Like Father, Like Son: How the PlayStation 5 will compete with the future PC The age old quandary of what came first, the chicken or the egg, is something that existentialists and profound scholars will argue until the end of time. Luckily with gaming, we know what came first; the PC or Personal Computer. These two technological titans have been battling a secret war since the dawn of gaming. In today’s generation, the PC has ascended to something beyond what the current consoles can offer. The PC has always had an edge in terms of sheer power, but the way we understand game consoles is changing. Sony is fully aware of the threat PC poses. Today we’ll look at how they plan to tackle this beast once and for all. The Old War: Past Consoles vs PC With the PlayStation 4, we have great exclusives, but today’s modern PC’s can easily outperform any major console release. In addition to graphics, PC allows the gamer to tailor their experience beyond an aesthetic level. With console, the painting is complete, and the gamer can only appreciate what is given to them, flaws and all. With PC, the gamer is given the painting, but also the brush, and the paint. They can tweak tiny details or create entire mods to carry the game into a new form. While the PC still has the edge in a number of ways, including the ever popular mainstay mouse and keyboard controller scheme, consoles have been catching up. Looking at the PlayStation 4 for example, we see an internal architecture vastly similar to a home computer. We look at the Steam Boxes, and we see a home desktop that is pre-built and ready to game, much like a console. Do you see what’s happening? With each passing year, the console becomes more like a PC and the PC becomes more like a console. The level of customization that PC has in regards to tweaking graphics and modifying the hardware is still there, and still creates a major difference between the two devices. Even so, PC is becoming more streamlined and there seems to be multiple breeds of computer emerging. Some are devoted entirely to business, while others are given hardware specifically for gaming. This emergence of different species is also something we’ve seen in gaming. We have consoles that are used entirely at home, consoles for use on the go, and smart devices to play apps and casual games. With so many emerging concepts and possibilities, you have to wonder if things will continue to expand, or consolidate into a more well-rounded device that tackles all of these purposes? So where then, does the future take us? We’ve already seen how vastly technology will change in the coming years to herald the release of the PlayStation 5, but how will these advances affect the home computer? Will PC gaming stay on top or will these two warring factions finally reach a treaty? The answer, as always, is … Read More
PS5 vs XBox 2 – The Eternal War
The Future of Console Gaming Since the dawn of console gaming, there has been a war being waged behind the scenes. PlayStation versus Xbox with Nintendo doing their own thing. Every generation, the battle continues. Each system tends to borrow pieces of technology from one another, but they also bring their own secret weapons to the table. The next generation console from Sony, the PlayStation 5, is coming holiday 2020. The Xbox 2, known officially as the Xbox Series X, made an appearance at the 2o19 Game Awards. More recently, in February 2020, Microsoft dropped major details on the Xbox Series X in a blog post written by Phil Spencer. Sony, for starters, is skipping E3 2020. Microsoft, meanwhile, took a page out of Sony’s book with this blog post on Xbox Wire acting as a major announcement. As of March 2020, Sony revealed major spec details via a stream meant for the cancelled GDC conference. As such, it was filled with technical details, and ultimately allows us to look at the specs of both systems side by side: Xbox Series X does have the edge in a few categories, which shows just how tight the next console race is going to be. Of course, power isn’t everything, so let’s talk about the other major factors. Sony Focuses on Games and Experiences With the PlayStation 4, we’ve already seen a transition into a digital focus. Games can be purchased on the day of release and downloaded directly to the hard drive. We know that the PS5 is going to have a solid-state drive (SSD) that should essentially eliminate or vastly decrease load times. While we don’t know the size of the drive included in the new system, it stands to reason that games will probably go up in size as they include higher resolution graphics and more complex gameplay. When the PlayStation 5 releases, we can also expect a new controller, which Sony has described in some detail. We know that it will have a better battery life, adaptive triggers, and coil actuators for more detailed feedback beyond the rumble we know and love. With new forays happening today in the field of virtual reality, the time of the PlayStation 5 will be heralded with virtual reality that is sleek, immersive, and intuitive. The current PSVR headset will work with the new system, but plenty of rumors and patents point to Sony also making a next-generation headset after the new console’s launch. Knowing this, it is apparent that Sony has a clear and concise vision of a gaming system that once again will revolutionize the way we play games. With PlayStation 5, you will be submerged into the world of your games. Looking at the state of PlayStation in 2020, Sony is absolutely destroying the competition in terms of exclusive titles. We are still looking forward to massive titles like The Last of Us: Part 2 and Ghosts of Tsushima in 2020. The recently released Dreams from Media Molecule also … Read More
DualSense – DualSense Edge – PS5 Controllers
