PlayStation 5 will let developers build 'far more dynamic, interactive worlds'

The next generation of consoles will let developers build "far more dynamic", "interactive" and "believable" worlds than the PS4 and Xbox One currently allow for, according to Criterion's former technology director Paul Ross.

[BigBosss]

I know that VR will play a huge role for next gen consoles. But still have a long way ahead for the next gens to come out. So at the moment, I'm just going to take things as a grain of salt.

[DarkOcelet]

It gonna come most likely in Q4 2020.

Still far away.

[BigBosss]

Definitely far away, let's just focus on this generation for now rather than speculating on next generation.

[ThunderPulse]

I'd say 2018-19.

[Mr_Writer85]

Not that far away 2018.. 2019 the absolute latest.

Last gen was a one off and a huge leap from the previous gen (ps2) but the leap from last gen to current gen wasn't a huge one.

5/6 years previous gens have gone, and I think this one will follow the rule rather than the exception.

[1nsomniac]

Way, way off the mark if you think these consoles will last until Q4 2020!

Like the others have said, realistically we're looking 2018 - Q1 2019 at latest. Both the big dogs at both Microsoft & Sony have both publically stated it wont be as long as last gen.. like someone already said, last gen was a one off & used advanced tech. This gen has just re-wrapped old tech under a new flavor of label to whatever the recent buzz word is. Wishful thinking but these consoles will have become stale by 2018.

[IamTylerDurden1]

2020. PS5 and xbox2 are NOT coming any earlier than Q4 2019, 2018 is ridiculous. You ppl claiming 2018 are saying that the PS4/Xb1 will last only as long as the Wii u (approximately).

Consider that the new God of War hasn't even been announced yet, TLoU 2, you think these are PS5? No.

Consider how well PS4 is selling, why would Sony end its lifespan short if it's blowing the doors off still?

[Nivekki]

'Consider how well PS4 is selling, why would Sony end its lifespan short if it's blowing the doors off still?'

Because just maybe the competitors have released new consoles by then?

[Jyndal]

"Because just maybe the competitors have released new consoles by then?"

Console manufacturers had better be careful about how fast they come out with a new system, else they run the risk of being the next Sega. Dropping a console in favor of a newer, shinier one can have the effect of making people wary of trusting their money to a system that may only last 4 -5 years.

[Nivekki]

@Jyndal

The ps2 released 5 years after the ps1 and it is the best selling console of all time.

[freshslicepizza]

i'm hoping the next generation is an actual evolution from the last. this generation didn't seem like a major jump to me but it is understandable since they want to offer affordable systems that can make profits early on.

[Kleptic]

i'm with most others...I'd guess concrete rumors showing up by mid to late 2017, official announcements in 2018 with hardware showing up no later than 2019...

it really comes down to what MS does...There is no denying they're going to original xbox this gen and have something ready sooner rather than later...that is exactly how the 360 came to be, and was a move that paid off until they fumbled with the xbox one...every year that ticks by is just MS giving up additional market share, and they have plenty of resources to slow or stop that, so its really up to how they handle it...

2020 is simply unrealistic imo...MS won't let that happen...maybe sony waits that long if the VR stuff takes off...but I would be blown away if MS rode the xbox one through 6 consecutive losing years, so no doubt there will at the very minimum...be new xbox hardware before the end of the decade...and Sony will most likely be forced into new hardware releases only because of MS's attempts to 'erase' the current situation and start over...

[UKmilitia]

no point bringing anything out until many devs get there finger out and build new engines rather than tweaked crap!!!

[WelkinCole]

The important factors when it comes to release of a new console depends on

1. The gamers
2. Publishers

These are the two big market forces that in a way are interdependent.

If publishers continue to publish great experiences and gamers keep buying them then the need for next gen gets moves back.

MS or Nin can release their new consoles as early as they want but if publishers and gamers are not ready yet to let go of current gen then they will not fare well. It is why I am predicting the next Nin console the NX will not fare well.

Look, if publishers are publishing games and gamers keep buying them in bigger numbers year on year then there is no incentive for publishers especially 3rd parties to invest in new gen game dev when they are making a killing on current gen.

As the gaming industry keeping expanding and making more money I doubt publishers and gamers are willing to move soon. I don't see revenue/profit decreasing any time soon. At least another 3-4 years so late 2019 or early 2020 is more likely.

Heck Rockstar hasn't release a game this gen yet. All the Sony big hitters have not released yet. COD has just started and has not reach their peak sales this gen yet including all EA franchises. This is because this gen is still only 60+million sofar.

We should not see game sales slow down until the 180 millon console mark like last gen (53m PS3, 55m X30, 72m plus WII). The big difference this time around is that the bulk will be PS4 and X1 which is perfect for 3rd party publishers as it means a much bigger market for core gamers they can sell to which means its much easier for them to support longer.

[Apollosupreme]

Wow, really? Back to my previously scheduled surfing then...

[SolidStoner]

they really should already consider the support for VR for next gen.. just like with racing wheels.. supporting gadgets you make is always a good thing!! And make 4 USB ports (at least) for PS5 again!

[phallusitator]

As long as it has backwards compatibility support out of the box id support a 4 year cycle.

