The gaming industry is in a weird place right now. With the release of PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X, we received new consoles that exist in the same generation as their brethren. The power of the Xbox One X could easily be touted as “next-gen,” and yet, Microsoft prefers to keep it in this generation. We already know that Sony is planning to release a PS5 in the future. How will the PS5 compete with the Xbox One X, if at all? Is it all about power and 4K, or are there some key features that should be included in Sony’s next generation console? Join us as we look at how Sony is going to put Microsoft in their place with the PS5. Microsoft Talks Big About Xbox One X Microsoft has been extremely proud of themselves since E3 2017. They often refer to Xbox One X as the “most powerful console ever built” and, while they’re not wrong, it seems to be going to their heads. Even the Microsoft E3 2017 press briefing saw the entire staff wearing t-shirts that stated “I witnessed the most powerful console ever.” They should be proud, though, because the specs on Xbox One X are certainly impressive. Where they should be careful, however, is how they stoke the flames of competition. They’ve poked the bear that is Sony before, and it didn’t go well for them. We all remember the unveiling of the Xbox One and Sony’s excellent rebuttal. Despite this, Phil Spencer still sent some warning shots across Sony’s bow in an interview with Eurogamer. During this interview, he was asked if the $100 price difference between PS4 Pro and Xbox One X concerned him. His response: “I look at Pro as more of a competitor to the Xbox One S, than I do to the Xbox One X. This is a true 4K console. If you just look at the specs of what this box is, it’s in a different league than any other console that’s out there.” He doesn’t even acknowledge the PS4 Pro as a competitor! It’s true that Xbox One X does have more power than the Pro, but if it’s not going to compete with Sony’s current lineup, then the only other option is to compete with the PS5. Should Sony be Worried About Xbox One X? Phil Spencer’s comments about the PS4 Pro were certainly more harsh than one would normally expect from corporate banter, but if he truly believes the PS4 Pro isn’t in the same league as the Xbox One X, does that mean Sony should be worried about the gap in hardware while we all wait for the PS5? Since there is a large gap in the hardware, it’s hard not to wonder if Sony is worried about Xbox One X games looking or playing significantly better. The interviewer mentioned titles where Sony has a marketing deal with them, and asked if Sony anticipates a major difference in image quality for … Read More
Unparalleled Console Upgrades: Should We Fix What Isn’t Broken?
Since the dawn of gaming, there have been a few constants that we never thought would be broken. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft will always be in competition, games based on movies will usually be crappy, and consoles come out in generations. With the release of the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X, that last constant has been forever shattered. Iterative consoles are here, but do they represent the future? Will we never see a quantum leap forward with a next generation machine? Will it always be just one upgrade after another? It’s time we looked at the facts and speculate on the future of console gaming. Shifting The Playing Field: How The Industry Has Changed Until this latest generation, console releases moved at a pretty normal pace. You had the PS1, the PS2, the PS3, and now the PS4. Consoles moved at a relatively predictable pace, but in the background, there was alway this tension between console gamers and PC gamers. As consoles aged, so too did the hardware. While developers always did an incredible job of pushing the consoles to their limits, the gap between console and PC hardware has always represented an elephant in room. As the growth of PC power accelerated, this gap only widened, so it’s only fair that Sony wanted to prevent people from leaping from consoles to PC as the generation goes on. Their solution was to introduce a console that would sit alongside the PS4 within the same generation, but offer additional power that would entice hardcore gamers to stick around instead of jumping to PC. Andrew House, the boss of PlayStation, spoke with Polygon prior to the release of the PS4 Pro, and explained this reasoning behind the iterative upgrade. In the interview Andrew house said: “There’s a dip mid-console lifecycle where the players who want the very best graphical experience will start to migrate to PC, because that’s obviously where it’s to be had. We wanted to keep those people within our ecosystem by giving the very best, and very highest performance quality.” In seeking to hit the PC bar with a console, PS4 Pro doesn’t quite meet the expectation. Thus far, it’s only really focused on 4K, which is something PC gamers enjoy, but the not the sole reason people tend to gravitate to PC for gaming. Other things like frame rates, graphics, and effects are also higher fidelity on a high-powered PC. The PS4 Pro does offer more power, but with almost a year under its belt, I haven’t seen enough from it to convince gamers that it’s the better choice over a PC. This is mostly due to the fact that the console is focused primarily on 4K, which is nice, but PC power offers more than just higher resolutions. Better graphics, higher frame rates, and the option to continuously upgrade are all good reasons to choose it over consoles. Don’t get me wrong, I like the PS4 Pro and I do own one, but I don’t … Read More
