Well, here we go again, ladies and gentlemen.

Even though Nintendo kick started the Eighth Generation of gaming, there was no competition to really go around for it. That is, until now.

Sure, in all realistic aspects, Nintendo is playing catch-up and is technically competing against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Those are consoles from the Seventh Generation, however, but that doesn't necessarily write off the Wii U in any aspect at all.

Yes, the first story will predominantly focus on Sony and their major announcement, just in case you were still wondering. Sure, there were a lot of other newsworthy items to mention like Rev3's Editor-In-Chief Adam Sessler coming on Fox News to give his opinion on the video game violence debate, or even XNA folding up shop.

Each story is worth reading, no doubt, but I realized something over the past few weeks: Everyone's probably read those kind of things already. So, even though I'm not guaranteeing anything, I'm going to try and shift this feature's focus on stories you may have missed that are more noteworthy. Unless, that is, there's an elephant in the room that can't be ignored (like last week's THQ bankruptcy auction).

So now that that's outta the way, it's time to hit reset with the top story of the week.

Sony announces PlayStation 4

Let's face it: This was inevitably awesome.

The video above is the teaser trailer for an announcement to be made by Sony on February 20. Edge Magazine reports that this will be the highly-anticipated PlayStation 4.

Edge's sources said the console will be "more powerful than the next Xbox." The controller is reported to have a new design, with a similar size to the DualShock controller, with a touch pad in the center of the controller similar to the Vita's back touch pad.

The anticipated launch date is expected to be Q1 2014.

I think I, as well as a few others, saw this coming when Sony ceased production for the PlayStation 2 earlier in January this year. That doesn't bring down my excitement for a new console, however.

Little is still known about the PS4, but I think it will be more than safe to say that the announcement slated for Feb. 20 will be the PS4. If it's not, there will be a great price to pay the day after for someone at Sony, with pitchforks and torches from angry fans to be abound.

Although, that's just the worst-case scenario, obviously.

Crytek employee responds to beta report with 'joke'

Oh boy! Here we go! *sigh*

The Crysis 3 beta is available and free to download! However, there are some issues, as betas tend to have those. That's why players play the beta, right? To find bugs and issues to report to developers?

Might not be the case for Crytek.

According to Gamechup, a user reported an issue on the MyCrysis forums stating they are having SLI issues and if there is any fix available to the problem at hand, or if it was a beta issue. A Crytek employee under the username CalamanDinosaur suggested the following fix:

Buy a 360?

While, yes, it's certainly intended as a joke, the forums certainly did not see it as such. So much in fact, Crytek had to release the following statement:

We would like to take a moment to send a quick apology out to our PC fan base. We are aware that early on today, in the heat of the moment and after too much caffeine, one of our staff was a bit cheeky on the forums and mentioned that a member of our community should consider replacing their hardware for a console. 

As a company we are always 100% focused on building the highest quality games on PC and console, and we will continue to do so through pushing the boundaries of our technology and employing people who are the most passionate about gaming. 

As you can imagine, I think everyone in the studio has now passed his desk to shake their fingers at him and he is extremely apologetic, he will be trying to get his foot out of his mouth for a few days.

It's all fine and dandy to have a few good laughs in this industry (I mean, heck, it's the gaming industry after all), but this was the wrong place and the wrong time to do it. Sometimes, it's just best to follow up with a more professional response as this is, after all, a profession.

Perhaps act like it is once in a while? That'd be good.

McTavish possibly leaks Uncharted 4

Oooohhh...I'm listening, Mr. Cutter!

A blog by the name of All Things Uncharted states voice actor Graham McTavish, the voice of Charlie Cutter in the Uncharted series, might have leaked, or at least hinted at, a new Uncharted game being in the works. McTavish posted on Twitter (@grahammctavish):

For Gamers...Just back from 1st day on a new project. Very hush-hush, but I think it's going to be rather good.....

While it's just a rumor, and going off of just a tweet or two, there's certainly a connection to be made.

It could definitely be Uncharted 4, but he could also be working on something else in gaming. He's not exclusive to Naughty Dog or Sony, after all. But when one sees a later tweet telling Uncharted fans to "stay tuned," one can't help but make a correlation between the two, no?

No? ...Well, maybe a small minority of us are getting our hopes up then. Hey, a man can dream, can't he?

Pachter: Nintendo got it wrong with the Wii U

I see where he's coming from, but I don't think they're "wrong."

In a news piece by NowGamer, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said Nintendo is headed in the wrong direction, and fast. Said Pachter:

I always thought Nintendo’s Wii U software forecast made no sense. The hardware guidance is disappointing, and there isn’t really anything that will get hardware moving other than a price cut. I think they got it wrong with this console, it just doesn’t capture the imagination the way that the Wii did.

Despite his pessimistic outlook on the Wii U, he does state that the initial guide to 24 million units is still on par to happen, even with an initial three million base and a 4:1 software attach rate to boot.

Pachter also said the Wii U will "not be competitive" against Sony and Microsoft in the coming future. I agree, but I disagree as well.

I agree because I believe Nintendo did shoot themselves in the foot momentarily by not doing this kind of console to compete with the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 sooner. It's like I said earlier: They're playing catch-up, but they're on par to do it well. All they need, to me, is a eye-popping exclusive outside of Bayonetta 2.

In terms of disagreement, the Wii U can be definitely competitive against Microsoft and Sony. This is Nintendo we're talking about, which means it's a company with an endless supply of X-Factor and unpredictability. That much we know.

We never know which Nintendo we see during an announcement, whether it's a "Reggielution" Nintendo or E3 2008 Nintendo. If Nintendo plays their cards right, they can be in the console business for a very long time despite their shortcomings and mistakes prior to the Wii.

In other words, never, ever assume anything, whether it be good or bad, from Nintendo. I've learned this mistake and virtue many times in the past. Only time can tell with Nintendo.

Grand Theft Auto V release date announced

Rockstar is ready this year. Are you? Well...don't answer that.

Rockstar Games posted an announcement on their official blog stating that their game, Grand Theft Auto V, will be suffering a minor setback but will release the game on September 17.

In the post, Rockstar said:

To all Grand Theft Auto fans, please accept our apologies for the delay, and our promise that the entire team here is working very hard to make the game all it can be. We are doing all we can to help ensure it will meet if not exceed your expectations come September – we thank you for your support and patience.

Patience is a virtue, and delays are usually a good thing for developers to make some fixes and tweaks to enhance the experience for the player(s).

I don't mind Rockstar taking a few months more from their intended June date, but I'm sure some people are going to be a bit pouty.

People, this is Rockstar we're talking about. Would they really take four months more to just goof around and not do anything with the game? Of course not, no developer would want to make a move like that.

Delays are a part of the business, unfortunately, and it can usually mean good things for the delayed product. Because you know what they say: Good things come to those who wait.

But I simply cannot wait, so if you'll kindly pass the crow and salt shaker, that'd be great, please and thank you.