select games will be able to buy digital versions of their next-gen counterparts at "a significantly discounted price."
Games already confirmed for the program include Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. House said Sony is also working to expand the number of publishers participating in the discount deals.
Similar upgrade incentives have been offered for Xbox One titles lately. Amazon and GameStop both have programs allowing players who purchase an Xbox 360 version of select games to trade that title in toward the purchase of an Xbox One edition, which they can they obtain for $10.
Edit: Sorry I'm very amateur at being professional.
Edited 1 times. Last edit by Frank Trottier on 20th August 2013 9:55pm
Now, there seems to be a lack of actual excitement other than the adrenaline rush some get from complaining about staggered releases from all corners of the map. Eh, whatever - it's not like the earth will explode between those two dates, right?
(Hmm... then again...)
There's no advantage to the consumer other than bragging rights and knowing you're playing next gen stuff I suppose.
Plus, with my Steam, PS2 and X360 backlog another year won't be nearly enough :)
From an (independent) UK/Europe gaming website owners point of view 2 weeks is a long time and may as well be a year!, by the time we get the console in Europe it would have been reviewed to death, as would all of the launch titles.. Sony done the same to us with the PS3 which released in Nov 2006 in the US and 23rd March 2007 in Europe...
If the biggest release in terms of sales (CoD franchise) can launch globally same day every year, then all other titles should be able to follow suit...
Almost every retail game that's released is released in North America before the UK & Europe. Gamer's in Europe and the UK are just as keen to play new games as they are in North America, and as such shouldn't keep being treated as second class or an afterthought..
@ Steven Hodgson: It's a playstation, so there will always be system updates and title update after system / title updates before you can play your new game or browse the PSN Store.. ;-)
Excited about both consoles and for the first time ever expecting to own both !
It is interesting. Sony's decision to allow used game sales during E3 decimated Microsoft, and branded them as the 'bad guys'.
Now that Microsoft have changed their stance on used game sales, they have no choice but to go all in to try and sway current 360 owners from jumping ship and joining the Sony Camp.
This discount is great incentive. But it is funny how it lies in stark contrast with the policies they sought to impose pre E3.