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[nullpoynter]

If they release a "High performance" PS4, I'm out.

Screw that. That will just mean people will make "High Performance" exclusive games. I buy consoles to get away from that kind of thing.

I'm right there with ya buddy. I play on the console so I don't have to worry about upgrades for 5 to 6 years, and so I know everyone is using the same hardware for compatibility sake (not for ego sake). I enjoy the current life cycles of the consoles without having to worry about performance upgrades. If Sony does release a high-performance version, then I might as well just move completely to the PC and be done with consoles.

Developers want to make money. Creating games for the widest variety of hardware would bring more money (hint, this is why Destiny was sold for 360/PS3). Much like a PC (personal computer, x86 platform), you would have scalable graphics that would address both PS4 Regular and PS4 Plus and PS4 Enthusiast. If anything, games would come to PS4 Regular for longer and you wouldn't have software droughts on new hardware.

Didn't Nintendo or another developer only make one of their new 3DS games only compatible with the latest 3DS revision? I could see some developer doing this for the "high-performance" version leaving the vanilla users behind. Maybe not all developers would do this, but I could see at least one doing it.

 

[Zoloft Sonic]

Sony releasing a "high performance" PS4 would go a long way towards getting me out of console gaming.

The "point" of releasing a console is that there's a (briefly) unified standard, and it takes the pain of optimization and sacrifices out of the hands of the end user.

If you want to be nickled and dimed with endless iterative hardware, the PC and mobile market is more than ready for you.

 

[catbrush]

The reactions from console-only gamers every time this idea is presented really tells me how much the averse reaction to there being an upgrade option is more about ego than actually being afraid they'll have to upgrade every year just to play games or whatever. Do you guys really think Sony would split their userbase if they were to do something like this, and developers would want to target a smaller market? No, they wouldn't. It would play all the same games just in a higher resolution and framerate.

It's all about ego and not wanting there to exist an option of someone having something better than you, and it's completely ridiculous. The option should exist for people who want to drop an extra premium and get a better product, but the console market has been conditioning us to believe we are number #1 and always getting the best thing possible and an upgrade option would negate that. So that leads us to these ridiculously long generations where halfway through we are on supremely outdated tech and having to deal with insane performance and IQ sacrifices just to support the new graphics tech developers want to push.

Enthusiasts like the ones on this forum would be the market for a higher powered model or an addon that adds power, not the average consumer. And I believe that enthusiasts would eat this up if it was actually available.

So much not this. Console gamers do not want to chase technology. Not being expected to upgrade hardware to experience the best of the ecosystem is one of the most attractive features of consoles.

Releasing a PS4+ that improves performance/IQ would make every early adopter feel rightly ripped off.

 

[On Demand]

The reactions from console-only gamers every time this idea is presented really tells me how much the averse reaction to there being an upgrade option is more about ego than actually being afraid they'll have to upgrade every year just to play games or whatever. Do you guys really think Sony would split their userbase if they were to do something like this, and developers would want to target a smaller market? No, they wouldn't. It would play all the same games just in a higher resolution and framerate.

It's all about ego and not wanting there to exist an option of someone having something better than you, and it's completely ridiculous. The option should exist for people who want to drop an extra premium and get a better product, but the console market has been conditioning us to believe we are number #1 and always getting the best thing possible and an upgrade option would negate that. So that leads us to these ridiculously long generations where halfway through we are on supremely outdated tech and having to deal with insane performance and IQ sacrifices just to support the new graphics tech developers want to push.

Enthusiasts like the ones on this forum would be the market for a higher powered model or an addon that adds power, not the average consumer. And I believe that enthusiasts would eat this up if it was actually available.

You have no idea what you're talking about or the thoughts of "console only gamers." It has nothing to do with ego and not wanting something better out there. People only recently bought PS4's, it makes no sense to split the market with a high end model. If this idea were to take off you can bet there will be even more versions out there with higher specs. The benefits of console hardware is one box, one spec, a closed system that all developers can design their games to knowing everybody will have the same experience. Likewise for consumers. I don't want to worry about which model to buy that will give me the best fps, shadows and resolution. Leave that shit to the PC market and Steam box.

