Topic: PlayStation 5 --OT--

@jdv95 I expect both Sony and Microsoft to continue beating that 4K drum quite hard.

Which is fine. I don't want to be tempted by something I'd actually want, like a Hybrid Playstation console, and it'll make their core base happy.

I fully expect 30fps to remain the norm for more ambitious first-party games, though.

@Ralizah will you buy the ps5 if it is just focused on better 4k or will you only be interested if it includes the hybrid model or focused on VR?

@Octane
I hope its full BC too but seeing Ms is going all out on streaming service, I wouldnt be surprised if Sony double down on PSNOW as a way to emulate BC. What would make sense is to have the most popular games enhanced for free on PS5, possibly just the already cross gen latest titles at launch though. More later. (I guess some how like what xbox is doing now)
On the one hand, I want full BC, but on the other hand I want the PS5 to be used to its full potential without compromise because of old games.

If you have a PS4 and VR with games, then you already have the necessary hardware to keep playing long after the PS5 comes out. It maybe more convenient for some who cannot have more than 1 console set up at a time but the fact is BC is a nice 'bonus' for a handful of people but not 'necessary' as those who want it have a PS4 to play those games on anyway.

The PS4 doesn't offer BC yet sold better and continues to outsell the XB1 that does offer BC. The last few years at least has been all about the 'new' PS4 games, the exclusives on the horizon - not the PS3 (or older) games. Even with the Xbox offering a big library of old games, its still got 'no games' according to a LOT of Sony gamers so what incentive has Sony got to invest in BC other than as a tick box. The PS3 Phat was so expensive because of BC (as well as other things) but ditching that 'full support', enabled Sony to compete with the 360. Would you spend say £700 to have a PS5 and PS4 Pro in one console or prefer a similar or better spec PS5 without a built in PS4 for £450? Emulation is a much cheaper way but not foolproof and not 'total' either. Every game would need to be checked and verified to ensure they work as expected and don't screw up the system or your save data.

I am not saying Sony won't or can't offer some form of BC but realistically, its more likely to be partial or with some caveats - even boost mode on a Pro comes with caveats too and that is just a 'small' deviation from the PS4's specs. Non Pro enhanced games cause the Pro to run exactly like a PS4 - same clock speeds, half the GPU so you have the same GPU cores/shaders etc and boost mode still keeps the same PS4 arrangement but with slightly faster clock speeds - the 30% boost to CPU (1.6 to 2.1Ghz) and 11% boost on GPU (800mhz to 911mhz) and even that had detrimental effects in some games!

I want a big push towards digital games. Have the bluray/4k drive drive as an optional extra not standard. More USB sockets. Not bothered about backward compatability. VR built into the main unit. PSVR 2 at launch.

@jdv95 My current plan is to skip out on PS5, as my PC only needs a graphics card upgrade to be able to play next-gen games at a reasonable level of performance (I'm guessing: my current, very outdated rig has still been outperforming the PS4 all gen, after all, and going from a GTX 970 to a 1050 would be a pretty big upgrade), and 95% of the PS5's library is likely going to be multiplatform. That'll mean missing out on some exclusives, of course, but Sony has been getting increasingly Western this gen, and I won't really be heart-broken about missing out on upcoming Naughty Dog or Sucker Punch games, and most of the Japanese exclusives it gets (including, potentially, Persona 6) will almost definitely be releasing on PS4 as well for years to come.

That's assuming it's just a 4K box. That strategy goes out the window if Sony offers me something compelling that I can't get on PC, like full portability or something else that overrides the benefits of upgrading my PC.

@hotukdeals
I agree. I've always despised the push for an all digital future and HDD demand but the reality is options is what we need. I don't mind at all having the choice at launch between different models, as long as its not forced.
However some people pretend an integrated VR capability would be like forcing the kinect on gamers who are not interested. I don't think that cost much more and the benefit of possibly a wireless PSVR2 is well worth it.

I generally try to stay away from speculation and rumour, especially when the thing has not been even announced yet. mumble grumble mumble grumble

@JJ2 I see a lot of people talking about a wireless PSVR 2, but IMO that would be terrible.

