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

Though what I can't get is why the PC gets so much blame for being expensive when you can upgrade gradually and you don't replace the entire PC when you upgrade. If I wanted better graphics right now I'd upgrade my GPU. If I wanted the same thing on PS4 it looks like I'll need to buy a brand new console.

Very true, but how much is that GPU going to cost? I built a fairly costly gaming PC 4 years ago and slapped a 670 in it. A $400 GPU. Ask me how it runs newer games today.
 
Lol you're talking about Sony here

Do not know what 'Sony' has to do with this. Does any manufacturer of tech products offer subsidization plans? Cell phone service providers offer trade-ins (not the phone manufacturers), but I cannot think of a single performance tech item that does this.
 
Very true, but how much is that GPU going to cost? I built a fairly costly gaming PC 4 years ago and slapped a 670 in it. A $400 GPU. Ask me how it runs newer games today.

According to benchmarks, it certainly runs better than current consoles. Which is the advantage that PC gaming will forever have. Modularity and the ability to have a much higher thermal envelope
 
For damn sure I'm not going to be an early adopter for PS5. The best games releases mid way into the generation. I'll wait 3-4 years into the next generation to buy if I do.

Now imagine this in a macro situation.
Who are always the first one to buy consoles?
Enthusiastics, wich means us.
If every hardcore gamer - we have 3 persons here in one minute saying the same thing - chose to wait for the enhaced edition who would buy the PS5?
I dont know man but I have a really bad feeling about this thinking about the future of consoles market.
 
Def going to wait a bit next gen. I bought ps4 at launch because of hype for watch dogs, and was really disappointed by the final product of that game. Waiting for the .5 edition seems like a good strategy
 
And what if there are no more traditional generations? What if what you consider the "ps5" is actually the ps4.6 and the ps5.5 is just the ps4.7 and the ps6 is the ps4.8 (and by then the original ps4 is dropped from receiving games, updates and patches)

Good point, I'll just wait longer if that's the case or even buy a cheaper model when it hits $200 and there is a lot of games for it. If there is no more traditional generation, how will it be handled? A bunch of cross generational game being held back by the oldest model? That does not look attractive at all. It's a slippery slope, do you use that power for an advantage or do you not to avoid alienating the owners of the previous models? The former will be just shorter generation cycle to me, the latter is how Apple handles software.

Now imagine this in a macro situation.
Who are always the first one to buy consoles?
Enthusiastics, wich means us.
If every hardcore gamer - we have 3 persons here in one minute saying the same thing - chose to wait for the enhaced edition who would buy the PS5?
I dont know man but I have a really bad feeling about this thinking about the future of consoles market.
Pretty much, somebody has to be the early adopters. If not, look at the Wii-U situation. There wasn't that much early adopters in the first 2 years. No user base = less support over all and now the system is being dropped.
 
I hope Sony has a replacement plan in place for those with a ps4 already. Like 100 bucks? :_(

Lol, you already have gotten usage out of it. While others have had to or chose to wait. Why should you be rewarded for enjoying it while others miserably wait?

Any piece of technology you buy today is obsolete tomorrow and worthless the moment you walk out the store. It's no different for a Playstation, a car, computer, or even a car.
 
I doubt that Sony would allow games to run at 20fps as you suggest on the baseline PS4, but you never know. I think the reason I am more for this is that the PS4 and Xbox One came out as underpowered systems, especially the CPU in both units and a far more extent the Xbox One GPU. But even the superior PS4, it still is not that great. I am not saying that games look like shit, I think a lot of games look really good, but because both MS and Sony wanted to be profitable at the get go and/or close after launch they both went with lower end parts. The PS4 and Xbox One are not as future proof (imho) as the 360/PS3 were, especially the 360 which rivaled and outclassed high end PC systems at launch.

I just think in this day and age and the increase in consumer awareness and understanding of technology, that a move to 3 year upgrade cycles would work. I do understand the concern that the base model would potentially suffer from not as much optimization, but do we really know how much optimization is going on now? Are devs really pushing things to the limit on consoles? We don't know. I think if both MS and Sony mandates that games will have to have some basic framerate milestones and such that this can be something that can work.

