PS4 News: More Confirmed Titles, Dropped Online Pass System, But Still a Loss in Australia with Expensive Price?
Now that they hype for the PS4's undeniable upper hand over competitor Xbox One, it seems that a new issues has been posed, particularly one that concerns the price tag that seemed to have been glazed over after the $399 announcements.
In a piece by The Guardian, the issue of how the PS4 will be sold at a much expensive price compared to the announced $399 for the US sale at Sony's E3 2013.
Some of the points raised in the article pertain to how it seems that Sony charges more in Australia, with the $549 AUD still without the PS4 Eye Camera to give the grand total of $600 for both the Xbox One and the PS4. And the main reason is that it can charge at a higher price, especially considering the inclusion of Australia VAT in the item.
Kotaku adds that technically, the PS4 is still $50 less than the Xbox One, and considering all the other features and the lack of restrictions that Sony has recently announced, it seems that the PS4 is still the winning console through and through.
What can be noted is that Sony has announced at its briefing that it is still exploring pricing options for its console. Given how much Sony has listened to its consumers, all the commotion in pricing in Australia might reach Sony's ears and set a pace for change.
No more Online Passes for next-gen PS4?
As though to balance out the negative vibe raised by the Australian price point on the PS4, VG 24/7 reports that Sony has now dropped the Online Pass for the PS4, with expectations that other developers will follow suit in the hopes of letting more people just truly enjoy games.
The announcement was made by Jim Ryan from SCE Europe. Though the final word on the issue of Online Passes is that the system will remain as it is with the PS3, which doesn't restrict games in the way Microsoft will with the Xbox One, it seems that Sony has sealed the deal and affirmed that there won't be any way to restrict players in using games on disc.
"Very much the way the tide is going on current-gen is that people are not pursuing the Online Pass thing. It's being dropped," said Ryan to VG 24/7. "We're dropping it ourselves."
More games on the PS4
While many PS4 games have also started to sprout on the Xbox One, there are many more additional titles for Sony's console.
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn
In an interview with Computer and Video games, Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, slated for the PS3 and PC this August, will be coming to the PS4.
As with Final Fantasy 15, Square Enix has already announced that an Xbox One version may also be in the works, though it hasn't been announced if the release date for the Xbox One will be on the same time window as the PS4.
Need for Speed: Rivals
Another title that aims to make it to the console launch--both PS4 and Xbox One--is EA's Need for Speed: Rivals. GameFront reports that the studio has already set a date for the release on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC as early as November 19.
Considering the holiday release of the consoles, time-permitting, the next-gen version may also be up and running in less than a month's time from the announced date.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
After its announcement for the Xbox One at Microsoft's briefing, Joystiq reports that Metal Gear Solid 5 is also heading to the PS4, as per the confirmation from Hideo Kojima, the series director. Aside from this, the versions for the PS3 and Xbox 360 have also been confirmed.