PS4.5 NEO: What we know about PS4K
The PlayStation NEO (or PS4.5 as as some have taken to calling it) is a pretty unique beast. Mid-generation console hardware refreshes are nothing new. The first PlayStation had the PSOne refresh, and both the PS2 and PS3 had slim versions that came out a couple of years after the initial console.
The PS4.5 is a little different from what we’ve seen in the past. Instead of just slimming down the console and maybe using some more power-efficient components, Sony is making some substantial upgrades to the hardware itself.
These upgrades will mean that the PS4.5 will be Sony’s first 4K console, but beyond that details are a little more scarce … but that may not be the case come September 7, the day Sony plans on holding an event in New York City to discuss the future of PlayStation. If there’s ever going to be a time for Sony to pull back the curtain, this is it.
Until then, though we don’t yet know when the console is due to release. Most rumors we’ve seen have indicated that it should arrive in early-2017, but without an official announcement from Sony that date isn’t set in stone.
There are also still a lot of unanswered questions about how games will work with the system. Will we have to re-buy our existing PS4 games if we want to enjoy them in 4K resolutions, or will there be some kind of upgrade program? These are questions that Sony will have to provide some decisive answers to if they’re to avoid the feeling that they’re ripping off fans.
However, there’s some good news: this upgrade isn’t a replacement, but rather another option for gamers who want to spend extra cash for an enhanced experience. Sony executive Andrew House has confirmed that the PlayStation 4.5 will exist alongside the common PS4, and all games going forward will work across both versions.
Sound appealing? Here’s what we know so far.
Why another PS4?
The PlayStation 4 is the most powerful game console on the market today, but after two and a half years on the market, it’s handily beaten by a capable gaming PC. As tech advances at an increasingly rapid rate, Sony is reportedly eager to offer an enhanced version of the PlayStation 4 that will offer a bit more processing power and speed to enable even grander and better-looking experiences.
One reason is to support 4K Ultra HD resolution for gaming. While the PS4 can run 4K video footage, it’s not able to handle interactive games at that incredibly crisp resolution. Supposedly, the PlayStation 4.5 will be built to allow games to run at 4K – for people who have a 4K television, of course. That might be a small number now, but it’s growing steadily; and an upgraded PS4 might help sell Sony’s 4K sets like the Sony XBR-X930D/KD-XD9305, to boot.
Another reason Sony wants to put a little more power on the table is for the PlayStation VR headset, which will release on October 16, 2016. Both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets require a high-end PC to operate, but the PS4 does VR with comparably less power. However, in a VR world, silky-smooth performance is crucial to ensure full immersion. With the PS4.5, developers should be able to tap into the newer hardware to enhance their VR experiences.
These suspicions were further fueled when in an interview with EDGE magazine an industry insider said that PlayStation VR was going to be “terrible” on launch PS4s, creating the need for an enhanced console to offer a better VR experience.
What’s inside?
According to a leaked document first acquired by Giant Bomb, sources indicate that the PlayStation 4.5 will sport some speeder components. The CPU is said to utilize 8 Jaguar Cores running at 2.1 Ghz apiece (as opposed to 1.6 Ghz in the original PS4), while an upgraded AMD GPU should offer extra graphical muscle with 36 compute units at 911 MHz compared to 18 CU at 800 MHz in the earlier model.
The transfer speed on the 8GB GDDR5 RAM will also bump up to 218 GB/sec from 176 GB/sec. Don’t know what that all means? Don’t worry: more processing power and faster speeds mean the PlayStation NEO will be able to handle higher-resolution output, manage more textures and details onscreen, and generally provide a smoother play experience overall.
The report says that while the PlayStation 4.5 will allow for 4K gaming output, Sony won’t require it to be natively supported. In other words, if a developer opts to stick with 1080p and put that processing power into other graphical or performance areas rather than resolution, that’s fine: the image will be upscaled for anyone with a 4K set anyway.
Frame rate is apparently a larger concern for Sony, with a mandate that games on the PlayStation 4.5 must have an equal or higher frame rate than the standard PS4 version. That way, developers don’t sacrifice visual fluidity in favor of a sharper resolution.
How will games work?
