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[Louis Cyphre]

You are really stating my point... from a different angle. Consoles are limited by power consumption and component pricing issues which shave not changed and are not getting better. How can be releasing more consoles more frequently the answer?

Because as said before the current generation was already lagging behind. The current consoles still struggle at times hitting 1080p and it was the PS3 that really got people into HDTV's. So here we are in 2016 and some games are getting scaled back even 1st party games and you ask what's the need for Neo? Do we really want to go another 3 or 4 years playing below true HD?

Now the craze is already gearing up for 4K which Sony also wants to be a big part of, at least for video support. I am starting to wonder if remasters like Uncharted and The Last of Us Running at 60FPS already spoiled us for more?

 

[geordiemp]

The strange thing is it's an argument that's been used by both sides. Some even think Neo's coming out partly because people will want to go out and build / buy a PC with these new graphics cards.

They will, a gaming PC in UK is not like the US, its £ 800 and more. With zen and Polaris there will be a PC gaming uptake for sure.

I also think Scorpio will do well, so Sony need to be in that race.

 

[Prisoner KSC2-303]

This is pure speculation. There no is proof that PS5 would launch sooner without Neo happening. That will happen when the tech they consider necessary for a generational leap is available at an affordable price.

Of course it's speculation, just like your theory that it won't elongate the generation. There's no proof for either, but I see no way in which the hardware within the PS4 remains as relevant in today's market for as long without a refresh alongside it, effectively making it a two SKU approach.

As for when we'll get the generational leap, the point of an iterative model is that it may never happen, at least not in the way it has before, particularly if forwards compatibility is implemented.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Of course it's speculation, just like your theory that it won't elongate the generation. There's no proof for either, but I see no way in which the hardware within the PS4 remains as relevant in today's market for as long without a refresh alongside it, effectively making it a two SKU approach.

As for when we'll get the generational leap, the point of an iterative model is that it may never happen, at least not in the way it has before, particularly if forwards compatibility is implemented.

True. I guess you don't need a generational leap if you are going to do half steps from now on. But people that stay with the base PS4 until the next iteration after the PS4 Neo will most likely get a generation leap.

 

[duhmetree]

True. I guess you don't need a generational leap if you are going to do half steps from now on. But people that stay with the base PS4 until the next iteration after the PS4 Neo will most likely get a generation leap.

We will have a generational leap next iteration due to tech advances.

Zen+Vega w/16-32GB HBM would be considered next-gen.

 

[Keihart]

We will have a generational leap next iteration due to tech advances.

Zen+Vega w/16-32GB HBM would be considered next-gen.

But if forward compability becomes the norm it means zilch

 

[DeepEnigma]

But if forward compability becomes the norm it means zilch

PS4 will probably not be forward compatible with PS5, however the PS5 will be backwards compatible with PS4.

It will more than likely just be cross-gen, different software discs like we are used to, only less exotic development shifts. They will have a PS5 branding if House's comments are anything to go by.

 

[duhmetree]

But if forward compability becomes the norm it means zilch

API, drivers and OS should be the same.

 

[Keihart]

PS4 will not be forward compatible with PS5, however the PS5 will be backwards compatible with PS4.

It will just be cross-gen, different software discs. They will have a PS5 branding if House's comments are anything to go by.

If is just a mid step before PS5 sure, but since we are speculating, may PS5 never arrive and PS4 Neo is just like a troyan horse in to the new business model. Even Shu when asked has never confirmed that PS5 will exist at some point.

 

[CosmicQueso]

Even Shu when asked has never confirmed that PS5 will exist at some point.

They've said the same thing every gen since forever.

The answer is because developers will make games for the platforms owned by the most people.

Nope. Combination of installed base, attach rate, and software pricing (or ARPU these days).

These three things combine to determine where development dollars go. Not just what platform is owned by the most people.

A very high attach rate and a higher ARPU can make development make sense even if the installed base of hardware is very low.

Your thinking about this is severely flawed.

