Ben-DutkaEver since learning about Sony's intention to launch an upgraded PlayStation 4, I've been very much in the opposition's camp .
Firstly, I've always loathed many aspects of the PC gaming culture and just about all of them have wormed their way into the console world now. The one thing I thought I could count on was a piece of hardware still lasting at least five years, maybe even six or seven (as the PS3 did last generation). But if that too is out the window, I will not be a happy camper.
Now, we're hearing GameStop say that updated consoles are "imminent" and prior to this, multiple sources have basically confirmed the PS4K . Then there are the rumors about a new Xbox One and the recent whisper about how Nintendo's new system, the oft-discussed yet mysterious NX, will be more powerful than PS4 "by a noticeable amount." If true, it could be argued that both Sony and Microsoft are simply responding to Nintendo releasing a more powerful console halfway through the new generation, though to me, PS4K has sounded like a Trojan Horse for PlayStation VR from jump. The point is, it really does seem like updated consoles are inevitable and if that's the case, I think out of all three manufacturers, Sony needs to be the carefullest.
By the time this upgraded machine arrives, there will be around 40 million PS4 owners around the world, and I can't imagine the majority will be ecstatic about the idea of forking over another $400 (or I've heard rumors that peg the PS4K price tag at $500) merely a year or two after they bought the first console. Obviously, it really depends on when you purchased your PS4; if you got it on launch day, you'll be understandably less peeved than someone who just got it this year, for example. But the point is, there will be a lot of leery and perhaps even downright infuriated PS4 owners, and Sony needs to explain things very, very clearly. Current owners deserve to know exactly why this new PS4 exists (what's it's purpose? Is it really just to enhance VR experiences or will it significantly upgrade non-VR titles as well?), and whether or not the "old" PS4 will feel outdated.
If developers start taking advantage of the PS4K at a rapid clip, and just about every new game looks and plays noticeably better on the new console, that's a legitimate upgrade that most avid gamers would want. And if it really does cost $500, well…like I said, there will be millions of current PS4 owners who will be none too pleased with the situation. Above all else, Sony, let me repeat: Whenever you announce this thing, be crystal clear about what this system can do, exactly what it enhances, and whether or not most, if not all, games will get a significant boost . We need to know these things before we decide to storm Sony HQ with torches and pitchforks. But make no mistake; if Sony handles this poorly, you're gonna see backlash akin to the PS3 hate during the first year of that system's existence. Lest we forget, that bash-fest was off the charts.
And this might be just as bad, though for completely different reasons. Just step lightly and avoid vagueness, Sony. Fair warning.
Yes it sucks that the WiiU flopped, not caring much to have those precious third party games again was a huge bet, the Wii sales phenom gonna be hard to duplicate.
I agree Sony will need to be concise and clear. And I believe they will. Such a bold move requires it.
Rumors suggest the increase is pretty much only in the GPU processing. This suggests the games themselves really won't change much, just graphics details, res, and frame rates etc.
Personally, if this stuff is true, I just don't feel good about it.
I'm tempted to settle with my original PS4 and buy a new graphics card for my PC and getting the NX at some point and let Sony lead their own closed PC-platform market. It's what it's becoming. It's a pre-canned PC, with paid online play.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/15/2016 11:01:15 PM
The main thing that makes me stay on consoles (sony especially). You don't have hacker losers invading the game. To me what they are doing is the best of both worlds. The possibility to upgrade hardware and still play in a community where your opponent won't go *God mode* on you.
Tried to play Dark Souls online on PC LOL I was invaded by immortal red phantoms. At some point even I went to get a freaking trainer so I could 1 hit KO them. PC online is mostly free yeah but it's shit and full of hackers.
In other games like Diablo the top players on the ladders mostly all use BOTS to run for them –_– . So yeah I liked the fact that my PC could get pretty games weeee but damn the community is poop because the OS can't be controlled like it is on a console. Any one can just run some 3rd party program to interfere with any games (mostly) on PC. So a console plus possibility to upgrade to follow tech is a good thing in my book.
Also from a price point of view. I already upgrade my PC 3d card every 3 years roughly. Just bought a GTX 970 2 months ago for 400$. That's already the price of a console right there. JUST the graphics card and it's not even the top XD. If I can get a new version of my PS4 complete for 400$ every 3 years instead of having to buy a better PC graphics card and sometimes (every 6 years-ish) changing the whole PC for 1.5k to 2k… To me it's a bargain XD (especially if it plays the same games like a PC does)
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/16/2016 5:07:46 AM
Seeing that a PC does a 1000 things more for me than a console does outside of games I'm already buying its core hardware regardless.
