Sony officially announced the PlayStation 4 on February 20, 2013. This marks the fourth entry into the global brand. At its core, PlayStation has always been a video game console, marketed for gamers (hardcore) and enthusiasts; Those who wish to experience the technology Sony continues to offer through each iteration of the platform. Games are the meat of the machine and Sony, more than any other console developer, delivers on all fronts.

A Fresh Start

The PlayStation, Sony Computer Entertainment's first console, entered the market in 1994. It was originally a joint-project with Sony and Nintendo meant as an add-on to the Super Nintendo (SNES) game console. After a contract dispute between both companies, Nintendo secretly (rumored) parted ways and dropped the disc-based project. Ken Kutaragi, Sony Lead Engineer expanded on the disc-based medium and resulted in the PlayStation. Widely known as "The Father of the PlayStation," Ken Kutaragi brought Sony into the fifth console generation. Able to play only CD-ROM based games Sony PlayStation quickly became the best-selling game console and dethroned Nintendo as the dominant video game system in the market.

The Industry Giant

Since their inauguration, Sony has become a dominant figure in the gaming industry. Platforms include the PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, PS VITA, and the upcoming PlayStation 4 video game console. With the release of the PS2, Sony defined themselves once again as the most popular gaming platform and its system, until this day, is the best-selling console of all time. In spite of this, when the PlayStation 3 launched, Sony landed at the bottom of the barrel.

A Titan Falls...

At the start of the current generation Microsoft's Xbox 360 had garnered a large number of gamers with its release an entire year earlier; a key problem during the PS3 launch. Even with the superior graphics and technology of the PS3, its $599 price tag was too much of a deterrent for gamers to overcome. It took the entire generation to catch up, finally surpassing their competition in sales—great indeed, considering their late arrival. The constant progress of PlayStation Network and a steady stream of exclusive titles have pushed the system ahead of its rivals. The PlayStation 4 is expected to outweigh Microsoft's Xbox One and recapture the hardcore audience.

A New Beginning

Sony PS4 is official: The new console is fully revamped, sporting a new and improved DualShock 4 controller. It plays host to many features, from a multi-touch pad, to a front speaker with headphone support, and the light bar, fully integrated alongside the re-designed PlayStation Eye. The "Share" button allows live-streaming of game content and the ability to post those videos or screenshots to social network sites. Sony's next generation system is also supported by what matters most: Games. They revealed a line-up of new and exclusive titles set for the next-gen consoles release this holiday 2013.

Sony will continue to push the boundaries and wow gamers with future developments, all geared towards an experience only made for console gaming; to enjoy alone, online, or with friends.