PS4

Xbox One or PS4? That’s the question that’s been on a lot of people’s minds, inspiring long-winded debates between diehard console fans. Microsoft took the lead, announcing (arguably) too much information, causing the minds of long-time Xbox fans to simultaneously explode and forcing the tech giant to rethink its strategy for the next generation console. Sony, realizing Microsoft’s blunder, has been keeping their cards close to their chest, letting Microsoft reveal aspects of their console first…that is until now. In a press conference held at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany, Sony officially announced the release date of the PlayStation 4 console for the US and international markets.

While Microsoft was present at Gamescom to announce exclusive titles for Xbox One (and revealed that all UK Xbox One buyers will receive a copy of FIFA 14 for free), there’s still no word on a release date for the much-anticipated console. We’re still left to wonder what day in “November 2013” we can finally rip open that jet-black package.

Sony, on the other hand, revealed that the PlayStation 4 will hit store shelves in the United States on November 15 and in Europe on November 29 of this year. It was also announced that the console will be available in 32 countries during this holiday season, but no word yet on specific release dates. It seems that Sony has learned its lesson from the late release of the PS3, which gave Microsoft’s Xbox 360 a significant head start in the console wars. With such a closely set release date between the Xbox One and PS4, this year, we’re left to wonder which console gamers will choose.

Update: Sony has also confirmed the following 15 games for release on launch day, with a further 18 scheduled to arrive by the end of the year. Any of these take your fancy?

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (Ubisoft)
Battlefield 4 (EA)
Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision)
Driveclub (SCE)
FIFA 14 (EA)
Killzone: Shadow Fall (SCE)
Knack (SCE)
Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft)
LEGO Marvel Superheroes (Warner Bros.)
Madden 25 (EA)
NBA 2K14 (2K Games)
NBA Live (EA)
Need for Speed: Rivals (EA)
Skylanders: Swap Force (Activision)
Watch Dogs (Ubisoft)

Top Image: Wikipedia
Day one software list via Joystiq