Sony announces PlayStation 4

Sony revealed the fourth generation of its PlayStation video game console during a press event in New York City on Wednesday.

The PlayStation 4 will boast high-end computing specifications typically reserved for top of the line PCs, according to its lead architect, Mark Cerny. The new devices will feature CPUs developed by Austin-based tech giant, AMD.

Its primary controller features several modifications to the traditional DualShock design - a share button for uploading game content to the internet, a touch input, and headphone jack.

Key console features described at the event were a cloud gaming service, enhanced social networking, and remote game play through Sony's portable console, the PlayStation Vita.

In addition to revealing their new hardware, Sony announced updated versions of several of their most successful games, including a new version of the Infamous and Killzone franchises. Austin developer Blizzard Entertainment announced they would bring their successful PC game, Diablo, to the PlayStation 4. They were one of several major companies to express their support for the new console following its reveal.

Sony began teasing the event on January 31st with a 45-second video that simply shared the February 20th date and promised a chance to “See the Future” of PlayStation. The news sent gaming media outlets into a nearly month long period of speculation, theorizing system features from tablet controllers to used game barriers.

During the weekend leading up to the press event, the company released several history focused spots that chronicled the technological advancements and retail success of their previous PlayStation consoles. The system series has proven to be the most consistently successful in the industry, with the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 selling 102 million, 153 million, and 70 million units respectively.

The PlayStation 4 will be released during the holiday season of 2013.

Check below for a photo gallery detailing the PlayStation's history.