 

[danowat]

Hardware microtransactions are the way to go.

 

[fvng]

I've never seen a company throw their hands up in the air so blatantly about a product that had a ton of potential for success if they didn't make blunders

 

[Zombine]

I think that Sony is looking less directly at Apple, and more directly looking on Nintendo's transition from 3DS to N3DS. Give the console a kick in the pants, make some minor changes to the design, and have It run all the same games just a little better.

 

[PdotMichael]

The cell is actually a fantastic CPU & an engineering achievement, it can still do more things current gen CPUs can't, even high end ones, a lot of developers just didn't know how to use it properly, which is understandable from their POV.

Only that we moved away from computional throughput to steamlined software developement a long time ago.

Software is too complex and software engineers are too expensive that you want to increase the complexity with a complex hardware architecture. It doesn't surprise that the VITA and PS4 under Cerny became such well-balanced piece of hardwares.

 

[DeepEnigma]

He said it was a hypothetical answer to a hypothetical question, to explain the advantages of going with an x86 console, and it is not something they are talking about actually doing.

Catchy headline is catchy (and NOT what he said).

 

[AmyS]

A high performance PS4....

I could understand a PS4 refresh that has the ability to play 4K Blu-ray movies, but uses the same spec as far as playing games. Not one that has a more powerful APU.

SCE needs to remember the failure of this system that came out in Japan two years after the highly successful original.

It literally had 5 games released for it that actually took advantage of the new hardware.

Need I say more ?

 

[Arkaerial]

They can go fuck themselves if they release an enhanced PS4 version. A PS4 ain't cheap to do that.

Either do a PS5 or don't do anything.

This is exactly what crossed my mind.

 

[inpHilltr8r]

What was that Bill Murray film where he went to Japan to do a whisky commercial?

 

[Alo0oy]

Only that we moved away from computional throughput to steamlined software developement a long time ago.

Software is too complex and software engineers are too expensive that you want to increase the complexity with a complex hardware architecture. It doesn't surprise that the VITA and PS4 under Cerny became such well-balanced piece of hardwares.

I'm not talking about how feasible commercially it was, it wasn't the right move to put it in a mainstream product, but the tech itself was far better than any consumer CPU that was out at the time (& even today, 8 years later).

 

[Crzy1]

I'm not sure how they could introduce a more powerful PS4 and not totally fracture the user base. Perhaps PS5 with the same architecture as the PS4 with more powerful innards that could play any of the games that were on the PS4 would be nice, but I can't see that being popular enough to warrant trying to educate consumers on the differences of the two consoles. I mean, that's the tact that Nintendo seemingly tried with the Wii U and it hasn't worked out so hot for them.

Overall, it sounds like something that would be nice to have, but probably not financially viable for Sony. Either they'd have to sell it for too much or sell the PS4 for too little in order to justify it's existence. It would probably take me out of the console gaming market, also. I enjoy console exclusives here and there and it's nice to have access to them for years with just a single purchase, but if I needed to constantly upgrade to play them, I don't think I'd bother with it.

 

[zeopower6]

For me personally I'd rather consoles didn't go down this route.

Hasn't the 3DS kind of done this (and DS actually too, iirc) and it's been a bit murky?

There were a lot of decisions about the Vita that just didn't help it out at all. It's such a great handheld but ugh.... not much support from Sony does things like this.

 

[Cyborg]

If they release a new PS4 I will consider it as a backstab for me as a gamer and a fan. This isnt 4 the players

 

[Dynedom]

A high performance PS4 is just as much a slap in the face as those people suggesting a re-released XBO. Sony would not be that stupid. Instead of a new console, why not spending that money into fixing your god damn online infrastructure.

 

[AngryNapkin]

I'm not sure how they could introduce a more powerful PS4 and not totally fracture the user base. Perhaps PS5 with the same architecture as the PS4 with more powerful innards that could play any of the games that were on the PS4 would be nice, but I can't see that being popular enough to warrant trying to educate consumers on the differences of the two consoles. I mean, that's the tact that Nintendo seemingly tried with the Wii U and it hasn't worked out so hot for them.

