Next gen already?

[wco81]

There have been rumors about the PS4k or 4.5 for about a couple of weeks. WSJ has reported that it will be announced and released just before the launch of the PSVR in October. Speculation has ranged from something that will stream 4K Netflix and play UHD Blu-Ray to something with more power to play VR games better to all of the above plus new CPU and GPU.

Here is a Neogaf post summarizing details from a supposedly reliable source:

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1202462

Supposedly the aim is to change the business model of consoles to more closely resemble the pace of new hardware in the mobile device business.

MS has also talked of forward compatible games, upgrade able consoles but there aren't concrete rumors about new hardware from them yet.

Well I was going to wait another year for 4K TV and UHD blu-Ray but it'll be interesting if this happens this fall.

[FifaInspected]

As a consumer with limited income I'm not a fan of this idea. I want to know that the two consoles I bought last fall will not be inferior a year later. I've been following this since the chatter began and it seems as if initially developers are not too keen on the idea either.

The talk of cross-platform play between xb1 and ps4 is far more interesting to me. MS wants to do it, Sony says the technical side of making that happen will be far easier than the business side of making it happen.

[Rodster]

If Sony does release a new updated PS4, I think MS will counter with an updated XONE that can also do 4K.

[dbdynsty25]

If Sony does release a new updated PS4, I think MS will counter with an updated XONE that can also do 4K.

They can barely do 720P at a reasonable framerate outside of Forza...what makes you think they can do 4K? LOL.

And yes, put me down for both.

[wco81]

It won't be true 4K games. Probably render at 1080p or something between 1080p and 4k and then upscale.

Or it may be more about 4K video, not games so much.

[wco81]

Some details have come out on Microsoft's answer to the PS4 Neo.

Their project is code named Scorpio and would also support VR and 4K video. They are suppose to be teaming up with OR.

The goal is to have like a 1.4x performance of the PS4 Neo, which would mean it would have to come out months later.

Speculation is that MS is prepared to announce at E3, which could be about 18 months before release, while Sony isn't expected to announce at E3, even tho their product is suppose to release later this year or in the first part of 2017.

[Naples39]

Microsoft's upgraded XBOX One is also supposed to add Oculus Rift compatibility. Not shocking given MS already has a formal relationship with Oculus and an XBone controller is packed in with every PC Rift.

Everybody has a VR solution now.

[wco81]

Well MS pronounced Scorpio for fall/winter of 2017, promising 6 TF performance (compared to 1.3 TF for X1 and 1.8 TF for PS4).

No prices yet of course but they talk up 4K games at 60 fps. That will likely be upscaled but probably rendered at 1440p or higher.

Sony confirmed Neo before E3 but didn't say anything about it at the show itself. However, it's known that developer kits are already out there and the deal with AMD is done.

Neo is suppose to be about 4.2 TF so this time, Scorpio will have a 50% advantage over the Neo compared to the other way around with the PS4 and X1. Sony may be more intent on pushing VR and getting a UHD Blu Ray drive out there so the pricing may be good.


MS also announced a slim (Xbox S) which will come out this August starting at $299 with a UHD Blu Ray drive and 4k streaming. That might be a real competitive product compared to UHD Blu Ray players which are currently $500.

[Rodster]

I'll bet MS is waiting for Sony to release a price for the Neo because based on the Scorpio's specs, that sounds like a $599-$699 console.

[Pete1210]

Microsoft's upgraded XBOX One is also supposed to add Oculus Rift compatibility. Not shocking given MS already has a formal relationship with Oculus and an XBone controller is packed in with every PC Rift.

Everybody has a VR solution now.

I still have no interest in VR.

I was disappointed that MS put its DVR upgrade on hold. Otherwise I may have added the new Xbox S.

I still don't have a PS4 since there aren't enough exclusives that interestt me. If that changes I could get a Neo. But Im more excited about the Scorpio. I just prefer gaming on Xbox live.

