Microsoft in unique position to disrupt Sony's console reign

Remember when Sony won E3 2013 by doing the opposite of Microsoft's Xbox One plans? Now that Sony's PS4 Neo has been unearthed, Microsoft is in a unique position to turn things around and take advantage of the same tactics...but Redmond has to handle it just right.

But first, it has to fix the awkward Universal Windows Platform.

[madmonkey01]

"Sony's PS4 Neo has been unearthed" nope, still just rumours,

[MasterCornholio]

Pretty much.

I'm really curious to see if it's a more powerful PS4 or just a slim model.

[Ju]

If digital foundary has access to "dev docs" it's not a rumor any more.

[LordMaim]

@Ju: Until Sony announces anything, it's a rumor. The specs can change, the plans can change, hell they could decide to not release it at all. Until we get facts directly from Sony, we can't assume anything.

[Fin_The_Human]

Just funny that Sony is not denying it.

They are selling g a lot of PS4 but they need to realise that this might cause some people to wait till E3 or the PS event to buy a PS4 just in case the rumors are true.

[blackblades]

Sony don't need to say anything, it's all the internet talk. Don't need to keep coming out everytime a stupid rumor comes around.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Fin- Most companies don't just go on commenting on every rumor. Did MS when the leaked information about XONE was revealed?

They legit let that ride out for WEEKS before debuting XONE. They are not going to say yes or no, they are merely going to wait until its announced. MOST gamers don't just go around reading everything on gaming sites like us.

Many seem to think that, but majority don't care and don't likely even know such a thing is even a rumor in the first place

[OoglyBoogly]

@blackblades

While I agree about Sony not responding to "stupid rumors" that's hardly the case with this. We have developers saying that it's real and that Sony has talked to them about it, we have insiders confirming it, we have leaked documents from developers that prove it's real...

I mean, sure, it could all be fake! Sure! But this isn't some minor stupid rumor. Hell, even the CEO of Gamestop said that they were coming out with new consoles...I mean, if anyone would know...

[Yetter]

Well Giantbomb got their hands on some official documentation which is when we found out the name or codename is Playstation Neo. Its pretty much confirmed at this point, Sony isn't gonna talk because it's gonna affect PS4 sales

[andrewsquall]

The same thing can be said since Phil Spencer said in early March they are bringing out an upgradeable Xbone. The only problem is, no matter what they do it will have to stick with the DDR3 and awkward eSRAM which is kind of a problem.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

It's basically confirmed now. We know the specs.

[joeorc]

@343_Guilty_Spark1h ago
[It's basically confirmed now. We know the specs]

Again as I pointed out it could instead be a Home theater playstation 4..the PSX was a Playstation 2 Home theater system..so yeah there you go..the Playstation 4.5 a home theater playstation 4..which are sold in home theater sections of department stores.

And 4K TV's are home theater TV's for price points right now..it would make sense.

[FlexLuger]

@joeorc

"Again as I pointed out it could instead be a Home theater playstation 4..the PSX was a Playstation 2 Home theater system..so yeah there you go..the Playstation 4.5 a home theater playstation 4..which are sold in home theater sections of department stores."

Are you really just gonna make things up like that?...and then assert it like its the truth? Your going off thin air and wishful thinking....these so called 'insdiers' seem to have a different impression of the Ps4.5 than you do, and you dont have the faintest clue as to what is going on, lets be honest about that...so why assume its a UHD player when the info that has come forward about it, clearly says it will have upgraded CPU and GPU. And if those sources proove true, I doubt sony will be able to stop devs from just building their games for the more powerful model...but then...maybe thats what they want? I dont know, I dont have solod proof...but I know that this has been reported FAR too many times for it to be false now...

[Liqu1d]

No, we THINK we know the specs.

[cyberwaffles]

@joeorc

Home theater? How do the current consoles not offer this?

[FlexLuger]

"Sony's PS4 Neo has been unearthed" nope, still just rumours,"

Ohhhh, dont worry...sony will be pulling you from under that rock at E3.

[joeorc]

Remember the PSX? Oh maybe not you may not have being understandable not owning a Playstation and all.

And the PS3 was sold in Home theater sections of stores along side of being Sold in the game console section.

So why would you not expect Sony to again release a Home theater version of their very popular PS4?

You just seem to take the Rumor..which by the way is based on a document leak..and all it seems to reference to is as richard LB posted is just that its a new upgraded PS4..

Again it very well could in fact be a Home theater playstation 4..being sold in the Hometheatre section because its concentration on [4k] and all . so how is my theory based on a rumor any less believable?

At least mine has some past president.

It would allow Sony to release a "premium" PS4 , but not piss off the current install base..is that what you are upset about..that this may not be able to piss off the current install base is if Sony in fact releases a Hometheatre PS4?

