Sony hit the jackpot with the original PlayStation the company released in 1994, which toppled the previous kings of the video game industry, Sega and Nintendo. In 2000, the PlayStation 2 was released to even greater success, followed by the somewhat lukewarm response of the PlayStation 3 in 2006. At last, this fall, the much awaited PlayStation 4 will greet holiday shoppers, if rumors hold true.

Meanwhile Microsoft came hot on the heels of the PlayStation 2 with the original Xbox, and managed to carve out a sizeable market share in video gaming. Microsoft kept chewing away at Sony with the Xbox 360 that followed PlayStation 3.

This time however, Microsoft is breaking the trend by becoming the first of the two game console giants by being first out in revealing their next-generation device. The Xbox One was revealed with a bang this week, and at first glance it looks to be as much a TV, video, and music entertainment device as it is a gaming device.

While it's a natural trend for manufacturers to try and incorporate as many features as possible in their products, as to appeal to the broadest possible audience, the risk of being the jack-of-all-trades is that you become a master of none. In some gaming circles, concerned voices are worried the Xbox One risk losing its edge and appeal in the gaming department if it tries to be everything else at the same time.

For Sony, the PlayStation has become the proverbial goose that laid the golden eggs, and it would be unwise for its owner to get rid of it.  Not surprisingly, the company hardly harbor any such thought at the moment. As more of a teaser than anything, Sony put on a show in New York a few weeks ago when the company pitched the PlayStation 4 to press and public alike. However, as main competitor Microsoft are quick to point out, without showing the actual console.