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PS4 Pro Was a Test Case for PlayStation 5 Lifecycle, According to Sony.

IbizaPocholo

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman
wccftech.com

PS4 Pro Was a Test Case for PlayStation 5's Lifecycle, According to Sony

Sony's Executive VP of Hardware Engineering Masayasu Ito revealed that the PS4 Pro was a test case for the PlayStation 5's lifecycle.
wccftech.com wccftech.com

As part of the 25th birthday of PlayStation, Masayasu Ito (Executive Vice President of Hardware Engineering and Operation at Sony Interactive Entertainment) might have just provided us with a hint. According to him, the PS4 Pro was basically a test case after Sony realized that the PlayStation 5 lifecycle would have to be different than that of previous generations.
Indeed, in the past, the cycle for a new platform was 7 to 10 years, but in view of the very rapid development and evolution of technology, it’s really a six to seven year platform cycle. Then we cannot fully catch up with the rapid development of the technology, therefore our thinking is that as far as a platform is concerned for the PS5, it’s a cycle of maybe six to seven years. But doing that, a platform lifecycle, we should be able to change the hardware itself and try to incorporate advancements in technology. That was the thinking behind it, and the test case of that thinking was the PS4 Pro that launched in the midway of the PS4 launch cycle.
Click to expand...
 
longdi

longdi

Banned
PS4 Pro is genius.

In the past, Sony have 'lite' systems on die shrinks, cheaper for everyone.

Now consumers are used to changing faster phones every 2 years. Makes most sense to introduce die shrinks at 2 options.
1. same price but more powerful.
2. cheaper price but 'lite'
 
Q

quest

Not Banned from OT
longdi said:
PS4 Pro is genius.

In the past, Sony have 'lite' systems on die shrinks, cheaper for everyone.

Now consumers are used to changing faster phones every 2 years. Makes most sense to introduce die shrinks at 2 options.
1. same price but more powerful.
2. cheaper price but 'lite'
Click to expand...
I also see it adapting to the new reality of 7 year generations. The launch consoles get long in the tooth for many who welcome a little performance boost. When it was 5 year generations it was going from one to the next they didn't get long in the tooth especially since we got staggered launches by years by the console makers. It seemed every few years a new device was coming out.
 
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D

Deleted member 471617

Unconfirmed Member
I love my PS4 Pro and Sony's exclusives have looked amazing and are the bar when it comes to all the visuals and details despite not being the most powerful console on the market but with that said, it was to introduce/rush 4K gaming despite the fact that even now, over three years later, vast majority of gamers do not own a 4K TV.

So while I love my PS4 Pro and Sony's exclusives, im not a fan of the mid-gen console upgrade. To me, it's fucking stupid, doesn't make an impact whatsoever because if it did, Sony (and/or Microsoft) would be shouting sales numbers off the rooftops but they don't because the sales for it are minimal. Vast majority simply aren't going to buy it.

My personal preference would be PlayStation 5 in November 2020 (which it will be), no mid-gen console upgrade bullshit and in November 2025, they release PlayStation 6 as an 8K gaming console since that's what the PS5 Pro would basically be doing anyway. Some may think that this is too soon but I would much rather have this 5 year console cycle and then move on to next gen instead of a minimal upgrade that vast majority of publishers either A) don't take advantage of or B) took a few years to do so.

With all of that said, just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
 
M

MetalRain

Member
I wonder how much money do console manufacturers get from hardware versus software? Mid-gen upgrades probably do increase hardware sales and kind of keep platform more competitive.

But I can't help but wonder what if PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo were just services/game stores like Epic, Origin, GoG, Uplay and Steam? They could still make affordable hardware for gaming, while also reaching audience that uses other hardware.
 
theclaw135

theclaw135

Banned
It's time to push better frame rates. Most consoles can output no greater than 60Hz.
Limiting the benefits of making games with unlocked FPS.
 
Armorian

Armorian

Banned
theclaw135 said:
It's time to push better frame rates. Most consoles can output no greater than 60Hz.
Limiting the benefits of making games with unlocked FPS.
Click to expand...

Don't expect any decent looking games running above 60, and with so much better cpus we will get more 60 fps games nex gen.

I had 165Hz monitor few month ago, it's great with m+k and you can tell the difference between 60 fps and above 100, but since I'm playing most games with controller high refresh rate goes to waste, you wont feel the difference with gamepad. Sold it and got 34" ultrawide (75Hz, freesync).
 