All these supposed Leaks just reference it as a Neo..they did not classify what or exactly if its a PS4.5 for the console market or Home theater..no classification at all yet..hell this is going by what even developers are saying.

They do not even know what Sony does or does not intend to do or classify this new Playstation 4, that is if it even releases Soon or anything.

[FlexLuger]

"Remember the PSX? Oh maybe not you may not have being understandable not owning a Playstation and all."

LOL...whatever makes you sleep better, kiddo.

"You just seem to take the Rumor..which by the way is based on a document leak..and all it seems to reference to is as richard LB posted is just that its a new upgraded PS4.."

Operative word being "document leak"...Thats a hell of a lot more to go an than you simply pulling random statements out of your ass. Im amazed that you even got agrees for that....shows how ..er..smart people really are on N4G....

"Again it very well could in fact be a Home theater playstation 4..being sold in the Hometheatre section because its concentration on [4k] and all . so how is my theory based on a rumor any less believable? "

Because its your own theory based on......what are you basing it on? it sure as hell aint facts. And since when did an upgraded movie player need upgraded CPU and GPU? That part of the leak ( A leak..as in ..not some random, wishful thinking, conjured up by a PS fanboy on N4G) alone suggest its a bit more than a movie player.... but yeah...Im sure you are right in your own little magical bubble..again...sony will be pulling you from under that rock... Disagree all you want. Ill enjoy reading your back tracking comments, when E3 rolls up....

@madmonkey01

Dude ...do you still honestly believe that with all the articles and talk and 'insider leaks'..there is no truth in this? Take a minute to think back about all those past rumours about hardware...consider the way they mount up before becoming official news...that is EXACTLY where all this is heading. We have all been on this new console rodeo a few times now...surely you can tell by now, when...Something...is in the air.... Like a new console release. Everyrtime I see these kinds of articles, I am reminded of sony's infamouse opening line about the PS vita when it was unveiled a few years back at E3...."and now for the industries worst kept secret".....I expect to hear it again at this E3..and all signs are looking like that will be the case. We been here before dude... A new console is going to be announced at E3 by sony...at a time when nintendo is going to unveil the NX...E3 this year is going to be mental. Mark my words! We are going to see TWO new consoles...well one new one and one that is an upgraded version of a current model. That much is obvious...the discussion now should be specs..not "is it even real?"...its real, alright...thats for sure.

[madmonkey01]

I don't deny that it could be true, but as of yet there is nothing at all to suggest that it is in fact real. everything so far has been journalism, with no sources, so by definition it is just a rumour.

[ritchi45]

"Sony's PlayStation 4.5, on the other hand, is a nightmare for devs because they now have to make two PS4 ports of every game, meaning multi-plat will need four ports (PS4, PS4.5, Xbox One, and PC). Every PS4 game released after October needs to have two versions--a PS4 and a PS4.5 flavor that supports 4K upscaling."

Really? Seems stretching and grasping at straws there, as developing for the Base PS4 wouldn't change, and to support the additional features offered by the (still rumoured) Neo model wouldn't take much resources to achieve. Not much different to PC games which support a range of different hardware specifications.

[Bathyj]

People are acting like PS4K is going to have magical games that cant be done on PS4. Its not going to be a huge leap. Its going to be a bit more stable and a bit prettier. Basically like what PC devs do now putting medium and high settings in. The fact they are talking about old games simply being patched to run on PS4K means it will not be some monumental shift. Its just going to raise that ceiling a little for devs.

[Fin_The_Human]

I dont think people are thinking that but thinking why does that person game play much smoother and looks much prettier than my game.

I for one don't care if the PS4.5 aka Neo is real or not because if it is real I can afford it but can see why people in a budget would feel bad.

I just don't think console gamers like to be put in an inferior category and this will divide the PS community.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Bathyj- agreed. Because its not getting its own games, I don't see a huge shift or effort to be put into the PS4.5 games to make them that much different other then better resolution and framerate.

@Fin- " but can see why people in a budget would feel bad" irrelevant. Do the PS3 owners to didn't get PS4 not "feel bad"? Is Sony in the business of not making people "feel bad" or to sell consoles and games?

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boa...

Would you listen to that gamer complaining about Witcher 3 not being on PS3? Would you delay the game to make that version to not make them um "feel bad"?

"I just don't think console gamers like to be put in an inferior category and this will divide the PS community" No one does, but that is uncontrollable. They have NO CONTROL over how you FEEL in that respect. You can say the same thing for any upgrade that can be had, with PS4 to PS5, with PS5 to PS6 etc. Someone will always feel salty or um "bad" because they don't have the latest......

and?

How is that relevant to the company? Sony nor MS are making platforms that are even NEAR THE BEST that gaming can provide. So someone wants to NOT have an option for a better version? OH the person that ALREADY owns a PS4 doesn't want SOMEONE ELSE having a better version? THIS is the person Sony should be considering?