We will have to wait and see how this all works out and if they actually do come out. We have not heard anything from Sony, it has been only MS with Phil Spencer's comments that has been on record that something may happen. It is going to be really interesting.

Will only be okay with this move if the bolded happens, but I'm not expecting that.

Glad you are excited about this news though :).
 
According to benchmarks, it certainly runs better than current consoles. Which is the advantage that PC gaming will forever have. Modularity and the ability to have a much higher thermal envelope

The latest thing I tried to play on it was The Division Beta, wasn't able to get consistent framerate above 15 to 20 fps even on low settings.

Sorry if it seems I'm taking shots at PC gaming here, I'm really not. It's just silly when I hear PS4 gamers react to this rumor by saying they'll switch to PC. Because from their perspective, if they have that kind of mindset, they'll always feel miles away from having the latest bleeding edge tech if they go that route.
 
The latest thing I tried to play on it was The Division Beta, wasn't able to get consistent framerate above 15 to 20 fps even on low settings.

Sorry if it seems I'm taking shots at PC gaming here, I'm really not. It's just silly when I hear PS4 gamers react to this rumor by saying they'll switch to PC. Because from their perspective, if they have that kind of mindset, they'll always feel miles away from having the latest bleeding edge tech if they go that route.

I'm glad you posted that. It's a good thing to think about. I'm also one of those people that's bothered by the fact that I can't check every box in the settings. I'm pretty pumped for these new systems.

Also, remember MS did try a payment model for their systems a while back, wonder if that'll reappear.
 
If there is no more traditional generation, how will it be handled? A bunch of cross generational game being held back by the oldest model? That does not look attractive at all. It's a slippery slope, do you use that power for an advantage or do you not to avoid alienating the owners of the previous models? The former will be just shorter generation cycle to me, the latter is how Apple handles software.

Exactly.
The success of a PS4K would say to all devs "hey you dont have to push boundries, just give to them some resolution plus extra filters and thats that".
Putting it with an example :
Would Ubisoft do a jump like AC IV => Unity when PS5, or whatever this would be called, or would they rather keep things like ACIV but in PS4 at 900p, PS4.5 1080P plus upscale, PS5 sub 4k, PS5.5 native 4k.
Maybe Im wrong but I can see all devs going for the easiest and cheaper way.
I have a feeling we need generations as a break point.
 
The latest thing I tried to play on it was The Division Beta, wasn't able to get consistent framerate above 15 to 20 fps even on low settings.

Sorry if it seems I'm taking shots at PC gaming here, I'm really not. It's just silly when I hear PS4 gamers react to this rumor by saying they'll switch to PC. Because from their perspective, if they have that kind of mindset, they'll always feel miles away from having the latest bleeding edge tech if they go that route.

That's side stepping the benefits of PC gaming. It's not as black and white as you make it seem. PC games have the ability to tweak settings to ensure better performance. That coincides with the ability to pick your own parts. Not all PC gamers buy top tier parts. A huge chunk buys mid range to ensure 1080p/60 fps. If it doesn't, a lot of PC gamers will tweak the settings down to try to hit that target.

You have no option for Console gaming.
 
Very true, but how much is that GPU going to cost? I built a fairly costly gaming PC 4 years ago and slapped a 670 in it. A $400 GPU. Ask me how it runs newer games today.

Hilarious. I bought a GTX 680 around the same time. However, I don't want to thread derail so I'll just say I appreciate that at least I can buy that GPU according to my budget. Since I have a 1080p screen a GTX 960 or 970 or even the AMD equivalents would serve me fine and those can be had in the $250-$350 range and extend the life of the PC many years. I'd be hard pressed to want to spend another $400 for the presumptive PS4.5 when A) I don't own a 4K set and B) It is harder for me to justify that expense on a luxury item when I have a mostly comparable PS4 device already in my home that I will still be able to play Uncharted 4, Last Guardian. and Persona 4 on.
 
Better yet, people saying they'll commit to PC where they'll always feel behind the curve and be spending much more money on upgrades more frequently.

"I won't have the most powerful console anymore? I'm moving to PC!"

So you're moving to a platform in which "most powerful" changes frequently over the course of a few years due to you getting mad that a console (that was already outdated at launch) is getting a better version 3-4 years later?