The 4K Obsession: Why The Gaming Industry Should Change Focus
For the first time in the history of gaming, we’ve received consoles that are more powerful, but still exist in the same generation. These iterative consoles are known as the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X, and both of them have a similar focus: 4K resolution. You may remember the switch from standard to 1080p resolution, but is this the same kind of leap? Should we be focusing so much time and hardware on hitting 4K? Join us as we look into the 4K obsession that is currently running through the industry, and why we should be focusing on other things instead. A Broad Overview of 4K Resolution Resolution refers to the size of an image, and how many pixels are being displayed on the screen. It is written out as width times height. That’s why you see things like 1920 x 1080p when we’re talking about HD resolution. The “P” stands for progressive scan, which is a technique where each frame is drawn from stop to bottom on the screen during a single refresh cycle. When we get to 4K, the term isn’t completely accurate. It refers to an image that is roughly 4,096 x 2160, or exactly twice the height and width of the film industry’s 2K film standard. We also hear 4K referred to as “UHD” or “Ultra High Definition.” So, essentially you’re getting double the resolution of 1080p. If we do the math, a 1080p image gets 2,073,600 pixels when you multiply the height and width. Meanwhile, 4K gets 8,294,400 pixels, which is four times as many. That’s the math of it all, and it sounds impressive, but there’s one problem. We’re getting into so much fine detail, that we need to ask if this is even perceptible. Can you put an HD television and a 4K television side-by-side and really notice the difference? The answer, like most things in the world of technology, is complicated. Can We Actually See The Difference? Before we open up the playing field to other factors besides resolution, let’s look at how our eyes perceive something as detailed as 4K. With any resolution, there are three major factors that decide how much you notice the difference: your viewing distance, the screen size, and your personal vision. While it’s not fair to assume that everyone has 20/20 vision (I know I don’t), it represents a good starting point. Take a look at this chart below from Carlton Bale This chart shows the relative viewing distance and screen size you’ll need to notice different types of resolutions. For 4K, to get the best experience, you’ll need an 84-inch screen and you’ll need to sit about 5.5 feet away from it. Don’t want to shell out for something that big? In the realm of 4K, a 55-inch screen is considered “small” and if you want to appreciate the difference, you’ll need to sit 3.5 feet or closer! Your mother would be furious if you sat that close as a kid. If you’ve … Read More
PS5 Confirmed – Sony has Confirmed the PS5 is Coming
PS5 Concept Design By Danny Haymond Jr In April of 2019 Mark Cerny officially announced the PS5. The day we all hoped for! Before that Sony’s president and CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida has confirmed that there are plans for a successor to the PS4. Sony Interactive Entertainment America boss, Shawn Layden, officially confirmed that PS4 Pro won’t be the last we see of the PlayStation brand. Sony Interactive Entertainment chief exec John Kodera announced in May 2018 that the “PlayStation 4 is entering ‘final phase’ of its lifecycle.” And of course numerous sources have indicated to us the same. The PS5 is coming, it is going to happen and it will be the best damn gaming console the gaming world as ever seen! For years we predicted a 2020 release date. Let’s find out what Sony’s planning, shall we? PS5 Confirmed, 2019 or 2020? Speaking with the Financial Times, Sony president and CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, confirmed that the company has plans for a successor to the PS4. In response to questions surrounding the growing smartphone gaming market, he said quote: “At this point, what I can say is it’s necessary to have a next-generation hardware.” While at the time he didn’t confirm the name “PlayStation 5,” this type of confirmation from a high-level