Overall, it sounds like something that would be nice to have, but probably not financially viable for Sony. Either they'd have to sell it for too much or sell the PS4 for too little in order to justify it's existence. It would probably take me out of the console gaming market, also. I enjoy console exclusives here and there and it's nice to have access to them for years with just a single purchase, but if I needed to constantly upgrade to play them, I don't think I'd bother with it.

I could see them using the same OS in PS5 with updated hardware. Backwards compatibility would be easy, you'd have a continuation of the current OS over many years, and it would just be so much easier.

Increase APU/GPU power 4 fold keeping the exact same design as PS4 from a hardware level (no embedded cache) and launch as PS5 in 2018. PS6 same thing rolling into 2024 or so.

OS sees evolving features and design spread across many generations. Developers are happy, gamers should be happy and R&D on Sonys end with hardware and software should be lower. You go back to a 5 year cycle.

 

[Pimpbaa]

Instead of a new console, why not spending that money into fixing your god damn online infrastructure.

Fixing what? My downloads are fast and I have no problems in online games.

 

[Fushichou187]

Let's say they do release a second SKU-- whether it's a complete hardware refresh and replaces existing stock going forward, or is a "PS4-Hi" or whatever that is meant to exist alongside the ones we all have now-- what would you expect Sony's policy on games ought to be in order to take advantage of the power increase while also not alienating those of us that have older models? Would it be a case where games would have more robust options for turning on/off certain visual effects? Or perhaps those options don't even surface themselves unless the game detects that it's being installed on the more powerful SKU?

What was that Bill Murray film where he went to Japan to do a whisky commercial?

Lost in Translation.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

I don't think I would be against it if it was an add-on actually.

Fixing what? My downloads are fast and I have no problems in online games.

Thank God you're the center of the world and your experience represent everyone else's.

 

[LifeLike]

From the first comments we can already see that the opinons are divised. If they release a new ps4 that supports those features(only to support vr an 4k whatever) its not a big deal.

 

[SGRX]

I can see how they could design an upgraded system without the effort it's taken in the past, given that Sony is using more mainstream components now, but I'm not sure what the point would be. On one hand... incremental upgrades while maintaining backward compatibility with existing titles.

On the other hand, a lot of the titles we get now are optimized poorly enough that I have little confidence developers wouldn't immediately begin churning out games that looked like shit on the enhanced system, and ran like shit on the original.

There's also the fact that I get the same thing now with my PC, with more control over the hardware, and without having to pay a subscription, or be locked to a single service. It just seems like it would over-complicate things and drive me back to primarily PC gaming.

The only upgrade SKU I would like would be one with backwards compatibility for atl east ps1 and ps2, but that's about it.

On the other hand, I would be totally fine with this, and/or with a SKU that supported UHD Blu-Ray.

 

[MrHoot]

The only upgrade SKU I would like would be one with backwards compatibility for atl east ps1 and ps2, but that's about it.

The reason why I think keeping it at the same specs for a gen is because it's the reason why consoles resonate more with certain types of devs, specificially in japan: They only have one type of spec to go on so they can focus on that. It would be tricky, if not dangerous to start dividing the attention between several specs for the same brand. That and competitors too. Cuz if they go that route, might just want to abandon hardware and just start making mini PCs with an outside OS really

 

[AngryNapkin]

Let's say they do release a second SKU-- whether it's a complete hardware refresh and replaces existing stock going forward, or is a "PS4-Hi" or whatever that is meant to exist alongside the ones we all have now-- what would you expect Sony's policy on games ought to be in order to take advantage of the power increase while also not alienating those of us that have older models? Would it be a case where games would have more robust options for turning on/off certain visual effects? Or perhaps those options don't even surface themselves unless the game detects that it's being installed on the more powerful SKU?



Lost in Translation.

It would be software driven, developers would have to have two sets of settings for both platforms and it would detect which one it's running on.

It's not going to happen.

 

[family_guy]

Don't see a need to get riled up. No one's going to abandon the current PS4 support if this were to happen. This 5 year console life span thing needs to stop. Most consoles don't even last that long. You'll most likely be buying another PS4 before this generation is over to replace your broken one, so when it's that time would you not like the option to buy a better one? Heck, I see people lose money by trading in their systems to buy the same exact system, but with a larger hard drive.