Here’s the reportedly good news: while there’s no word of any sort of upgrade kit for the current PlayStation 4, at least existing owners don’t have to worry about exclusive games that are only designed for the PlayStation 4.5. It’s not happening.
That’s according to the Giant Bomb report, which claims that Sony has mandated that all games for the PlayStation 4 platform must work on both the new and old consoles. Games for the new hardware can feature enhanced graphics, of course, as well as some expanded functionality, but they cannot feature exclusive play modes or split the online servers between consoles. Furthermore, the system’s interface should look and act exactly the same on the new box.
The report notes that Sony will require games to feature a “Base Mode” for the original PS4 console and a “Neo Mode” for the PS4.5, both of which you’ll find in the same release. You’ll get the same core play experience on either console, although with the Neo Mode on the new hardware, you’ll see enhanced graphics and perhaps other perks as well.
Andrew House further elaborated on this functionality by saying that “all or a very large majority of games will also support the high-end PS4.” This suggests that while all PS4 games will run on the Neo, a smaller number will support the additional 4K functionality.
When’s it coming?
Supposedly, Sony will require that all games released from October 2016 forward offer support for both console versions out of the box, and that games shipping in late September must have a day-one patch to add in the functionality. That’s according to Giant Bomb’s report, but it doesn’t mean that the PlayStation 4.5 will necessarily release at the start of October: Sony has reportedly given the OK for games to ship with Neo support before the console itself does.
Still, that estimate lines up pretty well with what we’ve heard previously: a Wall Street Journal report in March suggested that Sony would announce the PlayStation 4.5 in advance of the PlayStation VR’s release in October, and this rumour has been further corroborated by a report which claims that Sony is planning on announcing the console at the Tokyo Game Show in September.
A pairing of the PlayStation VR and PS4.5 would make Sony’s VR offering seem a lot more capable compared to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, as well, even if those are PC-based options. Maybe we’ll even see a super-sized bundle with everything tossed into one pricey box.
Given E3’s status as the annual hotspot for massive video game industry announcements in June, we initially thought we’d be most likely hear about the PlayStation 4.5 then and see a release pretty close to the PlayStation VR in October, but in the end E3 2016 passed without any reference being made to the Neo.
Kotaku’s original report on the system suggested that a price point could fall around $400, although the site’s sources didn’t have any consensus on that. If true, we imagine the older model will drop further in price to better differentiate the two.
Releasing an upgraded PlayStation 4 so soon after the original might rub some fans the wrong way – we’ve even speculated as much – but at least the rumors suggest that Sony isn’t abandoning the original buyers – just tempting them with something even better.
Will it be worth the extra cash? We may find out pretty soon once Sony pulls back the curtain.
Source: techradar.com
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I asked you provide a link, not for a complete avoidance of the question. You and I both know Andrew House made this "claim" (2013?) and it is subscribed users, not active users as I asked you.
And simple calculations confirm that it is either spin or the usual Sony marketing fantasy, please refer to amount of PS4 attach rates released earlier this year, versus amount of PS3 sold. The numbers do not add up. How many of these accounts are paid subscriptions? We already know the answer, there is less than 20 million, from Sony's own press release.
I asked you for a link, please supply one or take your spin and go elsewhere.
You didnt just justify the console with DESTINY !.. the shittiest game of the decade !!??!… i used to own a xb1… sold it… Destiny was an Alpha we paid 60euro´s for and then a year later the beta was released for another 40-50 euros…
i will be getting a Console again next year but untill then dont speak about Master races or console vs PC… both are amazing for what they are intended for .. i play Fallout 4 on pc and on xb1 .. loading is faster on pc than on xb 1 but on console i could just turn the console on and not have to click shit with my mouse etc… alot better interface and i would wish that Microsoft would implement a Xb1 layout for PC so u can just use a controller when choosing what to play on pc
LOL! You are full of it!
(1) PC has a couple of big games like that. Counter Strike is another one. That's the whole reason to own a PC. Doesn't mean nothing though kid.
(A) PS4 outsells PC in pretty much every single AAA multi plat game. Most the time outselling both PC and Xbone combined
(B) PlayStation encompasses PS3, PS4 & PS Vita. The network and ecosystem is huge.