Our goal with DualSense is to give gamers the feeling of being transported into the game world as soon as they open the box. We want gamers to feel like the controller is an extension of themselves when they’re playing – so much so that they forget that it’s even in their hands! Introducing The DualSense Edge Controller! During Gamescom Opening Night Live, we received our first look at a new version of the DualSense controller for PS5. Known as the DualSense Edge, this is a new premium controller that offers incredible customization and calibration options for gamers looking to give themselves an edge in both single and multiplayer titles. A new post on the PlayStation Blog offers the first details. Here’s a breakdown of what the new controller will offer: Adjust stick sensitivity, remap button inputs, fine tune dead zones, and even tweak the travel distance for triggers to, well, trigger! This allows for highly accurate control in shooters, racers, and more! Save multiple control profiles and swap between them on the fly based on which game you’re currently playing. Swap out stick caps and back buttons to keep the controller comfortable in your hands. These include standard, high dome, and low dome variations of each. Purchase and swap out stick modules if your current ones become worn down or need a refresh. Includes all the same DualSense features you know and love, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, built-in microphone, motion controls, and so on. Includes a USB Type-C braided cable which uses a connector housing to ensure it won’t slip out if you’re playing while it’s charging. A carrying case is also included that allows you to charge the controller while it’s in the case. No release date just yet, but stay tuned for more information on when you can preorder one of these! Key features of the PS5 DualSense Haptic Feedback – Adds a variety of powerful sensations you’ll feel when you play, such as the slow grittiness of driving a car through mud. Gran Turismo 7 Players will actually be able to feel anti-lock brakes with the DualSense controller. (source) Aadaptive Triggers for the the L2 and R2 buttons of DualSense so you can truly feel the tension of your actions, like when drawing a bow to shoot an arrow. Strong battery life for DualSense’s rechargeable battery. Lighter Weight There is no longer a “Share” button. Replaced with “Create” button feature Built-in microphone array, which will enable players to easily chat with friends with or without a headset Two-toned color design Changed the position of the light bar that will give it an extra pop. On DualShock 4, it sat on the top of the controller; now it sits at each side of the touch pad, giving it a slightly larger look and feel. went through several concepts and hundreds of mockups over the last few years before we settled on this final design. DualSense has been tested by a wide range of gamers with a … Read More
PS5 Games – Top Games To Expect on PS5
PS5 Game Categories Action and Adventure Horror Games Board Games Puzzle Games Casual and Party Driving and Racing Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Pinball Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games Sports Games VR Games Recent PS5 Reviews You’ll find links to our reviews and previews across our genre pages (linked above), but in case you’re curious about the latest titles we’ve covered, look no further! Maneater PS5 Haven Spirit of the North Enhanced Edition Observer: System Redux Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition Immortals: Fenyx Rising PS5 Launch Titles The PS5 is coming November 12th, 2020 in North America and other major regions! We know it’s $499 for the main system or $399 for the all-digital version. What about the games? Spider-Man: Miles Morales is confirmed to be a launch title for PS5! Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Watch Dogs: Legion Astro’s Playroom will come pre-loaded on every console to show off the DualSense. Sackboy: A Big Adventure will be available at launch. Fortnite, of course Destruction All Stars (Delayed to February 2021, but will be on PS+) Bugsnax Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition The Demon’s Souls Remake Godfall Don’t forget the newly announced PS Plus Collection of on-demand PS4 titles, available to download at launch as well PS5 Games – The kinds of Games we will see “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” ― Albert Einstein While we’re all excited about the PS5, it’s not the console that makes a generation. No, as we all know, it’s the games that define a console’s success. Sony has been killing it with their exclusive titles on PS4 and PlayStation VR, but how will this translate to the PS5? That’s what we’re here to find out! It’s time to look at the coming PS5 games that will hit the next generation console. I know you have a lot of questions, such as how much will games cost on the PS5? It’s looking like we could see a price increase to $70 per game, but it’s possible that all publishers won’t adopt this idea. We’ve seen a mixture of price points thus far, but some are not afraid to bump up the price an extra $10 USD. What Kinds of Games and Game Franchises will we see on the PS5? Action and Adventure Horror Games Board Games Casual and Party Driving and Racing Fighting Games First-Person Shooter Pinball Games Role-Playing Games Shooter Games Sports Games VR Games Sony has officially announced some awesome games for the PS5! We’ve constructed pages for each genre and category in gaming for your reading pleasure. Each of these pages contains our picks for games we expect to see on the PS5. The Latest PS5 Game Rumors and Announcements Grand Theft Auto VI How will games play on the PS5? I’m pretty convinced that the dualshock 4 is the best controller ever made. With the release of the PS4, we have another console that relies on two things above all: a television and a controller. We have seen … Read More
