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[Aztechnology]

Except, you know, people reasonably thought the Ps4 would get a 5-6 year lifespan of games targeted at its hardware specifically, not 3 years and then a cross-gen experience for the next 3 years.

Yep, if this is true ps4 isnt getting its GoW2 or Last of Us.

I hope this is an elaborate trial balloon...

Yeaaaaa no. GOW2 for instance would likely look something like this. This isn't even remotely close to the same thing as a cross-gen experience. The hardware isn't so drastically different that the developers can't simply create a different profile. The PS4 will still have a catered performance preset, same as always. Literally nothing will change for PS4 users. Multiplatform dev's especially if they are doing it on PC do settings for obscene amounts of combinations, For two consoles with the same architecture it's a cakewalk.

Reposting from earlier as I feel I'll get plenty of use out of this.

 

[valkyre]

This is such fucking bullshit...

I dont get why Sony wants to go down that damn path?

Why split the ps community in 2, to second rate and first rate customers??
What is the life expectancy of PS4?
What is the life expectancy of PS4K?
Are we going into a permanent "cross gen" cycle?
Why should I keep playing on my console, if they pretty much transform their business to the PC model completely??

I honestly cant believe Sony, having such success with the PS4 at the moment is going through this.

 

[wapplew]

I honestly think PS4K will sell incredibly well.
People love new toys to have mentally sex with.

Without exclusive? I doubt it.
Casual are more price sensitive than power sensitive.

 

[gundamkyoukai]

You're naive if you believe this.

Devs will naturally start targeting the more powerful hardware and then the OG Ps4 will get weaker and weaker versions. I bet God of War 4 on Ps4 would look and perform worse in a universe where Ps4.5 does exist vs. one where it does not. Because if there is no Ps4.5, devs will target regular Ps4.

Last of Us would not have happened the way it did on Ps3 if there were a Ps3.5.

Why not ?
Devs drop framerate , res and effects all the time .
If there was a PS3.5 i would have to been force to play TLOU at subs 30fps @720p.

If a better model is gonna release in a few months I don't see the ppl buying a PS4 in xmas instead of waiting for a more powerful PS4K +100$ even if you don't have a 4K TV

PS4 will drop to $200 this xams .
The people buying that are not the same people that going to speed $400 to $500 on PS4k.

 

[doofy102]

You're naive if you believe this.

Devs will naturally start targeting the more powerful hardware and then the OG Ps4 will get weaker and weaker versions. I bet God of War 4 on Ps4 would look and perform worse in a universe where Ps4.5 does exist vs. one where it does not. Because if there is no Ps4.5, devs will target regular Ps4.

Last of Us would not have happened the way it did on Ps3 if there were a Ps3.5.

Even though this is the truth, people will tell you wait for the game to come out before you say that, even though that'd be pointless.

 

[Newtype-001]

The problem for Sony here is when to announce they are doing a PS4K model 'cause the PS4 sales will drop drastically and I don't see they giving up xmas or black friday

I dont think it should be too difficult.

PS4K announced at e3 for : $$$
Then a PS4 price cut to keep things afloat and get people who arnt interested in a higher sku for whatever reason to bite earlier.

 

[THEaaron]

You're naive if you believe this.

Devs will naturally start targeting the more powerful hardware and then the OG Ps4 will get weaker and weaker versions. I bet God of War 4 on Ps4 would look and perform worse in a universe where Ps4.5 does exist vs. one where it does not. Because if there is no Ps4.5, devs will target regular Ps4.

Last of Us would not have happened the way it did on Ps3 if there were a Ps3.5.

You will get what 1.8TF can deliver. Not more, not less. People with PS4K will get what twice the amount can deliver. Or whatever specs this theoretical machine will have.

