The Ram Expansion Pack, the best console upgrade ever made, for a handful of games that took advantage of it.
It's much different from those days. It would be better. Adding more power would give better frame rate and resolution all around.
From what I've heard from other gamers. The big complaint comes from those that already own a PS4 and Xbox One don't want to be outdated and abandoned, don't want to compete online with someone on a superior machine rather than a fair platform. Skills vs $$ Power Machine. Those 2 concerns comes a lot.
Me, an option for more power is always great especially for single player campaign.
This idea is one of the worst since the introduction of those cheesy light guns. It has been done before and it failed because everyone knows that a new console will eventually be released. It's a stupid idea created in the minds of fanboys who have hardware envy. Let it go.
Whoa whoa whoa wait a minute whats wrong with light gun games? Time Crisis 2 and 3 was great fun on the PS2. There was that Vampire one too. Ninja Assault as well ok its weird to have guns back then but it was still fun to play. House of the Dead series was great too. The recent one on previous generation was very different and i felt it was not that great like the others.
I miss light gun games. I wish they bring them back but ever since the tv technology changed from CRT to LED/Plasma, no one seems to be bothered to develope these games anymore. Ok there was Resident Evil Chronicles 1&2, House of the Dead Overkill and 4 and Deadspace Extraction. But man i wish there was more.
This gen i have only come across one similar game called Blue Estate , but you dont get to use PS Move as a gun. :( just the controller.
For a console to be upgradeable then it must be designed to be be upgradeable. Sure it is possible to de-solder the old and resolder the new however this is not a job easily done with a 25W soldering iron brought from your local hardware store.
@Khaotic
Sigh! I read this all the time.
Comparing mobile phones to consoles is rather stupid. Have you ever costed a mobile phone such as an iPhone 6 or a Samsung Galaxy 4, 5, 6?
Basically mobile phones are effectively a throw away item if you are on a plan or don't mind buying a new one every year. They are not upgradable unless you count changing the memory card an upgrade.
Sure it is possible that you could have the concept of throw away consoles however I doubt this would sit well with customers.
@nitus10 cell phones are throwaway? Even with a two year plan, the galaxy note 5 cost $350. I paid over $800 for mine. I but the newest model every year, offset by selling the previous one for 60% or so. Although you may buy cheap phones and can't afford annual consoles, I definitely can as well as many others. Honestly I think we are talking 3 year console lifespans, which would be perfect...
An expansion pack is different to try to sell us a ps4.5 or xbox 1.5, the expansion pack was already design to be part of the N64.I supported the ps4 day 1 that would be a waste of money for those that are buying the current ps4 in this month.
I think for those who already own a system theyll sell similar thing to grant more power to those systems, also for those who haven't bought a ps4k theyll sell that aswell
The online is also a silly argument as there is an easy fix. When playing MP online just lock all specs to the same res and framerate as the unenhanced console. When in SP use the added power. Problem solved. All of the Q.Q for nothing.
As far as not wanting to be outdated you already are, by medium grade budget PCs. Just because someone may have an enhanced console somewhere doesn't all of a sudden make all of your games run worse than they do now. Again silly. Besides I always hear people say "graphics don't matter", "who cares about a few extra P's or blades of grass". So I guess they DO care.
I don't even see the big deal with playing against someone online with a better running console. It's not like someone is suddenly going to become better than other's because they have improved hardware.
Also, the news that xbox and pc gamer's playing together online was welcomed by the majority of gamer's. So if they are happy with that, why don't they like the idea of playing against people with updated consoles ? With crossplay you'll be playing against people with a powerful PC, much more powerful than their consoles. These people are contradicting themselves.
The N64 was designed to take a RAM expansion if wanted while the PS4 and XB1 are not designed to take any form of expansion (exception the disk drive of the PS4).
Note: The disk drive in the XB1 can be changed however you will void your warranty if you do so.
The only way to upgrade the PS4 and the XB1 is to get the so called enhanced chips, de-solder the old and resolder the new chips back in. Not exactly a job for most people.
Right now we are getting better games from devs getting more out of the static console hardware as a gen progress.
If the hardware is not static then it will be the samr as with pc. Console devs like PC devs will not optimise on older spec screwing older console holders.
