The marketing/PR will decide everything. If we learned anything from the initial PS3 launch, and to some extent the current Wii U dilemma, a new Xbox doesn't translate to an automatic success just based on how successful the 360 has been. Everyone can trip up. But the gamer in me feels Sony is working the hardest right now to try and deliver in the games department. They seem more focused as of late, in a out-for-blood sort of way.

Maybe it's just because I'm impressed with how they continue to support the PS3 with exclusive content, though admittedly with varying degrees of success. Still I feel they'll come out with a stronger launch line-up of games compared to Microsoft. But all the new Xbox needs is a new Halo game to guarantee millions sold.

Sony kicked their own ass with a ridciulous price.

Bingo this man gets it

For example if the share button features are true it could very well mean sony beat MS to the punch with it because it was long rumored Durango was also testing a similar concept. 

This early reveal would only be a bad thing if the reveal itself is bad. This event won't be only about ps4 either you know ;) 

i don't think your pro/cons make sense.  your pro will apply to both MS and sony regardless of announcement order. your negatives aren't true.  price will be based on each console maker's cost to manufature.  specs are too late to change.  as i see it announcing first means..

Pro:  if MS's console has many of the same features the MS's excitement will be dulled as we "saw that already"

Con: if MS has something truly unique from sony than sony's hype could be cut short.

..in the end the announcement order won't be very impactful.  it will really come down to who's product is more enticing.

Doesn't matter who releases first. I think its better for the Nextbox to be revealed later than the PS4 cause then it can steal its hype especially if its more impressive. The thing that matters most is, which will be sold first. If the PS4 went on sale before the Nextbox, that could really hurt the Nextbox and vice versa.

I don't think it makes a big difference either way.

If both are unveiled prior to E3 that's a long ways ahead of November to build hype.

Don't mention price, but mention specs, except undershoot them and when it actually releases have it be more powerful. Call it, "last minute changes." Problem solved.

I think the Playstation brand is still strong. Not as strong as it once was. But it still has the potential to be the sales leader of a console generation.

Bad for Sony when it comes to price. Even if they don't announce a price MS can get a good feel as to how much they would charge. Would put MS in place to take losses on the console by going cheaper if need be.

Could potentially be very bad for Sony if they reveal too much in terms of secrets/features that MS could copy in short term like the supposed video sharing and what not.

Everything else? Positive, positive, positive for Sony as long as they show everything right. The ball is in Sony's hands.

A) Microsoft undercut Sony? How much does a 360 cost? The same as a PS3 you say, and it doesn't have blu-ray, cheaper to make too? huh....

B) Whatever console Microsoft and Sony have, they aren't going to be making any serious changes. Developers already had Dev Kits, and Prototypes already exist. To boost the NextBox's power to outperform the PS4 at this stage would mean to forfit the 2013 release window.



So long as Sony doesn't announce a price, MS can't do anything to retaliate, but announce their system.