[ChrisW]

Woot! Look at the bickering! Every PS console has come out approx 5 to 7 years after the prior one's release date. So there you go! It could be 2018... It could be 2020... It could be whenever Sony decides...

[Domovoi0ng]

How can these current consoles survive till 2020? hahahahaha......just thinking about consoles cracks me up.

[bouzebbal]

wow what an info..
PS8 will let developers build far more interactive worlds..
You heard it here first.

[The 10th Rider]

@IamTylerDurden1

"Consider how well PS4 is selling, why would Sony end its lifespan short if it's blowing the doors off still?"

Well, it works like this: Pretend all the people who have bought a PS4 are on one side of a fence and everyone who hasn't is on the other. The more you sell, the less people there are who haven't bought one . . . Meaning the number of people who have yet to buy one dwindles. Eventually, the number of people on that side of the fence is so small that it becomes harder and harder to sell.

That's the reason companies release slim versions of consoles, special editions, or products like the New 3DS. It's a big reason (besides other, obvious ones) that the Wii tanked at the end of its life and the PS3 sold very well towards the end of its life.

It would be phenomenal if the PS4 continued to sell as well as it is now for another two or three years, four years? Not impossible, but it would be a shock. Even if fans think it will, Sony can't really count on that and they're probably planning for that sales dip now.

[jonivtec]

The ps4 sale nice its the only reason why whe will maybe wait until 2018-2019.But the reason why it wont be to long is the power...both console are kind of underpowered ...8go of memory is perfectly acceptable but low cpu and gpu power is not.Sony and microsoft did with the economy at the time but i think a 50$ on a more powerfull cpu/gpu combo would have been preferable and would'nt really affect the sales on the long run

[Yukes]

Not much to take, really. Next gen will allow for more believable worlds...very insightful.

In other news, the gaming landscape will be markedly different in 10 years' time.

[Kavorklestein]

Yeah I read through this and I'm like:
"Wait whatttt?!
PS5 will be able to doo moar stuffz?!"
OMG! Like no effin way!
So totally radical!
Holy be-jeebus! You don't say!

How about telling us specifically HOW the PS5 will allow devs to build more dynamic worlds instead of the most cliché way of saying games are going to gett better and better with time.

Which is of course a no brainer.

[donthate]

Yeah, but I think what isn't as obvious at this time is that I think the cloud would make far more dynamic and interactive worlds. It is perfect for this!

XBL Cloud Compute and Crackdown 3 physics, tied with smart AI like Driveatar in Forza 5 & 6, and you can have it in the next 1-2 years. The cloud will beat next generation console now! Let alone then when the next generation releases.

[WilliamSheridan]

VR will always be a gimmick. I highly doubt it will ever take off, because I don't think people really truly want it. There are some hardcore gamers who would but it, but the core market won't get into it enough for it to become mainstream. You might say, good, we like it that way... But it will never be big until it hits mainstream

[DragonKnight]

People want the Holodeck, VR is a stepping stone to that. People want VR, they just don't want a hefty price and lack of content. VR is not like motion controls or 3D.

[WilliamSheridan]

People definitely want the holodek, and VR is the technological stepping stone, but that doesn't mean people want VR. Just watch, VR fell flat in arcades, it'll fall flat on consoles. People don't really want that kind of immersion without proper tactile feedback. True VR just isn't possible. Even AR is probably higher in demand.

But I guess we will see soon when these devices come out...

[frostypants]

@WilliamSheridan, arcade machine hardware is weaksauce compared to home consols and PCs. Has been for ages.

[Jmanzare]

I believe vr will take off but not for a long time definitely not this gen and probably not next gen either

[WilliamSheridan]

@frostypants

Arcade hardware is, and always will be, more powerful than consoles due to simple economics. In the past, consoles would struggle to maintain arcade quality. Currently the only reason games are arcade quality is because the arcade market died and now instead of porting from arcade to console it's done the other way around. But, think of arcades as the pc market, since that's basically what they are/were. They are always more powerful than consoles, always. It's just up to the developer on how much they want to spend...

[sweendog]

You are comparing 90s arcade tech to today's tech and saying arcade technology is still better. I tried vr back in the 90s and the graphics were comparable to star fox on the snes it was that bad and the latency was horrendous it was like being drunk. You moved your head and then image caught up with you. Dk1 was leaps and bounds more advanced than 90s arcade vr never mind dk2 and now cv1/psvr/vive

[WDBII]

I don't care for it. People say they do but once it's out there for everyone to get, not many will have. Either it costs too much for them or it costs too much to not be able to use with friends. Now that hololens. That's breaking barriers. I am micro biased. I can't lie

[Pongwater]

"VR will always be a gimmick. I highly doubt it will ever take off"

VR will eventually be huge, there is very little doubt in my mind.

Games or other virtual worlds for people to explore with friends or alone, virtual concerts and sporting events, virtual classes or field trips into the past present or future for students, virtual trips to big gatherings or conventions whether they're political, business related things like seminars, or something like E3, Virtual trips to the space station, moon, Mars, etc, virtual tours of famous cities that can even transport the viewer into the past...

The possibilities are incredible. Whether the time is now or not is the question, but when the price is right VR will explode just like television did as long as the quality and content are there.