 

[DeepEnigma]

If is just a mid step before PS5 sure, but since we are speculating, may PS5 never arrive and PS4 Neo is just like a troyan horse in to the new business model. Even Shu when asked has never confirmed that PS5 will exist at some point.

Lol, a no comment from Shu is not anything to be used as evidence. They always say that when asked before anything is revealed. House's is more telling, since he said it was to be sold alongside the current model for the remainder of 'this current gen'.

No exec will confirm the next revision when they want you to buy the current one, especially this early in the current gen.

 

[Keihart]

Lol, a no comment from Shu is not anything to be used as evidence. They always say that when asked before anything is revealed. House's is more telling, since he said it was to be sold alongside the current model for the remainder of 'this current gen'.

No exec has ever confirmed the next gen box when asked before a reveal, especially this early in the current gen.

Ok then, i would happily wait for PS5 without forward compatibility. Both escenarios don't make me exited for PS4Neo anyway.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Because as said before the current generation was already lagging behind. The current consoles still struggle at times hitting 1080p and it was the PS3 that really got people into HDTV's. So here we are in 2016 and some games are getting scaled back even 1st party games and you ask what's the need for Neo? Do we really want to go another 3 or 4 years playing below true HD?

Now the craze is already gearing up for 4K which Sony also wants to be a big part of, at least for video support. I am starting to wonder if remasters like Uncharted and The Last of Us Running at 60FPS already spoiled us for more?

The era of console manufacturers ensuring a long period of superiority compared to similarly priced PC's is gone, PS4 was more than competitive enough with $399 PC's in 2013 whether we like to admit it or not, but it is difficult to compete with boxes that, for the enthusiast configurations many people think of, can target a much higher power consumption and whose owners accept much bigger boxes.

Also, we have plenty of 1080p games and if you think that having faster HW will stop developers from over promising with bullshots/showing controller higher quality real time demos and scaling back afterwards as the game goes in full production... well, I think you will be disappointed.

We have seen plenty of 1080p@60 FPS games relatively early in the generation, lately we had DOOM for example but you can also look at Battlefront earlier in the year, and lots of 1080p games too albeit 30 FPS ones, but I think the drama about this issue is more contagious than the positive examples of the contrary. Some people still think about PSVita as filled with only subnative games or PS3 having no games, or the lack of high res 60 FPS games on PS2 or how PS2 did not have many games in its first year on the market and it was only its DVD playback feature causing it to sell out so quickly, etc...

 

[Panajev2001a]

Because it's likely cheaper for Sony to have a mid-generation update rather than launching an entirely new console and resetting their userbase, and it's likely more profitable for Sony to extend the current generation as long as possible for the same reason.

Also, Sony likely knew about MS and Scorpio, and the vanilla PS4 trying to exist along side Scorpio + Oculus for another 3-4 years isn't an ideal scenario and it could backfire no matter how much momentum Sony currently has.

I'm not saying the Neo will be success, but the reasons it exists make plenty of sense.

You argued sensible points, but what are the benefit for me as a gamer and what are the benefit for game console developers? I am sorry for coming back to this often, but while I can fully understand why it makes financial sense or at least looks promising enough to try for MS and Sony, but I think that the industry (gamers and developers) are better served by console generations with smooth transitions, see PS3 to PS4.

I understand why Sony wants forward compatibility for PS4 and backward compatibility (the latter which you can still have in the current generations model), but it is not a consumer concern that poor hardware manufacturers cannot force us into a platform lock in we have trouble getting out and where the benefits for consumers seem so hand wavy.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Well the crux is also that the Neo is meant for PS4 games. That means we won't get the kind of upgrade we usually get from a new console since they're essentially all cross-gen. But we'll likely still pay the same price as for completely new console.

... and this is a model which, if it succeeds, would allow MS and Sony to de-emphasise the big power jump they have to demonstrate every 5-6 years into smoother frequent updates which keep the consumer locked in the platform and see their profit margins rise (badly hidden fact: everyone still lusts after Apple's >40% iPhone profit margins).