 

[Chozo_Lord]

There's no way there's going to be a more powerful PS4. I've had the theory since the PS4's launch that this console cycle is going to be a lot shorter and the PS5 will be the best Sony can get for $400 when it comes out.

 

[Fushichou187]

It would be software driven, developers would have to have two sets of settings for both platforms and it would detect which one it's running on.

It's not going to happen.

So then... what if they do a hardware refresh that is more powerful but is marketed as only being that way for PSVR? That I could see happening given how demanding the tech is in order to run at higher, smoother framerates. However I can also see people being plenty pissy if they have a more powerful PS4 but it's only being utilized to service a piece of kit they may or may not own, and that their not seeing dividends in their normal gaming experience.

 

[nbnt]

Didn't someone say the same thing about releasing a more powerful PS3 or some extension or something like that? Or am I just imagining things?

Regardless, I think this would be a terrible idea for a console.

 

[DidntKnowJack]

Still don't think Sony would be stupid enough to do this dumb shit, but if they did, I'd sell my current PS4 and say fuck the rest of this generation. Its not like it would be a great loss, this generation's been almost a complete bust anyway. I've bought one game in the last 12 months that was a port of a last gen game.

 

[ironcreed]

Hardware microtransactions are the way to go.

LOL

 

[AmyS]

This talk happens every generation.

With PlayStation, it started with an upgraded PS1 (as well as an upgrade for existing PS1s) mainly for the purpose of having a perfect port of Tekken 3.

(1997 EGM, and it spread like wildfire)

 

[Kimawolf]

You have no idea what you're talking about or the thoughts of "console only gamers." It has nothing to do with ego and not wanting something better out there. People only recently bought PS4's, it makes no sense to split the market with a high end model. If this idea were to take off you can bet there will be even more versions out there with higher specs. The benefits of console hardware is one box, one spec, a closed system that all developers can design their games to knowing everybody will have the same experience. Likewise for consumers. I don't want to worry about which model to buy that will give me the best fps, shadows and resolution. Leave that shit to the PC market and Steam box.

Lol you do it now when you pick between Xbox, Sony and Nintendo. They aren't blu Ray players with the same shit different name. No one would be forcing you to "upgrade" if you don't want to. Just like no one forced you to go ps4 over Xbox. Only difference is you can pick good, better and best experience much like you can with everything else in life.

And again games would be uniform. No market fragments at all. I can play COD 4k just fine against your COD 900p resolution.

 

[Inuhanyou]

They won't do it. They'd be more likely to wait for a PS5 i'd think

 

[Caja 117]

Lol you do it now when you pick between Xbox, Sony and Nintendo. They aren't blu Ray players with the same shit different name. No one would be forcing you to "upgrade" if you don't want to. Just like no one forced you to go ps4 over Xbox. Only difference is you can pick good, better and best experience much like you can with everything else in life.

And again games would be uniform. No market fragments at all. I can play COD 4k just fine against your COD 900p resolution.

I really doubt the average console gamer is buying the PS4 over the Xbox one because some games might look better in the PS4.

 

[Aces&Eights]

I've had all day to think about this and if they launched an upgraded ps4/Morpheus bundle I'd trade in my current ps4 right then. Toss in a copy of No Man's Sky and I'm taking the day off from work.

 

[Joco]

PS4S

I have no problem with this, seems consoles are moving into phone territory. 4 year cycle seems, 2 years a system, then release an updated system, then new system, updated system, etc. Fine by me.

Says who? The last gen went on for a solid 8 years.

This model you propose would suck ass.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Better not release an enhanced PS4, I already bought the regular one.

 

[Douche McBaggins The 3rd]

Give me a Super PS3. I want it with in game XMB without it going to crap and able to stream and all that other nice stuff the PS4 has. Do that, and I'm game. I want PS4 functionality on the PS3 and I would buy a PS3 again for a PS3 that's up to PS4 snuff.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Better not release an enhanced PS4, I already bought the regular one.

That's why this would be a bad idea right now, it's really not about ego or shit. If a console tree with different specs was released from the start it would be fine, but out of nowhere saying fuck you to the current console owners wouldn't sit well.

