135 replies to this topic

[Fogel]

Release Date and Price

• Holiday 2013
• Price: TBA (lower than PS3's launch price)

 

Technical Specs and Hardware

• GPU will be an AMD Radeon integrated into the APU
• CPU will be an AMD 8 core x86-64 processor integrated into the APU
• 8GB GDDR5 unified memory
• HDD is TBD
• Blu-Ray/DVD Disc Drive
• 802.11 b/g/n Wireless
• Bluetooth 2.1
• USB 3.0
• HDMI out, Analog-AV and optical out
• Supports up to 4k resolution
• Games will still be rendered at 1080p resolution

PlayStation Eye

• Think competition to Kinect

• 2x Lenses operating at 1280x800 resolution

• 60fps video capture rate

• Aperture of f/2.0, with 30 cm focusing distance, and an 85° field of view

• 4 channel microphone array to reduce background noise

• Connects through the Auxiliary Port

• Ships with PS4 (not a separate purchase)

DualShock 4

• Touch Pad (2 point capacitative) that can be clicked
• 6 Axis Motion detection (3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer) and vibration
• Non-removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery tentatively capable of storing 1000 mAh
• a stereo headset jack (3.5 mm TRS connector)
• Micro USB port and an extension port
• Mono-speaker
• OPTIONS button is pretty much the Start and Select button merged into one button
• SHARE button allows gamers to share their gameplay experience online by upload
  • Upload to a website, or
  • Upload to other PSN users
  • Stream live gaming

Other Input/Output Sources

• PS Vita
• PlayStation Move
• Mono Headset (included with system)
• Phone / Tablet via PlayStation App which is similar to XBox SmartGlass
  • Remote purchase games
  • Remote download
  • Watch live stream of other gamers
  • View in-game maps while playing games
  • Supports iOS and Android  (Windows phones???)

 

Features

• Supports Physical and Digital Downloaded Games
• Supports Rental / Used Games
• Games will cost the same as PS3 games
• Games can be streamed to the PS Vita
• Will have the ability to multi-task (browse the internet while playing a game)
• Possibility for older PS1-PS3 games to be emulated or streamed via cloud (not official / decided)
• Movie & TV Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Instant Video
  • Crunchyroll
  • Vudu
  • Video Unlimited
  • Crackle
  • Hulu Plus
  • CinemaNow
  • Epix
• Social Networking Services
  • FaceBook
  • Internet Browser
  • PlayStation +
• Music Streaming Services
  • Music Unlimited
• Sports Streaming Services
  • NHL
  • MLB.tv

 

Not Included / Unconfirmed Stuff

 

UNCONFIRMED:

• NFL Sunday Ticket
• YouTube
• HBO Go
• Max Go
• Showtime Anytime
• LoveFilm

 

NO SUPPORT:

• Audio CDs
• Backwards Compatibility for older PS1, PS2 or PS3 discs.  Native PS3 downloads will also not work.

 

Games Currently Scheduled for the PS4

• Assassins Creed: Black Flag - October 29, 2013 (NA), November 1, 2013 (EU)
• Battlefield 4 - 2013 / 2014
• Cyberpunk 2077 - 2015 / later
• Deep Down - TBA
• Destiny - TBA / not earlier than 2014
• Diablo III - TBA
• Driveclub - TBA
• Final Fantasy - TBA
• Infamous: Second Son - TBA
• Killzone: Shadow Fall - Q4 2013
• Knack - TBA
• Rocketbirds 2: Evolution - TBA
• Thief (aka Thief 4) - TBA 2014
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - TBA 2014
• The Witness - TBA
• Watch Dogs - Q4 2013

 

OCC News Postings and Other Articles

• Introducing the PlayStation 4 - Arrives Holiday 2013 (includes links to previous articles with PICTURES AND VIDEOS  )
• Initial PlayStation 4 Price Will Be Lower than the PlayStation 3, Analyst Says
• Developers: PlayStation 4 Costs Comparable with Current Gen
• What the PlayStation 4 Can Play

 

 

Original Post

 

Spoiler

Source: Kotaku

While the official reveal of Sony's next home console could still be months away, if not longer, Kotaku has today learned some important details concerning the PlayStation 3's successor.

For one, the console's name-or at least its codename/working title-is apparently Orbis. And it's being planned for release in time for the 2013 holiday season.

The details in this story come from a reliable source who is not authorized to talk publicly about next-gen hardware but has shared correct information with us before. What they're telling us in specifics matches much of what we've heard and reported in generalities in recent weeks.

A Sony spokesperson declined to comment about these details, citing the company's policy not to comment on "rumors or speculation."