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Good point, I'll just wait longer if that's the case or even buy a cheaper model when it hits $200 and there is a lot of games for it. If there is no more traditional generation, how will it be handled? A bunch of cross generational game being held back by the oldest model? That does not look attractive at all. It's a slippery slope, do you use that power for an advantage or do you not to avoid alienating the owners of the previous models? The former will be just shorter generation cycle to me, the latter is how Apple handles software.


Pretty much, somebody has to be the early adopters. If not, look at the Wii-U situation. There wasn't that much early adopters in the first 2 years. No user base = less support over all and now the system is being dropped.

I'm talking about the mobile model, which is how all consoles will be now while they last in the marketplace as consoles. This is a platform as an ecosystem now, not the old generational model. And nothing's held back. The oldest model will be sunsetted when it's too old to run the software. Just the same way that cross gen was done in the past.

Do not know what 'Sony' has to do with this. Does any manufacturer of tech products offer subsidization plans? Cell phone service providers offer trade-ins (not the phone manufacturers), but I cannot think of a single performance tech item that does this.

Last I recall, Sony isn't even consumer friendly enough to let you pay an upgrade fee for your digital ps2 classics from PS3 on to get them ps4, even in the same psn account. They aren't going to provide an upgrade program for your console at 100 buckazoids. Gamespot on the other hand? Yeah there'll be a trade up program.
 
Hilarious. I bought a GTX 680 around the same time. However, I don't want to thread derail so I'll just say I appreciate that at least I can buy that GPU according to my budget. Since I have a 1080p screen a GTX 960 or 970 or even the AMD equivalents would serve me fine and those can be had in the $250-$350 range and extend the life of the PC many years. I'd be hard pressed to want to spend another $400 for the presumptive PS4.5 when A) I don't own a 4K set and B) It is harder for me to justify that expense on a luxury item when I have a mostly comparable PS4 device already in my home that I will still be able to play Uncharted 4, Last Guardian. and Persona 4 on.

Different strokes. I picked up a 4K set last fall so I'm pretty excited if this rumor is true.
 
I'm talking about the mobile model, which is how all consoles will be now while they last in the marketplace as consoles. This is a platform as an ecosystem now, not the old generational model. And nothing's held back. The oldest model will be sunsetted when it's too old to run the software. Just the same way that cross gen was done in the past.



Last I recall, Sony isn't even consumer friendly enough to let you pay an upgrade fee for your digital ps2 classics from PS3 on to get them ps4, even in the same psn account. They aren't going to provide an upgrade program for your console at 100 buckazoids. Gamespot on the other hand? Yeah there'll be a trade up program.

What's the ratio of buckazoids to shrutebucks? StanleyNickels?
 
Last I recall, Sony isn't even consumer friendly enough to let you pay an upgrade fee for your digital ps2 classics from PS3 on to get them ps4, even in the same psn account. They aren't going to provide an upgrade program for your console at 100 buckazoids. Gamespot on the other hand? Yeah there'll be a trade up program.

That did nothing to reinforce your statement off of mine.

No tech company offers a trade in program, at least none that I recall worth a salt. But I see what is going on...
 
That did nothing to reinforce your statement off of mine.

No tech company offers a trade in program, at least none that I recall worth a salt. But I see what is going on...

I had the option to trade up my nvidia gpu. (I didn't take it because a 970 is more than enough for my 1080p projector). It's certainly rare but it's not unheard of.
 
And going further.
Imagine the avarage Joe, that was waiting that price point to get the latest tech console.
Would he be ok with the PS4.5?
Would he buy a PS4 knowing he has now a obsolete machine *?

* talking about consoles, yeah I know they were outdated by PCs since day one but thats another thing.
 
I'm talking about the mobile model, which is how all consoles will be now while they last in the marketplace as consoles. This is a platform as an ecosystem now, not the old generational model. And nothing's held back. The oldest model will be sunsetted when it's too old to run the software. Just the same way that cross gen was done in the past.



Last I recall, Sony isn't even consumer friendly enough to let you pay an upgrade fee for your digital ps2 classics from PS3 on to get them ps4, even in the same psn account. They aren't going to provide an upgrade program for your console at 100 buckazoids. Gamespot on the other hand? Yeah there'll be a trade up program.

