Tokyo, Japan -- In light of the overwhelming negative public backlash to Microsoft Studios creative director Adam Orth's infamous "#DealWithIt" comments regarding rumors that the company's next-gen console will mandate an always-on internet connection, Sony announced this evening that the PlayStation 4 will not only not require an internet connection, but that internet connectivity has been scrapped from the console altogether.
"The fans have spoken," said president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Hiroshi Kawano during a 20-minute media conference call. "And they've made it clear that always-on isn't something they want. So we decided to play it safe and completely eliminate online functionality from the PS4."
When asked how the company would recover from the loss of essentially every feature announced during their February press conference, Kawano was optimistic.
"It was gonna suck anyway. There was no way we could have pulled off half of the crap they talked about. I mean, did you see how shitty the live stream was?"
Regarding the system's inability to play popular online-centric titles such as the highly-anticipated Watch Dogs, Kawano added, "It's Ubisoft. I'm sure Watch Dogs V will be releasing just in time for the PS5, which probably might have some online capabilities. Maybe."
One industry insider praised the decision. "Look, it just wasn't worth it. Nobody at Sony wants to become a meme." Another, quoted on the condition of anonymity, was glad Sony was finally shifting their focus away from interconnection, and putting it where it really belongs.
"How many pixel does internet have? How many emotion? Story are told not through internet, but many pixel and emotion." When asked to comment on the XBox controversy, the source responded, "I am friend with Ellen Page."
Of course, not everyone was pleased with Sony's decision.
"This sucks," Tweeted EA COO Peter Moore. "Cnt dmin8 gmrs wo Micro$ & DRM! #WrstCpnyEva"
While it seems EA's pleas will fall on deaf ears, the transition to an always-off connection won't be without some hiccups. Since most of the units produced already include the hardware, Sony will introduce a mandatory software update to all those attempting to connect on Day One.
"If you're online for more than three minutes, your game and all of your apps close, and the console plays Harlem Shake videos on an endless loop until you disconnect," said an anonymous developer using the new dev kit.
It still remains to be seen what new features the PlayStation 4 will tout now that it's much-ballyhooed social media abilities have been removed, but the rumor mill is already heating up concerning the future of the PlayStation Store.
"They're going brick-and-mortar," said one insider. "And it'll be way more secure than the online version, since hackers hate outside."