Aren't opinion pieces supposed to be marked as such?

No they won’t. They’ll have to release a next gen console eventually

It might not be iterative from now on, but I can guarantee you that Sony and MS will sell you on a PS5 or XB2 and then do a mid-gen refresh again to suck you back in. Why wouldn't they want to do it? It brings in so many more dollars for those who double dip. Getting you to spend money every 3-4 years instead of every 7-8.

I don't see them abandoning new hardware especially Sony but I do see them continuing the mid gen refreshes.

Now that they are x86, it is really the only thing that makes sense. They are just poor man's PC's at this point.

Of course they'd want to do this as it combines all future console consumers into 1 market like PC. They'd never have to restart at 500k users for their multi million dollar games, but still.. How would they do this? 8gb of ram was a bottleneck on these consoles with their release titles, and with 4k we need more ram than ever before, not to mention GPU/CPU improvements... If they make modern games on better hardware, current gen wouldn't be able to run them at any resolution....

Hmm... Idk. Much more likely they'll both offer backwards compatibility with new consoles and stick with mid generation upgrades as they're clearly popular.

Sony and Microsoft can’t keep developing for the base PS4 & XO forever. Eventually they’ll have to upgrade to next gen

Please no.

This is the main reason computer games are optimized like shit.

Developers will be forced to cater to the least common denominator (Base Ps4, Xbox 1) and games will suffer.

Over flood the market with consoles if they're just iterative advancements.

They could just advertise the game as Pro/X or better.

Didn't both already state they're not doing this anytime soon? i know for sure shawn Layden stated they are still sticking to traditional console generations. plus how the hell is an iterative console cycle going to work with game devs?

I don't see it.

If we saw a Pro Plus or 1X2, then it would be too far from base models for developers to either keep games working for them, or continually patching existing games to keep up. I think it would piss 3rd parties off, having to keep working on older games instead of creating new ones.

We should only need one PS5 and Xbox 2 next gen, as the reason for mid-gen updates was to push higher resolution because 4K was becoming a thing.

I can't see many upgrading their TVs to 8K this quickly if the console manafacturers can even hit that with an upgraded 5 or X2... Which will be extremely doubtful anyway.

Kind of doubt it, considering Sony already made it clear they still believe in generational cycles. I’m not expecting the PS5 to pull a PS3 and have some sort of alien hardware that has never been used for gaming, but I do still expect the next piece of PS hardware to be called a PS5.

I dont see that happening..

I better be able to trade it in like a phone too if you want to use that model. Free Upgrades and incentives. The console space isn’t competitive enough for that to work imo. The mobile space is highly competitive, not in gaming but the hardware and services.

GamingBalls, SHUT THE F**K UP!!

Sony has stated multiple times they still believe in 'console generations' and the PS5 aims to be just that by changing the CPU cores from the shitty Jaguars into AMD's new and celebrated "RyZEN' cores. The GPu chip will change from the Radeion HD 7870 'Pitcairn" or the PS4 PRO's *7870 X2 and will become a costumed Vega10/Navi hybrid. And last the Memory will be changed from the Ps4/Pro's GDDR5 into generation GDDR6!! Plus with a much faster & wider 'Memory Bus Interface!'

I'm sure all the other things will be further updated like it's 'Secondary ARM processor" for background work, better type of Wi-Fi Network Card, AMD's TrueAudio sound, support for faster HDD rpm/cache sizes, FreeSync, latest Bluetooth tech, And with some NEW tech surprises we don't even know about as of yet!!!........ This is MY definition of NEXT-GEN, GAMINGBALLS!!

The only thing PS5 would share with PS4/PRO is it's core x86-64 bit instructions sets compatibility. That and the GCN architecture that the PS4/Pro run off of.

Isn't that what the Pro and X are, iterative consoles??

This would be awful

so ps5 will be a more powerful Ps4 pro with a uhd drive then???

These are all rumors. I think PS5 will be new and XBOX will continue like Xbox X

I have a feeling that they will go this route for these reasons

1. Cost. There is no denying that the cost of making games has gone up substantially. If next gen devs have to create whole new pipelines to take full advantage of the new architecture/power it will continue the current exponential rising cost of making games. At the start of the PS3 gen it was considered very expensive if a game cost 20 million. Now its common for games to cost 45 million in a space of one gen. I think that both MS and Sony will want to address this as I am sure game makers want them to address it. An iterative console should in theory should keep the rise in game dev a bit lower

2. Less risks. Sony is in the drivers seat right now. The PS2 to PS3 transition was a huge risk for them and they struggled really badly at the start of the PS3 gen. With an iterative console it would be much less risk for them with the PS5 as it will be basically a PS4 pro at double or triple the power.Less disruptions etc

3.Momentum. Following for 2. Basically it will mean that the PS4 Pro will act as the base model and PS5 the new top model. This would be very important to Sony to continue their momentum from PS4 era into the next iteration/gen. Familiarity for gamers but more importantly for devs. Imagine the PS4 Pro as the 4k 30fps (checkerboard) and the PS5 as the 4k 60fps (native) machine.

