Jump to content

New, More Powerful PS4 On The Way?


Parker

Recommended Posts

Sony might be working on a newer, more powerful PlayStation 4.

Sources speaking to Kotaku report this so-called "PS4.5" could include a better graphics processor and support 4K resolution in games. Hence the hardware's other nickname, "PS4K." Such a power boost might also aid in displaying of PSVR games.

The word is that Sony even discussed the potential hardware with developers at GDC 2016. During which the company also revealed therelease window and price of PSVR.

It's not clear how much the rumored upgrade will cost, or when it will reach store shelves. That is if it releases at all.

Rumors of a similar, ever-changing Xbox One circulated earlier this year. Xbox division head Phil Spencer said that Microsoft was looking towards annual hardware, like smartphones, for possible inspiration.

We've reached out to Sony and we'll update this story with any comment we receive. We'll be sure to keep you informed of any official word regarding new hardware as it comes.

 

 

 

Source: IGN

 

Thoughts? 

 

 

Parker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmm... I think Sony is trying to bite more than they can chew with this one. Making an upgraded version of PS4 just because of the VR set? Almost no company is working with VR at the moment and those that are will have to work really hard to make a good game (seriously, did you guys see the "trailer" of SOA The Beginning? Even if it is still an early development... Oh, the horror...)

 

They should save this ace on the sleeve for a possible PS5. Let the idea of VR bear fruit first before selling it as a "new gen" console.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think Sony will do it, they know they have the customers right now and it would be worthless to fragment your consoles releases. 

 

 

EDIT: Also, I doubt they would want to get it wrong this time. 4.5 could be barely an improvement over 4. 

Edited by FlareXV
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it's needed for PS VR (which obviously isn't clear) then I'm calling bullshit, the VR costs then skyrockets to nearly it's competitors anyway. (Not that I'm getting VR)

 

If they're just releasing cos they can. Then sure why not, I won't bother getting it seeing as I don't really bother looking into graphics at all. I'll just wait for PS5

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They know their system is too weak for AAA VR, so they have to beef it up. That Radeon 7850 (equivalent) and the Jaguar CPU just aren't going to take that kind of punishment.

 

Of course, this is just a rumor, but it makes sense. The PS4 is roughly a ~$400 gaming PC. A ready-for-VR gaming PC requires about $1000+. So if you figure in the advantage of having a dedicated OS, developers having strict hardware so they can specialize, etc. I'd say a $250 difference to make it competent, so with some markup, maybe a $300 upgrade.

 

I would buy it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They know their system is too weak for AAA VR, so they have to beef it up. That Radeon 7850 (equivalent) and the Jaguar CPU just aren't going to take that kind of punishment.

 

Of course, this is just a rumor, but it makes sense. The PS4 is roughly a ~$400 gaming PC. A ready-for-VR gaming PC requires about $1000+. So if you figure in the advantage of having a dedicated OS, developers having strict hardware so they can specialize, etc. I'd say a $250 difference to make it competent, so with some markup, maybe a $300 upgrade.

 

I would buy it.

 

The thing is, and this might just be what the rumor is about, that the PSVR might include some extra unit for more processing power dedicated to the PSVR. This might be what the rumor is about and it would make sense along with being something that doesn't separate gamers. The question is if this can be used to run other games better, I doubt it, but maybe. The big issue here would be if developers started using this hardware so some non-PSVR games doesn't run without it, because then you essentially got PS4 games that doesn't run on PS4, and it's not because you need PSVR to play it, but to run it. If that makes any sense. Like if they released a new big AAA game, that doesn't actually require PSVR, but you can't play it on your PS4.

Edited by MMDE
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If the 'upgrade' merely lets you support 4K and VR, then whatever, I don't care. I don't care about VR and I don't have a 4K TV, with no plans to upgrade my TV anytime soon.

If however it does cause certain games to be exclusive to this PS4.5, I'll be pretty pissed off, obviously with the exception of any specific VR games that won't translate to a regular control scheme (though those aren't games I want to play anyway). I already waited over 2 years for the PS4 to seem worthwhile to me, it would be an utter dick move for them to then say that system needs an upgrade to play regular non-VR games. If I wanted to regularly upgrade my system, I would be using a PC.

It's the same thing that happened with N3DS and I felt the same way. Luckily, it seems the only exclusive game it will ever have is Xenoblade (a game I already had on Wii), so it was at least less of a big deal once the fact it was a useless upgrade settled in.

I guess it also depends on how this upgrade works as well. For all we know a new system may not be necessary, with whatever 'add-ons' being easily put into a regular PS4 by any idiot with a screwdriver. Could just be like the N64 RAM expansion that just plopped in the slot on top of the system.


 

I don't think they'll give their customers the middle finger and fragment this gen. However, I think maybe it will be a ps4 that runs games smoother. In that case, I think the people who waited for a PS4 (like me) are gonna be really, really happy (with a reasonable price).

But how long are people expected to wait until they're safe buying a system?

I waited long enough to buy one already and apparently there's rumors I should have waited a bit longer. 

May as well stop buying new systems and constantly stay a generation behind. At least that way I'll always get the best of everything.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...