Rumored details on the PS4 (ORBIS)

[dezzpayne]

http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-p...e-the-details/

"AMD x64 CPU
AMD Southern Islands GPU
The former, that's largely something we've heard before, but the latter is interesting. That's the name given to many of AMD's 2012 roster of high-end PC cards. The PS4's GPU in particular, we're told, will be capable of displaying Orbis games at a resolution of up to 4096x2160, which is far in excess of the needs of most current HDTV sets. It'll also be capable of playing 3D games in 1080p (the PS3 could only safely manage 3D at 720p).

SO LONG, PS3 GAMES

Remember how the PlayStation 3 swiftly dropped the ability to play PS2 games? Well, our main source tell us the Orbis won't even bother, and that Sony has no plans to offer backwards compatibility for its existing catalogue of PS3 games.

SO LONG, USED GAMES

Just like the next Xbox/Durango, we've heard from multiple sources that the Orbis will likewise have some kind of anti-used games measures built into the console. Here's how our main source says it's currently shaping up: new games for the system will be available one of two ways, either on a Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download (yes, even full retail titles). If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account, after which you can play the game, save the whole thing to your HDD, or peg it as "downloaded" in your account history and be free to download it at a later date."

[Tezster]

SO LONG, PS3 GAMES...

SO LONG, USED GAMES...

I'm totally fine with this - IF NEW PS4 titles retail for no more than $40, and they offer legacy PS3 digital downloads of games you already own for $5.

Otherwise -if true- talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

[TKG26]

If they actually want to make money on what will probably sell for what? 500-700$???? Make the thing backwards compatible. We will buy the PS4 games if they are ALL and i mean ALL 1080P from here on out. But let the PS3 owners use their game

[BGY11]

Backwards compatibility isn't the easiest thing to do - and in all fairness, the Wii is the only system to really offer this. XBox 360 could play some XBox games, but compatibility was definitely far from guaranteed. The only reason the original PS3 was able to play PS2 games was because Sony added the Emotion Engine processor to them.

Sony is not going to stuff a Cell processor in the new PS4, so their only chance would be to resort to emulation. Given how complex the Cell architecture is, I don't think it's feasible for them to pursue this path.

What is a valid complaint however is the rumor about tying games to one console (or presumably, PSN account). We aren't "renting" games - if I want to give the game to a friend once I'm finished it, I should be able to. This rumor has also been brought up with the next XBox, and I think it's going to be a bad idea.

[dezzpayne]

I can appreciate why they want to prevent used game sales. It can be done right. How many people think Steam is evil and anti consumer? It's all about the execution. Entice me with cheaper games, incredible sales, bundles, just like steam and maybe do a few things Steam can't, like allow a transfer of a game to a friend.

Backwards compatibility is a pipedream at this point. They would need to keep the cell architecture. Personally, it seems logical for the PS4 to be cell. Faster, more SPU's, developers are used to it by now. As for using what are close to off the shelf PC parts, it would be a bonus to the developer in that they can port to the PC easier (in theory) but the flip side to that the exclusiveness of PS3 titles goes away next gen. Much like why I didn't buy a 360, because the few games I really wanted to play, I could get for the PC and what I believe has been proven time and time again this gen, once you develop for multiple platforms you have to develop for the weakest system. It's why PS3 games exclusives have generally looked better than their 360 counterparts. When you toss all resources at 1 architecture, it pays dividends to the consumer.

[Simonizer]

So there will be no renting of games with the PS4?

[Tezster]

Originally Posted by Simonizer

So there will be no renting of games with the PS4?

I'm sure they could incorporate a "rental" structure into their scheme, but I have a feeling every piece of software will pretty much be DRM controlled i.e. they could provide digital rentals directly through the PSN store which would have a set expiration date - no need to grab a physical copy from a store.

[XM4243]

I have two PS3 consoles so if not having PS3 compatibility means a lower cost and less "compatibility" headaches then I am fine with it.

FWIW, I never played a PS2 game on my original PS3.

[Steve604]

Originally Posted by XM4243

I have two PS3 consoles so if not having PS3 compatibility means a lower cost and less "compatibility" headaches then I am fine with it.

FWIW, I never played a PS2 game on my original PS3.

I would like to play my PS2 games more often, but I'm out of inputs on my receiver, and requires me to hook it up to play, I still hook my N64 up every now and then too,
also wireless controller would be a big plus,

not saying that would be an issue with PS4, but it would be nice to stream line everything into 1, in my man cave I have a PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, N64, PVR, digital box(for second tv) and 2 receivers (need 11 powered channels), I also have an Xbox I just don't have room for and a laptop I hook up now and then,
add the next Xbox and a PS4 to the mix, that's a lot of stuff, almost a fire hazard lol,

plus it would free up the PS3's for other rooms in the house
it can't be that hard to install an emulator into the system to play games from older systems

[j0dest3r]

This is going to spell the end for EB games etc. Not very consumer friendly move IMHO. They may as well not even bother with games at retail, make them all download.

I think just to keep things interesting Xbox should sell their games at retail on SD cards rather that shiny BD discs. I'm sure the cost per gb is still too high for those yet, but it would be interesting to see them sitting on the shelf next to the PS4 Blu-rays. I suspect xbox will go Blu-ray to be able to compete with the PS4 at retail.

[CentaurChester]

I just hope they finally start making 64 bit games, Actually using the CPU's and not running in 32 bit mode..
I also hope they do not gimp the memory so badly. In order to do true 64 bits, all new consoles will need more memory.

Lets hope the Next Ps4 has at lest 1 Gig Video memory and at lest 2-4 gigs in main memory.. But it sound like it should have a lot if it can do such high resolutions.

[ava0775]

The only thing I have issue with is the game lockdown. There is no reason our nephews who are underage cannot bring a child friendly game to our house to play with us when they are visiting without the hassle of us setting up a profile for them on our machine... assuming that will even be allowed.

Honestly, I wonder about these new restrictions any of the gaming platforms. What we have now works fine for us, maybe we've reached the ceiling as their consumers.

[Inzane]

Originally Posted by dezzpayne

SO LONG, PS3 GAMES

Remember how the PlayStation 3 swiftly dropped the ability to play PS2 games? Well, our main source tell us the Orbis won't even bother, and that Sony has no plans to offer backwards compatibility for its existing catalogue of PS3 games.

This makes me furious. I want to fly over to their HQ, find their marketing and product directors and beat them!!!

So we're supposed to continually clog up our equipment racks with more consoles just to retain the ability to play our back catalogs? What's the point of staying brand loyal to one console maker??

It's like a slap in the face to their fan base, again.

If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account, after which you can play the game, save the whole thing to your HDD, or peg it as "downloaded" in your account history and be free to download it at a later date."

What will this mean if you have more than one console in your household under your account?

[CentaurChester]

@Inzane:

I'm sure it be very similar to say steam for Portal 2 or Skyrim.. You can only access it on one console at a time..

[pioneeruser]

SO LONG, USED GAMES

You are now aware used game sales bring in no money at all for either developers or manufacturer (Sony, Microsoft).

All the gamer entitlement going around saying they won't buy anything anymore means absolutely nothing as neither the developer nor the manufacturer got any revenue from people like those in the first place anyhow.

The only people getting filthy rich off used games is GameStop/EB. I would galdly give up used games if it meant GameStop/EB went out of business as they so rightly deserve for ripping open games to steal digital copy codes (see OnLive) and getting them sullied by filthy kids on display only to try and pass it off as new while selling you an extended warranty on it.