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Kotaku: Sony is working on a ‘PS4.5; briefing devs on plans for a more powerful PS4

Sony is currently planning a new version of the PS4 with increased graphical power and games running at 4K resolution, developer sources tell Kotaku.

We don’t know whether current PS4 owners will be able to upgrade or if they’ll have to buy an entirely new device to benefit from this power boost, but from what we hear, Sony has started briefing developers.

Based on conversations with developers who have spoken with Sony, this ‘PS4.5’ will include an upgraded GPU both to support high-end 4K resolution for games and add more processing power that can enhance the games supported by PlayStation VR, the headset Sony will launch this fall. It’s unclear if ‘PS4.5’ is an official name or just a nickname that developers have been using. One developer jokingly called it the ‘PS4K’ while telling me about the device.

In layman’s terms, 4K resolution is around twice the pixel size of 1080p, which is the current standard for games on PlayStation 4 and competing consoles. The current PS4 can output 4K photos and videos, but cannot support 4K resolutions for games. With this upgrade, it would. Besides resolution, developers would have an opportunity to push more effects and other graphical tweaks to make their games look better, thanks to the new GPU.
The circle of people who knew about this upgraded PS4 was small until recently. I first heard about the device from one trusted source, then two. Kotaku’s Jason Schreier and Stephen Totilo were also able to independently verify the existence of these hardware plans with their own developer sources, although some of the details have been vague; one source told us that the device felt “exploratory” and that it may not even be released this year.
As we were chasing down this story, coincidentally, Kotaku UK EIC Keza MacDonald overheard some developers casually talking about the machine while on line at GDC. They mentioned the name ‘PS4.5’ and discussed its increased horsepower, mentioning both 4K resolution and PlayStation VR.
The PS4.5 may not be alone, either.

I’ve heard whispers about an upgraded Xbox One for a while now, and Microsoft has been public about the possibility. At a press briefing earlier this month, Xbox head Phil Spencer hinted to journalists that his company has been exploring the possibility of evolving hardware.
More here: http://kotaku.com/sources-sony-is-working-on-a-ps4-5-1765723053
 
http://kotaku.com/sources-sony-is-working-on-a-ps4-5-1765723053


Sony is currently planning a new version of the PS4 with increased graphical power and games running at 4K resolution, developer sources tell Kotaku.
We don’t know whether current PS4 owners will be able to upgrade or if they’ll have to buy an entirely new device to benefit from this power boost, but from what we hear, Sony has started briefing developers.

Based on conversations with developers who have spoken with Sony, this ‘PS4.5’ will include an upgraded GPU both to support high-end 4K resolution for games and add more processing power that can enhance the games supported by PlayStation VR, the headset Sony will launch this fall.

A more powerful PS4 would also allow the machine to be more competitive with PCs in the world of virtual reality. With a higher-end GPU, the PS4 could more easily match up against the more expensive Oculus Rift and HTC Vive virtual reality headsets, which are designed to work with powerful PCs.


ups, pressed too early, will have more quotes, gimme a sec

Edit: nvm, shinobi made a thread already.
 
Scoops has done it again.

pat+klepek.jpg
 

Toki767

Member
In layman’s terms, 4K resolution is around twice the pixel size of 1080p, which is the current standard for games on PlayStation 4 and competing consoles.

Uh. Isn't 4K called 4K because it has 4 times the amount of pixels as 1080p, not twice.
 
This seems to lend a bit of legitimacy to the speculation that there will be a more powerful Xbox One.1 coming out this fall...
 

Brinbe

Member
I guess this'll be the way forward in the future. Wonder how they'll implement it or what the pricing would be?

I dunno if I'll want to put up the cash for a 4K TV+console just to take advantage of this.
 
I call bullshit, 4K gaming is something even the next generation of consoles will not do. Sony won't release a 600+ dollar PS4.5.
 
Yep been telling people to get ready for this. We are transitioning out of a traditional console cycle from all appearances all around. MS, Sony, and Nintendo all appear to be doing it
 

_woLf

Member
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.
 
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