 

[Panajev2001a]

It doesn't force a longer generation. If these are going to be 3 years cycles not much will change. You talk as if developers were not going to do cross-gen games anyway.

We get to avoid 2 to 3 years of bullshit while the companies wait for the install bases to grow large enough support their biggest game. Any time will be a good time to launch a major exclusive.

... this model will only make cross generation games the norm rather than one year or so each generation.

 

[duhmetree]

NEO was made to further compliment PSVR. Everything else is a by-product. Why is this being forgotten?

Developers for PSVR need more power. This isn't a massive secret. Sony would be foolish to not introduce NEO..

 

[CosmicQueso]

NEO was made to further compliment PSVR. Everything else is a by-product. Why is this being forgotten?

Developers for PSVR need more power. This isn't a massive secret. Sony would be foolish to not introduce NEO..

Oh boy here we go

 

[mrklaw]

You argued sensible points, but what are the benefit for me as a gamer and what are the benefit for game console developers? I am sorry for coming back to this often, but while I can fully understand why it makes financial sense or at least looks promising enough to try for MS and Sony, but I think that the industry (gamers and developers) are better served by console generations with smooth transitions, see PS3 to PS4.

I understand why Sony wants forward compatibility for PS4 and backward compatibility (the latter which you can still have in the current generations model), but it is not a consumer concern that poor hardware manufacturers cannot force us into a platform lock in we have trouble getting out and where the benefits for consumers seem so hand wavy.

Benefits for consumer:
- if you want the best performance you can upgrade without having to wait 6-7 years. Especially useful for early adopters.
- if you are price conscious you can skip the update and buy into the next one, keeping the traditional generational gap if you prefer.
- if you are buying into the platform after a few years, you don't need to worry about it losing support quickly
- if you update to the next console, you can choose to keep your previous console as it will still play the new games through forward compatibility* (* only one generation)
- full backward compatibility ensuring your digital and physical purchases will work on new consoles in the future
- keep your existing online identity and features - friends list, trophies etc.
- all the features from previous consoles will be there immediately, without having to wait months for software updates - catchup services, media streaming etc.
- 4K streaming services from Netflix etc

Benefits for publisher (devs don't matter ultimately, it's the publishers paying the bills. Obviously some devs *are* the publisher too):
- no sudden uptick in performance requiring significant reworking of tool chains, processes and asset creation. Can evolve gradually using PC as a base target
- reduces risk inherent in normal generational transitions. No need to gamble on an unknown user base for a new console because your investment is spread across the existing console with the same product.
- maintains and sustains existing certification processes with minor updates, rather than needing to understate entirely new set
- existing tools for platform holder will continue to work with new console, providing continuity of service and planning.
- common online community allows for online game populations at launch bolstered by previous console.

 

[duhmetree]

Oh boy here we go

Ok. Not sure what this entails.

PSVR could stand to benefit from more power. Hence that processor box that's coming with it.

 

[geordiemp]

Ok. Not sure what this entails.

PSVR could stand to benefit from more power. Hence that processor box that's coming with it.

uhhh, do you mean the TV signal splitter and sound processing box which has been said so many times to contain no VR or power processing . Go watch one of the PSVR videos about what is in there. Hence Cosmics post, you are making posts and saying wrong things without even looking for yourself.

The box takes the PSVR signal and makes a normal feed to output to your TV so friends can watch you while in VR. The VR signal goes to your headset as normal..

 

[boingball]

House believes buyers have become used to frequent, and often costly, upgrades thanks in part to the emergence of high-end smartphones.

As expected. Some managers in Sony are looking enviously at Apple and with their own phone business not really succeeding they are hoping they can replicate it with their Playstation business. I wouldn't surprised to see another PS4 refresh next year (with the PS4k not even supporting 4k (i.e. no Blu-Ray 4k player)), I would be very surprised if they don't refresh in 2 years. Similar as with smartphones games can be also played on older models but at some point the performance on those older models just becomes so bad that customers "voluntarily" upgrade.