[UnHoly_One]

I agree, I see multiple people echoing BigBosss' sentiment of "I know that VR will play a huge role for next gen consoles", but I don't see it.

I think it will play NO role in the next gen console, because I think it will fail miserably. It'll stick around on PC, but mostly because it can be used for anything instead of just games.

It will not last on console.

Just my personal prediction.

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

completely agree. If you really take a second to think about it, VR is really the only "gamble" this gen has invested itself in thus far. Aside from that, its tough to say ive seen a ton of innovation come from this generation in comparison to the last.

"far more dynamic, interactive worlds" is a progression I still look to my playstation 4 and xbox one for.

[Xb1ps4]

Exactly... I'll believe it when it launches, I would of thought we would of been playing in those worlds now considering how long last gen dragged on so a grain of salt it is..

[sanosukegtr123]

In the meantime ps4 will keep us occupied.

[Scatpants]

I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of interface devices will come out for VR. I'm building a cockpit for racing and flying games before VR arrives, but I'd like to see some interesting motion controls or an interface for a stationary bike. You could have online bike races with steering and everything.

[Tsar4ever01]

Next-gen consoles with bigger and better interactive worlds, they say? Can you say "SpaceEngine," that's all I gotta say.
https://m.youtube.com/watch...

[Muzikguy]

When I read that headline I thought maybe this was a gamingbolt article. Of course the next systems will allow for more immersive worlds! Every system that succeeds the previous does that. How stupid to even say that.

Also the whole "grain of salt" thing looks like it needs some clarifying

I too think VR will play a major role next generation. This is only the beginning as far as VR is concerned

[Bathyj]

Agreed. Too soon.

[GordonKnight]

It's sort of like the NFL power rankings right after the Super Bowl.

[TheBrit]

but they say this type of thing each and every year - nothing new.

[Relientk77]

Let PS4 last, but when PS5 does come it will be epic

[AizenSosuke]

PS5 epicness.

[BrandanT]

No way! Doesn't that happen with every new console? It's more powerful so developers are able to do more.

[ginsunuva]

But they don't always because it takes more time and effort (and usually money) to do.

What game this gen used the increased console power for anything other than visuals?

[reallyNow]

You Dont Know Jack Collection: 49573922.7

[kevnb]

Witcher 3

[BrandanT]

Well, in this generation, visuals are pretty much the main selling point for games right now.

[VJGenova]

They said the same thing with the PS4/Xbone. It's stating a very simple fact and passing it off as journalism. Do what other wise people do, and downvote this crap!

[Chaosdreams]

You don't say.

[Picnic]

Things haven't massively improved since Half Life 2 in 2004.
What a game.

[hennessey86]

Don't no why people are disagreeing with you, half life 2's levels were and still are incredible.

[Pongwater]

HL2 was great, but I disagree that certain things in gaming haven't massively improved since then. Sure, much of it is cosmetic, but immersion has undoubtedly been greatly improved by better graphics and sound alone. Better AI is also a biggie.

[Thefreeman012]

@Pongwater I would have to disagree that AI has improved significantly. Playing a FPS single player still feels more or less the same. I see AI do completely irrational things or glitch out that has been present in pretty much most games. AI needs to become smart enough to have self preservation (like running away when outnumbered or scared)

[kevnb]

Fear 1 still has the best ai.

[Rookie_Monster]

Didn't developers also said similiar things regarding PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4? It is only only logical that that would be the case.

[UltraNova]

Well you are right Captain Obvious...Oh wait, you are? Daaaaaamn!

Edit: Just in case...I'm messing with you dude ;-)

As for the actual PS5/xb2 they better make sure they can do proper 1080p 60+fps...

[frostypants]

They can do "proper 1080p 60+fps" now. But devs generally choose to put more of the horsepower towards higher quality textures and effects. In a better world, they'd give us some in-game options (kind of like PCs have, but maybe more straight forward) to choose higher FPS in exchange for lower quality textures.

PROOF: Even the PS3 could do this. Wipeout HD was 1080p and 60fps. They just built the entire game around that requirement.

BTW, anything over 60fps is arguably pointless for consoles given that the vast majority of TVs are 60Hz native (the ones that advertise 120Hz and higher are generally only emulating it using downstream post-processing tricks which have nothing to do with the source, and enabling it will result in lag).

EDIT: Which of these points do you disagree with? I even provided evidence.

[DragonKnight]

Actually there is a game releasing soon that will allow consoles to have basic graphical settings. I can't remember the name of it but I think it's an EA game. I saw a video about it yesterday. So we'll be able to see if people truly prefer performance over texture quality on consoles soon. It's just basic settings like removing motion blur, adjusting aliasing, things like that.

[frostypants]

@DragonKnight, that is awesome, and is exactly what we need more of. A lot of PC gamers on lesser rigs who brag about 60fps are getting there by exactly those sorts of tweaks that console gamers simply have no control over. It makes a big difference in FPS games...I'd kill AA every time (or use something less intensive like FXAA) in exchange for better fps.

[uth11]

they'll be pushing 4K by then and I predict the consoles will still be struggling to hit 60fps because developers will use the performance budget to push higher visual details and effects.