It's not the model yet. It's still in the planning phase and it's not confirmed to be successful yet in the console space.

A huge chunk of console owners purchase consoles when it hits a mainstream price (Probably $200) . How will Sony maintain all the console versions? Will they halt production of the oldest version every 3rd console? What will be the lowest price you can buy if so? All this does is confuse consumers. There is also the name of consoles to not confuse consumers. Buying games will be more confusing for consumers because they have to confirm if that game is compatible with their older console.
 
I'm okay with an upgraded ps4 and would buy. Now I can afford it and if I couldn't I would admit that I would be pissed off.

People want more power, backwards compatibility with old games and lets admit that Sony still makes TV's and they want you to buy a 4k system so don't be shocked. This is how you extend the life of the current generation. Prepare for 2 blu-ray disks and larger installs.

As microsoft has been behind the 8 ball in power this generation don't think they won't do the same thing and I wouldn't be surprised if they go all out and release a more powerful upgrade than the ps4.5.
 
Exactly.
The success of a PS4K would say to all devs "hey you dont have to push boundries, just give to them some resolution plus extra filters and thats that".
Putting it with an example :
Would Ubisoft do a jump like AC IV => Unity when PS5, or whatever this would be called, or would they rather keep things like ACIV but in PS4 at 900p, PS4.5 1080P plus upscale, PS5 sub 4k, PS5.5 native 4k.
Maybe Im wrong but I can see all devs going for the easiest and cheaper way.
I have a feeling we need generations as a break point.

On the flip side of that, maybe with devs not having to work as hard to push a system to its limits, we get games faster.
 

That is not nVidia, but eVGA.

Now if Sony allowed other box makers, and said box makers (i.e. Dell) offered it, that could compare. But that is an anomaly and not the norm, in the tech world. Come on, lol.

And it is only 90 days, these revisions are 3-4 years it appears for the consoles.

Thanks for the link though, not sure what 90 days could do, since we usually know graphics cards roadmaps, and one could wait 3 months for the better version before buying and losing money on a part.
 
Exactly.
The success of a PS4K would say to all devs "hey you dont have to push boundries, just give to them some resolution plus extra filters and thats that".
Putting it with an example :
Would Ubisoft do a jump like AC IV => Unity when PS5, or whatever this would be called, or would they rather keep things like ACIV but in PS4 at 900p, PS4.5 1080P plus upscale, PS5 sub 4k, PS5.5 native 4k.
Maybe Im wrong but I can see all devs going for the easiest and cheaper way.
I have a feeling we need generations as a break point.

I'm expecting there to still be generations as a breaking point, just with a refresh at the midpoint. If all these refreshes are doing is pumping higher resolutions, then it won't really have an effect on the tech and performance of the older versions. A new gen will lead to a shift in how everything is utilized.
 
On the flip side of that, maybe with devs not having to work as hard to push a system to its limits, we get games faster.
I wouldn't say that for certain.

If a stronger version of the PS4 is indeed getting released, and devs can tap into this extra power. That means that what was once one version of a PS4 game now suddenly becomes 2/4.

PS4 version
PS4.5 version

And if the game has a VR mode it only gets worse.

PS4 + PSVR version
PS4.5 + PSVR version

Time that could previously be spend on one version, is now spread out over more versions just for a single platform.
 
Guys how do you think this could affect the next generation?
I was talking with some friends and all of us bought the PS4 near to the release.
Now with this PS4K stuff we are kind split some say they would buy others dont.
But when it comes to next gen we already have the same thought: not buying day one, will wait for the "0.5" edition.
How do you feel about it?
Would you buy a PS5 on day one or would rather wait for the enhaced edition?

Assuming a new console comes out every three years, just buy a new console every six years.
 
I wouldn't say that for certain.

If a stronger version of the PS4 is indeed getting released, and devs can tap into this extra power. That means that what was once one version of a PS4 game now suddenly becomes 2/4.

PS4 version
PS4.5 version

And if the game has a VR mode it only gets worse.

PS4 + PSVR version
PS4.5 + PSVR version

Time that could previously be spend on one version, is now spread out over more versions just for a single platform.

