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| The PlayStation 4 has been swamped with new device and bundles from Sony in 2015 |
SONY have struck gold with the PlayStation 4, with its burgeoning line of products playing testament to the consoles healthy growth since launch in 2013.
However, this is the year that we have seen the most devices and ways to play PlayStation content, with 2016 seeing even more being added.
The PlayStation VR headset will launch next year and with it, a full rundown of entertainment resources from Sony.
The PS4 console saw its first revision this year, with a 1TB edition, doubling the amount of storage available, launching July 15 in Europe.
It now comes in a PS TV bundle that includes the standalone system with 1GB internal memory, allowing for game saves or small-sized downloadable content.
The PS TV won’t be for everyone but does allow for PlayStation Now access, a way to play PlayStation 3 games via streaming over an Internet connection.
As with PS Vita, PS TV also supports PS4 Remote Play, allowing PS4 users to continue playing a game enabled for remote play on a PS TV system in another room.
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| The inclusion of Spotify on PS4 as an exclusive is an impressive move by Sony |
The PlayStation Now cloud gaming service is another part of Sony’s overall gaming strategy, who also has plans to expand the library in the future to include games released on previous PlayStation consoles.
The service is Sony's attempt at offering backwards compatibility through the PlayStation 4 and also benefits from the purchase of Gaikai in 2012, a company which provides technology for the streaming of high-end video games.
The service is different to Microsoft's recently announced backwards compatibility on Xbox One as this allows users to play Xbox 360 games that they have previously purchased digitally or disc games that will require a download to play.
The 1TB PlayStation 4 also comes in a new Black Ops 3 Limited Edition bundle, featuring the Call of Duty: Black Ops III ember orange logo on a Jet Black chassis, coloured power and eject buttons, as well as three emblems on the front each representing a game mode.
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| The PlayStation Store is a key component to Sony's expanding range |
These systems on offer from Sony are all underpinned by the PlayStation Store, which includes a range of video games, films and TV shows to rent and buy.
Titles such as Games of Thrones, True Detective and PlayStation's own comic book adaption, Powers, are available through the store for a price.
Videos can also be watched through the web, on an Xperia phone device, or a smartphone.
The full list of compatible devices can be found below:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation Store on PS3
- PlayStation Vita
- PSP
- BRAVIA Televisions
- Sony Internet TV powered by Google
- Blu-ray Disc Players
- Blu-ray Home Theatre Systems
- Sony Netbox
- Xperia Phones and Tablets
The PlayStation Music offering has also seen a change this year, with Spotify taking over the reigns and becoming available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Xperia devices.
Put together in March, this new deal gives access to fan devices in 41 markets around the world and is an exclusive partnership.
It means PS4 users have the added bonus of choosing their own soundtrack from the app for their gaming sessions.
It’s an ever expanding system of interconnecting services that will need to be kept fresh with content and up to speed with what fans really want from such a diverse network.
All of these devices in 2015 have their pros and drawbacks, PlayStation Now for example is great for enabling you to rent an old title and relive the magic.
However, a solid internet connection is a must to avoid frustration.
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