Or we'll get upset because developers 'downgraded' their visuals to 'only' 1800p to hit 60 :)

[DragonKnight]

@frosty: Looked it up and it's allegedly The Division that will have those settings. If that's true, I wonder how the downgrade debate will change.

[UltraNova]

@frosty

Agreed.

BTW by proper 1080p 60fps I mean with advanced quality settings that would satisfy any graphics obsessed individual, including yours truly.

[kevnb]

Why is it that people can only talk about texture quality? Things like tesselation, God rays, advanced physics and high levels of on screen characters are what push things forward among other things. Textures literally depend on how much vram you have.

[Errorist76]

One could even think Pachter made this prediction.

[mt]

isn't this common sense ?

[DiRtY]

I go for 2018 for Xbox Next or PS5. This cycle will be shorter than the one before, because both consoles are not such a gigantic leap forwared like Xbox 360 and PS3 were.

And HoloLens / PS VR will require more hardware power than both consoles offer today.

[Hitoemi]

I agree Ps5 will be annouced 2018 E3 and most likely be available for purchase holiday season 2018 or same scenario but 2019 it wont be 2020 thats for sure. Well I wont be getting Psvr now, if they have begun making next gen games already then next gen isnt too far off so Ill aave my money and wait.

[ScorpiusX]

As i recall the HoloLens is stand alone , your sentiment does hold true for that VR thing .

[travestyj]

Hololens doesn't have much to do with Xbox and you don't need separate hardware to use it and it has its own processor.

[skydragoonityx]

PS5... Another reason to stay alive

[bangoskank]

There hasn't been that big of a leap from last to current gen. What the're saying about the PS5 should have been possible on the PS4.

[frostypants]

What do you mean by "should have"? The capabilities of the consoles are largely dictated by the component hardware costs. As it is these consoles are sold at a slim margin. They are exactly what they should be for how much they cost. So are you saying they should have spec'd these consoles out at a higher price point? Last time they tried that (the PS3), the gaming community cried bloody murder.

[WilliamSheridan]

The PS3 was overpriced for the power it provided. It was underpowered when compared to the Xbox 360, that's why they cried foul. If PS5 comes out at 300, and Xbox Next comes out at 600, considering the architecture they plan to use now, I would expect a huge power difference. Very noticeable. Especially if the 600 machine's company decided to take a small loss while the other company tried to profit on the hardware...

Just speculating, companies are interchangeable

[DragonKnight]

The PS3 was definitely not underpowered compared to the 360. It was more powerful than the 360 and nothing proved this better than the exclusives. PS3 cost as much as it did because Cell was new technology (also why multiplats suffered in quality due to programming difficulty), and the Blu-Ray drive was also new and the PS3 was the cheapest player you could get. The PS3 was sold at a $250 loss per console for Sony until manufacturing costs went down, so the PS3 was priced cheaper for what it could do overall. The 360 on the other hand was vastly overpriced given its overall hardware quality and subpar 1st party exclusive performance. Comparatively speaking of course.

[frostypants]

@WilliamSheridan, the PS3 was sold at a big loss initially. It could have easily been an $800 piece of hardware. It was also somewhat more powerful than the 360, just harder to program for...hence why many early third party games looked better on the 360 but the PS3's first party titles looked so much better than anything else on either console. They could have used a DVD drive to cut some costs, but in the long run I think running with Blu-ray turned out to be brilliant.

[Pongwater]

@William - "It was underpowered when compared to the Xbox 360"

What…?

OT - Of course it will. Whether developers will actually do that is another thing. Most games are very derivative of what has come before and I expect that to continue.

[_-EDMIX-_]

? Nope. Highly disagree with that one bud. From 7GB to 50GB plus is a HUGE leap.

512mb to 8GBs is a HUGE leap. I don't think you really get how difficult the worlds your seeing currently actually are to produce.

[bangoskank]

Sorry, I get what you're saying but the games don't look ten years ahead of last gen at all.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Bango- Depends on what you play and your eye sight.

http://static.theglobeandma...

and

http://www.hardcoregamer.co...

I also don't get what you mean merely by "look" as that is subjective, anyone can keep claiming it looks the same with their own perspective, but for a matter of fact what is being done, couldn't be done last gen on my games graphically.

For a matter of fact many concepts in gameplay design couldn't have been done.

http://www.ign.com/articles...

Now factor what they are saying is about the Wii U, thus no way it would have even been feasible on PS3 or 360.

http://netdna.webdesignerde...

and

http://www.itsmuchmore.com/...

I'd like to know what you think 10 years looks like bud as I have not clue how you would even know such a thing as if we have some meter that tells us that LMFAO!

To you they may not look like they are 10 years ahead, but that is not even a subjective concept, its a factual one. Its for a fact 10 years ahead...thats it.

What you see now is what 10 years ahead looks like.

awww yes, lets just pretend we were all playing games 10 years ago that looked like this

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawk...

http://i1.2pcdn.com/node14/...

Oh yes because we got open world games that look like this 10 years ago...

http://static.gamespot.com/...

http://media1.gameinformer....

[frostypants]

Duh? That is kind of the point of every new gen.