How do you power the thing? Stick a big battery on it? It has to turn two HD screens (maybe 4K next gen). You can't expect it to last long at all. And having to recharge it constantly would be a hassle as well. The presence of a cable isn't a deal-breaker to me.

@Octane ps4 compatibility is definitely possible, why wouldn't it be possible? PS3 is possible with Ryzen, the only question is whether Sony wants to bother or not. If Microsoft could do x360 on One, then PS3 on ps5 is definitely possible, IF they want to do it.

@NecuVise You're talking about emulation. That's not the same as backwards compatibility though. BC requires no effort from the platform holder at all. It's like how the Wii U is technically BC with the GameCube. GameCube through Wii U were all PowerPC systems. The Wii U lacks the disc drive to read the tiny discs, but the data on it is compatible with the system. And it can run GameCube games natively if you apply a bit of modding magic. Xbox One can't do the same with 360 games. Our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man fan @kyleforrester87 linked me an article on Xbox' BC program. It's an interesting read. But it also sounds like quite a lot of work on Microsoft's part. And considering the amount of people who actually use the feature: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/xb1bc1... It's just pure goodwill. I'm not sure if Sony is willing to go through the trouble of doing all this to make PS3 games playable on PS5.

@Octane It just annoys me when people say it's impossible, that's a strong word - it just comes down to money. And I tend to agree, it's probably not worth the investment. We all know people talk about wanting backwards compatibility but it's not actually a much used feature.

It does bum me out that I'm not going to be able to play Spiderman on my PS5, though

@Octane why should I as a customer care if it's emulated or "true" or whatever? ps4 is x86 just like ps5 would be so that should be easy. PS3 can and should be emulated, of course it's not going to be full bc as we would get another PS3 launch price disaster. That sample from are technica is flawed, I hope you realize that. Anyway, my intention is not to argue, I really don't like doing that, I'm just trying to state my opinion on how I see this situation with bc. If you see it as me trying to argue with you I'd rather stop right now.

@KratosMD the added bonus is the main reason I want backward compatibility for the PS5. I’m not getting a Pro, so I’d love to have Pro capabilities on my PS5. If the launch is thin on game si want I want it would provide an immediate benefit for me.

I still don't think the PS5 will be backwards-compatible. I'm not saying this to be annoying or anything, I just think there's too much money in this remaster malarkey. I hope I'm wrong. Just a bad feeling I've got

@Gremio108 if that ends up being the case, I'm not going for ps5, I'll just buy next xbox in that case as it's guaranteed to have BC. BC is especially important in the beginning as there's always shortage of good games, unlike late in the gen.

@NecuVise is your PS4 suddenly rendered unusable when you buy a PS5..?

@kyleforrester87 I don't keep two consoles, I'm just going to sell the current one and use that money to lower the price of the next one. And what if my console indeed dies in that time period, I'm just going to buy another one besides the next gen? No, thanks.

@kyleforrester87 Totally agree!!!

I will buy a PS5 regardless of whether it has BC or not because I want to play the exclusive games that Sony will offer on PS5. I can play all y PS4 library on my PS4 Pro. If the PS5 is the 'best' console on the market, it will end up being my main console for all new games - not just exclusives - like the PS4 was which also doesn't offer BC.

I still have my XB360 to play any of my XB360 library - inc all the digital games. Not all of my 360 games are BC. Regardless of whether the next Xbox offers full, partial or no BC, I will still buy it for the 'NEW' games and keep my XB1X too.

I am less inclined to buy 'either' console if they don't come with a disc drive more than whether or not they have BC. Digital libraries are still no guarantee you will be able to re-download games and play them in the future - especially when licences etc run out. That's less likely with Sony's own games but can still happen. The best way to ensure you library remains playable is to keep hold of the console they were released on and make sure you have your library downloaded too. Discs are still a better/safer bet!

@NecuVise so if you don't keep your old consoles, and you are gunna get the next Xbox because PS5 isn't BC, you'll lose acces to all your PS4 games anyway since you'll be getting rid of your PS4. May as well just get a PS5, backwards comparability or not, by that logic.

Anyway, the best solution if BC is not included is to just keep hold of your old machine, at least for a year to play any of the interesting final PS4 releases. It's fine having 2 machines, I have a Switch and PS4 after all. Bonus - if one breaks, you still have the other.