 

[meanspartan]

I don't think the outrage for current PS4 owners will come from being stuck with less powerful hardware. A PS4 is already a lesser machine compared to mid-spec PCs.
You can say that this is even a strong selling point for a console. Buing a console you get a good deal on a low-spec PC-like machine, with a library of highly optimized downports. You are buying the promise of being taken care of by sony or microsoft on cheap outdated hardware. Considering that I could only afford a similar spec PC, that's a plus for me.
In this scenario power considerations are just a part of a bigger picture where certification, patches, peripheral compatibility probably means much more for the end user.

These rumors of a PS4K threathen the very core of this ideas, because it implies that the promise of being "taken care" is ended and moved to a new set of costumers.

Yup and what's more, PCs are getting more and more user friendly. If console upgrades are a thing now, then may as well move over to PC gaming for the better sales and other advantages it offers.

 

[DemonCleaner]

the implication that this will hurt the performance of the non4k-ps4 as the baseline model with an allready installed user base of 30 million units is plain stupid. as like in virtually every game right now the render target for oldps4 will also be 1080/30 in the future. most games will hit this most of the time, some will miss it.
the improvements on PS4K will be limited to higher res and doubled framerate in most cases. there won't be more substantial changes like higher asset quality or a better ligthing model in 99 % of all cases.

effectively that means that having oldPS4 as the baseline model, will not hurt quality on oldPS4 in any significant way, but will instead prevent PS4K from using it's real pontential. just like we've seen with pc gaming since forever.

can't be repeated enough: twice the GPU-power is NOWHERE near what you would need to render allready released games in native 4K. don't expect anything other than indie stuff to be native 4K.

 

[OléGunner]

I think one key reason why people are so upset with this news is because of the long-held expectation that a console will remain fundamentally static throughout the entire generation.

You don't see that problem with other electronics like smartphones.

When I first heard of Infinity Blade on iOS, I was hardly surprised to find out that it didn't run well on older iPhones, and that I needed to get a new phone to run it well.

What baffles me even more then is that consoles are so much cheaper than smartphones, so theoretically people shouldn't be complaining about upgrades like this at all.

Games for console don't cost 99 cents or are free though.
The investment on software on consoles can be much higher (if you are not a microtransaction whore lol)

Atleast now, console-exclusive users won't necessarily be bogged with lesser experiences if developers approach this right.

The PS4.5 will be already outdated when it launches in comparison the PC though right?
I've been reading about some new PASCAL cards soon or whatever which will further only enhance that.

Every console released after this gen will forever be behind PC so I don't necessarily get your post.

 

[Shadow Ranger]

The Last Guardian needed even more power, didn't it...?

Will wait for a price reduction on the new model though...or will they come out with a third, even more powerful model...hmm.

 

[Mastperf]

Now is the time for Steam Machines. The bang-for-your-buck with consoles is about to drop significantly for many.

 

[jdstorm]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation. That's the only logical explaination. If I had a decent PC I'd be done with Sony and Microsoft for a few generations. They have definitely lost my trust.

 

[RoadHazard]

You're naive if you believe this.

Devs will naturally start targeting the more powerful hardware and then the OG Ps4 will get weaker and weaker versions. I bet God of War 4 on Ps4 would look and perform worse in a universe where Ps4.5 does exist vs. one where it does not. Because if there is no Ps4.5, devs will target regular Ps4.

Last of Us would not have happened the way it did on Ps3 if there were a Ps3.5.

3rd party devs already build their games for much more powerful hardware than the PS4. A good gaming PC can run demanding games at much higher settings than the equivalents used in the console versions. How is this any different, really? The PS4K won't be enough of an increase in power to allow for things that would make the game plain impossible to get running decently on the old PS4 at lower settings.

Exclusives (which are build specifically for a set hardware configuration) are a slightly different matter, but I don't really see why the same couldn't apply there. Again, this is "only" a 2x power increase or so, nothing close to a proper generational leap.

 

[Glorified G]

You will get what 1.8TF can deliver. Not more, not less. People with PS4K will get what twice the amount can deliver. Or whatever specs this theoretical machine will have.