Again...should CDPR consider the person that has PS3? OH how about the one that has PS2? Where is the limit? Don't you think maybe how much money someone makes and what they decided to by or not should solely be up to them and not Sony or MS etc? If you can't afford it, feel about about your situation, not about the company that is making it. I don't recall Sony or MS stating that they would promise to NEVER improve their hardware or NEVER release BETTER to make mentally inferior folk feel better about themselves. They don't make money that way bud.

Its 100%....irrelevant.

[kingdom18]

I simply do not understand why people cannot comprehend this. The Neo or whatever will still be a PS4, just with more powerful components. The effort to "port" over a game to it most likely only includes scaling the graphics. It would be the same exact thing if a more powerful GPU/CPU was put into a PC. It is still a PC, can still play the same games, now it just has better performance.

[freshslicepizza]

if it means games like uncharted 4 can be played at 1080p and 60fps i'm all for it. this just gives me more of a reason to get a ps4 because i don't think the current consoles are that big of a leap from last generation. this would certainly help that because we have seen many games now that are not even 1080p and that people bought 1080p tv's years ago. it's 4k that is starting to gain traction and will be a long ways off on consoles but 1080p should be standard now.

[joeorc]

@Bathyj

Exactly..and the original Playstation 2 -X Hometheatre 20th year Anniversary is coming up soon..Grin..

Sony has made since the Playstation 2 has made sure there was a presence of playstation in the Hometheatre market..

They again sold a PS3 home theatre set up. To sell right along with selling the PS3 in console space as well as selling a Home theater PS3 system in the Home theater space.

Maybe Sony feels its time for a Home theater version of the PS4..

Home theater is and always been the premium area to release systems..if so we may be looking at a whole new design for a PS4 made just for the home theater market!

[cyberwaffles]

Exactly! This is how I see the business model being played out. Might make the PS4 seem more exotic in fact.

EDIT: EDMIX

Online gameplay would have to be locked at the same framerate otherwise those with higher refresh rates (and ping) will have an advantage in multiplayer. It would feel like cheating.

Bumped up resolutions plus locked framerate for online equals potentially good idea though. Its just those with the base model will always feel inferior to their Neo/4.5 peers.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. Developers don't just go out making many versions of PC games to fit all configurations.

[DillyDilly]

Sony says this now that all will be fine but 6 months from now they could change their mind so that the new console can end up selling more for all we know

[_-EDMIX-_]

Even if the new console does sell more and inevitably has a larger install base the reality is unless it's replacing the older skills it's actually still going to be a lot of older PlayStation 4 even if you have 100 million combined Playstation 4's you're still talking about 40 to 50 million of those being older why on Earth would they ignore that? It doesn't make sense the goal of Sony is to sell software not JUST Hardware. software for a fact makes more money when you know this you fully understand what they're really selling they're not selling specifically the hardware they're trying to sell the software and services.

Meaning it does not benefit them to fragment the installed base they're trying to sell to. You have to seriously understand that them not being able to capitalize on the larger install base hurts them more than it hurts you so why on Earth would they go back and just start selling exclusives for a specific install base and ignore money?

The fact that they're saying they don't have any exclusives for it is telling you off bat they have no plans to use exclusive content to get more sales from that certain version.

Mind you Sony and Microsoft don't even use exclusives in the first place to drive console sales, they use console sales to drive software sales not the other way around.

[Ju]

In the simples way, no change needs to be done at all and PS4 games will run (the same way) on the Neo. Possibly with the benefit it will always hit the frame rate goal (30 or 60fps) and dynamic scaling will most likely always hit the max resolution.

On the other hand, initially a "PLATFORM=NEO" check could enable that "MAX_RES=4K" and "LOD_LEVEL=MAX". Which allows minor uprades with no code change at all (just a couple of constants). Still, deve effort 5 minutes.

And then, if they want to go all out, the might have new assets (why? Most likely the PS4 version will use Neo assest anyway, though) and different shaders. And that's about it. Most of the shaders will be the same, and some might just push it.

This is true today with any PC game anyway, where Devs already support different "quality" settings. The platform (OS, APIs etc) will still be the same. They will still target the same "platform" which is a PS4.

BTW: This is exactly the same with UWD. Some shaders and effects will need to be enabled based on the platform (or performance target). The tools and framework stays the same.

[PSN_ZeroOnyx]

Some devs are already using scalable engines for their games in order to make a game once and scale it up or down to work with different hardware (Last gen, current gen, PC). Ubisoft used a scalable engine for Watch Dogs and AC: Unity.

[cyberwaffles]

I actually don't think its too bad of an idea. If its only higher resolution and not changed framerate, features, content, etc I can be ok with this.

