See "System Specs" for relevant details about this system.
The PlayStation 4 is the upcoming successor of the PlayStation 3 (well, duh). No bullshit used games restrictions, $399, region-free, though you need PS+ to play multiplayer now ($5/month, $50/year. Free-to-play titles will remain exactly the way they sound, however - free to play). PS+ will also come with two free games per month in order to compensate the players. The free games could be either PS3, Vita or PS4 titles, most of which are cross-compatible between Sony game systems. Moreover, if you have more than one user account on PS4 and you want to play games online on all of them (Such as if every member of you family uses the PS4 individualy), it is enough if just one of these accounts has PS+, disregarding the need of multiple subscriptions.
System Specs
- 8GB GDDR5 RAM
- 8 core "Jaguar" CPU
- Blu-Ray
- Wifi with ethernet port in back
- HDMI in-out
- USB 3.0
- Orbis OS (derived from FreeBSD 9)
As seen above, the PS4 has similar specs to its main rival, the Xbox One, having an edge in regards to RAM memory, as the PS4 employs the GDDR5 variety of said component as opposed to the GDDR3 used on Microsoft's device. This particular advantage might allow the Playstation 4 to outperform the Xbox One on RAM intensive tasks and games. In games like those from TES and Fallout franchises, this particular trait would be especially helpful.
Supposedly, the PS4 OS will also benefit from its single-layer nature when compared to the competition, as the Xbox One uses Windows along with its main OS to operate.
Backward compatibility-wise, peripherals such as the Move controller, headset, USB devices and, possibly, the Media/Blu-ray Remote Control will be be compatible with the PS4. PS Network downloaded games will still be playable on the PS4, but not discs (probably).