The Sony news and discussion thread

[JaySevenZero]

There's plenty of time for both consoles to get plenty of traction out of the hype machine until their speculated Q4 release (whether this applies to Europe remains to be seen where Sony are concerned - it would be advantageous for them to have a Worldwide release this time). I personally believe that this generation will be a definitive one for the console landscape as the landscape will change radically over the coming years.

Case in point, whilst I was 'round at Leon's the other day I had a look at Steam running on his TV - now if Steambox were to offer a system that runs with that level of ease on my TV at a cost comparative to a console then I would be hard pressed not to prefer that system over either of the others.

At the end of the day I don't plan to buy any of these new consoles day one as I've been burnt several times in doing so in the past, unless they actually have a game I seriously want to play at launch (the last time this happened was with Halo in 2001). I point blank refuse to purchase games as "make-dos" just because I want something to play on the system, as I have done in the past with both the 360 and PS3.

[James]

I've heard less rumours about the PS4 than I have about the next Xbox, but from what I've heard it's sounding better so far. The only thing that the Xbox may have over the PS4 is RAM, but who knows what that actually mean for how it performs.

The rumoured specs I saw had 8GB DDR3 RAM in the Xbox and 4GB DDR5 RAM in the PlayStation - if that's true then it puts Sony ahead in terms of performance. After all there's really no reason for consoles to have PC levels of RAM, it's speed that's the bigger issue.

At the end of the day I don't plan to buy any of these new consoles day one as I've been burnt several times in doing so in the past, unless they actually have a game I seriously want to play at launch (the last time this happened was with Halo in 2001). I point blank refuse to purchase games as "make-dos" just because I want something to play on the system, as I have done in the past with both the 360 and PS3.

I'm coming to the same conclusion. I bought both the PS Vita and the Wii U on release day last year and, whilst I adore both, I can't say that I've been bowled over with either in terms of the number of 'must play' games. For these new consoles it'll come down to the number and quality of exclusive games that Microsoft and Sony have. In that respect I'm much more likely to pick up the new PlayStation because I can't think of a single exclusive game (something entirely new notwithstanding) that Microsoft could release to entice me. All Sony have to do is announce The Last Guardian as a launch title and my money is theirs.

[AndyKurosaki]

Can't say I'm counting the days down to the (by now almost inevitable PS4 reveal). Regardless whatever happens, it'll cost a fucking insane ammount of money and it'd be a good year or two before I got one. So unless they go "it's a new console, and under £250" they can say what they like as it'll be off my radar for a while.
Oh, and that "online only so no second hand games" rumor better be a load of bollocks Sony. Telling you that now, no.

[James]

Oh, and I should say that there is surely no way that the 20th Feb event isn't an announcement for a new PlayStation. Sony would be committing a massive faux pas to have built up such hype only to let everyone down. Hardly the emotion they want to attach to PlayStation in the build up to a new console, now or in the future.

[countstex]

OK, here's a completely out there idea. If I am not mistaken a PS3 runs some form of Linux? I believe that is right, and this new SteamBox is also Linux based.. and both companies have talked about Biometric controllers being central to their systems... given the closeness of the two companies in the past few years, is there a possibility at some point of Sony releasing either there own SteamBox or potentially the PS4, at some point at least, allowing dual booting??
Probably way off target, but I love to think big

[robschach]

I'd love it if it were Sony trolling everyone and it's just a PS Vita price-drop announcement.

I have said the same and would love this to be true!

[JaySevenZero]

OK, here's a completely out there idea. If I am not mistaken a PS3 runs some form of Linux? I believe that is right, and this new SteamBox is also Linux based.. and both companies have talked about Biometric controllers being central to their systems... given the closeness of the two companies in the past few years, is there a possibility at some point of Sony releasing either there own SteamBox or potentially the PS4, at some point at least, allowing dual booting??
Probably way off target, but I love to think big

Y'know it's funny, we had a similar conversation way back on Gamerdork around the time Portal 2 was released with Steamworks support on the PS3 and I said that if Sony integrated a Steam app onto the XMB that it would make it a force to be reckoned with. I realise that it's far from that simple and wouldn't have actually worked with the PS3 to the level we'd want but with the advent of the new generation and new tech the idea of having a two-in-one system would be more than possible and also kind of awesome.