At the same time if these rumors are true there will be backlash no matter what happens. There's good and bad in everything. The biggest complaint I foresee will be that it divides the user base, which we all know deep down has some truth to it.

Whatever happens, happens I guess.

[joeorc]

Disrupt Sony's console reign?
http://news.xbox.com/2016/0...

Microsoft just stopped production to the xbox360, So now Microsoft is back to a one console company now..

But yet Sony..still have the PSVita, PS3 and PS4..ironic thing is The PS3 & PS4 both can be used as a Playstation VUE cord cutting cable streaming cable box with DVR functions..

And here you are seeing a claim that Microsoft is going to disrupt Sony's reign in the console space with only one console?

Oh because Xbox & windows OS 10 is one single platform now..

Look Microsoft is still trying to put a windows OS powered Media center PC under the TV.

While Sony is putting Playstation software & Services inside the TV itself. And making the Playstation living room console a hub to stream to other devices..remote play to other devices while still needing the living room console.

[Automatic79]

@Joeorc

MS is supporting one large eco system under Windows 10 with Xbox One and PC. There are over 270 million windows 10 devices including Xbox One in that number. Further, with BAC compatibility Xbox One has forward and backward capabilities. Bac compatible has over 160 games and growing so MS did what's right for business at the same time support on all its platforms is going strong including the Xbox 360 with live online support. Not all competitors are doing that as we have heard in the past.

Note Xbox One and PC have a cable cutter app as well its called Sling TV. Xbox One has had Remote with PC as of last November.

[joeorc]

Sling TV vs playstation VUE?

Not even close..Sling is no where near as good as Playstation VUE.

And again its not just putting your PC or game console under the TV..its about taking over the TV itself..

Playstation VUE and Sling TV are both offered on Amazon Fire TV stick & Player.

Sony is putting and Getting their software & Services going into smart TV's itself .again while Microsoft is still trying to take and put a PC under the TV. Sony is making the [TV itself] as part of Sony's PlayStation's Eco system.

You mention PC & windows OS and its numbers..well Sony is taking Smart TV's smartphone's , streaming TV box's , streaming TV sticks..tablets.

Remote play.. Or streaming to..but one key point is Sony is keeping its playstation console as the hub.

Playstation is also an Eco system.

[lastking95]

What happened to "i just want games, no tv bs" Sony and MS had the same agenda this gen they just took different routes.

[PeaSFor]

Slingtv? awwww... thats cute.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Sony TV's are garbage

[Bathyj]

And thats why no Playstation owner takes you seriously...

[jznrpg]

Their high end tvs have top end sound and picture. They aren't cheap but none in that class are

[Shakengandulf]

Errr what?!

You sound very clueless.

[Genuine-User]

Is this guy for real? lol

[trooper_]

Sorry but my Sony Trinitron that lasted 10+ years would like to have a word with you.

[lastking95]

They're not garbage but Samsung TV trashes them.

[Whirlwind_Fanfare_08]

HAHAHAHA!

[Christopher]

Disagree a ton. I can't speak for all Sony TVs, but I got my 55" XBR for cheap ($800+great 7.1 sound system at the same time I got my PS3/360) and it's lasted me last gen and this one without issues and I see zero need to upgrade to a new TV in our living room until 4k becomes the norm. And, even then, I'll probably swap out my 32" gaming TV (an LG I got dirt cheap but is great for gaming) for that one when I do.

[PeaSFor]

such a majestic faceplant.

[Liqu1d]

@Bathyj No gamer in general takes him seriously.

[HawaiianDreads]

Overpriced maybe but their Tv's are solid.

[cyberwaffles]

Is your username based on 343's studio from Microsoft? If so biased confirmed.

[nightfallfilms]

Sony is not what it used to be on the TV side when it dominated the market. I think they only hold about 7% of the market where Samsung and LG own about 40% of the market.

[Budrazor]

Far more Samsung and LG models out there than Sony. Their products are just as good if not better and some at cheaper price.

[AndrewLB]

I'll take a HDTV made in Korea any day over one made in China.

[Kiwi66]

Well Sony don't have the PS3 here in NZ as they stopped shipping it here last year so whats left in stock is it and this was confirmed by firstly Mighty Ape then SCENZ themselves , to clarify this was said in October 2015 so disagree all you want its a fact if you don't believe me look it up for yourselves but then why am i wasting my time telling the truth when wouldn't know what the truth is if it slapped them in the face

[cyberwaffles]

Order online. Come on now, this is the 21st century. Adapt.

[Kingoftherodeo]

no idea if either really has another new console to reveal but if I'm micosoft i hold my cards very close only those working on the project will know dont tell major nelson or the other retard. don't announce anything till sony announces even if you go first at e3 nothing poker face. if sony shows their cards then have more than one hand to play, once the dust has settled megaton when everyone thinks its over. past few years sony has always gone after microsoft idk about you guys but you always have more than one business plan and when the competitor shows you theirs. you can take advantage of it and choose a model that will benefit the company and still please the consumer.