Everyone was getting "what 1.8TF can deliver" but the fact is that less time will be spent on the 1.8TF machine because their is a new X.XTF spec. Developers don't have infinite man power and resources will have to be transferred over.

 

[Aztechnology]

Yup and what's more, PCs are getting more and more user friendly. If console upgrades are a thing now, then may as well move over to PC gaming for the better sales and other advantages it offers.

Sony and Microsoft have both realized they will have to move to that model to continue to innovate and compete in the long run. Consoles are just targeting and audience who are willing to subsidize the cost of the console through service (Yearly fees) and software sales in lieu of a larger upfront cost for the same performance. Like you said though that gap in upfront cost is getting smaller and has been pretty close for a while now. So my question is, why the hell were you on the Console in the first place if this is your view?

 

[Dahaka]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation. That's the only logical explaination. If I had a decent PC I'd be done with Sony and Microsoft for a few generations. They have definitely lost my trust.

yeah sure, the NX is the cause of all this and not adapting to a rapidly evolving sector, giving the right answer to calls for performance (VR, game developers in general who experience the limits of their design choices).

I have quite the decent PC and I look forward to the PS4K.

 

[Mezoly]

The architecture allows simple scaling. The SPE fuckup with the gimped RSX was a different situation. That is why it is now feasible to add incremental hardware upgrades.



The problem is that you feel degraded to a 2nd grade standard. That is the problem I've stated. The PS4 will get their content as far their capabilities reach. It is simple to scale down the experience from the same architecture. This works with smartphones, computers, televisions, .... and with consoles it starts being a problem? Come on.



Why should someone need the new model? Why is the PS4 suddenly 2nd grade stuff and won't give you people your shallow premium feeling anymore? People that will enjoy a better experience can invest in that for everyone else nothing should change.

Simpler scaling sure but it will mean less optimization as well. Dev time is limited they can't optimize multiple configuration. The 60% better console performance vs the same PC specs will be much lower.

Smart phones are a terrible comparison. The games/apps are much smaller scale than console games and take much less time to develop. This scaling of apps on phones causes so much trouble. I'm Android dev and debugging all those different devices is a big pain even with a much smaller app compared to a console video game.

 

[doofy102]

You will get what 1.8TF can deliver. Not more, not less. .

It's really not that simple or disconnected. The best games always come from the work of devs that go above and beyond with whatever hardware they happen to be stuck with. The lack of better hardware forces them to work extra ambitiously with what they have. This is human nature. The PS4.5 will enjoy this push, not the PS4.0, the PS4.0 will never enjoy that level of focus again.

 

[Quasar]

I dont think it should be too difficult.

PS4K announced at e3 for : $$$
Then a PS4 price cut to keep things afloat and get people who arnt interested in a higher sku for whatever reason to bite earlier.

Yeah. Just take the Apple approach. Price cut on the old revision, and have the new one priced at the launch price of the PS4.

 

[gundamkyoukai]

Everyone was getting "what 1.8TF can deliver" but the fact is that less time will be spent on the 1.8TF machine because their is a new X.XTF spec. Developers don't have infinite man power and resources will have to be transferred over.

Your still going to get what a 1.8TF can deliver because devs already make games for PC.
This might effect 1st party devs more but for 3rd party it's not a big deal .
Do you think 3rd party devs try to get the best out of PS4 ?

It's really not that simple or disconnected. The best games always come from the work of devs that go above and beyond on whatever hardware they happen to be stuck with. The lack of any better hardware forces them to work extra ambitiously on what they have. This is human nature.

By cutting things like framerate , res and effects .
yes they work hard but there is only so much devs can do with the power they have at a certain setting .

 

[meanspartan]

Everyone was getting "what 1.8TF can deliver" but the fact is that less time will be spent on the 1.8TF machine because their is a new X.XTF spec. Developers don't have infinite man power and resources will have to be transferred over.

Exactly. People are thinking of this in terms of PC GPUs.

The point is consoles could outlive their comparable GPU because devs built for the console. Whatever GPU that is equivalent to the Ps3 in power probably could not fucking run the Last of Us.