I don't think that this model will be successful with consoles. Customers who want this are already on PC where they can buy or upgrade their PC yearly or even monthly. All the other customers will just move to smartphones. If throwing your smartphone app onto a TV becomes easier, you basically have a console in your pocket. The success of the Wii has shown that customers do not necessarily need the best graphics. Sony will destroy the niche in which consoles currently are positioned (and MS will be glad to help them in that goal, since then they can again focusing on PCs).

 

[Thejackburton]

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

 

[ChosenPredator]

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

yeah the only thing really keeping me on consoles is the exclusives, I never thought I would slowly divert into a PC gamer but its making more sense to me as time goes forward.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

... this model will only make cross generation games the norm rather than one year or so each generation.

One year or so? That definitely was not the case this generation.

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

So you would rather every one be stuck with garbage hardware for 6 to 8 years?

 

[Clear]

And yet Andrew House said they have to wait for game support before they are willing to unveil it. If it was so trivial, they wouldn't need to be waiting for games to show off what the Neo can do. So how about not hogwash and not trivial?

Well, support doesn't become mandatory before September (I presume not part of TRCs until then) and given there's no firm date for rolling out the hardware it hardly seems like a pressing concern.

Obviously if you want, or more likely are mandated to, make a showcase title there's the potential for significant work needing to be done. BUT, achieving baseline compatibility is trivial, and that's very likely going to be the default position for most devs at least until the platform proves itself.

The bottom line is that Sony are under no pressure to unveil Neo. They already have the market leading console and are 4 months out from launching PSVR.

 

[duhmetree]

uhhh, do you mean the TV signal splitter and sound processing box which has been said so many times to contain no VR or power processing . Go watch one of the PSVR videos about what is in there. Hence Cosmics post, you are making posts and saying wrong things without even looking for yourself.

The box takes the PSVR signal and makes a normal feed to output to your TV so friends can watch you while in VR. The VR signal goes to your headset as normal..

So it processes some form of data that the PS4 wont?

My first post, which was the one replied to, has no mention of the processor box. So, yeah.

PSVR will benefit from more power are you refuting that or just arguing to argue?

 

[-ImaginaryInsider]

You argued sensible points, but what are the benefit for me as a gamer and what are the benefit for game console developers? I am sorry for coming back to this often, but while I can fully understand why it makes financial sense or at least looks promising enough to try for MS and Sony, but I think that the industry (gamers and developers) are better served by console generations with smooth transitions, see PS3 to PS4.

I understand why Sony wants forward compatibility for PS4 and backward compatibility (the latter which you can still have in the current generations model), but it is not a consumer concern that poor hardware manufacturers cannot force us into a platform lock in we have trouble getting out and where the benefits for consumers seem so hand wavy.

Neither game developers or the consumer really benefitted last generation when we moved from SD content to HD content, which most games couldn't even run without sacrificing resolution or visual fidelity. It effectively bankrupted multiple studios, relegated sub-AAA game development to indies and smaller downloadable titles. Consumers ended up being stuck in a long generation with severely aging hardware with sub-HD games of less variety... so everybody involved could recoup some money.

We could place the blame for that solely on the change to HD, or we could place the blame more rightly on the fact the traditional console model of hardware sold at a loss didn't adapt to the changes of the market or technology of that time. The smooth change you cited between the PS3 to the PS4 was made possible by allowing consoles to adapt to the current conditions and being profitable effectively on day one.

The Neo (and potentially Scorpio) are "part two" of console makers trying to adapt the console model. It might not be feasible to lock hardware down for 5-7 years anymore without losing relevance to things like VR or PC gaming, and rebooting a generation every 4 years might cause even worse backlash with consumers than a mid-generation hardware update.

There is not a perfect solution that really takes into account all the factors, most choices would likely completely screw either consumers, developers, or console makers.

