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[RootCause]

Sounds like a ps5 to me. If the jump in resolution is true.

 

[Zombie James]

I really wouldn't be that shocked. I remember on message boards people swore up and down no way ps4 will have 8gb ram.

"$599 all over again!"

 

[JaggedSac]

That, and avoid pissing away all the hard work put into their current platforms.

PS3 features, store, and content are stuck on that platform. Ten years of foundation building down the drain.

Same with the 360.

Yep. This is the best thing for the industry in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

I won't care much if its just for 4K as I won't have a 4K TV anytime soon unless one of my current TVs dies. I'm just not a videophile at all, so I don't care enough to upgrade--especially with 4K content so lacking still.

If it ends up meaning games run at lower frame rates, less than 1080p etc. on baseline PS4s, then I'll be pretty annoyed.

If I'm going to have to upgrade more than every 5+ years console gaming loses it's appeal and I'd probably just finally switch to PC gaming. At least then I can just easily upgrade components instead of buying a new box.

 

[FStop7]

At what?

Everything. They launched with fewer features than their predecessors. Some of those features are still missing. They underperform, technically. Seeing Fallout 4's framerate just fall apart on the PS4, it was reminiscent of seeing the 360 and PS3 struggling in 2012.

Both systems have been consistently disappointing to own compared to their predecessors.

 

[lifeexpectancy]

Just wait a few years and release 4k consoles as next gen. Zero interest in upgrading my console every couple of years, fuck that. I kept my last cell phone for 5 years. New iterations every year for any electronic device are a waste of R&D IMO.

 

[TAJ]

Seems like FUD to keep people on the fence about getting a new console.

 

[maniac-kun]

So Sony and Microsoft update the hardware for more power. Meanwhile Nintendo will release a new console to catchup with the old PS4 model with some weird controller...

 

[pixelation]

If it's an upgrade that I can just plug into my existing PS4 I'm all for it to extend the life of the console. N64-esque expansion pack is fine.

Having to buy an entirely new machine would not be okay.

I'm with 'cha.

 

[thuway]

Is it even possible to design a machine that takes an existing game and runs it at a higher internal resolution across the board? IE- if a game runs at 1080p 30, you can run at 4K 30fps with a new machine?

 

[orochi91]

If this theoretical PS4.5 has no exclusive software, runs existing games at higher frame rates and Resolutions and can also run all PSVR games at a native 120fps. I'm not sure what the problem is.

Hell if it's reasonably priced I'd upgrade myself.

I suppose.

BC and FC will be critical for this iterative hardware scheme to succeed.

 

[protomouse]

The idea is really possible by today's standarts in a way, where PC seems to outrun everyone in the first place. Let's not forget Nintendo did the first plunge with their New N3DS. When that happened, it just fractured their install base, and their install base is waayyyy more populated than the PS4 20 millions adopters. If Nintendo was ready to do so, I don't see why Sony wouldn't follow...

Nintendo have been doing late-cycle handheld upgrades since the Game Boy days. The New 3DS is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Armadilo]

Why not like this ? same Video Game disc between current PS4 and PS4k. But different when the disc is used in each of those consoles ? PS4k might be the best version; 60fps, 4k, better looking and for PS4 just average ?

 

[Furyous]

I can't upgrade because I refuse to buy a 4K TV this soon. I'm fine with my 720p HD masterpiece that held me down for five years. Sony is not this naive to piss off over 10 million console owners by releasing another console this soon. Save the 4K for the PS5. By that point 4K TVs should be somewhat normal or at least reached market penetration to the point it's justifiable.

 

[onQ123]

HSA! I think it's as simple as using accelerators

 

[Disaster Nebraska]

This is hyperbole

Obsolete? Ps4 will handle another 2-3 years of games at least

It's not hyperbole. Plenty of people are chiming in and citing the smartphone market. Well, the smartphone market iterates every 18 months to 2 years for most major manufacturers. That's where the fear comes from.

However, I do agree the PS4 has at least another 3 years.

You guys realize we are starting to hit atomic transistor limits right?

This gets kinda overplayed. Sure, our transistors are hitting the lower limits of size, but adding more power by the "brute force" of smaller components has been going out of style for a while. Manufacturers have been focusing on power consumption and architecture moreso than just making it smaller. Reducing power consumption will go a very long way to give us hardware improvements without needing to make the components much smaller.

 

[gelf]

After seeing how many cross-gen games work or how 3ds 'run' some games that have increased stuff in N3DS... I wouldn't put my hand on the fire on that.

Devs take enough compromises already on fixed hardware to push their mostly useless eyecandy and openworldeverywhere stuff. Giving them a reason to push even farter is not really a good idea.

In that same line of thinking, I don't think the way to improve the current bloated budgetting of game development is giving them the chance to go for even more expensive assets and productions values.