[Destiny1080]

the plan is when sony announces there megaton Microsoft counter acts by announcing there very own megaton

yeah in a perfect world, but in reality I suspect the only think being announced for Microsoft is a new slim model, its also a possibility that sony wont mention the neo until they have locked down production and a release date, the neo may not have a release date till summer or later of next year

[Kingoftherodeo]

right no idea if ms has actual new console or just a slim version, but if they do have a new one in the works have options. if sony reveals their specs and its better than what you have the reveal the higher end option. theres no rules to this game, I'm just hoping nintendo has paid attention and just one ups both ps4 and x1 in hardware

[Godmars290]

So fans, this author at least, is expecting MS to pull off solid surprises for this E3 while admitting that currently they haven't got their s**t together?

[rainslacker]

If MS has something to go against a possible PS4K, then Phil painted himself into a corner by saying he wasn't inclined to go with marginal upgrades...which is what the recent rumors point towards for the PS4K...although slightly more than marginal I suppose but nothing that will get it to 4K native renders. That means MS would have to come out with a substantially more powerful system, or just ride it out and hope to take charge next gen...which is what I think their current methods are setting themselves up for.

[Godmars290]

That was in regards to a modular/component system which was an especially stupid. If all what Sony is doing is a supped up slim, which I suspect is the case, I can't see how MS can't do the same.

Think what was more confusing was the "forwards compatibility" Phil brought up. Like the XB2 being both able to play XB1 titles and play them better. Then having an XB3 which similarly upscales XB1 and XB2 titles.

[Petebloodyonion]

The Problem with MS is they always present their E3 conference 1st.
Sure this can be a benefit when you have a positive surprise but it can works against you when you present something that ppl aren't to thrill.

MS can't evaluate the Ps Neo's fans and media reaction and adjust after.
Sony can if MS show a Xbox1.5 at E3 and the reaction is bad.

[Omeganex9999]

Do you really believe E3 conference contents are changed on the fly? It doesn't matter who goes first. By going first you set the standard. Remember last year, with Backward Compatibility and GOW4? What if Sony didn't have anything to responsabile to that?
On the other hand, think of Microsoft going after Sony launching megatons like Shenmue 3 and Final Fantasy VII remake. I think people would have looked down on Microsoft.

[Petebloodyonion]

Well I guess you never prepare a trade show presentation because yes things can change on the fly regarding certain aspect of a presentation.
Do you recall PS4 president video about how you trade used games on the ps4? that was a last minute change.
Remember that before the Xbox 1 reveal the big topics from 3rd party was how they were losing money from used game sales. Remember the reason of Online pass.
Now lets say for Pete sake that the media would have applaud MS for the DRM. Do you honestly think that Sony didn't had second speech prepared where they would have said that the PS4 would have similar features?
It's not like you need to produce a trailer for DRM or show it you just need to say it.

Now fast fwd now: AND MS show Xbox 1.5 at E3 and PPL are really pissed about it. Do you honestly think that SOny will say Hey guess what! we will offer the same thing that MS when they can simply make the same video of we value or customers and go on selling tons more PS4. They could just says yes were working on new product but we will only show it next year(like Nintendo did last E3 with the nxt) or simply say that the PS NEO is the marketing name of the PS VR cause you will experience a new reality so real....

Point is, MS can't adjust to others presentation and need something like BC, Kinect that will be loved by the media to score hits. Sony can't create something new from MS performance but they can sure avoid the same sand traps if MS made a bad move.

[Omeganex9999]

I believe that what you are saying has no basis in reality.

Saying that Sony had a DRM strategy and that they changed it after the conference is pure speculation. They might have considered it at one point, but they were smart enough to decide not to implement it, I'll give you that. But it was way before the E3. What Microsoft and Sony show on stage is not top secret stuff. There are leaks all the times and people in the industry (especially developers) know what's going on behind the curtains. People were already making games for PS4 at the time, do you think nobody would have mentioned that sudden change of mind?

Sony will present PS4.5 even if Microsoft does it and everyone boos the crap out of them. Because Sony spent money and time on R&D to create the new console and developers are already working on it. There is no way Sony could change their E3 presentation after MS's conference during the day, cutting out the part about the PS4.5, which is obviously going to be big (I bet all the games will be shown on the new hardware...)

I just think that both companies don't know what to expect from the competition and they try to pack the biggest announcements they can. Sony simply knows what gamers want. They just spend a lot of time on the internet, listening to gamers, and putting money where they know they'll get a return (Final Fantasy VII remake, Shenmue 3... bet we'll see Crash Bandicoot this year?)
Microsoft has changed a little, it's not trying as much as it was before to impose their ideas on the market (except for Windows Store), but they are far from being as good as Sony.

