PlayStation 4 Neo reveal rumored for September 7 event in NYC

By Brad Jones August 8, 2016

playstation 4 400 update sharing stream — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rumors are circulating that Sony will officially unveil its PlayStation 4 Neo console at an event in New York City, scheduled to take place on September 7.

Ahead of this year’s E3 event, word began to spread that Sony was working on an enhanced version of its PlayStation 4 hardware that was better suited to the demands of its PlayStation VR peripheral.

However, E3 2016 came and went without the project being revealed, as Sony opted to focus in on software rather than hardware. Meanwhile, Microsoft showed off a slim version of its Xbox One, and even teased an even more powerful version of the system code-named Project Scorpio.

While Sony chose not to exhibit the Neo at E3, speculation about the console did prompt the company to comment on its development. Just a few days ahead of the event, a representative confirmed the existence of the project — but most of the information we have about the hardware comes from leaks, rather than official sources.

If Neo is intended to improve the PlayStation VR experience, then it would make sense for the hardware to launch in the same release window as the headset. Sony plans to unleash its take on virtual reality this October, so a September reveal for the revised console seems believable.

There’s another factor that adds credence to the idea that Sony will spill the beans on Neo next month. Nintendo is expected to unveil its NX on September 12, according to a report from MCV, which would allow Sony to steal some of its rival’s thunder.

However, a September 7 reveal in New York would be unusual, considering that Sony could use the bigger platform of the Tokyo Game Show just eight days later. One thing seems clear — September looks poised to be a big month for the video game industry.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…

Gaming

I would buy a PlayStation Portal 2 if it had this one feature

A Pulse Elite, DualSense, and PlayStation Portal sit on a table.

I've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the PlayStation Portal since it launched. Initially, I was disappointed by Sony's cloud streaming device. I was impressed with its screen and appreciated its DualSense integration, but its slimmeddown features made it feel like a cheap version of a good idea. I've since learned to find a use case for my PlayStation Portal that turned it into an integral part of my gaming setup. It's very imperfect, but that doesn't mean it's not useful.

Ever since its launch, I've been hoping for a refreshed follow-up, whether that be a Pro model or a true PlayStation Portal 2. It may be way too early to start discussing that considering that the Portal just launched in November 2023, but the promising device has enough glaring flaws that I'd welcome a fast-tracked successor. If Sony were to make a PlayStation Portal 2, though, there's one feature that's nonnegotiable: Bluetooth.

Gaming

Sony shows off a futuristic PlayStation controller, but don’t get too excited

A concept controller from Sony. IT shows two joysticks on either side of a ring.

In its annual corporate strategy meeting, Sony debuted a video that featured a blink-and-you'll-miss-it concept for a redesigned game controller.

The presentation, which you can watch below, was dedicated to talking about Sony's future "creative entertainment vision," and included a lot of talk about the metaverse, mixed reality, and what it perceives as the future of game development. During a segment that showed off many futuristic-looking devices, you can see a circular controller working with a projected screen.

Gaming

You can play this 2018 open-world hit for free if you have PlayStation Plus

Arthur Morgan walks into a burning house in Red Dead Redemption 2.

If you somehow haven't played the 2018 open-world classic Red Dead Redemption 2 yet and you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, we have good news. PlayStation announced in a blog post Wednesday that the game will be available for free for the Plus program's Extra and Premium tiers.

Subscribers can play this massive hit, along with 12 other games, starting on May 21. Users will also get access to Red Dead Online, the game's multiplayer experience that allows players to create their own character and mess around inside the world as they see fit -- from forming a group of outlaws to rob people on the road to hunting animals.