The PlayStation 4 (officially abbreviated as PS4) is an eighth-generation home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15 in North America, November 29 in Europe, South America and Australia, and on February 22, 2014, in Japan. It competes with Microsoft's Xbox One and Nintendo's Wii U and Switch.
The PS4 allows online gamers to share with friends and other users highlights from the games they are playing. The Live On PlayStation feature lets gamers see what others are playing and allows them to share what they are playing with the push of a controller button. Other online gaming features include being able to play games while they download and having access to the Instant Game Collection, so players can play games without having to download them.
Sony’s new controller, the DualShock 4, has a new ergonomic design as well as several new features that allow you to interact with games in a new way. The top of the controller features a touchpad, in addition to a light bar. The controller has enhanced vibration for a better experience and a built-in speaker so you can talk with other gamers via PlayStation Live without having to purchase a headset. The controller also has a headphone jack in case you do prefer to listen and interact with a headset.
The PlayStation 4 places an increased emphasis on social interaction and integration with other devices and services, including the ability to play games off-console on PlayStation Vita and other supported devices, the ability to stream gameplay online or to friends, with them controlling gameplay remotely.
The PlayStation 4 was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Sony for acknowledging its consumers' needs, embracing independent game development, and for not imposing the restrictive digital rights management schemes like those originally announced by Microsoft for the Xbox One.