This "iPhone S" model allows console makers to adapt to trends quicker without a complete reboot. Using the same or similar architecture allows developers to still have a 40 million+ userbase to sell to without having to contend with a completely new development environment, with some potential for growth. The consumer gets more options, not being forced to upgrade, a traditional length generation, and things like VR, UHD, better graphics, without having to wait an additional 4 years, and it's going to be available at seemingly good to decent prices.

There are benefits, compromised benefits for sure, but they are there.

 

[Audioboxer]

With MS putting out a 4k video device (presumably very shortly) either Neo has to come this year or at least a PS4 "slim".

Sony getting beat on the 4k video playback isn't good marketing for them.

 

[geordiemp]

With MS putting out a 4k video device (presumably very shortly) either Neo has to come this year or at least a PS4 "slim".

Sony getting beat on the 4k video playback isn't good marketing for them.

Is it 4K blu ray or just streaming support ? Big difference. Paging jeff Rigby...

 

[Kyoufu]

Ok. Not sure what this entails.

PSVR could stand to benefit from more power. Hence that processor box that's coming with it.

This again? That box does not give anything more power.

 

[KinofChaos]

With MS putting out a 4k video device (presumably very shortly) either Neo has to come this year or at least a PS4 "slim".

Sony getting beat on the 4k video playback isn't good marketing for them.

4k content is years away from being relevant, sony has no need to rush.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

.....or you can just ignore the upgrade and buy every 2-3 iterations.

Apple releases an iPad yearly, I have an iPad 2 and an iPad Air 2 (6th iPad). Between my iPads were iPad 3, iPad 4, and iPad Air. I will probably get another iPad once my iPad 2 and iPad Air 2 dies, which won't be for a while.

 

[bitbydeath]

So it processes some form of data that the PS4 wont?

Not won't, can't. From my understandings it's primary function is as a audio/video translator between both the headset and PS4 as both video and sound can be outputted differently on each device simultaneously.

 

[jeff_rigby]

Is it 4K blu ray or just streaming support ? Big difference. Paging jeff Rigby...

Both are UHD following the same standards. Notice there is no UHD Blu-ray player for PCs or Game Consoles and Vidipath has been delayed. Windows 10 and the Game consoles 100% follow HTML5 open source standards because they are used for UHD media and Vidipath. The ATSC 3.0 (4K Antenna TV) standard has the 4K TV screen as a web page using HTML5 <video> MSE EME to display the picture. Sony has a BDA licence to create a UHD Blu-ray Player for every UHD platform; Embedded, Game Console (which may also include the XB1), PC and Movie player streamed from a UHD Blu-ray player digital bridge. ALL media will follow this same standard so it applies to 1080P with tighter rules for DRM due to 4K.

The embedded platforms can release early and be firmware updated to correct any issues with the standard but the others have to 100% follow the standards and APIs. When Sony writes a PC UHD Blu-ray player it will use the vendor (Windows 10 and Manufacturer drivers) for the embedded TEE and HTML5 stack which include the codec and embedded portions of HTML5 <video> MSE EME which is what Playready must also do. E-ENC format is followed by the media so it can use the industry standards for DRM followed by HTML5 <video>EME MSE which started with the Netflix/Google/Microsoft proposal which Playready as C-ENC put forth.

Both the 2013 Game consoles are UHD Capable as well as the 2015 PS4 revision, 2016 Xbox1 Slim, 2017 PS4 NEO and 2017 XB1 Scorpio. If any of the latter were to be released today they still couldn't support UHD blu-ray till after September. HD Blu-ray drives can be firmware updated to support UHD disks (2010 Version2 specs that are followed by BDXL drives which would still need a few minor firmware updates to work with the UHD player requirements that were published in 2015) which is why developers were commenting on receiving only HD drives in NEO developer packages which is confusing most on UHD support because they don't know the drives are firmware updatable.

