PS4 Unbound from Constant Internet Connection: Speculation Suggests Variance in 2014 UK Rollout Schedule
Loosening Up About the PlayStation 4
In a Nutshell
The PlayStation 4 doesn't require an Internet connection all the time and it comes equipped with a powerful GPU thanks to AMD. However, there's a downside as PlayStation Network games and saves from the PlayStation 3 won't be compatible with the PS4. But fear not! Sony is reportedly working on a compromise solution.
Here's the lowdown on the PS4, straight from the horse's mouth. In just a few hours, we'll set off from New York, post the sensational unveiling of the PlayStation 4. We're going to have a heart-to-heart with Sony Europe CEO Jim Ryan and Ubisoft chief Yves Guillemot. They might shed some light on some burning questions surrounding the PS4, but with the cat already out of the bag, some of Sony's honchos appear to have spilled their secrets prematurely.
Sony's Delay? Not Likely!
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that the PlayStation 4 would be delayed till 2014 in Europe, considering Sony's past patterns. But fear not, PlayStation Prima Donnas! The rumors of a delay were baseless. While the exact UK launch date isn't nailed down, the PS4 typically graces major markets like the UK within days or weeks of its North American debut.
That's not to say that delays are impossible, but based on the available info, such a delay seems far-fetched. In reality, the PS4 zapped its way into North America on November 15, 2013, and similar to the PS3's European release in March 2007, the PS4's UK date isn't far behind.
Connect to Play or Live for No Reason?
The tech heads can breathe a sigh of relief! The PlayStation 4 won't force you to keep an Internet connection at all times. Sony, being the persuasive pitchmen that they are, will do their level best to convince you to stay online as much as possible.
As for the tech specs, it's official! The PlayStation 4 packs a 6x speed Blu-Ray drive and is powered by AMD's next-gen Radeon graphics technology, all crammed onto a single chip. The main processor is an AMD 'Jaguar' running eight cores capable of 1.84 teraflops of processing power, and the PS4 has an 8GB GDDR5 memory pool.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The good news is that you can play your PS4 games without an uninterrupted Internet connection. The bad news is that your PlayStation Network games and saves from the PlayStation 3 won't be playable on the PS4. But Sony promises they've got a solution in the works.
So there you have it! Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual gamer, the PlayStation 4 has something to offer. There's always more to come, so stay tuned for updates and don't forget to share your thoughts!
(Note: Some enrichment data has been incorporated where appropriate to clarify and enhance the text.)
- The PlayStation 4, despite Sony's efforts to encourage an internet connection, doesn't mandate constant connectivity.
- Jim Ryan, Sony Europe CEO, and Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft chief, might provide insights on the PlayStation 4 when they are interviewed soon.
- Rumors about a delayed UK launch for the PlayStation 4 were unfounded, as the console was released in North America on November 15, 2013, and is expected to follow a similar timeline for its European release, much like the PS3.
- Yoshida, presumably a Sony executive, was reportedly one of those who prematurely shared information about the PlayStation 4, adding to the general-news buzz around the technology, entertainment, and gadgets industry.