[SlavisH2]

This gen performance jump has been sad. It looks big on paper but the actual results are not. I hope next gen comes sooner. 2018 would be great imo

[frostypants]

Because the increase in horsepower required to push an equally noticeable graphical improvement is an ever steepening curve. For example, the on-paper difference between 1080p and 720p is WAY less than between 2K and 1080p, yet you hardly even hear about people talk about 2K gaming because the PRACTICAL, VISUAL upgrade is more subtle. Thus, the next popular point to hit for an abundantly clear difference is 4K...and that takes a way, way, waaaaaay bigger horsepower boost than getting from 720p to 1080p did. So much so that I have some doubts that games for the next gen of consoles will even bother going beyond 1080p, even if the hardware has the capability.

[DrJones]

I think they will mostly be 1080p. Even high end PC's struggle to run new games in 4K with good fps.

[Wallstreet37]

"Far more dynamic" duhhhhh that isnt saying much. For the most part, more horsepower under the hood of these consoles allows the ability to make greater and more dynamic worlds. Thats just common sense.

[joeorc]

@SlavisH2 + 1m ago
"This gen performance jump has been sad. It looks big on paper but the actual results are not. "

The PS3 or the Xbox360 could not do what Media Molecules "Dreams" is doing at in the open world 3D volume area dynamics or particle effects and lighting and physics of what Dreams is doing all at once in Dreams and its all in engine, because Dreams is a game engine itself. And Without server side help! The xbox 360 or PS3 would not be able to do what Dreams is doing all on the PS4 itself. Because the PS3 or xbox360 it does not have the ram and the Bus speed on the iO or the GPU oomph would not be able to keep up than what is inside the Xbox one or the PS4 right now.

Example.

All of the characters, objects, and assets that we've been shown in trailers and gameplay – as well as many that we haven't – have all been created in "Dreams" rather than with development tools, which goes to show how powerful it really is.

http://www.pushsquare.com/n...

[Free_Fro]

Try building a memorable library of games this gen first.. try putting out games.

don't talk to me about unreleased hardware. Empty promises until proven.

[Errorist76]

Is the author of this piece part time working as some infamous analyst?!

[uth11]

Pachter? Nah he'd be writing that there will be no PS5 because we'll all be gaming on our Amazon Fire or Apple TVs or something. This gen will be the last console generation, just like last gen was.

[MegaRay]

I hope this rumor is true. /s

[Spikeantestor]

Meh. I'll just be happy if it can do 1080p at 60 with no drop.

[TheBurger29]

Thats why I jumped from xbox to pc. Tried xbox one with battlefield 4 and was let down. Now I get 1080p 60fps for all my games. Will never go back to 30fps consoles.

[GrmpyolGamer]

BF4 is 60fps on xb1 and ps4

[TheBurger29]

@FattyBoy3D
I owned it and it dropped to 30 many times, no a constant 60. That and it did not look nearly as good as the trailers. My pc runs it at high settings 60fps.

[jmac53]

They said that about this generation.
I will always be excited about new generations but cut out the hyperbole.

[danny818]

Ofcoarse! Sony put cheap cards on the ps4 as well as Xbox that's why they are so cheap now

[Duke19]

Gamestop now accepting Preorders

[KamelonGames]

No. Shit. Sherlock

[BossBattle]

I bet MS will make their next console more powerful than the competition's.

[MasterCornholio]

That's what people said about Durango but then Orbis ended up more powerful.

[hiawa23]

The PS4 is barely 2.5 years old, not even thinking about the 5

[RosweeSon]

Same here I've had mine since day one but I'm still yet to start thinking of 5 when this one has a long time ahead of it, hardly gonna just move on to 5 when they can't stop shifting 4's at the moment and the first major wave of proper fantastic games is mere months away. I think we won't see any launch of a ps5 until 2021-22 at the earliest.

[Dark_Crow]

My pc never gets stale or suddenly incapable of playing games...I don't know why console fans place an expiration date on their consoles.

Huge upgrade between last gen and this one. They shouldn't have a problem improving graphics and gameplay a ton this gen.

[thricetold]

Two years into a gen and we already have our sights on nextgen? Wow. Foolish to think a new gen is coming in just 2 years, or wishful thinking at best. I swear gamers remind me of spoiled brats sometimes, never satisfied with the new toy in front of them and always begging for a new shiny one.

[LastcenuryRob]

Sony, MS and Nintendo start developing their new system right after they first release their current one. R&D never stop. It is too soon to realistically think about a new release for Sony and MS though.

[LastcenuryRob]

Hmmm... So, consoles in the future will be able to do things the past gens couldn't? I guess my dream for the return of 16 bit consoles will have to wait.

[Shineon]

Yes this gen needs to end now bring on ps5 and xbox 3rd

[kenwonobi]

I'm assuming it will be built towards virtual reality. Assuming virtual reality is a moderate success. The machine will be beastly and center it's specs on probably the ability to pull off striking seamless virtual world. It's makes perfect sense. In that regard it'll probably be aimed towards specs that can create huge open worlds and good artificial intelligence.

[Eonjay]

There is no such thing as a PS5

[SprigganN4G]

November 2019, if MS pushes it, November 2018.