I believe they are creating PS4.5 because they know there's a place for it out there, no previous conference will make them change their mind.

[ScorpiusX]

i say go for it .

[Italiano1234567]

Microsoft will always play second fiddle to sony when it comes to consoles..

[joeorc]

Is Sony about to give the PS4 the same treatment it gave the PS2..is Sony going to treat the the PS4 as it did the PS2
How could Sony release such a console upgrade and not piss off the current install base.?

Example:

http://www.extremetech.com/...

Release a PS4.5 as a new playstation or a Home theater PS4?

I mean Microsoft already wanted the Media center PC to be going under the TV..is there a Xbox one home theater system like Sony with the PSX?

[mozzie]

"But first, it has to fix the awkward Universal Windows Platform." you mean the awkward UWP thing which is going to give us VLC Media Playero on Xbox One?
http://www.polygon.com/2016...

[jznrpg]

The problem with Xbox is they only have major appeal in 2 countries and lack 1st party studios with variety and quality and that doesn't look like it will change any time soon if ever. They have a couple good games but they are running then into the ground, imo

[SavingPvt_Highon]

Project Morpheus and now NEO. I'm thinking PS4.5 is being released to compete graphically with the Rift and Vive VR's. I'm ready for the Matrix in October. Genius codenames Sony, and so relevant.

[Shakengandulf]

I can already see it now, xbox 1.5.... The power of two clouds.

[SmielmaN]

They should implement the power of one cloud first. They only said it would be a part of X1 in 2013 :/

[WelkinCole]

The biggest threat to Sony is the real possibility that gamers will skip the PS5 and wait for the PS5.5 come next gen.

I would definitely will not buy a PS5 at launch and wait for the PS5.5 if these rumors turn out to be true.

This is where MS can swoop in. The first 3 years is the most important years as we have seen with the x360 and PS4.

[OB1Biker]

I think you got it backwards. Many will wait for PS5 and not buy the PS4K neo. PS4K is for the few who want an ultimate experience and for marketing but most gamers buy a new console because of exclusive games they can't play on their old consoles.
Exclusive games using the new hardware to its potential are what will sell the PS5.

[yeahright2]

It'll probably end up being both. Most early adopters of ps4 will wait on PS5 and late adopter will wait on ps5.5. I expect a lot of those who wait for the library to build up before buying a new console might grab a Neo.

[AndrewLB]

You're saying that because you are that is the outcome you desire, not what is likely to happen.

Playstation fans are very similar to die-hard Apple supporters in many regards. There are few products out there where the CEO can make a clear and obvious lie to the supporters and they'll dutifully accept it as fact and repeat that narrative for months even after Sony Executives come out and admit they misled. (E3 2013 DRM fiasco).

I for one have never trusted microsoft , sony or any other company

[Mr_Luke]

Wait, what? Did i miss something? Yesterday they were all rumors, today "Now that Sony's PS4 Neo has been unearthed"?
How it is? And the specs? Can someone give me a link with all the new features please?

[OB1Biker]

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[Mr_Luke]

Thanks, i thought they were only rumors

[rainslacker]

Thanks for the link. I was wondering where people were getting this "Sony official documents" stuff from, and I guess with the new N4G layout being so hard to find anything now, I missed it.

Now I can say that those official documents are no more verifiable than any other unnamed source, and even GiantBomb, the originator claiming to have received documents from sources, said they would still wait for a response from Sony....which means it's not official, but just more rumors.

Big question is...if they have these documents, why not just post the actual documents, instead of an overview? Maybe because there are a lot of people who could quickly and easily say if they would be official or not? Maybe because if the only info they give is some specs and possible implementation, there is hardly anything there to release which would be worth making it official? Sorry, spec line documents, and compliance information is not released in short easy to read fashion like that, they're usually many pages of text which outline a lot more than what was given in either the EG or GB article.

[OB1Biker]

'Microsoft is a very unique position to sweep in and topple Sony's mighty PlayStation empire'

'in conclusion, Microsoft needs to sit back and watch '

CQFD?
Sorry but that sounds ridiculously far fetched.

[iTechHeads]

Yeah getting outsold 2:1 is such a great position!

[SmielmaN]

Bold strategy Cotton! Let's see if it pays off.

[MRMagoo123]

lol I love dodge ball........if you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a Dodge ball.

[MagicBeanz]

"Sony's missteps", what missteps? Sony hasn't even said anything about it yet, all we've had is speculation and rumor, what missteps are you referring to. Man if I had a dollar for every article on N4G that talked about Microsoft disrupting Sony, even better is if I had two dollars for every time it never happened.