I like when people dismiss the 32x because it was "a different market" and yet bring up mobile phones as if it was even remotely comparable.

 

[copelandmaster]

Devs would have to support this in games though.

Let's like them get AF right first.

But how can they do that without making a high performance ps4 ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

I'd buy it if it mean 60fps Bloodborn/KH3.

 

[StevieP]

That's why this would be a bad idea right now, it's really not about ego or shit. If a console tree with different specs was released from the start it would be fine, but out of nowhere saying fuck you to the current console owners wouldn't sit well.

I like when people dismiss the 32x because it was "a different market" and yet bring up mobile phones as if it was even remotely comparable.

They're not saying fuck you, they're saying "hey new customers, here's a new model"

So much not this. Console gamers do not want to chase technology. Not being expected to upgrade hardware to experience the best of the ecosystem is one of the most attractive features of consoles.

Releasing a PS4+ that improves performance/IQ would make every early adopter feel rightly ripped off.

Early adopters are always universally ripped off.

If they release a new PS4 I will consider it as a backstab for me as a gamer and a fan. This isnt 4 the players

Charging for online multiplayer... 4 the gamers, right?

Games as a service is where everyone in the traditional market is transitioning towards. Microsoft and Nintendo have already given enough hints about their plans with it. Now you've got a piece of Sony's overall plan. It's inevitable

 

[yanipheonu]

Well, Vita. We'll always have Persona 4.

Seriously that game alone justified my purchase.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Games as a service is where everyone in the traditional market is transitioning towards. Microsoft and Nintenso have already given enough hints about their plans with it. Now you've got a piece of Sony's overall plan. It's inevitable

Agreed.

 

[Lionel Richie]

They're not saying fuck you, they're saying "hey new customers, here's a new model"

"So you bought our console at launch? Yeah, screw that, here's better one."

But, if some 100/150 bucks external device can boost performance like double framerate i will but it.

See, this is better. It's not expensive like a new console and screams optional. Maybe bundle the regular console with this new thing for new owners.

 

[GermanZeppelin]

I don´t read the 14 pages, so i dont know if there is a mention of this. But Since VR was anounced y always tought that the SPLITTER box that came with the headset could improve framerate on regular PS4 games. Even i ask the question to mr. yoshida, but no answer. I believe it can´t. But, if some 100 bucks external device can boost performance like double framerate i will buy it. Sorry for my english.

 

[AmyS]

Shuhei Yoshida on PS5:

“It’s really up to the game creators,” Yoshida said. “If they still feel that we need more machine power — ‘We want to realize this and that and that, but we cannot do [it] with PS4’ — if that’s the case, there’s a good reason to have PS5, so that developers can create their vision. So, we’ll see.”

http://recode.net/2014/04/11/sonys-shuhei-yoshida-reflects-on-two-decades-of-playstation/

That was about a year and a half ago.

 

[Dr. Buni]

I wouldn't mind a mid-gen upgrade.

That would be the thing to make me stop console gaming altogether. Nintendo doing this with the N3DS was already bad enough (thankfully it didn't get any meaningful exclusive games).

 

[DeepEnigma]

"So you bought our console at launch? Yeah, screw that, here's better one."

"So you bought our console at launch? Here is our cooler running, less power consuming, larger hard drive, and cheaper price cut one."

I fail to see the difference.

Again, read past the BS headline, he said he answered hypothetically as to one of the advantages for an x86 hardware design versus their proprietary chips of the past. Also mentioned it was not something they were talking about doing.

(Even though I think all 3 are going to switch to a service based system with other hardware makers making the boxes down the road similar to Steam.)

 

[StevieP]

"So you bought our console at launch? Yeah, screw that, here's better one."

That happens all the time. Handhelds and consoles

I don´t read the 14 pages, so i dont know if there is a mention of this. But Since VR was anounced y always tought that the SPLITTER box that came with the headset could improve framerate on regular PS4 games. Even i ask the question to mr. yoshida, but no answer. I believe it can´t. But, if some 100/150 bucks external device can boost performance like double framerate i will but it.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you can't improve CPU and GPU performance via an external add on without the necessary latency and bandwidth to ... You know, process instructions/code at that level