[spoonard]

Seems silly to be making assumptions and broad statements this early in the life of the PS4.
"...far more dynamic, interactive worlds." just sounds like a generic tagline that could be slapped on to any new video game tech. Way to say nothing at all, dude! LoL

[UgoGalimbertti]

First of all, I think all the next consoles should become backwards compatible by standard. Now more than ever, because when you buy any digital game, if the generation ``ends`` it`s kind of lost in the limbo. It`s unplayable in the next platform and man, you can keep all of your consoles, but having to boot ps3 to play a game, then ps4 to play another and in the future ps5 for the upcoming is a little bit annoying.

[Scottyxboxoneandps4]

@Ugo....
Agreed, though i think it will be easier for both next-gen consoles to do backwards compatability because of the architecture of both consoles (no cell processor to worry about).

[UgoGalimbertti]

That's true! You are saying about the means to turn it possible, and I think you touched a good point. My view is a bit more simple, thinking more about market logic

[tubers]

Other than VR, I hope it takes advantage of the following features of new TVs:

10 Bit Color / Wider Color Gamut / 95%+ of DCI
2160p, 4:4:4 Chroma at 120hz capable (ultra smooth, sharp -UI).
HDR (not just in game HDR effect) /Dolby Vision

[RosweeSon]

How is that stupid it's been out for 2-3 years and by that point it'll be 7-8 when do Sony release a new console within 5 years it was best part of 10 years between PS3-4 if you think there's gonna be a ps5 anytime soon when they are barely just getting started with ps4 good luck Dr. There selling like hotcakes.

[paddy95]

Next year will be the announce to compete with nintendo.

[JRPG-FAN]

Shows hows underpowered these consoles are this gen when were two years in the lifecycle and they are already talking about the next consoles. I just hope they drop the VR and AR gimmicks and focus 100% on proper gaming.

[modelgod]

" Sony hasn't released any of it's heavy hitters yet. " and yet everyone and their mother ( literally) went put and purchased that piece of crap. All power, no substance! !

[cash_longfellow]

...too soon...

[DafunkyRebel]

5TB hdd and 16GB of memory

[Scottyxboxoneandps4]

With developers coming out and saying this already shows me that they are underwhelmed by the power of the consoles we have already, its a shame. I for one would have paid more if the consoles are gonna last 8-9 years, hopefully sooner.

[higgins78]

@jb227

Troll alert! The games you mention released in 2016 already via PS4...I'm sorry, but I HIGHLY doubt you have played all 3 - even if you possibly have, neither has had anything but borderline reviews. Yes, SFV is a catch, BUT...I have SFIV Ultra on my VERY modest sub £300 PC and it runs buttery smooth. I think I'll cope for now.

[Arty84]

jeez already talking about 5

[DivineAssault]

Im not going to worry about next gen until i have more current gen games.. Hell, PSVR & the NX arent even out yet

[Thirteen]

"The next console will be better than the current one."

[AndreR]

Wait! the ps4 just got released and they are already talking about the ps5. thats too fast. But i like to have a better console with better graphics.

[Drakul]

What about letting me choose my wallpaper dear Sony?

[nitus10]

Expiration be it PC or console depends on support.

Let's stick to PC's as an example. When a game is developed for PC's the developer normally comes out with a minimum and preferred specification for that game to run. If your PC does not support the minimum requirements then that game will most likely not run or run poorly. You either have to upgrade your PC or get a new one.

Say as an example you wish to upgrade your older PC to the latest Skylake series. Basically you have to get a compatible motherboard, new cpu and possibly new memory (depends on the motherboard) although it is usually possible to reuse your storage, power supply and peripherals. It would also be a good idea to freshly install your operating system as well so you don't have problems with older drivers.

With consoles you never have to worry about upgrades since it is acceptable in a 5 to 6 years cycle to purchase the next release when it comes out although for it to come out too early may be detrimental to sales.

Consoles are normally fairly cheap when compared to an equivalent PC however unlike PC's consoles need only support the most commonly used TV and in this case it is up to 1080p @ 60Hz and this is not going to change in the next few years although it may be possible that the next consoles will support 4k TV's although I doubt they will support 8k, but then again you never know.

Building a PC that is equivalent to the current consoles is IMHO rather stupid. If you are going to build a PC you need to build something that is better, however you do have to take the cost of the OS and the monitor into account as well as decent peripherals.

Buying a cheap monitor as well as a cheap keyboard and mouse will get you laughed at by most serious gamers.

[Shineon]

This gen has set the bar ao low that med range pc''s are outperforming these consoles, no need to upgrade unless you want 4k 60 fps.1080p 60fps is easy to get wit a mid range pc with more graphical effects running too

[Max-Zorin]

That should be the case for every new gen.

[About30Ninjas]

The PS5 is not coming out til 2019 at the earliest til then I'm just gonna enjoy my PS4

[EyeAmTJ]

Yeah whatever, they always promise this or that. I waited hold long for them promised Toy Story graphics on PS2? yeah ok

[xPaYDaYx]

Wait isn't that what they said about the PS4 and Xbone? Lol, won't be buying the next gen for a long while after it releases.

