Sony's PlayStation 4 will be released later this year during the holiday season. That is the only official information offered by Sony back in February.

The description offered has done little to stamp out rumors about the release date, nor features and specs of the hugely anticipated gaming console.

In other rumors, Sony has also played the very general release date information game in other territories too; posting an advertisement in the United Kingdom simply listing the PS4 release date as being just "2013."

So it is reasonably clear that the console will be released before the end of the year, and Sony would be prudent to do so to ensure that it does not fall behind the new Xbox.

At Europe's soccer season climax – the Champions League Final – Sony also clearly took out an ad revealing again that the PS4 would be released this year, with a sign stating "PS4 – Coming 2013" at Wembley Stadium in London.

Most believe that the new console will be rolled out in the month or so prior to Christmas to participate in the lucrative holiday shopping season.

However, some gaming fans with good memories have highlighted that in 2006-2007 Sony only initially launched the PS3 in time for Christmas in the U.S. and Japan, with Europe and the rest of the world having to wait painfully long until March the next year to be able to purchase the device in their regions.

But the recent advertising campaigns seem to clearly indicate a 2013 release worldwide, and anything less than that will seriously disappoint millions of potential customers, who also have the latest Xbox to consider.

Whatever happens, the PS4 will definitely be unveiled at E3, and millions across the globe are eagerly awaiting to get a first glimpse of the new console at that event.