A late European launch is sort of obligatory for Sony products The PSX, PS2, PSP and PS3 all arrived late in Europe. The Vita was the exception but I guess more due to the US launch being delayed. Looking back... man, we were so pissed when Sony announced the EU PSP release would be 9 months after the Japan launch. Actually, tradition requires a worldwide release announcement, subsequent months of rumors and speculation about "delays in production" and then an official Sony press release late in the year confirming the delay (going hand in hand with internet meltdowns of course).

...gotta love traditions, right?

I seriously doubt this would be the case. MS will have the same issues as Nintendo and Sony, that is why Europe is always last.

I would turn it around and say MS ought to be careful Sony don't get an early foothold in the N.America.

Yeah, I remember the dreamcast controller. Maybe something like that indeed.

I remember the outrage of PSP and how badly I wanted a PSP after people showed of their imported psp from Japan, I was even counting down the seconds months before release lol.

That's dedication right there

The PS2 launch was even worse. I remember magazines going "yes, it's better than Dreamcast graphics!" and we were all like "better than Dreamcast? No way!" Comparing graphics was really hard when all we had were low-res screens in printed magazines lol. And then suddenly everyone was watching DVD's on their PS2.

...Yeah, I'd actually like them breaking with tradition this time

There already is with the PS3. Check out the cross controller DLC for LIttleBigPlanet 2 or some vidoes for Sly Cooper 4.

It should be much easier to make games and use asynchronous with the PS4. The PS3 is just too old and complicated to match up that well with the Vita.

With a dedicated touch pad on the DualShock 4 I'm convinced the Vita can serve as a PS4 controller itself. I don't know if it will utilize dual screen options for non gaming purposes or not but at least the touch screen controls will be fully integrated into the PS4 which really just makes a home console more user friendly and one of the great things about the Wii U.

Touch screen contoller? Come on... I hope these rumors are false.

It's not a touch screen... it's a touch pad like Vita.

I don't see at all how it is something in between the wiiu and dreamcast controller. According to this report it is just a small touchpad but no screen at all. The touchpad is based on the rear touchpad on the vita. It could be a very nice addition though as you can use it without taking your eyes off the tv screen. You could still perform a variety of short swipes on it which could provide for some intuitive options.

whaaat? :(
just gimme ps4 in 2013

MYE on Gaf made this mockup. Looks probably about right, but I doubt they'll follow MS layout.