I thought most games were pretty much developed on pcs anyway? Can't it be as simple as allowing better specs to be achievable on the ps4.5 similar to how a pc can have higher settings activated?

I'm mostly clueless about these things so not even sure why I'm participating in this convo other than I'm excited if this rumor is true.
 
Different strokes. I picked up a 4K set last fall so I'm pretty excited if this rumor is true.

And I'd like to say I am not steadfastly against the idea of a PS4.5 since I would like the option to upgrade when I get a 4k set and I could maybe take advantage of a trade-in or Black Friday sale. But to the people complaining that PCs are some insane moneypits that is just not true since they offer the most sensitivity to budget and last the longest. To name a few advantages.

It'll be fun to check out E3 this year whatever happens.
 
Pros with PS4.5
- Games that are 30fps will play on a higher frame (if the dev launchs an update)
- The life of the PS4 (as a whole) will be expanded
- Chances are that more AAA games will show up

Cons
- Devs could be more lazy and launch a game that can run good on PS4.5 and awfull on the regular PS4 (we can call "the Hyrule Warriors syndrome")
- A lot of people who bought a regular PS4 will be in doubt to buy the new one (like me)
- If it has a faster CPU and GPU, it's a new console, and it's just too soon to launch a new console

The controversy
- We have hopes on future games like a God of War or a new Gran Turismo. We will play those games with good quality or like crap?
- The console can work if they make a better resolution support, with a SSD or something, and in a slim model. Nothing more. That will be awesome
- This can change the whole industry, and could be really good or a new crash (Sony will be blamed)
 
The latest thing I tried to play on it was The Division Beta, wasn't able to get consistent framerate above 15 to 20 fps even on low settings.

Then it's your CPU. I would bet if you run Afterburner you are going to see your CPU running at near 100% and your GPU in the 60's, or something like that. I have a gtx660 with a Xeon 1231v3 and average 45fps at 1080p with a mix of Med and High.
 
And going further.
Imagine the avarage Joe, that was waiting that price point to get the latest tech console.
Would he be ok with the PS4.5?
Would he buy a PS4 knowing he has now a obsolete machine *?

* talking about consoles, yeah I know they were outdated by PCs since day one but thats another thing.

If he is waiting for the price drop he really don't care about having the latest & most likely will not have a 4K TV so for them the PS4 is not Obsolete & it will get the same use as the PS4.5.
 
That's probably true. My perspective is admittedly a little selfish because I'm all over a ps4k if it has a uhd player.
I personally think games will take longer even without optimizations. Games are ever so increasing in complexity.
Assuming a new console comes out every three years, just buy a new console every six years.
6 years is a good compromise for me if that is the case. I'm already a PC gamer for several years now though. PC is slowly but surely getting more support from developers. Eventually I won't even have to buy consoles other than some exclusives. It's rather hard to justify spending $300-400 for a handful of games.
 
Pros with PS4.5
- Games that are 30fps will play on a higher frame (if the dev launchs an update)
- The life of the PS4 (as a whole) will be expanded
- Chances are that more AAA games will show up

Cons
- Devs could be more lazy and launch a game that can run good on PS4.5 and awfull on the regular PS4 (we can call "the Hyrule Warriors syndrome")
- A lot of people who bought a regular PS4 will be in doubt to buy the new one (like me)
- If it has a faster CPU and GPU, it's a new console, and it's just too soon to launch a new console

The controversy
- We have hopes on future games like a God of War or a new Gran Turismo. We will play those games with good quality or like crap?
- The console can work if they make a better resolution support, with a SSD or something, and in a slim model. Nothing more. That will be awesome
- This can change the whole industry, and could be really good or a new crash (Sony will be blamed)

Agree with this post a lot; lists every good, bad and controversial point I could think of.
 
If he is waiting for the price drop he really don't care about having the latest & most likely will not have a 4K TV so for them the PS4 is not Obsolete & it will get the same use as the PS4.5.

Right and I can also imagine the price of the original ps4 will drop further with this thing on the market, both retail and used market. Though let's be honest, if you really wanted a PS4 by now you could have gotten one for pretty darn cheap. It's not hard and seems like somebody so concerned with the price woul do some research into cheap options.
 