 

[OléGunner]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation.

I don't think anyone at Sony or MS gives a shit about NX nor align their hardwrare strategy according to what Nintendo does lmao.

 

[Apt101]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation. That's the only logical explaination. If I had a decent PC I'd be done with Sony and Microsoft for a few generations. They have definitely lost my trust.

While I think your criticisms are valid, I am viewing this in an entirely different way. This sounds like a SKU that will give customers an option to watch 4K media, with the added benefits of some games looking better, and possibly their VR experience being better. I don't see it as splitting a userbase because everyone will still have access to the same library.

If that changes - certain titles being released only for the PS4K - then I'll reexamine my stance. But this all sounds like much ado about nothing right now. I mean, clearly what the current PS4 can offer is plenty for current consumers - right? 38+ million can't be wrong. What's the big deal if a luxury model is released?

 

[meanspartan]

Sony and Microsoft have both realized they will have to move to that model to continue to innovate and compete in the long run. Consoles are just targeting and audience who are willing to subsidize the cost of the console through service (Yearly fees) and software sales in lieu of a larger upfront cost for the same performance. Like you said though that gap in upfront cost is getting smaller and has been pretty close for a while now. So my question is, why the hell were you on the Console in the first place if this is your view?

Because it still held that one last advantage of I buy it early on, I was covered for around 5 years of gaming with my console gaming buddies.

If that goes, then you're right, no reason for me to stay on console anymore.

 

[THEaaron]

Everyone was getting "what 1.8TF can deliver" but the fact is that less time will be spent on the 1.8TF machine because their is a new X.XTF spec. Developers don't have infinite man power and resources will have to be transferred over.

No. The architecture remains nearly the same thanks to x86. That is one of the points why PS4 development got significantly easier.

The other machine is just more powerful so you just align the experience to the horsepower that is available.

The situation is similar to every PC game compared to the PS4 version. And don't start with exclusives now. They aren't technically magical things that get more from 1.8TF. The visual fidelity from exclusive titles are mostly because of high production values in the content area.

 

[Ashler]

I think it will be a big thing at E3.

Also, I find that it's okay for Sony to do this, however, it does bring up a couple things. If this becomes a normal thing, it makes PCs even more enticing for people to get on, especially when all you really need to do is upgrade the GPU more than anything. And two, I've seen people complain about a new console 3 to 4 years after the original release, yet there are people that will pay full price iPads/iPhones every year that cost more than consoles ever would.

Honestly if I were Sony, from a PR point of view, I would take this and run with: why would anyone get a PC for gaming if they can get continuous top of the line performance/graphics, plug and play solution with no hardware/software troubleshooting required.
The issue when upgrading your PC is that it tends to require more than a single component when you're actually looking fora generational leap, so, lets say, new GPU, new CPU, RAM (maybe, depending on the generation) and Motherboard to support a new chip set, etc.

Building mid generational solutions allow you to pluck down the 499$ for an all in one upgrade with the caveat that its backwards compatible while also ensures that you can still compete with PCs graphics mid term (closed ecosystem optimization), until their next update to the hardware.

Regarding price and people complaining, Apple has paved the way for 1 year or 2 year upgrades on multiple devices. If this goes through and Sony does a decent job highlighting the positives and why people would want this upgrade, then I think this might stick.

we'll see!

 

[Jimbob Smalls]

Looking at Gaf, this sort of semi make sense.

You have the 60fps or bust guys and those who couldn't care less. This machine could maybe cater for both crowds.

 

[gundamkyoukai]

Exactly. People are thinking of this in terms of PC GPUs.

The point is consoles could outlive their comparable GPU because devs built for the console. Whatever GPU that is equivalent to the Ps3 in power probably could not fucking run the Last of Us.

PS3 was able to do TLOU because of cell.
Guess what the PS4 CPU is trash and the gpu is not some unknown factor .