The only way for older console holders will see improvements later on is to upgrade their hardware. This is the exact scenario with PC gaming. Want better performance? Upgrade. For console gamers they don't need to upgrade as devs will optimise and provide better performance.
Would be a terrible idea. Are there games that are only available to users of the PS4.5? Can I trade in my PS4 and only pay a marginal difference for the extra parts? Is Sony really ready to split the install base?
Like I said, this is one of the biggest complaint that one could have.
But imagine this. You get to buy a PS4 or Xbox One game, you put it in the PS4.5 or Xbox Two and it's the same game, but with different performance in resolution and frame rate.
I think this is main point of having these next gen machine, it's not so much a graphics upgrade as it is a performance boost. This seems to be the idea behind it.
You got one camp that would love to get add more power to the console, the other don't want to be left behind.
Nobody gets left behind. The games scale to the machine just like PC. At least with Microsoft. They've been working on that since midway through the 360 generation. But I'm sure Sony has too so nobody is left behind.
I am in favor of mid cycle hardware upgrades. A concern of mine those is that developers will be less inclined to optimize their games for a platform knowing that consumers can just upgrade their HW mid cycle. At least now with consoles many developers attempt to optimize performance for the platform. But if we ultimately get optimized games and hardware spec bump, then cool.
Here's the issue with this. Cost. I'm sorry but console only owners probably don't understand this, but high end gpus and cpus are expensive. A 4k ps4? Lol have fun spending 2k+
That is the best thing about it. You don't have to upgrade, you can just stick with the current model of the console you have. The game will still work on older models, but the game will look and run better on newer models.
I address this in the article. This would only work if all games moving forward worked on both consoles. Wouldn't be super hard seeing as consoles are made from standard PC parts.
Obviously the time will come when you have to update to a newer model, there is only so much downgrading of a game you can do, but hopefully that wouldn't be until years later. I wouldn't want to buy a console and then be forced to buy an upgraded version 2 years later.
4K? ...lol, No ! A 4K GPU cost more than Xbox One and PS4. 4K GPUs are also huge and require a large amount of power. 4K GPUs needs to be paired withs high end i5 or i7 processors, which aren't cheap either. Plus 4K setups have super fast RAM and a strong system bus. None of the PS4/XB1 components are comparable to what is required for 4K gaming.
Because the ram pack was no differnt then spiding in a cartridge modern consoles are not built from the ground up to be upgraded. If they do a dieshrink gpu cpu upgrade on a ps4 slim then that adds a new level cof coding as it now has to check for model and scale appropriately. It splits user base because therecwill be games that are ps4.5 only and the cost of upgrading will not be trivial.
they are already splitting the fanbase. psvr will be needed to play certain games, is that not dividing the userbase?
why are console gamers so scared of change? if this was implemented well it could be like the pc but actually better because it's a closed system, so again what's the problem if all the games still work for the older hardware?
the only way it would be disastrous is if they did indeed make games for the upgraded system only. which in that case i would agree. but if it was handled in ways like i could play driveclub at 60fps then tell me again what your problem is with that concept? or quantum break at 1080p on the xbox one.
once again we have console gamers resistance to what they don't find familiar.
Like you say, the only way it would be disastrous is if games were only released on the newer models. But that isn't what they plan on doing anyway so i don't see why so many gamer's hate this idea.
If you don't want a new model, then don't get it. If you do want one, then buy it.
Either way, you are still going to be able to play your games. The only difference is that games will look better on the upgraded model.
Userbase won't really be split because every game that comes out for the PS4 or PS4K will work perfectly on both systems. The only difference will be that games on the PS4K will look and perform better. I'd bet all the accessories would be 100% compatible as well, so you wouldn't need to buy new controllers, camera, headphones, etc... It would be nice if then offered trade ins though. Get $200 or more off the price of the new console with a trade-in.
You can output a 1080p PS4 game to a 4k or even 8k display which will up-scale and enhance the input accordingly.
As for 4k gaming - oh please there are very few native games now and you need a very powerful and expensive graphics card to get do better than 4k 60 fps.
As for trade ins and getting $200 off the price of the new console, highly doubtful. Basically if you wish to treat a console like a mobile phone then you need to be on a plan or don't mind paying full price for the replacement which many people perceive as an upgrade.