That's assuming those people are still part of the console market. We've had threads before questioning whether those people would buy a console at any price point now that they have smartphones and tablets.

Maybe you're right and there are 100 million consumers waiting for a $200 PS4 though.

It's difficult isn't it. I know I bout at least 3 PS3's last gen for one reason or another. I also know others who had both PS3 + 360 last gen. I actually started the gen on 360 which I sold for PS3 when Rock Band was released in the US (I'm in the UK, imports).

But on the other hand I'm 40 now, in 20's I'll be 60 and still gaming. My generation isn't going anywhere and there are new generations being born (my nieces and nephews) who have never known a world without games consoles - each as they got older. Then you have emerging and growing markets like China and India.

80m is a little more than the population of the UK.

So is there a large group of users waiting for a price drop? Yes I think so. Is that group mostly made up of casual gamers and larger than the early adopter group? Probably, yes, I think.

Whatever, we're talking millions of potential customers who might turn to Nintendo or Amazon or Apple if the price drop never comes.
 
If he is waiting for the price drop he really don't care about having the latest & most likely will not have a 4K TV so for them the PS4 is not Obsolete & it will get the same use as the PS4.5.

Maybe Im wrong but I dont think so.
He might not have a 4k TV still tho he wants the most powerfull console.
When he looks at shelves and see he is buying an older version he might not be able to understand thats is "not for him".
People like the feeling of have the best option, always.
 
The problem is that we won't notice major differences on PS4K if we still play on a FHD TV. UHD TVs aren't main stream yet and getting the whole package (PS4K, UHD TV and maybe PS VR 4K) will be too much.
 
Maybe Im wrong but I dont think so.
He might not have a 4k TV still tho he wants the most powerfull console.
When he looks at shelves and see he is buying an older version he might not be able to understand thats is "not for he".
People like the feeling of have the best option, always.

You know that might be true. But that's a personal choice. Options should still exist even if certain consumers become conflicted, unless you are insinuating there will be a dramatic effect on sales. I don't see it. So many people already own a PS4. They are then left with the option of keeping the one they have or upgrading and the "new to" people have the options of getting a 4k option or a cheaper option.

I don't know, I really don't see that having 2 options out there is going to keep many people away because they are just so conflicted or frustrated with it all. Bonus, many original ps4 owners will be selling their's used meaning plenty of chance to pick up a ps4 original for cheap if you don't even have 4k. I'll probably sell mine for $200 and use it toward the new console.
 
The problem is that we won't notice major differences on PS4K if we still play on a FHD TV. UHD TVs aren't main stream yet and getting the whole package (PS4K, UHD TV and maybe PS VR 4K) will be too much.

Or we do not know the details yet. If there is a performance/asset gain to the games that are played on the PS4, then there will be a 'noticeable' difference.
 
I think 4k tvs will be considered mainstream this year. If you're looking for a new tv, you're going to be getting a 4ktv because that's what the companies are making for new tvs and you'd also be missing out on the other features like HDR and plus, Vizio in particular offers 4k tvs that are actually pretty good tvs for under $1000. It's really inevitable I think.
 
"I won't have the most powerful console anymore? I'm moving to PC!"

So you're moving to a platform in which "most powerful" changes frequently over the course of a few years due to you getting mad that a console (that was already outdated at launch) is getting a better version 3-4 years later?

not everybody can change their mind and be receptive to this idea as quickly as you did....
 
Exactly.
The success of a PS4K would say to all devs "hey you dont have to push boundries, just give to them some resolution plus extra filters and thats that".
Putting it with an example :
Would Ubisoft do a jump like AC IV => Unity when PS5, or whatever this would be called, or would they rather keep things like ACIV but in PS4 at 900p, PS4.5 1080P plus upscale, PS5 sub 4k, PS5.5 native 4k.
Maybe Im wrong but I can see all devs going for the easiest and cheaper way.
I have a feeling we need generations as a break point.

That woukd go against the battle of AAAs pushing limits to stand alone in the marketplace and get noticed. One major reason game development got expensive was because publishers wanted it that way to crush competitors by keeping the bar very high.
 
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