Anyone who has the 320 dollar GTX 970 (that comes with a hot new game) already has more graphics processing than a PS4K. And they're not waiting for patches and special games to take advantage of its power.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/16/2016 11:36:07 AM
I have to mention damaged trust with Sony as well.
They dropped meaningful support for Vita way too soon.
It could all happen again with them as far as I'm concerned.
Nintendo on the other hand has done a very admirable job when it comes to struggling platforms. When most of their Wii U support had fled, Nintendo has still been there taking care of their users. It's still quality over quantity and their stuff is still coming.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/16/2016 11:55:33 AM
Nintendo? You mean releasing the same handheld with very minor improvements and exclusive games to that new handheld that is more then a decade old in tech.How about releasing a new system less then four years after the wii u, do they not have confidence in it? All three companies are doing shitty things let's not put one higher than the other when in the end they will all (probably) be releasing a new system too soon.
@ Neo
Honestly, you'll rarely run into a hacker online while playing a pc game, most games have some form of a anti-hack program to keep them at bay. Even those games that don't you're not likely to run into them, and if you do run into them, meh just change servers.
As for the upgrade argument, if you're buying a new card every 3 years… I would suggest next time doing research on the high end cards, and buy something that will last a while longer. I bought a GTX 970 about 2yrs ago, and that thing is going to do me for the next 4years or so from this point.
To me, it's an easy choice as to what platform to play a game on, PC for many reasons including better graphics, plays the games better at and at a higher frame rate, mods… my lord the mods, and for certain genres keyboard+mouse is king. This new PS4 doesn't sit well with me, and I don't even own a PS4, but I would fully expect a console to last longer than this has, but at least it's not a needed upgrade, only if you care about VR… which I doubt many do.
@ Phoenix
True that in major big releases with very competitive online multiplayer games, the games are well checked. But for all the other games (so roughly 90%) it is very easy to bypass. The examples I gave were things I saw and lived XD. It is very easy to cheat offline too 🙁 like modding your save file or typing a few commands to mess up the game XD It's too easy so I end up doing it but then I get tired of the game because of it… XD Also I speak for myself but mods kind of do the opposite for me. Since I see what I am adding to the game I kind of lose the feeling of discovery that I like haha so in the end I get tired faster of these games :/ but yeah that's very personal preference so doesn't weight much lol
And well when you say you would expect it to last longer (PS4) I think you are forgetting that from what we heard so far the launch model PS4 will still be in the game doing its best. But that PS4K should have advantages like more stable fps and better resolution. Seeing how you love PCs I would think you would see this a little bit like me. Able to upgrade your tech without losing your games 😀 just like a stronger PC runs the same game as a weaker one but just a little betta. It would help my console keep up a little bit more with my PC.
Also well about the 970 thing. It released 1 year and a half ago haha september 2014 (provided you bought on release date):P. And well if you like to play 60fps with better graphics… No way in hell the card will last 4 years from now. You will be doing medium graphics by then 🙁 Tech is evolving way too fast. Pascal architecture is coming out this year! And Volta a little later in 2018. I plan on skipping Pascal and waiting for Volta. The gap will be huge and that is only 2 years from now… XD
btw!! The 970 is a beast to overclock 😀 I managed to bring it to stock 980 performance O_O You should try if you didn't already 🙂
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/17/2016 5:16:30 AM
@ Neo
What you say is true about hackers, you WILL run into them eventually, but not very often. Sometimes it is easy to bypass an anti hack program, but more often than not it's not easy to do, and they'll get updates often meaning you'll need to get updated tools which will cost you more and may never get released. I can see your point on mods, but it's still better to at least have the option for them than not, no?
Well I would expect a console to have a longer life certainly, it's just expected. I have no doubt the PS4K will play the games better, but it's not just a cheap upgrade and you're done, it's $400+ for that upgrade, that kinda stings.
As for the 970, 4 more years might be a tad long, as by that time it will most certainly be obsolete, but one can dream lol. I did get it around day 1, so that's 1y 7months, close enough =P. You are indeed right though, tech is advancing very quickly, but not quick enough where you'd have to upgrade your GPU every 3 years, as long as you're not expecting to play on ultra a couple years from now.
I have indeed OC'ed my 970, such a beast.
I'm convinced this is entirely about VR. I'm not worried.
