PS4 launches in North America, first shared game pictures go live
PlayStation 4 has officially launched in the States, and gamers are already sharing their experience with the world using Sony's share functionality. Sample the start of the next generation here.
We'll be updating this feed with PS4 launch news and details as they drop from today and throughout the weekend. Stay tuned!
UPDATE ONE:
Sony has issued an update on reports that some PS4 consoles have bricked since launch. The company confirmed that only 0.4% of all console sold so far have been impacted. Read the full statement on the issue here.
ORIGINAL POST: Sony has released PS4 in North America seven years after PS3 first hit stores. It follows months of anticipation from fans and speculation from the press. It hit stores last night, along with this launch trailer.
It follows reviews of both the console and its first-party launch line-up. We've compiled all of the scores and impressions in the feeds below for your consideration. So far, Housemarque's shooter Resogun is the highest-scoring release.
Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has said he's disappointed in low scores for Knack, but remains confident in the PS4's launch success. Judging by the images and reports below, we'd argue he's not got too much to worry about.
Eager gamers queued up outside Best Buys across the country to be among the first to experience the next generation of Sony gaming in the comfort of their own home. GI.biz posted this shot of a Best Buy in Toronto, 11 hours before the PS4 release:
The site was also in New York, where Sony held a launch event. It's the same show that saw Uncharted 4 revealed for PS4, where inFamous: Second Son was given a solid release date, and where Hideo Kojima confirmed some PS4-exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes 'Deja Vu' DLC.
Here's a GI.biz photo from the event:
Early yesterday, retail stores in Toronto like Electronics Boutique and Future Shop, the site noted the absence of PS4 queues, primarily because they were only catering to pre-order customers. However, come 4pm yesterday US time, queues had most definitely started to form outside the local Best Buy:
By the evening, those queues were most certainly getting bigger and many stores in area were ramping up their parties with loud music, freebies, cosplayers and a general buzz of excitement. As release drew near, Microsoft's Phil Spencer offered some kind words to Sony's top brass over on Twitter:
With over 200 people queuing at Toronto's Electronics Boutique in the end, and some 100 at Future Shop, tension was growing high with many gamers expressing their relief that the console was finally coming out. GameStop president Tony Bartel even took time to walk the crowd outside one his own stores to meet the players. The floodgates finally opened at midnight and PS4 was officially deemed 'on sale.' Gamers have since rushed home to play their new console and have begun posting screenshots online using its new 'Share' functionality, and the hashtag #PS4share.
Here's a feed of neat images coming out of the community. We'll update this as more shots appear online. Killzone player Keith Anthony posted this delightful image of Killzone: Shadow Fall on Twitter:
While Kyle Prahl took a shot of this sweeping Helghast-heavy vista:
Here's another shot of the shooter from an ecstatic Sidney:
JVB seems to have hopped right on to Killzone: Shadow Fall multiplayer:
Joshua Mobley feels like he's in Die Hard while playing Killzone:
Meanwhile, Masky opted for Assassin's Creed 4:
Khalid H. stopped at the start of Assassin's Creed 4 to ponder the PS4 foliage:
Even Shuhei Yoshida got in on the sharing fun. Here he is playing Flower:
It seems this guy is lonely on Call of Duty: Ghosts, as only 3,000-odd people are playing it right now:
Aaron Cornwall reckons the PS4 version looks way better than current-gen though:
On the other side of the shooter fence, Hurricane has been marveling at Battlefield 4's lighting effects:
Noire Yoshida has been checking out all the free PS4 games on PSN. Here's a snap-shot of the store:
We'll be updating this feed throughout today and across the weekend with PS4 launch news as it drops. Stay tuned.
PS4 launches on November 29 in the UK, Europe and Australia.