@nitus10 Never said anything about 4K games. I said the games will look and perform better. How many people have 4K HDTV right now? They are still pretty expensive, so I wouldn't expect the upgrade consoles to have many games doing 4K. Most likely 1440P, which would be fine with me. I would hope these companies would offer some kind of trade-in for older systems. There are trade-ins for Smart Phones, but they don't offer much. We'll see what happens at the E3.
These consoles use PC components. I doubt they would alienate millions of users for a few with the Elite version. All it would be is like on the PC if you upgraded the graphics card a bit. You may be able to run a little smoother and maybe have better draw distance but the game would be the same.
And no I don't think Sony would do trade ins. What are they going to do with all of those used abused units of which some may be busted? That would be a logistical nightmare. Just sell it on ebay or trade it to Gamestop if you want.
Advanced VR titles will propably require more power. You see the difference between standard gaming PCs and consoles allready in normal titles, concerning framerates and resolution. If they don't beef it up, the difference in VR titles will be very noticable end next year when another wave of GPUs hits the market.
But a shorter console cycle will do as well I guess.
But what if you were required to upgrade to a newer model 6 years later ? That seem's fair to me, that is pretty much what we already do now anyway when we move on to the next generation of consoles.
That's the HUGE risk that any company is gonna take with this idea...this gen. When we purchased our consoles, we were had the idea that we were buying the best that was going to be offered until the next gen. Why? Because that's pretty much how it's been for...forever. IMO, it is a better idea for next gen than now....unless console makers are trying to prolong this gen. (the hardware and specs won't hold up for 8 years this time) Either way, I'm not so psyched about the idea. I'd prefer to get the power upfront with more of a price tag. (as long as the power warrants the price)
The difference is the N64 Expansion pack didn't require you to buy a whole new system to take advantage of its power. Neither did the 32X. And those *still* had almost no games that took advantage of their extra power. An upgraded X1/PS4 would be an entirely new, full price console, like the New 3DS. And like the New 3DS, almost no one will want to develop games for the upgraded consoles because the regular ones will have a much bigger user base, which means more money for the developers instead of making a game that only a small percentage of console owners can play. Turning consoles into small PC's won't work (or vice versa, just ask the Steam Box), because most console gamers prefer consoles specifically because they're *not* PC's. No fiddling with upgrades, no worrying about your 500 dollar purchase being obsolete in three years, no real knowledge of how a console works is needed to troubleshoot one. A little more processing power and slightly better graphics isn't going to entice most people to spend another 500 dollars on a new console, despite how much whining you hear about upscaling and fps locks.
The n64 expansion pack had quite a few games that took advantage of it. Including dk 64 which was mandatory, the Zelda games had a resolution increase so did Turok 2 (and I'm pretty sure you needed it for 4 player split screen) Top Gear racing (I loved that series and would love a reboot) perfect dark needed it to use a lot of the game plus many more that just has resolution boosts. Frankly I loved the expansion pack and used it a lot
I loved and used it a lot too.. I just don't see why some ppl wouldn't want it?
The excuse of" I don't want to be left behind" is so lame... If we go by that logic we would probably still be playing on the 360and PS3 since a lot of ppl are still not ready for this gen...
That's still six games out of the several hundred N64 games that used it. Not the best adoption rate, and not really worth it for people who didn't care about DK64 or a bit of a resolution boost. And the Expansion Pack was a relatively cheap add on, not an entirely new console that people need to buy.
Exactly, and most games that have any advantage on the new hardware will just be higher FPS and less choppiness in general. It'll basically be the default benefits just from running the game on the higher spec'd GPU, there won't be much fine tuning going on to really take full advantage of the better GPUs, because the higher userbase on the lower spec'd versions of the console.
With X1 having it's exclusives go to PC, and PS4 having more console exclusives that also are on PC, plus in general PC getting more multiplat games, it'd just spell the death of consoles for many and people would start upgrading to gaming PCs.
The benefits are HUUUGE for going PC now:
*PS4 and X1 have online paywalls, PC doesn't. *Game prices drop dramatically lower on PC much quicker than consoles. *Games have the potential to look/perform way better on PC.
I was contemplating it actually before getting a PS4, and I kind of feel I made the wrong choice going with PS4 right now. Street Fighter V and BO3 are the 2 games I've been playing in recent times, and they're both on PC for cheaper, and can be played online for free. Some of the smaller indies like Isaac and Towerfall that I've packed extended time into are also on PC, for cheaper.