Come 2020 I 4k will be standard then.

I would quit gaming on consoles and go exclusively pc if they try this.

Um.... no. Unless the hardware and compatibility is kept in check through the iterations, this will never be the case. Where does "PS4" support end, and where does "PS4 Super Pro" begin?

Not a blunder these companies want to get into. Most people still like the simplicity of consoles, and this approach would completely undermine this.

Uhhh just no... ps5 is real...

Ms would release an xb1x2 far before sony

It's quite logical for MS and SONY to go with iterations instead of new consoles.
The model is already proven successful with Smartphone and Steam.
Also, there are huge benefits for MS and Sony compare to new consoles

- Better brand loyalty from the consumer.
Average Joe will probably think twice before switching to a competing platform due to his complete digital game library already available. On a new system, the consumer starts with 0 games.

- Easier Digital market to manage.
No need for a PS3, Vita, Ps4, etc.

- And more chances of making a profit on a game at a lower cost.

They'll likely be BC so I guess you could call them iterative consoles, but you'd have to label them as PS5 and whatever marketing term MS comes up with.

It would just confuse the consumer otherwise.

gamingbolt.com = looool!!!!!!!

Can you imagine console devs have to test 3-4 different hardware and optimize them without it conflicting with the core game development?
There's a reason PC optimization are still pipe dream too many damn variations in OS versions,and hardware specs.
Not to mention these iterative hardware updates make the leap a lot less dramatic and people will eventually grow tired of it paying $400 in 1-2 years instead of 5-7 years traditionally and they will see that they paid too much for the same game that can't take to each hardware to its full potential.
Diminishing returns both hardware and software fronts.

This is what stupid Nintendo has been doing you know.. the 3ds was so flawed they had to "remake" it a couple of times. But hey, its Nintendo it gets a free pass.

“Gamingbolt is horrible news site” says Dev

Gamingshit gtfo!

The problem with this strategy is people don't know what your going to stick with and when you'll drop their version of the system. I can't see this model flying long term because consoles are a different breed to those who buy smart phones.

I wish people would stop using Apple as a standard for everybody else's behaviour.

Weren't there some articles saying some devs have received PS5 dev kits already. PS5 is pretty much a shoe in tbh.

I think they should make a defined next gen console with support to the last gen upgrades. The X and Pro will be able to play Ps5 and Xbox Z while the of Xbox and base PS4 is dropped. I wouldn't want them to hold back the new consoles.

Pretty confident that MS in their next console will have native support of play for XB1 games. It would be a smart move for Sony to do the same. Both companies though will need to dictate the new consoles as completely separate entities with no requirements tying previous console to new console developments. That way companies can look at fully supporting the new consoles without older tech holding them back. But also give them an easier option to offer up an older console version of a game as we saw they did when PS4 and XB1 came out and still had games like BF4 and BFH which had completely separate versions on each console. (where nothing was held back for new console version)

They better not were alreasy on aged hardware as it is

Bad idea, forces developers to program to the lowest common denominator. This can have a huge impact on gameplay, not just visuals. A game designed to only run on PS4Pro or XBX1 would allow for gameplay that just can't run on a PS4 or XB1. That's an example, I think they were both good ideas for a mid-gen upgrade but to go that way into the future is a very bad idea.

*throws up*
I'd like to not have another tech thing that updates annually please

I don't know how much credibility I'd give this dev on the subject. It sounds like baseless conjecture at this point. Besides, there's evidence that a PS5 is likely on the horizon (even if it's unlikely to be revealed before E3 2019 at the earliest), and if MS does stay in the console market I think they will unveil a new system in a similar timeframe.

They would need to drop the number off each device, i.e. ps4. It would just all be called PlayStation, and be differentiated by year, exactly like the Imac. Developers would simply decide which of their games could run on which model. So for example, when GTA 6 comes out, RockStar just label a minimum spec: "Compatible with PlayStation/Xbox consoles: 2019, 2021" etc etc. If a developer doesn't want to be held back from a console from 4 years ago, they simply don't support it. I guess Sony and Microsoft could offer upgrade deals built into your psn/xbox live subscription or whatever, exactly like phone contracts. "Pay £120 to upgrade early"....

PS5 - 12 TF, 16GB RAM, Compatible with PS4 games and PSVR. Please, please, please :-)

And they might not

Have no problem with a pro or X as long as it's followed by a new gen. What's it gonna be if not a Ps5? A Pspro2, even down for that as long as when the 5 hits it makes the pro/pro2 etc look dated.