The HTML Media Extensions Working Group was extended today (April 2016) until the end of September 2016. As part of making video a first class citizen of the Web, an effort started by HTML5 itself in 2007, W3C has been working on many extension specifications for the Open Web Platform: capturing images from the local device camera, handling of video streams and tracks, captioning and other enhancements for accessibility, audio processing, real-time communications, etc. The HTML Media Extensions Working Group is working on two of those extensions: Media Sources Extensions (MSE), for facilitating adaptive and live streaming, and Encrypted Media Extensions (EME), for playback of protected content. Both are extension specifications to enhance the Open Web Platform with rich media support.

Same applies to the VR release date because it relies on openVX which Khronos did release as 1.0 with the latest spec 1.1 which includes tiling support but AMD and Nvidia are still at Beta .9 and 1.0 respectively and only two months ago. Sony and Microsoft were waiting for AMD and Nvidia to release OpenVX drivers before they provided support on the Consoles. To have an easy path from Console to PC or the reverse they all need to support the same standards. This is also why so few games have been released that support AR or VR like Start the party or The Shooter on the PS3. Games developed after the release of OpenVX to developers should use less GPU compute freeing up more performance for games.

 

[DavidDesu]

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

You realise the vast majority of PC games are effectively held back by the consoles already? Plus if you're anxious about having the best setup then PC gaming is not going to be cheap nor kind to you, lol.

 

[Renekton]

Tell me why Uncharted 4 could not hit the 60fps target that ND wanted?

CPU seems like.

They pulled some rabbits out of hats to make TLOU remaster 60fps on the Jaguar CPU.

 

[ArtHands]

Will be glad if they really follow the smartphone release pattern.

 

[geordiemp]

CPU seems like.

They pulled some rabbits out of hats to make TLOU remaster 60fps on the Jaguar CPU.

How good the Neo is performance wise for running games seems to me to be all down to the CPU choices. So much at stake.

 

[SPCTRE]

The consumer is attuned to a different cadence of innovation in technology thanks in great part for the upgrades cadence on mobile phones or PCs.

I am attuned to the cadence as fuck, GIVE IT TO ME SONY

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

The Neo specs seem to be a lock, no? What with dev kits being out there and such. With perhaps the option of a CPU change.

If they choose to upgrade to Scorpio specs they will have to delay I would think.

Some seem to be suggesting that Neo and Scorpio are the same hardware with MS just going for much higher clocks. I think that is highly unlikely to say the least. If that option was available then Sony would do it too, and it wouldn't take a whole extra year.

Interesting times all around though!

 

[StrongBlackVine]

I should be asleep.

 

[justsomeguy]

How good the Neo is performance wise for running games seems to me to be all down to the CPU choices. So much at stake.

My money is on the higher spec cpu alongside correspondingly higher initial cost. would be better long term move i think.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

The Neo specs seem to be a lock, no? What with dev kits being out there and such. With perhaps the option of a CPU change.

If they choose to upgrade to Scorpio specs they will have to delay I would think.

Some seem to be suggesting that Neo and Scorpio are the same hardware with MS just going for much higher clocks. I think that is highly unlikely to say the least. If that option was available then Sony would do it too, and it wouldn't take a whole extra year.

Interesting times all around though!

It is downclocked from a 5.5TF GPU so it certainly could be upclocked. Microsoft upclocked the CPU in the Xbox One right before launch.

My money is on the higher spec cpu alongside correspondingly higher initial cost. would be better long term move i think.

Yeah going the cheaper route on the CPU seems like a mistake if this supposed to be a major performance boost. It will drag it down right from the start.

 

[TheSpecialOne]

if they truly do a smartphone model of a new console every 3 years then I am done with console gaming tbh.

I don't mind this time if its a one off but i'm more than happy buying a box and it playing everything for 6-8 years without the need to upgrade.

Before I get jumped on saying you can still just use the base version, true but then I know I will be missing out AND that my base hardware is holding games back, likewise if you buy the .5 version you might feel your purchase is being held back by the base version.