It makes me sick, and yet held hostage because as gaming is my main hobby and where all my money goes (aside from on my gf) I feel like I pretty much have to buy it. I have to have the best without going to the sad land of PC people. I'll get the TV, so I'll want the system to look better on it, and if it makes my VR experience better then that's all good stuff.
That doesn't mean that it doesn't make me ill though. Let's only hope it's a one-off and there isn't another PS4 in two more years.
I hope its just for the 4k resolution.
As a PC guy I'm surprised at all the resistance to an upgraded console. On PC, there's ALWAYS better hardware you can buy, but obviously you've got other priorities in life and aren't going to spend some ridiculous amount of money just to have the best video game graphics possible, so you buy something in your price range and enjoy it. Maybe a few years down the road you've got a little extra money and decide to upgrade, or maybe not, whatever – it's not something to worry about lol.
I don't understand why just because there's a better console available you'd HAVE to buy it. If you want to spend the money, you can get better graphics – that's a nice option to have. But if you don't want to spend the money, you'll have the same graphics you've always been perfectly satisfied with. That's a perfectly acceptable option as well.
I think Sony would only really want it for UHD Blu-rays and maybe for better VR performance. I think they would strongly suggest to developers not to make exclusive games for it…and it would kinda be stupid for developers to do so on their own. Game performance should still remain with the 'normal' PS4 being the focus and any better performance on the 'PS4K' is just a bonus.
I think Sony would only really want it for UHD Blu-rays and maybe for better VR performance. I think they would strongly suggest to developers not to make exclusive games for it…and it would kinda be stupid for developers to do so on their own. Game performance should still remain with the 'normal' PS4 being the focus and any better performance on the 'PS4K' is just a bonus.
Yes it sucks that the WiiU flopped, not caring much to have those precious third party games again was a huge bet, the Wii sales phenom gonna be hard to duplicate.
I agree Sony will need to be concise and clear. And I believe they will. Such a bold move requires it.
Rumors suggest the increase is pretty much only in the GPU processing. This suggests the games themselves really won't change much, just graphics details, res, and frame rates etc.
Personally, if this stuff is true, I just don't feel good about it.
I'm tempted to settle with my original PS4 and buy a new graphics card for my PC and getting the NX at some point and let Sony lead their own closed PC-platform market. It's what it's becoming. It's a pre-canned PC, with paid online play.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/15/2016 11:01:15 PM
Seeing that a PC does a 1000 things more for me than a console does outside of games I'm already buying its core hardware regardless.
Anyone who has the 320 dollar GTX 970 (that comes with a hot new game) already has more graphics processing than a PS4K. And they're not waiting for patches and special games to take advantage of its power.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/16/2016 11:36:07 AM
The main thing that makes me stay on consoles (sony especially). You don't have hacker losers invading the game. To me what they are doing is the best of both worlds. The possibility to upgrade hardware and still play in a community where your opponent won't go *God mode* on you.
Tried to play Dark Souls online on PC LOL I was invaded by immortal red phantoms. At some point even I went to get a freaking trainer so I could 1 hit KO them. PC online is mostly free yeah but it's shit and full of hackers.
In other games like Diablo the top players on the ladders mostly all use BOTS to run for them –_– . So yeah I liked the fact that my PC could get pretty games weeee but damn the community is poop because the OS can't be controlled like it is on a console. Any one can just run some 3rd party program to interfere with any games (mostly) on PC. So a console plus possibility to upgrade to follow tech is a good thing in my book.
Also from a price point of view. I already upgrade my PC 3d card every 3 years roughly. Just bought a GTX 970 2 months ago for 400$. That's already the price of a console right there. JUST the graphics card and it's not even the top XD. If I can get a new version of my PS4 complete for 400$ every 3 years instead of having to buy a better PC graphics card and sometimes (every 6 years-ish) changing the whole PC for 1.5k to 2k… To me it's a bargain XD (especially if it plays the same games like a PC does)
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/16/2016 5:07:46 AM
Nintendo? You mean releasing the same handheld with very minor improvements and exclusive games to that new handheld that is more then a decade old in tech.How about releasing a new system less then four years after the wii u, do they not have confidence in it? All three companies are doing shitty things let's not put one higher than the other when in the end they will all (probably) be releasing a new system too soon.
@ Neo
Honestly, you'll rarely run into a hacker online while playing a pc game, most games have some form of a anti-hack program to keep them at bay. Even those games that don't you're not likely to run into them, and if you do run into them, meh just change servers.
As for the upgrade argument, if you're buying a new card every 3 years… I would suggest next time doing research on the high end cards, and buy something that will last a while longer. I bought a GTX 970 about 2yrs ago, and that thing is going to do me for the next 4years or so from this point.
