"Every console gets hyped before launch by some people, but hype before reveal? That's not quite so common."

True but at the same time it's also very rare that a company hype up a supposed reveal event like this. Normally these things happen at conventions or things where people expect it and the hype is already there. They don't usually announce a special event and then be so secretive about it. I mean hell, it's tomorrow right? And we really don't even have confirmation PS4 will be there. The closest thing I can think of in terms of a hyped reveal event like this is what MS did on MTV for the 360 and everyone knew it was a next gen console reveal. I believe "next generation revealed" or something was even in the title of the show.

I'm still not sure why some of the Sony guys are upset about people saying Wii got more media attention. The thread title clearly says "before its launch". Maybe some of you guys weren't into gaming when the Wii launched? The thing was everywhere. Unlike where Sony is now with the hype regarding the PS Event, the WIi media attention was everywhere and real. Hell the PS2 might have even dwarfed the Wii. Some of you are acting as if it's stupid to compare the hype for a revealed and soon to launch Wii console to the hype of a PS4 not even officially announced and in that regard you're completely correct. But that's what the thread title asks people to do.

I actually haven't, but I don't frequent a lot of the "core gaming news" sites. I get most of my feeds from the Google News technology sections, or from the industry site, gamasutra.com .

In fairness, I'm a much older gamer, I came into the world in the era of Asteroids, Colecovision and Atari. Being in my mid 30s, there's not enough time in the day to spend hanging around the "game hype" sites. I only come by here out of old habit. =)

So I can only assess the buzz from the general world perspective, it's not reached far beyond ears who already know. When the 2/20 announcement comes out, I'm sure it'll light up the Google News technology section quite a bit, for better or worse.

yeah psvita... the problem is media attention is not an indicative of number of sales.

revolution was out of hand this is kids stuff

Ok, well then, your position is easy to understand. In your case the media will be at the show and will report about it just like they did the Wii U.

Both Xboxes were announced at special events, and I believe the PS1 and PS3 were announced at special events (PS2 was Tokyo Game Show I think). The (mainstream) hype seems to be the same to me, save for the internet gaming sites doing the hyping, because they have nothing else to do.

There's a big difference though LOL. The Wii was already confirmed by Nintendo before it's launch.

We still don't have confirmation if this is the PS4.

Big hype's usually very bad, 'cos after the unveiling everyone's usually very disappointed since the product could never hope to match people's inflated expectations.

The the point, who is the most consistant company when it comes to E3's and events? Sony. Everyone else has hit or miss moments. Sony is a straight line that does not move, but rather stays consistant whether you like them or not (this can be a bad or a good thing but eventually they hit the right spots if they miss them later on). Their only major screw up at a press event had to be when they revealed the PS3 price, thats it.

Same here.  I wouldn't know anything was going on Feb. 20th except for mentions in this site as well.  But, I was well aware of Wii before it's launch.