Yep, I see where you're coming from. I recently just sold my ps4 and thanks to Sony's poor first party output this gen, I won't be missing anything. I mainly had my ps4 for exclusives but UC4 and Until Dawn are the only decent exclusives so far imo. At this point, I'm only going to purchase consoles at the end of the Gen to catch up on exclusives when the consoles are cheap. I built a new PC pretty much immediately after the rumors surfaced. The reason I transitioned back to consoles was longevity but if upgraded consoles are going to release every 2-3 years, then it's better for me to go back to the platform that offers the most flexibility.

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

It is downclocked from a 5.5TF GPU so it certainly could be upclocked. Microsoft upclocked the CPU in the Xbox One right before launch.

They did but it was only a very minor bump. There's a much bigger difference in running the same GPU at both 4.2TF and ~6TF. Especially with all the power and cooling considerations a console needs.

I think it's more likely that MS have chose hardware that's fairly high spec for a Holiday 2017 console i.e not really doable this year.

If the Neo is coming end of this year it will have quite different hardware to the Scorpio.

IMO.

 

[farmerboy]

I am attuned to the cadence as fuck, GIVE IT TO ME SONY

You got a chuckle outta me.

Spoiler

me too

 

[Comfort Jones]

I really feel like this is gonna make me stop buying consoles until they have a significant amount of games I care about in their library. As a pc gamer I cant afford to keep up with this nonsense just for a few exclusives.

 

[geordiemp]

Yep, I see where you're coming from. I recently just sold my ps4 and thanks to Sony's poor first party output this gen, I won't be missing anything. I mainly had my ps4 for exclusives but UC4 and Until Dawn are the only decent exclusives so far imo. At this point, I'm only going to purchase consoles at the end of the Gen to catch up on exclusives when the consoles are cheap. I built a new PC pretty much immediately after the rumors surfaced. The reason I transitioned back to consoles was longevity but if upgraded consoles are going to release every 2-3 years, then it's better for me to go back to the platform that offers the most flexibility.

If your a mainly PC player thats fine, but me as a console only peasant why cant I pay to have a console that gives me 60 FPS on games like UC4 (which ND could not do because of the hardware).

Really Sony needs to take more care of consumers who primarily game on Ps4 only as I buy 30-40 games a year on it. You can get your 60 FPS fix on PC, I only have Neo as a hope.

 

[Mindwipe]

Both are UHD following the same standards. Notice there is no UHD Blu-ray player for PCs or Game Consoles and Vidipath has been delayed. Windows 10 and the Game consoles 100% follow HTML5 open source standards because they are used for UHD media and Vidipath. The ATSC 3.0 (4K Antenna TV) standard has the 4K TV screen as a web page using HTML5 <video> MSE EME to display the picture. Sony has a BDA licence to create a UHD Blu-ray Player for every UHD platform; Embedded, Game Console (which may also include the XB1), PC and Movie player streamed from a UHD Blu-ray player digital bridge.

The embedded platforms can release early and be firmware updated to correct any issues with the standard but the others have to 100% follow the standards and APIs. When Sony writes a PC UHD Blu-ray player it will use the vendor (Windows 10 and Manufacturer drivers) for the embedded TEE and HTML5 stack which include the codec and embedded portions of HTML5 <video> MSE EME which is what Playready must also do. E-ENC format is followed by the media so it can use the industry standards for DRM followed by HTML5 <video>EME MSE which started with the Netflix/Google/Microsoft proposal which Playready as C-ENC put forth.

Both the 2013 Game consoles are UHD Capable as well as the 2015 PS4 revision, 2016 Xbox1 Slim, 2017 PS4 NEO and 2017 XB1 Scorpio. If any of the latter were to be released today they still couldn't support UHD blu-ray till after September. HD Blu-ray drives can be firmware updated to support UHD disks (2010 Version2 specs that are followed by BDXL drives which would still need a few minor firmware updates to work with the UHD player requirements that were published in 2015) which is why developers were commenting on receiving only HD drives in NEO developer packages which is confusing most on UHD support because they don't know the drives are firmware updatable.

*Headdesk*