In a couple of posts yesterday, industry site Develop’s Rob Crossley has leaked information from Sony ‘sources’ that suggest several studios are working on PS4, and that Microsoft are readying their next Xbox for 2013.
Both stories will have struck fear into the respective PR departments, who are clearly still trying to sell this generation of consoles to a hungry public, but we heard on Twitter yesterday that Crossley had given each company plenty of time to respond before the articles were published.
The Sony one seems the most solid. “Preliminary work on PlayStation 4 games has begun at several internal Sony studios,” it begins, citing the usual ‘trusted source’ and being slightly vague on what that work may entail. “Various game projects are at very early stages,” it says.
It’s not known which of Sony’s studios has started the work.
The Xbox story, which calls the new machine ‘Xbox Next’, says that “Microsoft and industry partners are working towards a 2013 launch” and says that ‘multiple sources’ have told Develop they expect the console to be revealed at E3 2013, just months before its release.
Both Sony and Microsoft declined to comment on the reports.
chall5
if games are being designed then the final hardware must be specced right ?
cam the man
I doubt it. They’ll know the basics, chip manufacturer etc. but doubt the final specs have been decided.
It’s not going to be such a leap forward as it was from the PS2 to the PS3 (i.e. single to multi-core) so the developers will have some idea where to start then tailor it to suit the final specs.
Jas-n
It’ll be a case of “design a game with no hardware limitations, let your imagination go wild” Then when specs are announced (privately to devs), they’ll fit that game to those specs.
Of course we all know it’ll be pre-rendered video.
cam the man
That’s exactly what I meant :)
sparkyscrum
2013 launch would be good. That would give the Vita a chance to have Sony’s spotlight for a year before they start the next console race.
I wonder if they will announce late next year then do for a mid year launch?
sparkyscrum
Late 2013 launch even!
Mick939
I’d generally like to see the next gen now..
gazzagb
Sony will need to make sure they don’t leave too much of a gap between the Xbox release and the PS4 release, unlike with the 360 and PS3. I think I’ll find myself going with whichever one comes first, I think Live is far better than PSN, and the new xbox will probably be far cheaper than the PS4.
Foxhound_Solid
PS4….DAY ONE
cam the man
Although I’ll more than likely buy the PS4 on launch I’m quite happy to stick with the PS3 for another 3 or 4 years.
Crazy_Del
I’m with cam PS3 is still great and there’s more games coming out soon and I still have a huge back-log to catch up. Not sure about PS4 on launch it depends on what titles are linning up though…
cam the man
I know what you mean I’ve got a few games to finish plus a couple I haven’t even started.
dude90
I don’t think there will be a next gen console, there isn’t really anything more you can add a console.
Forrest_01
You have to be kidding right???
I see no consoles with cup holders right about now.
Jas-n
Probably won’t see something as revolutionary seeing as we get updates bringing us latest tech (3D as a prime example) but there are a good selection of features that will be or can be updated: Blu-ray ROM (Faster, BD-XL compatibility), CPU, GPU (less screen tear for 1080p60 titles), Wi-Fi ((Dual-Band) N).
SilverCider
One thing that could really take off is a proper implementation of 3D. Yes current consoles can run it, but at a loss in quality. Console manufacturers would be silly not to take up the opportunity now that TV manufacturers are getting a lead on the tech. Personally, I’m not that bothered (but I haven’t tried it). An all round upgrade will be a warm welcome also, especially for PC gamers.
ron_mcphatty
I hope whatever comes next will play PS1, 2, 3 and downloaded PSP games, Sony have a golden opportunity to NOT piss off those of us who’ve been downloading games at premium prices! Most importantly I want to play my old ps2 version of Rez on my big telly, boom boom boom!
jamess109
New consoles please the current systems remind me of the queen, so old they they’re passed its sell by date which are unfortunately still kicking lol. Its this point where gamers switch to PC as the quality of the visuals are a disgrace on console. Just look at the jagged edges (bad anti aliasing to non existent) and the blurry picture quality and awful textures in the console games vs the PC games its abysmal for 2011/2012.
Hurry up next gen and give us REAL HD consoles. None of this semi SD-HD shit!
Jas-n
Not Played many First/Second party titles then (Uncharted, WipeOut, Ridge Racer, GT5 (to a HD extent), LittleBigPlanet, etc.) then?
720p is HD, 1080i/p is FULL HD, both of which ARE HD resolutions.
plutoniumdragon
That they run at HD res is not in question, but the quality of the qraphics at that res is.
Even those titles suffer from poor textures, lack of AA with jaggies, motion blur and pop ins.
I accept that we are talking consoles and there are necessary hardware limitations – but these were sold as HD capable and they are clearly not up to it.
SilverCider
It certainly would be nice to see games running buttery smooth at 1080p60 :)
TheArgonian
Jak 4 people!