This is my fear as well. The N3DS shows that the old hardware can get pushed down in priorities when more powerful hardware exists. If the original hardware isn't being entirely targeted and they over stretch because of the newer system making games on the old system near unplayable, then thats a worry to me.

 

[BlastProcessing]

I would love to see a 1 or 2 year cycle in console country. Much like tablets and phones. As long as they can guarantee compatibility for 3 years at minimum.

One look at iPad's sales trend should be enough to show you why that's a terrible idea.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I suppose.

BC and FC will be critical for this iterative hardware scheme to succeed.

It's x86

 

[papo]

Who's saying this is a 10 year cycle? It;s going to be 6.

And closed hardware has always been good. Xbox one and PS4 are selling better than last gen? Actually PS4 is close to PS2, which was god tier days.

So I would say your wrong. With them making profits on hardware because TECH has become cheaper to get lower costs I would say staying the course would be more beneficial in getting good deals on parts. Having incremental upgrades would actually cost more up front, and possibly put the chip,memory manufacturers in a difficult spot. you might see constraints or batch issues more often. Waiting and trying to get best possible price as things eventually get cheaper more cost effective is better than trying to chase the better tech rabbit hole.

Being cost effective is what they need, and it's why they hit the ground running this gen instead of having RROD issues, Yellow light of death, giant powersupply's, bad coding issues.

Selling well should not be the ^only goal that is why I hate gaming. It's all about who can give us the cheapest hardware vs the better performing one. I understand that, but as long as money is sole the sole focus then we'll keep having hardware issue and the hardware being outdated.

I feel that I am wrong only if that means that evolving technology won't harm closed consoles. It harmed Nintendo a bit because they are no longer top of the line in tech. What I fear is that in the time this gen goes by other tech like tablets and phones outperform it. It could also be bad for VR since that is a tech is is still rapidly evolving. It can be held back.

I agree with you that I am wrong because how things are now, but I feel that could change.

 

[oti]

I don't get this. Multiplat development is made with consoles as the baseline. Not having capabilities to scale graphical settings is not "being crippled", there is no fundamental gameplay design difference between these two platforms.

Have you seen Just Cause 3?

 

[MUnited83]

Oh boy, I can already see so many PSVR titles being exclusive for it and leaving old owners in the dust.

 

[Cereal Enthusiast]

yes please. i'm cool with upgrading my consoles every 3-4 years.

But games take 3 to 4 years to make. Jesus, I have the feeling that nothing happened yet in this gen. No Rockstar Games, no Gran Turismo, no Naughty Dog game, no Sony Santa Monica game...

 

[Mabufu]

Well. I guess I'm in if this is true.

 

[Gren]

Eh, would rather get universal slider settings for the most basic stuff (res, shadows, textures) to squeeze better perfomance out. I have no idea how much additional work that would take on behalf of devs/Q&A, however.

Guess if both MS & Sony went in this direction, it'd work out well for poeple sitting on the sidelines watching like myself.

 

[Markoman]

Hello my friend.
I don't think it matters (and I'm sure you agree) about who started the talk. Like others have stated (I think I did here...I can't remember) but it absolutely makes sense for VR. I believe I said MS would make a dual GPU, 4k capable machine (Pro device) and have a regular (single gpu) non 4k device (but probably 1080p) regular device. It would follow suit with their Surface, and Surface Pro stuff. These things will be expensive and target different users.

Yea, I can see why going PC gaming would make sense with this. I just like it because it still gives you the choice of when to upgrade your hardware (if they did yearly or whatever). Most games will still be playable on the older hardware (at least for a couple years) so there's no reason to be mad. If it's 6 years down the road and you haven't upgraded...then bleh. I think MS is in a better position PC wise (unless PS does do a UWP version of the PS platform and have an ecosystem on PC...which I would be all for) because they can get their exclusives sold on both platforms whereas Sony doesn't have that currently.

Granted most of what I said is speculation. But as you already know, I wasn't surprised by this news one bit. I figured this would happen (and as you said you did say before). You know I just find this thread hilarious. Good times. Like I said before...E3 will be interesting.

I salute you, pal.
You're absolutely right, it doesn't matter who came up with this plan first, though it is interesting how fast Sony is reacting (if true).
Well, I have made my peace with this whole upgrade idea. I'm one of those who doesn't want another 7 year cycle. So, if MS releases a new console in 2017 (4 year cycle) and Sony the next PS in 2018 (5 years) I'm absolutely fine with this, because I will only get consoles for exclusive games now which means Xbox is out and I will only get a new PS when quality exclusives pile up. But believe me...if MS makes good $ with their games on W10 we could see PS exclusives hitting a PSN PC service in the future.

 

[Croatoan]

Is it even possible to design a machine that takes an existing game and runs it at a higher internal resolution across the board? IE- if a game runs at 1080p 30, you can run at 4K 30fps with a new machine?

Is this a serious question?

 

[Falchion]

It would suck to have to buy a brand new system for the relatively small leap but we'll see how it plays out.