PS5 Specs – CPU, GPU, Disc Drive, RAM and Backwards Compatibility
Welcome to our PS5 Specs page, where we talk about the technology that will power the PS5. The PS5 releases on November 12, 2020 for the US and major global regions, and November 19th for other parts of the world. With the final specs confirmed by Mark Cerny, it’s time to break down all of the incredible detail that Sony presented during the PS5 reveal events! CPU (Processing Power) GPU (8K Graphics) RAM (Memory) Hard Drive Disc Drive 3D Audio Internet / Network Dualsense / Controller Operating System Future of Gaming Playstation Plus 2.0 Security and Privacy PSVR Backwards Compatible Turn on CC (closed captioning) Exclusive – Covid Increases Sony PS5 Productivity According to our insider sources, who will remain unnamed, Covid has allegedly been a plus for the PS5 productivity. Employees are now more focused and with less distractions often found in the work environment. You might think the opposite but you would be wrong. When Covid struck ensure the safety of their workers. Limiting office visits to only critical staff. There were additional steps that needed to be taken, but it was not a major challenge according to our source. Their staff rose to the challenge and were successful. Our sources tell us that Sony has, allegedly, had to set up remote desktops on PS5 Dev kits in the US so their employees at home could remotely connect to continue their work. This work continues to this day. This is unprecedented, but it makes sense given current events. We are glad Sony is keeping their employees safe. Hundreds of dev kits sitting in Playstation secure labs are allegedly set up in this manner in multiple US Sony locations (San Mateo, San Diego, etc), allowing employees to handle testing on various aspects of the system without having to ship Dev kits out to everyone which would present all sorts of challenges. These stress tests range from UI to payment, processing, PSN network functionality, hardware and more. All to ensure that we the consumer get a rock solid console. There are different PS5 Dev boxes (3 main PS5 dev kits we are told) for different types of stress tests. Stay tuned for more exclusive news and PS5 development stories in the future! PS5 Specs Confirmed Before we dive into our in-depth look at potential PS5 specs, lets start with a breakdown of the final specs, compared to PS4. The system’s architect, Mark Cerny, revealed official details in March 2020. Here is what we know from that reveal: CPU: 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz with SMT (variable frequency) vs 8x Jaguar Cores at 1.6Ghz on PS4. GPU: 10.28 teraflops with 36 compute units at 2.23GHz (variable frequency) vs 1.84 teraflops and 18 comput units at 800MHz on PS4. RAM: 16GB GDDR6/256-bit vs 8GB GDDR5 and 256-bit on PS4. Internal Storage: Custom 825GB SSD vs a 500GB HDD on PS4. Expandable Storage: NVMe SSD Slot Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive vs standard Blu-ray Drive in the PS4. In February of … Read More
The Life and Death of the PS4
Hit the Lights on Your Way Out: “Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” ― Rumi Nothing in this world lasts forever. Love, diamonds, cockroaches, (didn’t see that coming did you?) all of these things we assume are eternal are in fact, not. As finite creatures, we fear the end of anything, because the end means for certain that change will come. A grand and overwhelming change, and with it comes the unknown. The unknown is somehow always something we fear. It is nothing more than a lack of knowledge. Not frightful, but beautiful in its ambiguity. Without knowing, we are left with an infinite number of possibilities to choose from. Why then, is such freedom absconded from as something we should fear? Perhaps we are afraid to imagine. If that is the case, I sincerely hope we change our ways. Let us start here my friends. Gaze with me into the unknown, dare to dream as all great men and women of our time have done. Pull back the curtain of time and let the possibilities sweep you off your feet and carry you upon a river of limitless permutations. Narrow down the profound nature of my opening before we unleash a cavalcade of existential comments in the space below. Today we will speculate, and perhaps prematurely reminisce on a time not yet passed. Whether you read this now, or ten years from now, the message will remain the same. Do not fear the end of a generation, for it heralds the beginning of something new. The PS4 exists. It is a manufactured piece of hardware with specifications, games, accessories, the equivalent of a heart, mind, and lungs to give it life. Unleashed into the wilds of the world, we now know the nature of the beast. Once we know how it lives, we will know how it will die. Not with a bang, but with a soft murmur as it fades into the folds of history. To know, truly, how the PS4 will live and die, we must examine the ancestors that have come before it. The Children of Sony Sony was a household name in entertainment long before the dawn of the PlayStation, but that was when it really made its mark as a titan of the industry. The first PlayStation came out in 1995 and it was the first home game console to hit the mark of one hundred million units sold. In 2005 Sony bragged during a press conference that one in every three households owned a PlayStation console. Over the course of the PlayStation’s lifespan, it garnered a following that would only grow with time. With the PlayStation 2 came out, the leap was exponential. The PS2 broke even more records by becoming the best-selling game console in history. Over one hundred and fifty million units were sold. Sony didn’t stop there; the PS3 went on to sell over eighty million units worldwide. While not the same numbers, the system was … Read More