executive is really all we needed to remove any remaining doubts about the future of the PlayStation brand. Another update from Sony in regards to the PS5 came from the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, John Kodera. During a 2018 Sony Corporate Strategy meeting, he told reporters that the PS4 was in the “final stage” of its lifecycle. This could have meant a lot of things, but he went on to clarify some of Sony’s intentions when it comes to the future of the PlayStation brand. Wall Street Journalist reporter Takashi Mochizuki offered everyone a hint with a tweet from the event: SIE head Kodera told analysts and investors that the period until March 2021 would be when PlayStation to "crouch down once" to grow further in the future. hmmmmmm. — Takashi Mochizuki (@mochi_wsj) May 22, 2018 Sony is planning on biding their time so they can really come out with something spectacular. The amount of time seems to be about three years from 2018, leading up to March 2021. It’s impressive that Sony is showing restraint and not rushing the PS5, but 2021 seems like a long time to wait for a new console. Since consoles typically release in the holiday months, we believe the PS5 will come out in November of 2020. This would be slightly before the period described by John Kodera, but it’s less likely that Sony would wait until holiday of 2021 to release a new console. Of course, there’s always the chance that the PS5 comes out in March of 2021. The Nintendo Switch had a similar release date in the beginning of the year and has since enjoyed impressive sales. This would be a major change from prior releases, but it’s … Read More
What PlayStation’s E3 2017 Tells us About The PS5
E3 2017 is here, and now that Sony’s press conference is over, there’s still no word on the PS5. While we already predicted this, analysts such as Damian Thong were convinced that the PS5 would be releasing in 2018, and at this point that seems nearly impossible. Still, E3 2017 gave us a few juicy pieces of information, including a look at Microsoft’s Project Scorpio, which has been revealed as the Xbox One X. Join us as we look at the implications of this year’s announcements and what they mean for the PS5! 5 Things E3 2017 Told Us About The PS5 1. Sony’s Not Ready to Talk Next-Gen The words “PlayStation 5” were not uttered during Sony’s press conference. In fact, nothing about hardware was even discussed. This year, it was all about the games. Sony is happy to continue riding on their wave of success. After all, the PS4 has sold 60 million units and that number continues to grow. Furthermore, the PS4 Pro and PlayStation VR have been selling very well. It’s not time to take that next step, and Sony knows that. While some may have thought the Xbox One X would force their hand, they remained quiet on the next-gen subject and let the games do the talking. 2. The PS5 Won’t be Coming in 2018 Despite predictions from analysts, the PS5 isn’t coming in 2018. Manufacturers tend to announce consoles at least a year in advance. Even if Sony wanted to discuss PS5 at E3 2018, they wouldn’t be releasing until 2019 at the earliest. Why, you ask? Well, for starters the PS4 Pro isn’t very old at all, and there’s no reason to ditch it yet. PS4 gamers are happy for now, because they’ve got the best games on any platform, and the quality just continues to grow as time goes on. The PS4 isn’t ready to sing its swan song, and VR isn’t matured enough to release another headset just yet. This is why we’re still sticking with our 2020 release date. 3. The Xbox One X Isn’t Next Gen (But PS5 Will Be) The Xbox One X is an impressive console from a hardware standpoint, but when compared to the highest levels of PC technology, it’s not truly next generation hardware. Furthermore, it’s so focused on 4K and HDR that it’s not being used to its fullest potential. While it’s more powerful than PS4 Pro, it’s functionally the type of system. It’s meant to do 4K and perhaps some graphical enhancements in specific titles, but it doesn’t have the sheer “wow” factor that a truly next-gen system would offer. This is probably why Sony is letting Microsoft have the win with the power play, because they’re working on PS5 and it’s going to make Xbox One X look like a child’s toy. 4. VR is Still a Safe Bet For The PS5 Sony’s support for PlayStation VR has been strong, and their press conference this year announced some interesting new titles. … Read More
PS5 VR Games