 

[thuway]

This is my fear as well. The N3DS shows that the old hardware can get pushed down in priorities when more powerful hardware exists. If the original hardware isn't being entirely targeted and they over stretch because of the newer system making game on the old system near unplayable then thats a worry to me.

The only way AAA gaming survives is by selling millions of units. You won't ever have to worry about Sony/MS deciding to suddenly abandon XB1/PS4. There are too many units in people's hands to ignore.

 

[orochi91]

But games take 3 to 4 years to make. Jesus, I have the feeling that nothing happened yet in this gen. No Rockstar Games, no Gran Turismo, no Naughty Dog game, no Sony Santa Monica game...

Lol, you're right.

This has been an extremely weird gen.

 

[ironcreed]

C'mon guys, this is bullshit.

Wanna bet it's not?

 

[Mediking]

Me. I own a 4KTV. I'd love some 4K content. Sony being one of the forefronts of 4K need to target the audience and prepare them for the wave of everything going 4K.

Not to start a fight.... but it sounds like you bought something that doesn't have alotta stuff going for it at the moment...? But I understand that logic. You want Sony to do 4K because you want more content to justify owning a 4KTV.

 

[Quazar]

Good. Hope this is the future for all the big console players

 

[wapplew]

If this theoretical PS4.5 has no exclusive software, runs existing games at higher frame rates and Resolutions and can also run all PSVR games at a native 120fps. I'm not sure what the problem is.

Hell if it's reasonably priced I'd upgrade myself.

Say PS4.5 release in 2017. When would you release PS5? Do you still support PS4.5 if you release PS5 too close to PS4.5?

 

[Fat4all]

Might as well just jump to PS5.

I'm not a fan of another PS4. Sounds as bad as having another Xbox One.

 

[Kard8p3]

Im not going to have to buy a new fucking PS4 to play future ps4 games am I? If so then fuck this garbage.

 

[thuway]

Is this a serious question?

What I mean is- if the entire backwards library of PS4 is 1080p, could the PS4.5 suddenly run it at 4K at the drop of a hat?

 

[mrklaw]

why ia 4k surprising? 4x the current PS4 power would drive 4k and that should be doable with a reasonable power draw at 14/16nm

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I would be very interested in this, but I would rather have games at 1080/60fps with high/ultra PC settings than 4K.

 

[Nabbis]

Have you seen Just Cause 3?

There's no gameplay design difference between the two platforms. Something like Battlefield 3 between PS3 and PC would be an actual argument for this. That's not happening right now.

 

[Croatoan]

It would suck to have to buy a brand new system for the relatively small leap but we'll see how it plays out.

Why would you have to do anything?

 

[tskeeve]

Damn, I really hope MS and Sony aren't going to move ahead with incremental upgrades. One of the big reasons I like to console game is because the experiences are tailored for the hardware (especially exclusives). I don't have to worry that my console isn't "good enough" to play the game the way it was meant to be played.

 

[DrROBschiz]

What I mean is- if the entire backwards library of PS4 is 1080p, could the PS4.5 suddenly run it at 4K at the drop of a hat?

Pretend the PS4 is a PC

 

[Falchion]

More frequent hardware releases work in the phone, tablet, computer, and gaming hardware market, no reason it couldn't work here. Better for everyone too as gaming technology (graphics, etc.) doesn't get held back because of weak hardware having to be stretched over 7 year periods.

Yeah except the price of upgrading phone hardware every two years is subsidized or financed through carriers for most people. I don't see Sony or Microsoft creating an upgrade plan or hardware subscription.

 

[ironcreed]

It would suck to have to buy a brand new system for the relatively small leap but we'll see how it plays out.

You don't have to. Just if you want to, as all of the games will still be releasing on PS4. Simple.

 

[Willy Wanka]

Well you can count me out. The PS4 I currently own is the only one I'll ever be buying.

 

[maniac-kun]

What I mean is- if the entire backwards library of PS4 is 1080p, could the PS4.5 suddenly run it at 4K at the drop of a hat?

Game releases update and you have your 4k.

 

[Acquiescence]

Sounds like a ps5 to me. If the jump in resolution is true.

That would make more sense to me than some PS4 revision. If memory serves, Cerny said he was working on the PS4 as far back as 2008, going dev to dev and asking what features/architecture/improvements they'd like to see in Sony's next console. He could be doing the same right now for the PS5; the timeline certainly checks out.

Going down the revision route and fragmenting the player base just strikes me as being a very bad idea.

 

[JetBlackPanda]

Im not going to have to buy a new fucking PS4 to play future ps4 games am I? If so then fuck this garbage.

I doubt it, it would just run games at a higher res or high frame rate with more options.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Given that relatively high end PC's still struggle with 4K, I'm calling BS on this rumor. Not because of the idea of a PS4.5, but because of the claim that it's designed for 4K.

4K gaming isn't ready yet. And, quite frankly, neither are consumers.