To me, it's an easy choice as to what platform to play a game on, PC for many reasons including better graphics, plays the games better at and at a higher frame rate, mods… my lord the mods, and for certain genres keyboard+mouse is king. This new PS4 doesn't sit well with me, and I don't even own a PS4, but I would fully expect a console to last longer than this has, but at least it's not a needed upgrade, only if you care about VR… which I doubt many do.
I have to mention damaged trust with Sony as well.
They dropped meaningful support for Vita way too soon.
It could all happen again with them as far as I'm concerned.
Nintendo on the other hand has done a very admirable job when it comes to struggling platforms. When most of their Wii U support had fled, Nintendo has still been there taking care of their users. It's still quality over quantity and their stuff is still coming.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/16/2016 11:55:33 AM
@ Phoenix
True that in major big releases with very competitive online multiplayer games, the games are well checked. But for all the other games (so roughly 90%) it is very easy to bypass. The examples I gave were things I saw and lived XD. It is very easy to cheat offline too 🙁 like modding your save file or typing a few commands to mess up the game XD It's too easy so I end up doing it but then I get tired of the game because of it… XD Also I speak for myself but mods kind of do the opposite for me. Since I see what I am adding to the game I kind of lose the feeling of discovery that I like haha so in the end I get tired faster of these games :/ but yeah that's very personal preference so doesn't weight much lol
And well when you say you would expect it to last longer (PS4) I think you are forgetting that from what we heard so far the launch model PS4 will still be in the game doing its best. But that PS4K should have advantages like more stable fps and better resolution. Seeing how you love PCs I would think you would see this a little bit like me. Able to upgrade your tech without losing your games 😀 just like a stronger PC runs the same game as a weaker one but just a little betta. It would help my console keep up a little bit more with my PC.
Also well about the 970 thing. It released 1 year and a half ago haha september 2014 (provided you bought on release date):P. And well if you like to play 60fps with better graphics… No way in hell the card will last 4 years from now. You will be doing medium graphics by then 🙁 Tech is evolving way too fast. Pascal architecture is coming out this year! And Volta a little later in 2018. I plan on skipping Pascal and waiting for Volta. The gap will be huge and that is only 2 years from now… XD
btw!! The 970 is a beast to overclock 😀 I managed to bring it to stock 980 performance O_O You should try if you didn't already 🙂
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/17/2016 5:16:30 AM
I'm convinced this is entirely about VR. I'm not worried.
It makes me sick, and yet held hostage because as gaming is my main hobby and where all my money goes (aside from on my gf) I feel like I pretty much have to buy it. I have to have the best without going to the sad land of PC people. I'll get the TV, so I'll want the system to look better on it, and if it makes my VR experience better then that's all good stuff.
That doesn't mean that it doesn't make me ill though. Let's only hope it's a one-off and there isn't another PS4 in two more years.
I hope its just for the 4k resolution.
@ Neo
What you say is true about hackers, you WILL run into them eventually, but not very often. Sometimes it is easy to bypass an anti hack program, but more often than not it's not easy to do, and they'll get updates often meaning you'll need to get updated tools which will cost you more and may never get released. I can see your point on mods, but it's still better to at least have the option for them than not, no?
Well I would expect a console to have a longer life certainly, it's just expected. I have no doubt the PS4K will play the games better, but it's not just a cheap upgrade and you're done, it's $400+ for that upgrade, that kinda stings.
As for the 970, 4 more years might be a tad long, as by that time it will most certainly be obsolete, but one can dream lol. I did get it around day 1, so that's 1y 7months, close enough =P. You are indeed right though, tech is advancing very quickly, but not quick enough where you'd have to upgrade your GPU every 3 years, as long as you're not expecting to play on ultra a couple years from now.
I have indeed OC'ed my 970, such a beast.
As a PC guy I'm surprised at all the resistance to an upgraded console. On PC, there's ALWAYS better hardware you can buy, but obviously you've got other priorities in life and aren't going to spend some ridiculous amount of money just to have the best video game graphics possible, so you buy something in your price range and enjoy it. Maybe a few years down the road you've got a little extra money and decide to upgrade, or maybe not, whatever – it's not something to worry about lol.
I don't understand why just because there's a better console available you'd HAVE to buy it. If you want to spend the money, you can get better graphics – that's a nice option to have. But if you don't want to spend the money, you'll have the same graphics you've always been perfectly satisfied with. That's a perfectly acceptable option as well.