 

[Melchiah]

Yeaaaaa no. GOW2 for instance would likely look something like this. This isn't even remotely close to the same thing as a cross-gen experience. The hardware isn't so drastically different that the developers can't simply create a different profile. The PS4 will still have a catered performance preset, same as always. Literally nothing will change for PS4 users. Multiplatform dev's especially if they are doing it on PC do settings for obscene amounts of combinations, For two consoles with the same architecture it's a cakewalk.

Reposting from earlier as I feel I'll get plenty of use out of this.

I'm ok with that, and if it turns out to be so I'll definitely be buying PS4K.

You're naive if you believe this.

Devs will naturally start targeting the more powerful hardware and then the OG Ps4 will get weaker and weaker versions. I bet God of War 4 on Ps4 would look and perform worse in a universe where Ps4.5 does exist vs. one where it does not. Because if there is no Ps4.5, devs will target regular Ps4.

Last of Us would not have happened the way it did on Ps3 if there were a Ps3.5.

Why not ?
Devs drop framerate , res and effects all the time .
If there was a PS3.5 i would have to been force to play TLOU at subs 30fps @720p.

TLOU ran at sub-30fps, eventhough there wasn't a PS3.5.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-last-of-us-tech-analysis

In the demo we saw how fight sequences and the appearance of multiple light sources caused frame-rates to stray from the desired 30fps target. While this was never an issue when slowly exploring the environment, during fast-paced combat scenes the ebb and flow of the controls is far more important, and it's here where we felt the mild judder and visible loss in smoothness could impact the experience when the engine is more heavily taxed - particularly during gunfights where accuracy is desired to make every last bullet count.

For the most part things haven't changed in the final game: more technically demanding scenes still cause the frame-rate to buckle under the rendering load, although we find that heavier drops in performance have a greater impact on the action when it is situated in larger, more expansive environments. It's not uncommon to see drops of around 5fps - sometimes more - when traversing areas that feature large amounts of foliage and reflective water.

Is the assumption, that the next Naughty Dog game after Uncharted 4 will run worse on the PS4 than TLOU did on the PS3, just because the PS4K exists?

 

[Markoman]

Honestly if I were Sony, from a PR point of view, I would take this and run with: why would anyone get a PC for gaming if they can get continuous top of the line performance/graphics, plug and play solution with no hardware/software troubleshooting required.
The issue when upgrading your PC is that it tends to require more than a single component when you're actually looking fora generational leap, so, lets say, new GPU, new CPU, RAM (maybe, depending on the generation) and Motherboard to support a new chip set, etc.

Building mid generational solutions allow you to pluck down the 499$ for an all in one upgrade with the caveat that its backwards compatible while also ensures that you can still compete with PCs graphics mid term (closed ecosystem optimization), until their next update to the hardware.

Regarding price and people complaining, Apple has paved the way for 1 year or 2 year upgrades on multiple devices. If this goes through and Sony does a decent job highlighting the positives and why people would want this upgrade, then I think this might stick.

we'll see!

1. No
2. No
3. No

 

[Sjefen]

Fuck me, cant wait. Every 3 years is sweet spot for me.

 

[doofy102]

By cutting things like framerate , res and effects .
yes they work hard but there is only so much devs can do with the power they have at a certain setting .

Devs will care less about cutting down the quality of their PS4.0 version because they'll know that their "vision" is preserved on their PS4.5 version.

If the PS4.0 version is all they have to work on they'll fight to have as few cuts as possible in order to preserve their "vision."

 

[THEaaron]

PS3 was able to do TLOU because of cell.
Guess what the PS4 CPU is trash and the gpu is not some unknowed factor .

PS3 was able to do TLOU because they went down to 20fps when scenes got more lively. Uncharted 3 looked pretty good on a console and the only way to improve more was to take the sacrifice in framerate.

Even though there is no bigger version of the PS3 you have to deal with a sub 30fps experience. The whole argumentation does not stand up to the point "it is less worthy because there is a better model".