(C) Yes PC has a couple of big games. You know what else is really big like that? Pokemon Go.
(2) PSVR is 120hz which is really achieving that by a process which inserts frames, the games themselves must be 60fps solid to make this work or they will be rejected by Sony.
(3) The "pioneering VR" hasn't gone anywhere. It's been talked about for years and launched to utter failures and disappointment. We will see how PSVR goes but my money is on that PSVR has a far more sucessful launch and reaches far more gamers than their PC counterpart. PC cannot compare to the ease of use & excellent price point of PS4 and PSVR.
So my question is. Where will you be when I'm proven right? Are you going to be cowering in a corner in denial or are you going to be a true gamer and accept you were wrong and change your attitude accordingly? I'm willing to be you are just a troll and will be cowering.
kiddie console owner right here^
Let me hit you with some knowledge, PSVR is late to a scene that has already been pioneered by HTC and Facebook, and in both cases was pioneered in a much better fashion. Is it the best? No. Is it acceptable in most cases? No. PS4 can barely manage 30FPS on most modern AAA titles, that is laughable in itself. Now you'd have me to believe they can manage VR, which REQUIRES 75Hz worth of frame to not be nausea inducing, whilst still maintaining "1080p"? You're fucking stupid, and you'll be blowing chunks on your glorious peasant station. At $399 you'll be lucky to get any type of room scale virtual reality so really it's like the Great Value version of the Rift. Hell, it might even be subpar to Samsung Gear VR, and that's fucking mobile VR. PS4 would be a better place to play…if you didn't spend $60 on every damn game you buy. Budget gaming is a joke played on small minds such as yours bucko, enjoy your $460+ subpar experiences. I'll love every minute of what VR should be, what any AAA on PS4 could be, and also tracking with a superior method of control. Sit the fuck down.
Literally all of the best console games exist because of the PC. All the top shit console game franchises started out on the PC, yes, even the beloved Halo, that is until microsoft bought out bungie and made the game xbox only. Call of Duty? PC, Witcher series? PC. Diablo series? PC.
Literally the only one that didn't was the demon souls and subsequent titles. Oh, and final fantasy.
I'm enjoying Starbound a lot tho. Kiddie? hmm… not so much.
If you spent more time on your 2k gaming pc (which i frankly don't believe you) then you would know a wall of text doesn't mean it doesn't have proper sentence structure and such, it literally means too much shit to read. Usually a sign of someone floundering in the argumentative waters.
It's okay kid. Always remember that it will get better. You can always seek help and keep in mind…this isn't the end of the world. Just because you lose an argument badly doesn't mean you need to go down the deep end.
So you are playing quite the number lying game.
1st you said PS+ is below 20 million and now you are claiming XBL is at 50 million.
Also as someone else pointed out it's very likely that the XBL subscribers is heavily inflated. That is why I'm pointing to software sales.
Also it's not just xbox young fool that PS4 is outselling. It was PC and Xbox one combined. What was it over 120 million Steam members (this is you know the free subscription that is just like PSN, that 110 million figure I pointed out).
lol, you can't win if you keep relying on lies kid.
That is odd, since you were able to post a link in latter comments and this is all disqus….
"You seem to always downplay the greatness", are you really writing this complete nonsense or taking it from a marketing/PR brochure?
Every single game that does not count digital games available on 2 different platforms…..ok……….so greatness would be 15+ million unique players on Halo 5 versus how many on Uncharted 4? Greatness being what?
But wait there is more, so 20+ million (we will get back to this 20.8 is it?) and is that paid subscribers for over a year, or active monthly? versus 49+ million on Xbox Live per month, greatness being what?
Back to this 110 million claim…………..you sure that is not 60 million, and seriously 60 million "active" users versus 50 million paid subscriptions monthly on Xbox Live, so one more time, greatness being what?
So to get back to your point, even though flawed, yes multiplats should sell more on the Playstation, it has the larger install base, but who is playing the games, certainly not the lot smaller PS+ user base, proof of that is in the numbers. What has the greater potential for game sales of multiplats especially online play?