Tired of real life? Yeah, us too. Thankfully, VR is here to save the day! These are the games we’ll see teleport us to new and exciting worlds.. Our Top Picks For Virtual Reality (VR) Games on The PS5 1. First Person Shooters Thanks to Farpoint and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller, first person shooters have found a home in VR. While Farpoint may not be perfect, it’s an excellent example of how shooters that we know and love can find new life in VR. While it will take a while for mainstream franchises to fully commit to VR, experiments are happening, and if Farpoint is any indication, hopefully other developers will bring their experiences into the virtual world. 2. Horror in VR Horror games have found a brand new life in virtual reality. What used to kind of scare you on a TV, will now terrify you in VR. When the horror is in your face and all around you, there’s no escape. Resident Evil VII proved that this could be done, and done very well. Other titles like Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, and even Here They Lie have all shown promise for how horror can truly reach new heights of terror in virtual reality. 3. Wave Shooters Another genre that has seen a resurrection from VR, is the wave shooter. Games like Pixel Gear, Dick Wilde, and Lethal VR have all proved that wave shooters can take different approaches and utilize the immersive nature of VR to great effect. Even horror games like The Brookhaven Experiment have gotten in on the wave shooter craze. I think we’ll see these types of titles on the PS5 as well, but perhaps with more mobility. 4. VR Fitness The stereotypical VR gamer is one that sits inside the headset and never moves, but that’s really not the case. While it can be hard to move around a lot in VR with the wired headset we currently have, a wireless headset on the PS5 could solve this issue. There was a brief rush of fitness games when motion controls first became a thing, but I think a more capable and wireless headset on the PS5 could easily bring about immersive and fun fitness titles. View all the PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Games Board Games Casual and Party Games Driving and Racing Games Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Games Horror Games Pinball Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games Sports Games
PS5 Sports Games
Settling a bet? Perhaps you just need to see your favorite team win the big game? These are the sports game we’ll see on the PS5. Confirmed Sports Games For PS5 Poker Club Blood Bowl 3 Madden NFL 21 NBA 2K21 Our Top Picks For Sports Games on The PS5 1. Madden Madden has had its ups and downs, but it’s the reigning football game to go to when you’re looking for an NFL experience on consoles. Could we see this contract end and another contender step up? It’s possible, but for now, we have to assume that Madden will continue to be the football game of choice on the PS5. 2. NBA 2K The NBA series has done really well in recent years. Without unique features like story modes, career modes, and phenomenal graphics, basketball gamers have had nothing to complain about on the PS4. Here’s hoping the series can continue to innovate into the PS5 era. Things like VR, further graphical enhancements, and other features will go a long way towards making this happen. 3. MLB The Show Another uncontested champion in the sports arena is the MLB: The Show series. These games always nail the baseball simulation and have done an incredible job of adding new features every year. We’ll definitely see this one on the PS5. 4. PES/FIFA Soccer games (or football depending on where you’re from), are another mainstay of console gaming. Fifa and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) go at it every year, and we’ll definitely see this war continue on the PS5. View all the PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Games Board Games Casual and Party Games Driving and Racing Games Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Games Horror Games Pinball Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games VR Games
PS5 Shooter Games
These are the games for the arcade lovers, the open-world enthusiasts, and people who love destruction and mayhem. Twin-sticks, third-person, just give me a gun and let’s do this thing! Confirmed PS5 Shooter Games Control: Ultimate Edition Fortnite Returnal Our Top Picks For Shooter Games on The PS5 1. Grand Theft Auto VI The king of all shooters, Grand Theft Auto, is still riding high on its fifth entry, but that hasn’t stopped people talking about the sixth game in the series. Rockstar will absolutely release a new Grand Theft Auto game, but it would make sense for them to do it on the PS5. GTA V isn’t going anywhere, and the online community is healthier than ever. Meanwhile, there’s another game they’re working on we should talk about… 2. Red Dead Redemption Rockstar’s other baby, Red Dead Redemption, is getting a sequel on the PS4 and it will probably break all kinds of new records. There’s a major shortage of westerns in gaming, and Rockstar is looking to meet that need and exceed all expectations. When Red Dead Redemption 2 releases and sells like it’s made of gold (and it will), Rockstar will most likely start on plans for a third game on the PS5. 