[kappisun]

A two in one system would be a sight to behold. I'd not thought of that but I agree, with that, gaikai integration, nxt gen power then could be a force to be reckoned with. Although I won't be a day one purchase I am quite excited and enjoying the hype around this. Lets hope Sony deliver

[countstex]

Y'know it's funny, we had a similar conversation way back on Gamerdork around the time Portal 2 was released with Steamworks support on the PS3 and I said that if Sony integrated a Steam app onto the XMB that it would make it a force to be reckoned with. I realise that it's far from that simple and wouldn't have actually worked with the PS3 to the level we'd want but with the advent of the new generation and new tech the idea of having a two-in-one system would be more than possible and also kind of awesome.

You know I do believe I recall that, if through the mists of time! But of course getting Windows games onto a console would indeed be more than a little tricky. But if it's the reduced set of Linux compatible games from Valve and Indies... that is a far more controllable equation.

[Ghost World]

Even if one of the consoles is slightly more powerful than the other it's only going to end up following the same path this generation took where the differences were barely noticeable in all but the very best first party games.

I honestly think it's going come down to the way each company presents their services, be it games, integrated media, online play or add-ons such as Kinect and whatever the hell Sony are going to do with Move. That's where this generation was one or lost and I can't see the trend changing any time soon.

[JaySevenZero]

Even if one of the consoles is slightly more powerful than the other it's only going to end up following the same path this generation took where the differences were barely noticeable in all but the very best first party games.

I honestly think it's going come down to the way each company presents their services, be it games, integrated media, online play or add-ons such as Kinect and whatever the hell Sony are going to do with Move. That's where this generation was one or lost and I can't see the trend changing any time soon.

I don't think this is necessarily gonna be the case this time around as there are a number of variables that have already arrived or are due soon that are forcing a change in the market, not just for consumers but for the development side too. If the console makers fail to change their approach accordingly then they can expect to be left behind as they become less relevant in an ever evolving digital market.

There was an interesting article written on GamesIndustry.biz this morning which discusses this issue and I think that some of the points are also relevant to Microsoft as well.

[Ghost World]

Oh I agree with that Jay, I'm at the stage where I'm thinking of just keeping a maintained PC that evolves around me as it's user but I'm a sucker for new tech so I'm sure to have brought both consoles before the year is out.

[JaySevenZero]

Nicked the image from Eurogamer (who nicked it from Destructiod), which are saying that their "sources" claim this is a genuine pad for the PS4.

[mikeleddy83]

Looks like we've got 2 images now:

(image from destructoid)

[ratsoalbion]

Wish they'd make the analogue sticks assymmetrical.

[DomsBeard]

Problem with it carrying the playstation name is they won't revolutionise the controller too much. Example being Nintendo, from the NES up to the GameCube the controllers have evolved everytime into something different.

[NokkonWud]

The D-Pad doesn't look quality like it has on PS and PS2 and the lack of asymmetrical sticks is incredibly annoying.

Hopefully there are some quality third party pads.

[mik]

It looks like the d-pad on the Vita, which is excellent.

And I still have no clue why asymmetrical sticks are preferable.

[Ghost World]

I'm not sure I get what the screen is for, It doesn't look big enough to game on like the WiiU pad, it's kinda more reminiscent of a modern day Dreamcast VMU.

[JaySevenZero]

I'm not sure I get what the screen is for, It doesn't look big enough to game on like the WiiU pad, it's kinda more reminiscent of a modern day Dreamcast VMU.

It's said to be a touchpad not a screen, similar to the back of the Vita.

And I still have no clue why asymmetrical sticks are preferable.

I second this.

The only issue I've ever had with the Duelshock 3 was the R2/L2 triggers being curved inwards (though this was fixed with a pair of Gioteck Real Triggers).