All Articles: PlayStation Meeting 2013

Here it is, the final rumor ahead of Sony’s expected PlayStation 4/Orbis reveal tomorrow night.

Kotaku is reporting that an inside source has informed them that the PS4 will launch in November of this year at two separate price points: $429 and $529. According to Kotaku’s tipster, the retail price of the PS4 won’t be announced until after E3, and how the two packages will differ is currently unkownn.

In addition to the price and the launch date, the source revealed that Sony will begin charging for their online service. The current plan is to phase out most aspects of the free service and replace the newly beefed-up PlayStation Plus with a new subscription service dubbed PlayStation World.

Finally, Kotaku’s source has said that every PS4 will come bundled with a PlayStation Eye, every game will include a spectator mode, and the system will be controllable with a SmartGlass-like tablet/phone app.

Remember to check back tomorrow at 6 PM (Eastern Time) to see how many of these rumors turn out to be true.

The PlayStation 4/Orbis rumors continue to leak out of Sony like… well, like a rumor leaking out of Sony. I mean really, the consolemaker is just terrible about keeping secrets. Thank god they don’t run the Witness Protection Program.

This time, Destructoid has gotten their hands on a picture that is purported to show the PS4’s controller, up close and personal. A separate inside source, speaking to IGN, has stated the controller is real, but that it’s a PS4 prototype and not representative of the final design.

The image (click to enlarge) shows a standard-looking DualShock controller with a massive touchscreen affixed to the center. The analog sticks have been changed from their traditional convex shape to more closely resemble the concave sticks on the Xbox 360 controller. Finally, the d-pad buttons have been moved closer together, though they still don’t form the “plus” that the Nintendo-style pad is known for.

Oh, and what’s that blue light on the top?

Hopefully we’ll find out the answer to all of these questions next Wednesday, February 20, during Sony’s “The Future” presentation.