 

[Gravijah]

And the smug late adopters make even less sense. Why not take it to the next step and just hang on for the PS5 if you're such a savvy consumer?

Because the PS5 likely won't have BC, meaning a PS4 will be the only way to play PS4 games for however many decades until emulation exists. Buying a PS4 when the PS5 launches, on the other hand, isn't such a bad idea as you have an entire generation of games to pick through.

I mean, I don't need to buy a system when it's current. It's still gonna exist 5 years from now, 10 years from now, whenever. That aside, I'm definitely glad I waited to jump on the PS4, since this new model exists.

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation. That's the only logical explaination. If I had a decent PC I'd be done with Sony and Microsoft for a few generations. They have definitely lost my trust.

Yeah, no it isn't.

 

[Melchiah]

Because the PS5 likely won't have BC, meaning a PS4 will be the only way to play PS4 games for however many decades until emulation exists. Buying a PS4 when the PS5 launches, on the other hand, isn't such a bad idea as you have an entire generation of games to pick through.

I mean, I don't need to buy a system when it's current. It's still gonna exist 5 years from now, 10 years from now, whenever. That aside, I'm definitely glad I waited to jump on the PS4, since this new model exists.

Why wouldn't the PS4 games work on PS5, if both have x86 architecture with AMD hardware?

 

[gundamkyoukai]

TLOU ran at sub-30fps, eventhough there wasn't a PS3.5.


Is the assumption, that the next Naughty Dog game after Uncharted 4 will run worse on the PS4 than TLOU did on the PS3, just because the PS4K exists?

I think you miss my point .
My point was if there was a PS3.5 ND would push the PS3 the same way .
The only difference would be me as a consumer would have a way to play a better version if there was a PS3.5.
Come late in the gen devs always push stuff at the cost of other things .

 

[Frodo]

I don't think anyone at Sony or MS gives a shit about NX nor align their hardwrare strategy according to what Nintendo does lmao.

Says the touchpad on the DS4, the push to have Vita as a Off-TV play of sorts, and Microsoft pushing for using tablets to have another screen control method at the beginning of the generation.

 

[googleplex]

Because the PS5 likely won't have BC, meaning a PS4 will be the only way to play PS4 games for however many decades until emulation exists. Buying a PS4 when the PS5 launches, on the other hand, isn't such a bad idea as you have an entire generation of games to pick through.
.

This is most likely not true. The PS4 being x86 based will make BC very easy for the PS5

 

[Tntnico]

Everyone talk about going PC because of that.

I'm the exact opposite ! It prevents me going PC. I love console, I bought Xbox 360, Elite and Slim models last year, every 3 years (average), so I'm glad this time new models give me better experience.

PS4 already is behind PC, especially regarding VR, so a new model is something fans or tech enthusiasts are looking for. Other will just stick with standard model until the next "true" new model. I don't see the problem.

It's not like a new smartphone model every year. We are talking about new model every 3 years. If you go the PC route, I suppose that you spend at least $200 every 3 years to keep your PC OK, am I wrong ?

 

[laxu]

Going by OP's post, with the PS4k being twice as powerful, you are not wrong. It will be running similar to a GTX 960, or at best GTX 970. A 970 isn't too bad, but we're already expected to hear news next week about a 970/980 successor, ie 1070/1080... so its already behind the 8-ball.

But if PSVR comes out in Oct, and PS4k comes out in Q1 2017, Id expect them most of the PSVR stuff to be PS4k only simply because I think the PS4 is too underpowered to handle VR. 60fps isn't that great of an experience in VR as both the rift and Vive are targeting 90fps.

Exactly. Now even a GTX 960 will run 1080p games fine and with current PS4 detail levels would probably be 60 fps guaranteed. However, it's not going to be good for any higher resolution when you consider a GTX 970 can just about handle 1440p @ 30-40 fps and you need two of them for 60 fps at that resolution. Even a 980 Ti can just about do 30 fps in 4K.