I doubt the console route is gonna look that appealing to even the biggest console fanboys like me by the time the next one's inevitably start rolling out.
An upgradable console in theory is fine but a desktop PC is the ultimate upgradable home computer. Even laptops have a limited upgrade path. Tablets even more so.
It is highly unlikely that an upgradable console will ever have upgrades that are cheaper than a desktop PC. In fact most console upgrades such as disk, memory cards, controller ... etc are more expensive than their PC counterparts.
At least with the PS3 and PS4 the disks can be replaced with standard 2.5" PC disks, however these consoles are built to allow this. No other upgrade is possible with out having to de-solder and resolder components.
1 - You need to buy the hardware and install them yourself. Or you could pay someone to do it for you which is a waste of money. Or even worse, buy a PC already made which is even more expensive than building one yourself.
2 - You need to check to see if those parts actually work with the board you have for your PC.
3 - Some PC games are unplayable and require you to go online and look for a fix.
4 - Games on the PC take a lot of configuring to get them to run the best they can.
With upgraded consoles, all of this work is done for you. You just put you game into the machine and away you go.
The main purpose of a console is (still) to play games at home. Why would an upgrade go against that? Slap in a module and beef up your GPU. That still got a plug&play character.
The RAM expansion pack is a COMPLETELY separate thing. The N64 was designed to be upgraded that way. You can't upgrade the PS4 or Xbone, you'd have to buy another system.
If I wanted to upgrade I would have to buy a whole new system. A tiny upgrade in performance doesn't validate the purchase of a whole new system in my opinion.
That's why I won't support a PS4.5 I'll only buy a PS5 when it comes out.
I like the option to play games like Uncharted 4 at full 1080p and locked 60fps on both Campaign and MP online and also Halo 5 at 1080p and none of that Dynamic resolution tricks.
Im with ya bro... We upgrade phones every 2 to 3 years. Some pay up to 600 per phone generation. And it pays off well. Uears ago i thought of this and now its being considered. Either you buy it or not. Games will still be played. Eventually the ones that are against it will upgrade. And you will love it. If Sony backs down and Micro moves forward with this. Then we will be crying for the same.
If they do this they will be competing directly with PC, consoles will lose one of the only advantages they have left over PC..
If it becomes a competition of upgrades then they will lose to PC anyway, on PC you can choose to upgrade only your GPU and give your rig new life for a few years, or you could only upgrade your CPU, or you can do a complete rebuild, it's all about choice. But console guys will be forced to buy a whole new machine, or stay with one the will be an afterthought to developers.
If it comes to consoles doing "upgrades" half-assed, then i can see a whole lot of people just jumping ship and joining the platform that is the master of upgrades, not paying for online, better looking games, backwards compatibility since 1985, and knowing your VR headset and peripherals will work for as long as you want, and not being beholden to a single corporation.Etc, etc.
Consoles and PC have been converging to one point for a long time now, the experience of being on console has become similar to PC and vice versa.The only difference is PC is "winning" on all fronts. Console manufacturers are in a lose-lose situation, which is why MS are embracing both, Sony won't have a choice in a few years either, if they do this they will only shorten the time it takes for that to happen.
The Ram Expansion Pack, the best console upgrade ever made, for a handful of games that took advantage of it.
It's much different from those days. It would be better.
Adding more power would give better frame rate and resolution all around.
From what I've heard from other gamers. The big complaint comes from those that already own a PS4 and Xbox One don't want to be outdated and abandoned, don't want to compete online with someone on a superior machine rather than a fair platform. Skills vs $$ Power Machine. Those 2 concerns comes a lot.
Me, an option for more power is always great especially for single player campaign.
Would be a terrible idea. Are there games that are only available to users of the PS4.5? Can I trade in my PS4 and only pay a marginal difference for the extra parts? Is Sony really ready to split the install base?
Maybe they should have a new boxes, and then those who wanted to upgrade could pay like $100 bucks or something and trade in the box.
I still refuse to believe this will be a reality.
I wouldn't mind if it were true and the games were guaranteed to be on both systems. But I would be pissed the first time a game required PS4.5.
Unnecessary