3. Twin-Stick Shooters Arcade shooters are still coming down the pipeline for the PS4. It’s a genre that people love, and bullet hell enthusiasts have a lot to choose from on current consoles. This classic genre could use some fresh ideas, but don’t be surprised when we see these kinds of games on the PS5, running in 4K and possibly even in VR as well. 4. Metroidvanias Another popular genre, is the Metroidvania game. These games are typically side-scrolling in nature, but utilize a large open map that typically involves backtracking and using new abilities to unlock additional areas. It’s a tried-and-true formula that many indie developers have used, and will continue to use. Again, it’s something that could always benefit from a new approach or a fresh twist, but it’s also one of those evergreen genres that we’ll most likely see on the PS5. View all the PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Games Board Games Casual and Party Games Driving and Racing Games Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Games Horror Games Pinball Games Role-Playing Games Sports Games VR Games
PS5 Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Got 100 hours to spare? Even if it takes all year, these games will give you the most bang for your buck, and take you on a journey like none other. RPG Games For The PS5 Anima: Song From The Abyss Atelier Ryza 2 Atomic Heart Cris Tales Cyberpunk 2077 Diablo II Resurrected Demon’s Souls Final Fantasy XVI Godfall Gothic Hogwarts Legacy Lords of The Fallen 2 Maneater Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood Our Top Picks For Role-Playing Games (RPGs) on The PS5 1. Final Fantasy It took a long time, and it was delayed on numerous occasions, but Final Fantasy XV finally released on the PS4, and it was well-received! This fantasy game mixed with a modern reality was a unique approach for the series, but it paid off well. While we probably won’t see a Final Fantasy XV-2 or anything, this series still has legs. Who knows what Final Fantasy XVI will be like, but I guarantee you it will appear on the PS5. 2. Elder Scrolls Years after its release, people are still talking about Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Say what you will about Bethesda and their bugs, these games still manage to sell like hotcakes every time. In fact, Skyrim itself was remastered in 2016, bringing it to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Bethesda tends to alternate between Fallout and Elder Scrolls, so the next one up is Elder Scrolls VI. While there’s a chance we’ll see it on the PS4, it’s more likely they’ll take a few years to get it ready and release on the PS5. 3. Fallout When they’re not doing Elder Scrolls, Bethesda is working on Fallout. Fallout 4 wasn’t the best entry in the series, but it was a solid RPG/shooter with some cool DLC. Since we’ll most likely see the next Elder Scrolls before we see a Fallout 5, this one is a surefire title on the PS5. With talks of making Fallout 4 in VR, we could also potentially see the successor appear in virtual reality on the PS5. 4. JRPGs Return We’ve seen a decent rise in JRPGs on the PS4. Games like Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XV have brought these titles into the mainstream, while games like Tales of Berseria, and smaller titles like Nights of Azure are still carving a niche for themselves. I think the PS5 will open the floodgates, and we’ll see a new RPG renaissance not seen since the days of the PS2. Not because of the horsepower or the hardware, but because gamers and developers will reach a point where it makes sense to bring these types of games to a wider audience. It’s already happening, slowly but surely. 5. Diablo IV Anyone who knows Blizzard knows that they take their sweet time with new releases, but it’s usually worth the wait. When Diablo III released on PS4, it was excellent. The local co-op play was great, and the controls transitioned perfectly to the DualShock 4. I … Read More
PS5 Pinball Games
For the gamers who used to drop tons of quarters into mastering classic pinball machines. Thanks to these developers, they live on. Our Top Pick For Pinball Games on The PS5 1. Zen Studios to the Rescue! There’s not a whole lot of Pinball games out there, but Zen Studios has long been the provider of quality pinball games. Whether it’s the Zen Pinball series or the VR-enabled Pinball FX2, you can find pinball tables that cover a wide range of themes and plenty that are based on licensed properties. Want a Walking Dead table? They’ve got you covered. How about a Star Wars table, or a Marvel one? Yes, and yes. These tables are always detailed and full of different functions and objectives for enthusiasts. I imagine this talented developer will make an appearance on the PS5 to fill that pinball-shaped hole in your heart. View all the PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Games Board Games Casual and Party Games Driving and Racing Games Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Games Horror Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games Sports Games VR Games