As the new 14nm GPUs out this year are expected to be a lot faster it would make sense for the PS4K to use one of those if there is a version that fits the price point well enough. I can't help but think that it's at least a year too early but I guess they have to do it now to get on the VR train.

 

[Ashler]

1. No
2. No
3. No

 

[Green Yoshi]

Where comes from the 1st Q of 2017 tittle edit? Have read the OP again and there's no edit in it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=199662492&postcount=2766

 

[Melchiah]

I think you miss my point .
My point was if there was a PS3.5 ND would push the PS3 the same way .
The only difference would be me as a consumer would have a way to play a better version if there was a PS3.5.
Come late in the gen devs always push stuff at the cost of other things .

Ah, the framerate comment gave me the wrong impression.

 

[Radec]

Wow. The NX must be something special if both Sony and Microsoft are willing to shaft their pre-existing user base like this with a 3 year console generation. That's the only logical explaination. If I had a decent PC I'd be done with Sony and Microsoft for a few generations. They have definitely lost my trust.

lol. NX isn't even a threat yet. Nobody except Nintendo knows what it is.

 

[Gravijah]

Why wouldn't the PS4 games work on PS5, if both have x86 architecture with AMD hardware?

This is most likely not true. The PS4 being x86 based will make BC very easy for the PS5

We'll see how things look in the 5+ years it'll take to birth an entirely new generation. The PS4 doesn't even play PS1 games, even though Sony have had a PS1 emulator that worked on the PSP, Vita and PS3. I'm definitely not going to put any faith in playing PS4/One games on the PS5/Two until I see it, though.

 

[JonCha]

I guess I don't have to be part of an iterative console development cycle, but it sounds like the 4.5 is going to be a clear upgrade - especially with developers seemingly targeting it.

The question for me is how significant the experiences between the two consoles are. I don't think Sony is realistic about existing (outside of enthusiasts like those on here) PS4 owners paying full price for a new console. A subsidised upgrade program for existing owners would make perfect sense and help to unify the 'install base'.

I'm wondering if Microsoft will go down this path also or think about keeping One Xbox and try to pitch against Sony. At the same, though, Sony could say 'we continue to have the more powerful console than Microsoft'.

 

[gundamkyoukai]

Devs will care less about cutting down the quality their PS4.0 version because they'll know their "vision" will be preserved on the PS4.5 version.

If the PS4.0 version is all they have to work with, they'll fight for as few cuts as possible.

I really don't think that is the case .
Devs are not going to spend time try to get everything out of PS4 .
At least not 3rd party devs , they will just drop something .
Like how we see games dropping certain things like res .
If ND had to drop UC4 MP to 900p to get 60 fps that should tell you something .

 

[Apt101]

Honestly if I were Sony, from a PR point of view, I would take this and run with: why would anyone get a PC for gaming if they can get continuous top of the line performance/graphics, plug and play solution with no hardware/software troubleshooting required.
The issue when upgrading your PC is that it tends to require more than a single component when you're actually looking fora generational leap, so, lets say, new GPU, new CPU, RAM (maybe, depending on the generation) and Motherboard to support a new chip set, etc.

Building mid generational solutions allow you to pluck down the 499$ for an all in one upgrade with the caveat that its backwards compatible while also ensures that you can still compete with PCs graphics mid term (closed ecosystem optimization), until their next update to the hardware.

Regarding price and people complaining, Apple has paved the way for 1 year or 2 year upgrades on multiple devices. If this goes through and Sony does a decent job highlighting the positives and why people would want this upgrade, then I think this might stick.

we'll see!

One also can't easily sell their old GPU, nor trade it in. As long as there are effortless resale/trade in markets for consoles, it makes the idea of upgrading consoles less of a hassle and not price prohibitive. I'm sure the strugglin' version of me back in 2001-ish would disagree with current me, but the idea of trading in my PS4 for $100-$200 in credit and buying a much stronger version for $300-ish out of pocket every three years is not a problem. I replace my tablets and phones more often at a much higher cost.