[fllysurfer]

If consoles are to have a competing chance on VR, next gen (PS5, XBOX TWO) will have to come sooner than later. 2020 is way to late.

[formanbradley]

I can almost see the DLC and microtransactions now, you think this is bad just wait and see what corporate commander has up his sleeve for 9th gen.

[ShiranaiJittai]

It is WAY to early to be talking about the next console.

If Sony really pulls this crap I am going to be furious even though I predicted they would pull this crap before the systems even came out to begin with.

I read every comment in this page before leaving this comment. There are too many that agree or disagree in very specific ways with my thoughts on the matter to reply individually.

This console "leap" was more of a skip or hop. Despite how much I enjoy playing games on my PS4 anyone who thinks we weren't shafted in the processor and graphics card department is delusional. They wanted to keep the cost down so they greatly reduced the actual "leap forward" in tech being used.

There are a lot of people mentioning how successful the PS2 was releasing 5 years after the Playstation. How they think 5 years won't be a big deal. There were several extenuating circumstances there that simply aren't the case today.

The Playstation was the first system they had released. Before that nobody knew who they were. The people who release music are making a videogame system? How is that supposed to work out? They really think they can take on Nintendo? Are they crazy?

The Playstation came out of nowhere and blew everyone away. Most of us know the story of how it came to be whether Nintendo screwed Sony or CDi screwed Nintendo with their contract which in turn screwed Sony is debatable.

The PS2 had two things no other system beforehand had. Backwards compatibility with all of your old Playstation games and a shiny new DVD player! Built into the system! Unheard of at the time for a videogame system to do anything but play videogames.

That same strategy won't work now. We have a third competitor in the market though some (myself included) would argue a 4th is just as valid. PC Gaming is stronger then it has ever been before. With these new steam boxes you may as well count them as in the console race themselves.

I hear talk in this comment section of 2018. That would drive me insane. The economy is still terrible don't let media "run by fat cats who are doing just fine" tell you otherwise. it isn't as bad as it was when it first started tanking but it isn't anywhere near as good as they would like you to believe.

[ShiranaiJittai]

I would suspect there are some who read that who will be quick to mention how often people replace their cellphones? Fair point but there are stipulations in place there. The general population thinks they are upgrading their phone for another 100 or 200 dollars every year or two. They aren't though. They are signing contracts with specific providers for an additional 2 years to get a massive price discount off of hardware that costs anywhere from 600-1000+ dollars. By keeping the price low with these contracts manufacturers can give off the illusion that it isn't a big deal to replace your phone every year. Despite the fact that significant advances with cellphones usually happen every 2 to 3 years there are plenty content to upgrade their phones every year. It has nothing to with how much money they do or don't have and entirely with their price comfort level. I can't claim to know what the magic number is that is palatable for a consumer to say "oh that only costs x amount? I guess I will upgrade" I just know that it isn't 4 or 5 hundred dollars.

But you say surely the PS5 will have backwards compatibility with the PS4? Maybe it will and maybe it won't but this wouldn't make a difference either way.

As console hardware starts to become more and more like PC. As PC Games and their various marketplaces start to mirror the same type of stores found on console. As console manufacturers and more importantly developers start to move less away from exclusive titles and proprietary technology like the cell processor. Yet more towards exclusive content within third party titles and sponsorship deals with specific companies for a handful of extra features. Consoles start to lose anything that separates them from a PC.

So now you may be thinking well people spend thousands of dollars upgrading their PC's all the time. Why do you think people would have a problem replacing their console every couple of years? Don't get me wrong I love playing videogames on my PS4 but it is never going to do what a PC can. It just isn't. Consoles though they have extra features cannot do everything a PC can effectively. Those that spend thousands of dollars upgrading their PC's do so for their business, to have the best gaming rig, for design and several thousand other uses. PC's can have thousands of SKU's and survive just fine. Consoles can't. Consoles have and always will be a closed system with exclusive games and content still developed on PC. Yet now developers don't see the worth "most" of the time in making games exclusive for consoles. The most Sony and Microsoft can hope for is "exclusive windows."

As consoles start to lose more and more of what defined them as they become more affordable feature specific PC's the appeal and use of upgrading a console every few years is gone. To be clear I am not saying consoles are dead. I am saying most hardcore gamers could tell (if they didn't already know beforehand) within seconds of booting up their new PS4 or Xbox One that something was a little off. That the leap wasn't as big that it wasn't even half of a leap. I think when that happened we knew the console lifecycle would be shorter not because it should be but because it would have to be.

[ShiranaiJittai]

The general population mass consumer doesn't care about that though. Unlike PC's consoles can not survive without mass adoption. There will be some that would upgrade sure to have the newest and latest tech but they would be in the minority. I know friends that already feel burned that they bought a PS4 or Xbox One. More often then not people who bought both of them instead of just one or the other. They don't regret it enough to sell it but they made it pretty clear they have no intention of jumping on the console bandwagon again the next time around if the results are going to be the same.

This issue of consoles becoming more and more like PC's and therefore losing their identity are not doom and gloom of what the future holds. I don't speak of what will happen if we don't act now or what is in the process of happening. It already happened. The second the PS4 and Xbox one launched defying the "double the specs" standard we knew from almost every console generation before. The entire game changed. I think excluding memory we got a 20% bump if even in processing and graphics? We got shafted and we ate it all up anyway.