Kamina

Kamina

Golden Boy
ethomaz said:
Well my launch PS4 is rocking all game without lose any experience plus it didn’t have the Pro issues... he’ll even the promise to having the same performance Sony didn’t deliver with Pro lol

I believe PS4 is still the best console launched this gen.
I easily recommend PS4 over PS4 Pro.
Click to expand...
???
I dont know which “Pro Issues“ you are talking about.
The Pro is overall better in every regard (Performance, Resolution and Graphics), proven by the many Digital Foundry comparisons and other technical reviews.
 
UltimaKilo

UltimaKilo

Gold Member
Psykodad said:
Pro was needed to boost VR performance.

We don't need another mid-gen "refresh".
Click to expand...

But actually, it already appears that they will. The tech curve is expected to explode, particularly around 2023.

VR will be incredibly demanding with wireless, 140+ FOV, 4K+ per eye, 120-144hz. I could see PSVR2 launch in 2022 followed by a Pro machine, which could also output 5K+, decreased load times and push beyond 60FPS.
 
D

Dante83

Banned
PS4 pro was weak. It's not even a true 4K system, struggles with 1440p, and even 1080p in some cases. Some games don't even look right on my 4K TV with unsightly artefacts due to the checkerboard stuff and the weird resolutions. It's a poorly made machine in terms of specs, and looks ugly on top of that. I don't think it's needed. I have always thought that sony should have stood their ground and let the base ps4 run its course, and then do a ps5.
 
Psykodad

Psykodad

Banned
UltimaKilo said:
But actually, it already appears that they will. The tech curve is expected to explode, particularly around 2023.

VR will be incredibly demanding with wireless, 140+ FOV, 4K+ per eye, 120-144hz. I could see PSVR2 launch in 2022 followed by a Pro machine, which could also output 5K+, decreased load times and push beyond 60FPS.
Click to expand...
Probably and it's not like I won't buy a new system day 1 anyway, but I'd rather have a less lengthy gen with proper followups.

Then again, maybe times have changed too much for that.
 
UltimaKilo

UltimaKilo

Gold Member
Psykodad said:
Probably and it's not like I won't buy a new system day 1 anyway, but I'd rather have a less lengthy gen with proper followups.

Then again, maybe times have changed too much for that.
Click to expand...

It’s interesting that we should consider that both may happen. A ~6 year life cycle with a pro as well!
 
sono

sono

Member
It would be mildly interesting to know how many pro4 vs std 4 were sold and what proportion of those total pro 4 sales were bought by std 4 owners.
 
Dory16

Dory16

Banned
ethomaz said:
Well my launch PS4 is rocking all game without lose any experience plus it didn’t have the Pro issues... he’ll even the promise to having the same performance Sony didn’t deliver with Pro lol

I believe PS4 is still the best console launched this gen.
I easily recommend PS4 over PS4 Pro.
Click to expand...
Not if you use psvr though
 
jts

jts

...hate me...
ethomaz said:
Well my launch PS4 is rocking all game without lose any experience plus it didn’t have the Pro issues... he’ll even the promise to having the same performance Sony didn’t deliver with Pro lol

I believe PS4 is still the best console launched this gen.
I easily recommend PS4 over PS4 Pro.
Click to expand...
I thought you were a Sony fanboy but turns out you’re just one of those that claim whatever they own is the best. Grow up.
 
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ethomaz

ethomaz

Banned
jts said:
I thought you were a Sony fanboy but turns out you’re just one of those that claim whatever they own is the best. Grow up.
Click to expand...
Wut? That makes no sense at all.
I’m more critical to Sony because I’m a Sony fanboy.

I understand that you have a Pro and want to make it a good purchase but the PS4 is a better option than Pro... there is no affected experience, in most cases has solid performance to play and the image is sharper without artifacts.
 
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M

Max_Po

Banned
ethomaz said:
I disagree and tests show that including Digital Foundry.
Click to expand...

Well I enjoyed every title Checker Boarded to 4K on my OLED.

DF videos are cute to look at ... they were bitching about 2 fps drop in a cut scene in RDR2's in Valentine.

on the PS4 Pro and Xbx it was 27 and on the Base consoles it was 25 fps.. in a cut scene and they presented it as "4% Huge Drop" ...
 
ethomaz

ethomaz

Banned
Max_Po said:
Well I enjoyed every title Checker Boarded to 4K on my OLED.