The ambulance is hopefully on it's way to take care of you……………
why cant the Console market see what the PC world is seeing… none of the AMD GPU`s atm can do 4k @ 60 fps … the closest GPU doing 60fps@4k is the 1080 from nvidia and its at 50-60fps…. why bother with AMD GPU´s that cant do 35fps …. pfff
No, it doesn't. Unfortunately there are way more idiot bro gamer console only guys who constantly make comments about how their console is so great, and how they only paid 3/4/5 hundred (conveniently not mentioning literally every game is 60 dollars, the controllers are 50-70 each, etc, etc). But hey, 24fps for the cinematic experience.
Actually Sony is coming out with "8K TV" now, beating their competitors.
I replied with a link and this site refused to post it and yes this is PSN users, not PS+ subscribers. That doesn't matter though, what matters is the number of games PS4 sells and I'm happy to say that every single game I could find PS4 sold more than PC and Xbone combined.
I link PSN users to Steam users. Steam has 125 million users but out of that only 8.9 million concurrent. PS+ has over 20 million subscribers, not under.
You seem to always downplay the greatness and now are running away from your other claim that PS4 outsells PC/XBone combined in AAA multi plats. So you gonna name the game or do your own research! lol, I love how you are running away from this.
(1) Do a simple google search "How many PSN users".
(2) NAME THE GAME! I cannot find any AAA multiplatform game released in 2015 or 2016 that PS4 did not sell more than PC and Xbox One combined.
Use Steamspy for PC sales
Those are grown up games, all the little kids on console wouldnt know how to play those!
I look forward to this but it isn't going to be a "real" 4k gaming machine since it won't be powerful enough given the leaked specs.
Please provide proof that the "Scorpio will not be able to do all games in 4K"
Scorpio very well may be $1000, from which source?
How much do you get to write this spin, seriously. You sound very familiar,
lmao consoles are literally for kids.
Destiny…the game that sold 13 million copies and continues to have one of the strongest daily users there is? yes I did "mention" that along with a great many other things.
Screw PC master race, it's a joke kid. Not to be taken seriously.
PC is fantastic, I will never be without my PC. But I would never be so short sided as to be PC only. I would never limit myself like that, PS4 offers far too much and I love my WiiU as well for it's own things. I even plan on getting an xbone later this year just for convenience because I have a couple of xbox supposed exclusives on PC that I want to bring in the living room (and can't move my PC).
PC master race is definitely a joke though and anyone taking it seriously is just a moron.
This stinks. Can someone clarfiy this for me then? Can you or can you not play the PSVR on an original PS4, or do you need to buy a PS4.5 in order to use the PSVR? If you need to buy a PS4.5, then the price of this is no better than the HTC Vive, or even worse if you factor in buying the Move and controller… I may get the Vive then if you need to purchase a PS4.5
You keep saying kid, when you display the comprehension of a simple child. While you were still running around a school yard teasing little girls, I was playing the original Shadow of the Beast, not the remake Sony are shoving down your throat because they have so very little imagination left.
Sorry tool, it isn't Microsoft who inflate numbers, it is Sony, and have done for years and years and years. Official announcements, Sony has a merger 20.8 million for the year, Microsoft have over double that per month. If that is so incredibly hard for GAF tools like you too accept, go back to your now meaningless community.
Your claim is based on incomplete data, the whole world can spot the obvious flaw in your figures, yet you still can't accept this fact. In every sense of the word, it is called denial.
Selling my 2TB PS4 with extra controller, Playstation wireless Gold Headphones and two games (The Division and Knack) for $200 to a co-worker the end of this month. If the PS4 Neo doesn't release this year I will still have my 2TB Gears of War 4 Xbox One S on October 7th.
Selling my Samsung K8500 4K UHD Player to a friend the middle of next month for $200 (just need more info on the PS4 Neo). I just finished my Home Theater (65" Samsung KS8500, Onkyo TX-RZ800 with 7 speakers, one subwoofer (removed one of them) and two Dolby Atmos speakers. I want to use the PS4 Neo as my main 4K Blu-ray player because I know it will support direct bitstream (something the Xbox One S can't).
Im getting the PS4 with the VR. I have pre-oder my VR already.
League of Legends, your arguments are fucked bud. Sit the fuck down. PS4 couldn't scrape the surface of this playerbase with all it's games combined. PSVR is 30Hz and no more, the weak console can't deliver any better.