[SmielmaN]

Clicks put food on the table. As a collective gaming community we all shouldn't get so worked up about it. However, it's always fun to toss out opinions :)

[babadivad]

I think Microsoft will release a new console but it will be fully backwards compatible with the X1. So games cam target the more powerful hardware but still be able to play X1 games. My opinion.

[3-4-5]

* Power isn't the problem for the XB1...it's the lack of good game selection. I like my XB1 a lot as a console, but the selection of games is worse than the 360 & original xbox.

[Tsunade]

Let's be honest. How MS is going to disrupt Sony's console reign when MS is a US only appeal brand and PlayStation a worldwide brand?

That is the reason why the PS3 surpassed the xbox 360 even when it was released a year later, had an horrible launch and even with the inflated numbers of the Xbox red ring of death.

The xbox 360 was winning on the US but the PS3 was dominating worldwide and took over. A new xbox will not disrupt PlayStation reign just because it may have more power or by some sort of magic.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Where are your numbers. Xbox 360 dominated even with less global numbers. In North America alone, the biggest gaming region in the world, 360 obliterated the PS3.

[BiggerBoss]

You're correct that 360 sold better than PS3 in America.

Just like Ps4 is selling better than XB1 in every single country on Earth.:)

[joeorc]

@343_Guilty_Spark3h ago
[Where are your numbers. Xbox 360 dominated even with less global numbers. In North America alone, the biggest gaming region in the world, 360 obliterated the PS3]

Why does the Xbox as a platform cannot disrupt Sony's playstation?

..well its very simple.
Microsoft is pretty much a one console at a time company.

While both Sony and Nintendo make just more than one console.

On a world wide scale..Microsoft really only targets select markets.
While again Nintendo and Sony target more markets on a world wide scale.

And the idea that America is the biggest gaming region in the world..is a fallacy.. Its the " world " itself that is the biggest gaming region..

Game console market is
[world Wide]

Look no one is saying that Microsoft has not really done great with the Xbox as a platform in growing it..if they are saying that the Xbox platform is a failed platform, that's far from the truth.

But on the same token you cannot disrupt a console companys business on a world wide scale when you only have one console at a time vs another companies having not just more consoles but longer shelf life..example Microsoft just stopped all production on the xbox360..while Sony is still selling and still in production of its PS3 console.

and your only in concentrate on selective markets..how do you grow to be a world wide console brand..doing what Microsoft is doing?

If you do not consider the world wide market the biggest gaming region.. Its not a single region in gaming that only matters its all of them.

Until you get out of that mindset.. There will be no disruption in the market.

[Bobafret]

"even with the inflated numbers of the Xbox red ring of death"

Years later and I am still seeing this lie perpetuated. MS replaced rrod 360's, they were not counted as another sale.

[iceman06]

Those numbers don't come from MS replacements. They come from the many gamers that just got tired of waiting for repairs and ended up purchasing an extra console (some purchased more than one extra).

[Picnic]

I own a PS4 and I'm sick of the head in the sand thinking of many Playstation fans. Do they not care that Hitman Go, which is selling for £1.49 on the Windows store, is £6.49 on the Playstation store? Do they not care that AAA quality games are fewer than PS3 had? Do they not care that Sony was 'meh' about the highly rated Sunset Overdrive, preferring its grittier, but empty, Infamous series? Do they not care that iconic looking arcadey games such as Cuphead are going to Xbox? Regardless of the PS4's greater popularity in more countries, Microsoft can afford to make a more powerful console (or an upgradable console like a PC) more than Sony can.

[P_Bomb]

About that, Sunset Overdrive wasn't anymore "highly rated" than inFamous Second Son was.

Sunset had an 81% meta average and inFamous had an 80%. The difference is negligible, comes down to number of reviews. Insomniac's exclusive R&C rated higher than both of them anyways.

Never heard of Cuphead, but indies aren't an issue on PS. Several well reviewed indie console exclusives this year already. Salt&Sanctuary, AssaultAndroidCactus, Firewatch, the aforementioned HitmanGo and of course, the Witness.

I would prefer more AAA's though. For me, this gen's not as blockbuster as the last one. PSplus has taken the biggest hit

[SynestheticRoar]

Sorry no.

[wutang4ever]

I hope MS picks up their shit and improves because Sony needs competition to keep from getting lazy. It's good for all gamers.

[trooper_]

Nope.

[jokerisalive]

Never gonna happen. Sony can do NO wrong in peoples eyes since MS rubbed everyone the wrong way with the XB1 reveal back in 2013.

[UncertainCategory]

Sony rubbed people the wrong way with a $600 PS3, and eventually had a huge comeback years later.

It can totally happen, it's happened before! Will it though? We'll just have to see what these companies announce.

