Sony pulls back curtain on new PS4 console

Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Andrew House introduces the new PlayStation 4 at the Sony PlayStation E3 media briefing in Los Angeles, Monday, June 10, 2013. Sony is giving gamers their first look at the PlayStation 4 and it’s a rectangular black box, just like all the previous PlayStations. AP/Jae C. Hong

LOS ANGELES – Sony on Monday provided the world the first look at its new PlayStation 4 console, promising to combine its film, music, television and game strengths in a powerhouse home entertainment box.

Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House touted the next-generation videogame consoles as being built for the future while, at the same time, saying the company was remaining true to its successor the PlayStation 3.

“This is a completely new platform and, in many ways, represents a completely new PlayStation,” House said during a press event here on the eve of the premier E3 videogame expo.

“We are more than ever capitalizing on the vast network of Sony divisions and the reputation of one of the biggest and most powerful entertainment brands in the world.”

The PS4 will launch with beefed up offerings at the Sony Unlimited movie and music services as the console moves to expand into a complete home entertainment center while remaining true to hardcore gamers.

As Sony sets out to win fans for the PS4, it will continue to ramp up content for PS3.

House said that PlayStation will be available in the US and Europe by the year-end holiday season for a price of $399 ($399 Euros or $349 pounds).