[sportdan30]

I will most likely upgrade to the Scorpio or Neo, but definitely not both. Not this time. I don't play enough video games to warrant it. It's a long ways off, and I haven't given it much thought as to what console I'll upgrade to. Honestly, I don't necessarily see a need to upgrade, but the pull of a shiny new electronic will likely be too much, especially once I see NBA 2K18 in beautiful 4K. Hopefully, there will be a special trade-in on the XBox One or PS4.

Initially, I was wowed by the thought of VR, but I've become less and less enthusiastic for some reason. Maybe it's the price tag, or maybe the disbelief that there will be any games that will excite me for more than 30 minutes....kind of like the games on Kinect did.

[Rodster]

The graphics for me on the current gen are good enough and i'm doing more PC gaming via Steam so i'll also wait for those special trade up deals for the Scorpio. I prefer MS or Sony so i'll stick with my PS4 until it breaks.

[wco81]

The ironic thing about VR is that it may be the reason for these mid generation upgrades. Though some people speculate that they may be going to a smart phone upgrade every two years type of a business model but there's no evidence that they plan to put out new console hardware every couple of years.

The PS4 and X1 simply do not have the power to produce a good VR experience. It seems both Sony and MS didn't want to take the chance that VR becomes the next big thing and not have a product for it. MS is rumored to be tied to Oculus Rift but that is an expensive peripheral. So is the Sony PSVR but it's a bit cheaper.

Kind of risky when you consider that a VR setup requires several hundred dollars beyond either a console or a PC with a powerful enough video card. X1 had a poor launch because Kinect 2 caused them to price it $100 above the PS4. Now both companies are basing strategies on people spending hundreds on peripherals?

You would think 4K has a better chance than VR of catching on. As people replace TVs with models above $1000, they're going to get a 4K set. Some shows are already being produced in 4K, such as Better Call Saul. Direct TV is broadcasting some MLB games in 4K. If they start broadcasting major sporting events in 4K, then programming in 4K won't be too far behind.

4K TVs will have built-in apps. for Netflix and Amazon 4K streaming but consoles may do better jobs, since they have better hardware, not to mention the option for UHD Blu-Ray, for people wanting the best quality.

[Rodster]

An interesting Nintendo NX rumor !

"Nintendo NX is a portable console with detachable controllers"

Nintendo's upcoming NX will be a portable, handheld console with detachable controllers, a number of sources have confirmed to Eurogamer.

On the move, NX will function as a high-powered handheld console with its own display. So far so normal - but here's the twist: we've heard the screen is bookended by two controller sections on either side, which can be attached or detached as required.

A base unit, or dock station, is used to connect the brain of the NX - within the controller - to display on your TV.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016- ... ontrollers

[wco81]

Well a slimmed down Xbox One with UHD Blu Ray drive and HDR support will be available on August 2nd. $299 for 500 GB, $349 for 1 TB and $399 for 2 TB.

$50 over the existing Xbox One for the UHD Blu Ray is a good value.

[Aristo]

Well a slimmed down Xbox One with UHD Blu Ray drive and HDR support will be available on August 2nd. $299 for 500 GB, $349 for 1 TB and $399 for 2 TB.

$50 over the existing Xbox One for the UHD Blu Ray is a good value.

The 500 GB and 1 TB versions aren't out until August 23rd. They are also being sold as bundles, with Madden 17 in the 1 TB, and the Halo5 and The MCC for the 500GB.

I already have the Halos, but I'm buying Madden 17 on day one, which is the 23rd, also. Since I get that for $54 via EA Access, that makes the 1TVB version essentially $295. I wonder how much the Halo codes would go for?

I can give the Xbox One to my daughter, and get the new slim for myself, and that would be kind of a nice deal.

[TCrouch]

I already have the Halos, but I'm buying Madden 17 on day one

That's good to hear!

[Diablo25]

I have the 2 TB preordered and will have it Tuesday. $70 Amazon gift card applied to it plus I just sold my old HDTV for $150. I'll sell my original XB1 on eBay and will end up on the plus side.