A better Idea would be to make ps5 back compatable all the way down to psone and do what they did with ps4 in terms of transition to the next gen. Have initial games launch with a 4/pro version. But the 5 version comes with enhanced physics, interactive environments and top $$$ graphics.

Ps5 is a day 1 for me, a pspropro is not. Infact i'd probably start questioning their business practices and buy 2nd hand.

Ps5 is next for sure, cos sony knows gamers (other than the ps3 $500 shite)

Single dumbest rumor so far.

So I bought Pro while Super Pro may be on the way what the heck happened to consoles

I called it over two year or so ago ... they are following the cell phone path . Games will be released and they will have a req on the back of which system can play it or not , just a pc recc. for playing the game .
@killer_goat
http://n4g.com/news/1894884...

Export 608d ago

Call it almost a year ago ... Console are going the phone release route but two years not one and going to be like a PC . Xbox upping it and Sony will follow ...

They just got through doing that!

if xbox bows down to sony. It will hurt gaming because compatishon is always better for the consumer. Sony will ease off the gas. Without xbox and will not get great games no more.

That would be poor marketing strategy and would certainly lose the huge momentum a totally new console gives. I think that the PS5 will be a major upgrade but that all PS4 games will be able to be played on PS5 but not vice versa. I for one appreciated the PS4 Pro this gen.

I expect an iteration of x86 and AMD graphics next gen, not a wildly different architecture like the PS3's. Console tech has been converging with PC tech for a while now, and I expect that to continue. No PC buyer would accept a new system that won't run his existing games and other software, and I see that as a good thing for consoles as well. We can have a leap in performance and compatibility as well.

I'm on board with this as long as Microsoft keeps the backwards compatibility going.

Gamingbolt: blah blah blah blah blah blah says dev

it·er·a·tive
ˈidəˌrādiv,ˈidərədiv/Submit
adjective
relating to or involving iteration, especially of a mathematical or computational process.
LINGUISTICS
denoting a grammatical rule that can be applied repeatedly.
GRAMMAR
another term for frequentative.

Gone would be the days of working to the metal.

I'll what they give me. Whether it's PS5 or PS4 "Elite" "Max" "Ultimate" edition. With the Pro they basically over clocked the CPU and double the GPU. Maybe for another iterative console they're swap out CPUs altogether. PS5 could come with new CPU, GPU and more RAM. As long as the exclusives still keep coming.

I just want sony to release a monster console and not worry about cost. We have base, pro so all we need is the enthusiast model.

With all the games still to come pushing the limits I don't think we really need a next gen yet. Just look at PC there's nothing really out the ordinary on there yet you have unlimited power, almost.

This is click bait. There is no substantive info in the article.

Click bait

They're already doing that, I mean 3 consoles since launch MS ?

Might being the most important word.

IF they try this crap it will fail....hard...

It diminishes the effect of new graphics as the jump isn't as great. This is a terrible idea.

It's like what Intel was doing with their chips until AMD came along and basically made them go to Hexacore.

Personally I like the idea of a PS5 at least its a new machine with new specs new graphics. A mid cycle console say like a PS5 Pro its not a bad idea I would be happy with. But a PS4 Pro 2.0 that does not have much to bring to the table except maybe a few new chips and a redesigned GPU unit I would not be alright with under the hood its just the same specs as last years model. Technology evolves and moves forwards it doesn't stay at the same pace and having a console that stays at the same pace actually is pointless.

Microsoft and Sony only made the mid gen consoles like the Pro and the XB1 is because people want 4k when they game and I don't know why Microsoft and Sony did not add 4k to the launch consoles probably to keep costs down. The Pro and Xb1x are great consoles but having a XB1X2 and PS4 Pro 2 I would not take.

I see it as too bloody expensive. Sony/Microsoft should just ditch console hardware altogether in favor of a gaming service like Netflix. Lower costs, better profits, and triple or quadruple the audience. I still firmly believe that console hardware is done and buried. PSN/Xbox live tv app is the way to go. A fusion of digital distribution combined with the power of the ☁

I want consoles that can have parts that can be replace just like a PC. have the parts made so that I can pull it a part and slide the new one in and boom ready to go.

the problem with iteration consoles, it make it tough for game developers to develop games for. Its already hard for developers to support one version of the game, now they have to support 3-4 versions of the same games for different iteration of the console. Look at Xbox ONe X, microsoft promised that all game made for the xbox one x will be playable on xbox one and xbox one S. but there will be a point where that is no longer sustainable.

PS5 should be backwards compatible. 10.5flops from vega line.

Of course.

It's still a generation jump as they won't happen regularly.