DF videos are cute to look at ... they were bitching about 2 fps drop in a cut scene in RDR2's in Valentine.

on the PS4 Pro and Xbx it was 27 and on the Base consoles it was 25 fps.. in a cut scene and they presented it as "4% Huge Drop" ...
Click to expand...
If we will enter in specific games debate...

PS4 Pro image is blurrier and have a most pixeled foliage look than PS4 image in RDR2.

Performance reach lows 20s in both that is not optional.
 
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jts

jts

...hate me...
ethomaz said:
Wut? That makes no sense at all.
I’m more critical to Sony because I’m a Sony fanboy.

I understand that you have a Pro and want to make it a good purchase but the PS4 is a better option than Pro... there is no affected experience, in most cases has solid performance to play and the image is sharper without artifacts.
Click to expand...
I don’t have the Pro but given the choice I’d always get the Pro.
 
Soapbox Killer

Soapbox Killer

Grand Nagus
Sony did many thing right this generation and should be applauded for its efforts however, PS4 Pro felt like a half step compared to the ONE X. Partly because the original Xbox One was weak out the gate and partly because the One X is a beast.
 
Kerotan

Kerotan

Member
The mid gen upgrades were essential to help the sale of 4k tvs and reduce their price. They'll be much lower now for people buying a ps5 then they would have been otherwise.
 
SleepDoctor

SleepDoctor

Banned
Life cycle should be no less than 7 years imo.

Also don't want to hear shit about refreshes when we're still a year out from next gen. I don't want anything less than 4k/60fps next gen.

So if they're already talking about upgraded consolesp, i expect something like 8k/120fps.
 
JohnnyFootball

JohnnyFootball

GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
I loved my PS4 Pro (and X1X) for that matter. They provided the Gen a much needed visual boost and was perfect for when I transitioned from my 1080p 55inch over to 4K/HDR TCL and finally to my OLED. I don't know what ethomaz ethomaz was playing, but for me the Pro and X were amongst the best things to happen this Gen. The X was a bigger move for Xbox than the Pro was for Sony.

I'm all for mid Gen refreshes as long as they don't become an every year thing. 3 years is fine.
 
JohnnyFootball

JohnnyFootball

GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
SleepDoctor said:
Life cycle should be no less than 7 years imo.

Also don't want to hear shit about refreshes when we're still a year out from next gen. I don't want anything less than 4k/60fps next gen.

So if they're already talking about upgraded consolesp, i expect something like 8k/120fps.
Click to expand...
8K/120 fps? Dude, please. There is many orders of magnitude of processing power between 4K/60 and 8K/120.
 
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JohnnyFootball

JohnnyFootball

GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
SleepDoctor said:
Then what will be the point of a midgen refresh if we have 4k/60fps on next gen already?
Click to expand...
I guess we will have to wait and see. Better visuals isn't limited to just resolution and framerate, but expecting 8K/120 is one of the more absurd things I have seen written. Its probably 4 years before high end GPUs reach 60fps at 8K, let alone 120fps.

My hope with the PS5 and X-series is that current developers target above 60fps with dynamic resolution scaling and VRR for HDMI 2.1 systems.
For non-HDMI 2.1 Id hope they lock it 60 fps.
 
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P

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
Soapbox Killer said:
Sony did many thing right this generation and should be applauded for its efforts however, PS4 Pro felt like a half step compared to the ONE X. Partly because the original Xbox One was weak out the gate and partly because the One X is a beast.
Click to expand...

When it came out, it was not competing with One X because the One X was 11+ months out to be fair... 12 months later and at $100 more it should not deserve heaps of praise for being more powerful (they do deserve praise as they made a quiet smaller box that was also more powerful, but 12 months of additional R&D, manufacturing process maturity, and raising the console price by a large margin do wonders ;)).

PS4 Pro never had the ultimate monster power as target also because it did not need it from a brand image point of view (Xbox was the platform that was sold on performance dominance from day 1, it was a PR disaster to be more expensive and slower for their brand). I still think that given the time it came out and the price it was a well designed machine (despite the lack of UHD Blu-Ray, that was a SHITTY choice... grrr....).
 
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