WHAT'S IN A NAME
Orbis. Say it out loud. Sounds a little like the word "four", doesn't it? Only it doesn't make the next PlayStation sound like a bad horror movie sequel.

It's also a name loaded with meaning. The word "Orbis" itself, from Latin, means circle, or ring, or even orbit. Not terribly helpful. Combine it with the name of Sony's new handheld system, though, and you have the common term Orbis Vita (or, in strict Latin, Orbis Vitae). Which means "The circle of life". Could the Vita be playing a very important role in the development and use of the next PlayStation home console? Maybe!

Such symbolism also suggests that rather than being a codename, like most companies employ when still developing a console (think NGP, or Durango), this might actually be the machine's final name. We don't know that, though, so keep an open mind about things.

CURRENT SPECS
Our main source supplied some basic specs for the console, but as the future is always in motion, bear in mind these could easily change between now and the Orbis' retail release. Still, if you'd like to know what developers are being told to plan for now, here you go.

* AMD x64 CPU
* AMD Southern Islands GPU
*

The former, that's largely something we've heard before, but the latter is interesting. That's the name given to many of AMD's 2012 roster of high-end PC cards. The PS4's GPU in particular, we're told, will be capable of displaying Orbis games at a resolution of up to 4096x2160, which is far in excess of the needs of most current HDTV sets. It'll also be capable of playing 3D games in 1080p (the PS3 could only safely manage 3D at 720p).

NEXT YEAR
Our main source tell us that "select developers" have been receiving dev kits for the new console since the beginning of this year. Revised and improved versions of these kits were sent out around GDC, while more finalised beta units will be shipped to developers towards the end of 2012.

That should hopefully give developers plenty of time to have launch games ready for the Orbis' retail release, which will be in time for the 2013 holiday season. If you can remember the PS3 launch-it's OK if you can't, it was a while ago-that too was in time for the holiday shopping season (November 2006 for Japan and North America).

SO LONG, PS3 GAMES
Remember how the PlayStation 3 swiftly dropped the ability to play PS2 games? Well, our main source tell us the Orbis won't even bother, and that Sony has no plans to offer backwards compatibility for its existing catalogue of PS3 games.

Looking like:

• Wii U wins on ...early release?
• XBOX 720 wins on CPU
• PS4 wins on GPU

Edited by Fogel, 21 March 2013 - 01:08 PM.

[AZNguyen]

Wii U win? maybe for little kids.

[ClayMeow]

1. No reason to not call it a PS4.
2. Wish they'd go with NVIDIA, especially with how Kepler is shaping up. Would also be nice if console gamers got to enjoy PhsyX.
3. No backwards compatibility with PS3 games?! I'm assuming it's still going to access the same PSN, as well as use Blu-Ray, so I don't really get why backwards compatibility would even be a question....It doesn't seem like there's be anything they'd have to do special.
4. The link between Vita and Orbis is interesting. I've heard "Cross Play" is currently hit or miss right now, so if it's built-in with Orbis, that would be pretty nice.
5. I agree with AZN's post.

[bp9801]

I call bunk on the whole thing. I tried to be a little nice in my news post but... I dunno, I just don't see the need for another PlayStation right now.

[AZNguyen]

I dunno, I just don't see the need for another PlayStation right now.

They have been getting the most of out current-gen console games for awhile now. It's time to upgrade and give devs more processing power and memory

[CowKing]

2. Wish they'd go with NVIDIA, especially with how Kepler is shaping up. Would also be nice if console gamers got to enjoy PhsyX.
3. No backwards compatibility with PS3 games?! I'm assuming it's still going to access the same PSN, as well as use Blu-Ray, so I don't really get why backwards compatibility would even be a question....It doesn't seem like there's be anything they'd have to do special.

Console gamers do have Physx; even the Xbox 360.

The next playstation will have a whole new set of hardware, so it'll need to use emulation which is incredibly demanding to do. The rule of thumb is that you need a system that has 10+x the system you're emulating

[bp9801]

They have been getting the most of out current-gen console games for awhile now. It's time to upgrade and give devs more processing power and memory

So they say.

[IVIYTH0S]

They lost me at lack of backwards compatibility....*Proud owner of a 60GB Fat PS3*

[TheHippi]

The next playstation will have a whole new set of hardware, so it'll need to use emulation which is incredibly demanding to do. The rule of thumb is that you need a system that has 10+x the system you're emulating

Not to mention the Cell architecture is completely different from other architectures.

