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Sony Working on 'PlayStation 4.5' With Enhanced VR and 4K Support (kotaku.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Citing multiple sources, Kotaku says that Sony is working on a 'PlayStation 4.5.' The gaming console will supposedly have an upgraded GPU which will support high-end 4K resolution for games, and have more processing power which would enhance the games supported by PlayStation VR. From the report, "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."
It'll be a slim with 4K video support.
On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
"We want to bring the hardware confusion of the PC market together with the low-power of the console market," said Sony. "Think of it as bringing together the worst of both worlds."
"Already done it," responded Valve's Gabe Newell.
SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
if they don't call it the Playstation 4K i will be disappointed
The Sega 32X was a bolt-on; like an amped up Nintendo FX chip concept. It tried to be a "Saturn Lite" console, but no where near its ability.
This is more of a "Playstation 4 Plus". Plays all PS4 games, but the Plus supports optional 4k (for titles that support it) and enhanced VR
Life is not for the lazy.
If it can do 4k why doesn't that mean that the 1080 can be more impressive than regular PS4 1080?
Just asking.
(I have a PS4 and an xBox)
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
So I'm responding to both you and the AC in this chain: I can't imagine the devs looking to tap into this PS4+ for enhanced 1080p over the standard PS4. If anything, to prevent fragmentation in the online multi-player experience (can't be having differences in performances like in the PC world) for competitive reasons, the'll have to throw 4K mode into its own multiplayer session. Meaning, PS4+ vs PS4 having the same 1080 characteristics can play together. But PS4+ enhanced GPU 1080 vs PS4 standard GPU 1080 wouldn't, or rather shouldn't, be allowed in the same hosted session. Ditto for 4k mode. Only PS4+ in 4K mode can play with other PS4+ units. Just think of the uproar in a COD game where performance is a *huge* difference in both responsiveness and sniping ability.
Life is not for the lazy.
This is for point five the players.
I know, why would I want to play original titles with gorgeous graphics like Splatoon!, Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, when I can play buggy 3rd party "bald space marine" FPSs in glorious next gen brown? I hate it when companies push the envelope in creativity, fun, and challenge too.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my "Fischer Price" games like "Fire Emblem: Fates".
The spyware IS Windows 10.
I'd buy it just for the eventual metroid game. .. zelda too
Sony could have made a PS4 console that was twice as powerful, but it would have been twice the size to accommodate the larger heat sinks and cost twice as much. They would not have sold 36 million PS4's if that was the case.
Consoles are built to a price point and that price point gets lower over the lifespan of the console. It's quantity over quality.
It is in fact exactly like the 32X, which supported all Genesis games and provided graphical improvements to 32X games and a small number of (gastly) Sega CD/32X titles. Playstation 4 Plus could just as easily be called Playstation 5 Lite, since it will function exactly the same economically. It's a stop-gap between generations.
The hardware add-on era is back and, frankly, we should be surprised that this business model is being pursued. It shows just how unprepared Sony and MS are for new contenders at this stage.
There will definitely be PS 4.5 only games
Yes.
towards the end of the cycle probably most if not all games will require 4.5 hardware.
No. In the entire history of video games this has never happened. It has been attempted many times.
So, a big bump in graphical power to coincide with the arrival of VR sounds like a smart move to me.
Would have been smarter to have prepared the PS4 for this in the first place. I was preparing myself for the expense of VR gear to go with my PS4, but with $800 to $1000 being the cheapest options I have seen so far (and when adjusted to NZ$ it will probably double) I can't see myself replacing the PS4 as well as forking out for the VR gear, so yeah, PC upgrades are looking very likely now.
If I had a DeLorean... I would probably only drive it from time to time.
No. No it's not. The 32X as I've stated is a bolt-on. Meaning, anyone with a Genesis (MegaDrive) could purchase one to play the latest 32X games. A PS4+ or PS4K, or whatever, is an entirely new console. Meaning, market penetration will be less for existing console owners for all but the most die-hard that will no doubt trade up at the nearest GameStop.
Life is not for the lazy.
You misunderstood. I was being sarcastic. I really don't enjoy kiddie M rated games and choose to play awesome creative games made by Nintendo, Level 5, etc... instead. You'll get it when you grow up.
The 32X was a bolt-on but for no good reason, it was a console that plugged into another console basically and might have been better off as a standalone, perhaps including Megadrive hardware compatibility. That would have made it interesting for both Megadrive and SNES users.
Does it use AMD's tech from 2012 or 2013? no.
How disingenious of you, the limit is 16 hardware sprites on a scanline. Way more can be shown on screen if you're careful.
I think what the dude meant is that fracturing your installed base just 2 years after your console launched is an immensely dumb idea, no matter how it's done (blot-on or new system). The only way Sony can pull "PlayStation 4.5" off and succeed is to make those VR games compatible with the ordinary PS4, even at a lower-resolutions or non-VR functionality. Otherwise, if there are games that run only on the PS4.5, every developer is going to go towards where the audience is (PS4) for as long as it's "good enough". Also, VR took Sony and MS by surprise, otherwise they wouldn't have gone for so mediocre GPUs...
I was under the impression that a hardware upgrade was going to be sold for PS4 owners, and a new console would also be made that includes the upgraded GPU. This would be similar to the 32X, and Sega even planned a console that included the 32X and Sega CD hardware called the Sega Neptune.
Oh wow, i hadn't seen that new one. What a piece of crap! No single player, no Samus... it's like a metroid game, just without metroid... or game. Other M looks pretty cool, however, might have to dig out the ol' wii if i can find it. I loved the metroid prime games, they were my favorite wii games, motion control worked great with it. Too bad they're crapping all over it on its 30th anniversary. What's next, zelda, played in only multiplayer deathmatch and you don't play as Link, but rather an anonymous Royal Marine, er Guard? Or maybe Mario cart, single player only, overhead perspective ala original gta games? Nintendo, you are disappoint.
Wow, I'm astonished of how bad Sony manages their gaming consoles.
They started out really great by literally introducing affordable hardware 3D for everyone, opened it up with Linux later on - and was still the best alternative for free to play via the internet, something that made their PS3 stand out from the rest, Xbox declined...people souring up over being the only console where you have to play to pay...
And what the HELL happened to you guys?
First you rape the customers in the butts by telling them that you will NOT touch the Linux part of the PS3, then a MONTH later you force everyone to accept the removal of Other OS option.
And then you introduce the PS4...telling the world it's the new black and ready for ALL the new systems, VR, 4K etc...and you decide to go the Microsoft way with Play to pay...which is the no#1 reason the Xbox didn't really take off...
And now...you are telling the LAST loyal fanbase you have - that their next gen console (PS4) is a dud, sorry guys...you'll have to sell your new...err..old PS4 console for a PS4.5, it's the same but it will keep our promises this time - we promise!
Woah, someone ought to do some firing rounds at the offices over there.
What this world is coming to - is for you and me to decide.
Nintendo recently tried this with the new 3DS. To date, only two games have been made exclusively for the new hardware (not counting the recent introduction of snes virtual console games). The problem is that publishers are always reluctant to ignore an already existing, and extremely large, install base of older hardware. The same thing happened in the transition between console generations recently.
Good to see the pre teens come on /. too. Welcome.
First-person shooters on console have auto-aim/aimbots built-in, the resolution won't matter as much as it does on PC/Mac.
Fire Emblem Fates has Fischer Price level of censorship though
No more! You're killing me here lol