[subtenko]

Kinda like how the xbox one vs ps4 situation turned out? Sony announced ps4, didnt show it first. Same thing happening AGAIN XD Will M$ follow their same pattern? who knows. These are upgraded consoles folks, its not really a rift in the 'console wars' or w/e. This is better for people who are just about to buy this gens consoles (not a bad deal for people who had to hold out for watever reason (ie finances)

[uth11]

I think both MS and Sony are sending confused messages about their respective platforms. MS with the UWP stuff and putting most 'exclusives' on PC. Sony with the Neo. Ironically the company who may benefit the most from this could be Nintendo if they get their message right.

[Fatal-Aim]

Sony has been ahead of MS practically this entire race. Every time MS did something, Sony either already did it or they weren't too far behind in doing it themselves. My guess is by the time MS gets around to matching this Neo console, Sony would have moved on to something else. All MS seems to have at this point are costly price drops.

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

Give me the same 8 core CPU but clocked at 3ghz, More powerful and more CU GPU clocked at 1,000mhz at least, 12gb of DDR4 and I will be happy to spend $500 on one!

[medman]

If Microsoft releases a new console that is more powerful, I don't see it making much difference. Their exclusives are still lackluster, in my opinion. I'm waiting to see what Recore is about, and Scalebound looks promising, but I'm finished with the Gears, Forza, Halo rotation. More new and unique Ip's is what Microsoft needs more than a new, more powerful xbox.

And let's be honest here folks.....remember when gamers were hailing clouds, and dx12, and other such mess claiming those things were going to make the xbox much more powerful over the generation? Many tried to explain to such types that just was not feasible, but they didn't listen. I wonder how they feel today.

[1nsomniac]

I think the author is completely miss understanding the situation here. Admittedly from both the Microsoft & the Sony camp the consoles were built in an economically difficult time. Meaning lower powered machines than were expected. Which is why we've seen so many downgrades & delays this gen. Now things are improving economically they're realising that their heavy hitting games can't achieve what they've shown & talked of & we're only 2 years in. The XBone is even further behind so how can Microsoft sitting doing nothing be seen as a positive thing, increasing sales?

The PS4.5 will then essentially make the XBone a generation behind. Why will new customers then choose to go that route over the very marginally more powerful PS4 or the even more powerful PS4.5?

The argument makes no sense!

[mechlord]

Microsoft has already abandoned Xbox as a hardware piece, going head to head with sony on that front would only put then in a more awkward place than they already are

[Tankbusta40]

I do agree, Microsoft COULD play their cards right at the next E3. I don't think that many gamers are happy about consoles having a two year cycle now. After all most of us buy consoles to forget about upgrading for at least 4-5 years, its part of the ease of use. I really don't agree with what Sony is doing and I have been buying Sony since the PS1's inception.

[jmc8888]

Well at this point it's looking like they will have the 4th most powerful console come this holiday season if the PS4 Neo and Nintendo NX launch this year.

So one may call it a unique position, others might go, OH CRAP!

Also the phrase the PS4 Neo is pissing people off is a bit well... off.

I'm sure if you were trying to finish this year's games, it would be tougher to add that in. So if you are just finding out about it now, it would be tougher. But pissing them off? No.

It's not hard to add better textures, up the framerate to 60 (or do nothing and it just is 60), or up the resolution.

Having two standards, instead of all the options a PC game has, and all the videocards/hardware it has to cater to, is much more difficult.

Two closed system specs to build around on an X86 system, and pulling better assets from a PC version really isn't hard.

What it does do, is allow Microsoft to wait a year or two, and the leapfrog everyone else. That's their opportunity. But of course, then a year or so later Sony will launch a PS5, etc...

But until Microsoft releases a new/updated console, it's only going to get worse. At this point it appears Sony caught them with their pants down again.

This time though, they shouldn't rush to catch up.

[Bolts]

MS must counter the Neo and go all out. Being inferior in specs again is not going to cut it.

[BIGBOSS08]

holy shit! N4G is fanboy heaven! the comments section is ridiculous!

[NerveGearneeded]

"devs can simply uses the Dev Mode tool and make a single port that's compatible across Xbox One, Xbox One.5 and PC."

maybe thats why quantum break is terrible on pc?

[kenwonobi]

Doubtful. It's not like the PS4 isn't around even with a NEO system or whatever. All these turn the tables things forget Sony is making everything optional. Not mandatory like Microsoft past mistakes. Sony will continue to dominate. The system will still have VR. It'll also have a better console option too.

[Silly gameAr]

Here we go with this again. Is it PR time on N4G again?

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Did anyone laugh when they read the title? I certainly did.

[sonarus]

Are there people out there still expecting Xbox to catch up? Xbox one lost to PS4. Its over just move on and hope they do better next gen.

[Clarence]

This won't help M$ catch Sony

[cyberwaffles]

Price drop was their redeeming point. Lets see what happens from here on out.

[TheMutator]

ouucchhhhhhh there is a lot of butthurt in this post lolololololol