[Fogel]

BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY and USED GAMES:
In this category Nintendo will win/keep a lot of fans. The majority of the console gamers really don't debate on the web so they don't think like most of us do. Many of them also do not have as much liquid funds as we do. The rental and used gaming market is extremely large for most console gamers. Consoles are a great way to buy cheap hardware and pay as little as possible for software. I can respect companies want to make money, but at the same time knowing your audience somtimes pay larger profit margins than your own personal goals do. The Wii proved that. The Wii doesn't appeal to most gamers ...for example, how many here at OCC will go to bat for the Wii and say it is hands down the best gamers console and provides the best gaming experience of the 3 choices? I expect sarcasm or crickets chirping to be the response. Yet the Wii completely dominated in sales. Nintendo knows their audience. That is the difference of a relatively new console developer - Microsoft - vs a veteran - Nintendo.

I think XB has the most to lose at this point axing used games. Sony has a lot of devout fans and can absorb the blow easier. Not to mention if the PS4 is a complete powerhouse compared to the other consoles many gamers will forgive the lack of used games.

One thing Nintendo is doing right with the Wii U is making sure as much of their stuff (software AND hardware) is backwards comapitible. Nintendo lost their niche on the Wii and sales have plummeted so they HAVE to be the first out of the gate, which means once again their hardware will be completely weak compared to the competition. The other problem is many Wii owners will now wonder, "will my stuff be useless and why would I purchase a new system?" More so with the Wii than the XB or PS simply because Nintendo is launching first ...and also partly because I doubt there are many who still use their Wii. So being able to salvage most of their gear will be a huge selling point.

Something tells me that Sony and Microsoft made an arrangement together to fight the used gaming market because otherwise I don't see why both would do it at the same time. Perhaps they got pressure from gaming companies that threatened lack of 3rd party support. Who knows, just a gamer overanalyzing here. Though without any knowledge of why these decisions are being made... if I was king for a day at Sony/Microsoft I would let my competition yank out the used gaming market and do the complete opposite. I think it is a huge mistake and shows a lack of understanding of their fan base. Granted if it is because gaming devs/publishers are threatening lack of support that obviously complicates matters.

Nintendo can get by with limited 3rd Party Support - hell most people pretty much expect it these days.


Best Chance: Wii U
Worst Chance: XB720



HARDWARE:
Well if I judge the Wii U, XB720 and PS4 simply on leaked specs and nothing else... the only system to look forward to at the moment is the PS4/Orbis. I still think it is horrid idea for the NextBox to use such a dated video card. Microsoft isn't Nintendo so the arguement that Nintendo proved more can be done with less only holds so much weight. Nintendo has a long standing army of faithful fans that will buy Mario, Zelda and Metroid games regardless of how they look because gameplay is always good. If I was Microsoft right now I would ask myself, "how many hardcore fans did I acquire with Kinect?" I can't imagine too many. The only true fan base XB has is XBL. Yep a service fans have to pay extra for, but XBL is well known for providing better online gameplay - perceived or real.

Problem for most XB fans is they want the latest games in the best looking version available ...or at least close enough to the competition. So if the PS4 can dominate the XB720 graphically then all Sony has to really worry about is beefing up PSN to be more competitive with XBL. I said the same thing before the 360/PS3 launched but the Cell architecture pretty much held the PS3 back. Focusing more on the GPU gives the developers an easier route to develop superior games. Makes me wonder how AMD was able to pull off selling outdated tech to Microsoft and current day tech to Sony - that is pretty damn slick. I call the real winner to be AMD here.

Now we look at the Wii and here is where the Wii U loses ground real quick. The goal of the Wii U is to gain some of the core gaming market back so it's not simply grandmas and soccer moms trying to look cool in their living rooms. Unfortunately the Wii U is really just competition to the XB360 and PS3. The Wii U will probably face the same problems it has now (odd 3rd party support, limited to no multiplat game support) a year or two after the competition releases their next salvo. The tablet better provide some very innovative features to attract people. I'm sure Nintendo games will find an innovative use for it but the 3rd party games will probably just be gimmicky.

I will say, if there is one company that would be willing to change their hardware spec at this point in the process it would be Microsoft - they are quite competitive and would take the loss. It doesn't mean they will, I just see them being the only company that would take that chance.


Best Chance: PS4
Worst Chance: Wii U

Edited by Fogel, 29 March 2012 - 10:53 AM.

[Waco]

Sony is the Apple (OSX) of the console world. There, I said it. The XBox is Windows (obviously) and the Wii U is...iOS?

[DanTheGamer11]

Gee Microsoft must be near announcement of something if there are leaks/rumours about PS4...