One last point I realize this has gone on far too long at this point I think I should have just typed an article up myself so I won't delve into this one to much.
VR. Whether it is Oculus, Playstation, Samsung or an entirely different company. They believe VR is the future. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't I am not entirely convinced I think its a cool technology don't get me wrong but Palmer Luckey has stated in multiple interviews about the fear of motion sickness that needs to be overcome. This isn't something featured prominently on the Oculus website but it is as very real very current concern. Those warnings in our instruction manuals for the last 20+ years advising us to take a 15 minute break every hour that no one listens to? You can't ignore those with VR. They may exist but I haven't found anyone yet that can comfortably play a VR game for an all day gaming session without experiencing nausea, equilabrium issues and disorientation. So whether it is the future or not it is a very different type of future with very different challenges to come.

More importantly though no matter how awesome the technology is it is an add-on. If you are a first wave adopter of your PS4 or Xbox One then you bought it 2-3 years ago. Oculus just had a limited release a few months ago. PlaystationVR( nowhere near as cool a name as Morpheus) is speculated to release this year. 3 years later as an add on. That in only instances of VR from all of the different VR companies costs MORE then the initial device it is compatible with it. Not only an add on an add on more expensive then the original device.

Can you really sit here and tell me that you think people are going to upgrade a system, a few years later buy an add on for that same system that costs more than the system itself did, and then a few years later replace that same system you just spent so much money buying an add on for?

NO WAY IN HELL. it isn't going to happen. If Sony releases their next iteration of the Playstation to quickly it has the potential to be the biggest mistake they have made in their companies history. If they release it too late the same applies. I do not envy their decision in anyway but I would definitely err on the side of caution were I in their shoes.

Sony and Microsoft screwed up by not increasing the specs enough and they are going to feel the brunt of that soon if they don't already but how they approach their damage control is paramount to whether or not ANY system either company makes again succeeds.

[MachuchalBrotha316]

Funny title as he also talks about the Xbox Two(worst name ever) achieving this. But no worries I'll leave the section now.

[no_ripley]

I'm enjoying these "more dynamic interactive worlds" already since i bought a decent gaming PC in November.

Yesterday i fired up Borderlands 2 (2012) in 4k with 60fps - looks better than every actual console game.

I'll probably never buy a console again!

[IceKoldKilla]

People saying PS5 will come out in 2018 are high or something. You're telling me that after only being just over 2 years we're already half way through the life cycle? We have tons of games to be announced yet and released. You're saying in 1 year the PS5 will be teased/announced and in 2 years released... Suuuure. 2020 at least. Both Sony and MS are doing well, especially Sony and they aren't about to release a new console. Like someone said above, they'll become the new Sega.

[bez87]

I think it will be a short cycle, well short as in the norm, before the ps3 and xbox 360 hit. I mean the thing is most gamers have just grown up with that era because it span nearly 10years.

Unlike the rest of us who were around for the nes, amiga, snes, n64, ps1, ps2, we all know that there life span was around 5/6 years before a new console hit the market. The ps2 was the fastest selling console at the time.

The fact is I believe they were smart to use the tech which are in both the ps4 and xbox 1, because realistically they can make a ps5/xbox2 run on the same type, yet better cpu's/gpus, which would mean backwards compatibility is right there. I am probably wrong but I feel as tho this jump wasn't just about graphics and hardware but a new level playing field for all new consoles so each one will be backward compatible just like how pc's are.

[GrmpyolGamer]

And the PS6 will be better than the PS5 etc etc. Such a redundant article

[craig2web]

This is a B.S. article. It's simply a developer guessing what he thinks the next generation will be like. IF there is another generation of Playstation & Xbox (which certainly isn't guaranteed), I would assume it will involve VR at a minimum and probably be all digital, at least for the standard base units. Optical disk drives might be an optional extra, but I'd be really surprised if games will still be released on disks by the time a next generation rolls around (which I'm guessing will be around 2020, if it even happens).

[Sadist3]

Oh wow! This is unexpected news! I bet the PlayStation 6 will do even more than that! And the 7 will do more than the 6!

[namEuser]

Same song and dance...this is said every new console generation...

[fllysurfer]

"PS5 will yada yada yada more powerfull... yada yada more capable... yada yada more immersive"

The Mr.Obvious prize goes to this gentlemen right here. We have another awesome analyst in the making, ala Patcher.

please...

[Orionsangel]

No one wants to hear this right now. We paid a lot of money for current gen consoles. They're still fairly new in their life cycle and you're schilling PS5? Just give us good games for the current gen systems!

[TABSF]

So basically what PC can do now? Nvidia Pascal coming soon!

"Physics engines haven't changed since I did the physics on [Dreamcast game] TrickStyle."

Look at PC games that use PhysX or Nvidia GameWorks

[N0TaB0T]

I like how N4G is flaunting this article like a bimbo in Hollywood after a face lift.

It's a speculative piece you miserable fanboy spergs.

[N0TaB0T]

What the hell does a kindergarten-level writing speculation have to do with the PlayStation brand? Stop featuring it under every other article you nimrods.