860°

Rumor: NGP Specs Dowgraded, 2011 Release in Japan

The NGP will release this year in Japan and next year in the rest of the world according to 01.net, a French tech with a history of reliably reporting leaked Sony information. That same site leaked accurate specs of the NGP, weeks before the devices unveiling

ABizzel15349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YYYYY

Elimin85349d ago

Didn't they do the same with the original PSP? Clock speed etc.. I think it'll be fine though.

Active Reload5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

If they do decide to downgrade, I think it should be the base model. They should have an option of actually letting people pre-order the higher spec NGPs, that way they're not making too many of the more expensive ones. I would actually place an order for a higher end model if they feel that releasing them onto store shelves with a higher price tag would scare off potential customers.

-Alpha5349d ago

@Active

Wouldn't that just create issues for consumers and developers?

I don't see why people are so obsessed with power.

Remember that when NGP releases, if it's something like $350, Nintendo will be in a perfect position to lower their prices.

Sony has to keep competition and consumers in mind. As much as the hardcore fans on N4G would spend upwards of $300 for a handheld, most gamers wont.

I'm sure downgrading wont be a huge issue, the handheld is already damn powerful as it is.

chadwarden5349d ago

@ Active Reload

I don't think they would release 2 models with different specs. That would make developing a game a nightmare for the developers since both systems would would have to handle the load....Unless the game automatically downgrades the graphics on the lesser model.

Active Reload5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

@Alpha & Chad

I guess it could cause those problems--yeah it's possible. I was thinking along the lines of having a version for the "casual market", they would be the ones who wouldn't care about the specs of the NGP, while the "core" audience knows which one to pick up and devs can make the games for which ever one they choose. It's feasible to go this route and I'm surprised Sony doesn't think in this manner. Apple does it, although I'm not sure if they are aware of it. Sony could make the skus different colors or whatever they had to do, to get the consumer to understand. But hey, I understand if Sony doesn't want to do this. There isn't much incentive to expect the "core" to pay outrageous prices for their tech, seeing as though that didn't really work that great last time.

gaffyh5349d ago

Loss of the RAM will be disappointing, but the removal of internal storage is probably a good idea. I mean you can get cards that are big enough nowadays.

gamingdroid5349d ago

The solution for that is to code for the lowest common denominator i.e. ignore the higher spec one!

So the answer would be no, that would likely never happen. The good news about this is that they will have a much more competitive product. At $250 it is already a very high price. Remember the PSP Go? Yeah, it was $250 (albeit lower spec'ed technology to boot).

BattleAxe5349d ago

This is only the Non-3G models that will be getting the downgrade according to the article.

damnyouretall5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

if it can still run that unreal 3 tech demo after the downgrade then im ok with it.i dont expect a handheld being much more powerful than what ive seen already in the demos. but if its worst than what we've seen so far, ill wait for a price drop. sucks cause i have a day one preorder. thats life but this sucks ass

HolyOrangeCows5349d ago

1/2 the RAM, no internal memory? That would be unfortunate.

But so long as it doesn't overheat and it's competitive enough to be more developed for than the PSP, I guess it's not a HUGE deal. I think it still give the PS2 a run for its money, if not more powerful.

I was looking forward to having the internal memory, though. But that would cause a huge price barrier, I know.

Joe29115349d ago

@Active

Are you really that stupid?

You think your idea is feasible? It's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while thats what it is.

Sony will downgrade but I'm sure it will be minimal, I'm not interested in handhelds anyways, I won't be picking one up no matter what the price.

DeadlyFire5348d ago

Keep the 512 Memory fix the other crap. That is okay. Only issue I believe would be power usage. So if the downgrade is required for the battery to last awhile longer then I can see it.

Masta_fro5348d ago

@joe2911

dude, you dont have to be that hard on the guy (Active) yea his idea is rediculous and not well thought out, but no need to call him stupid.

@ Active

The only plausibe option to reduce cost by offering several models, is to increase storage capacity, like 16GB vs 32GB...Thats storage not RAM.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 5348d ago
Joni-Ice5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

Gosh I hope not. If so its probably because people keep complaining about price. $300 is too high...oh no Im not paying $350. STFU and go buy a 3DS then. I want everything in the NGP along with the kitchen sink.

DA_SHREDDER5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

then why do you cry about people wanting it to be a phone as well? BTW, this thing doesn't have full psn access, doesnt have L3 R3 buttons, or even games that are more than 5 gigs big. I wouldn't pay no more than 150 bucks for this thing no matter how good the graphics are. I already have 3 ps3's, a 3DS, and a 360. I would understand the price tag if it was a phone, but its not. Yet the 3g version has a contract?! LMAO, good luck Sony, Good luck to you sirs.

-Alpha5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

You'd really pay $350 for a handheld?

That's crazy expensive, and while you may support it, Sony has to keep in mind the average consumer they are selling to. Not even hardcore fans can afford $350 for a handheld, especially if you are a console owner who buys console games also.

I don't understand the obsession with power. The NGP is pretty powerful already, and even if it gets downgraded it'll still be mighty powerful. It's all about the games in the end

jetlian5349d ago

isn't much! though i'm not going over 300 myself unless uncharted is there day 1! people pay 800 for an ipad! they been paying 300-400 for ipods.

you still getting more than either of those

Istanbull5349d ago

I just hope NGP enables time travel.

5349d ago
gamingdroid5349d ago

"The Ipod touch is like 400 bucks and it does much less. I'd pay 350 for something like the NGP"

What?

The Ipod Touch starts out at $200 and have been sold as low as $150'ish.

stevoman755349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

@gamingdroid
the latest generation ipod touch (4th gen) runs from 229 to 399 depending on your internal storage.... and an ngp is far greater in value than even the 64 gig ipod touch at 399...
i will add that that is basic list price, could be cheaper somewhere else... i know if i didnt add that someone would tear me a new asshole...

Soplox5348d ago

what -Alpha said, remember that SONY has competitors the 3DS, NDSi AND the PSP also. You remember what happened to the PSP Go and the PS3 in its very first few years? SONY has to keep in the competitive price or they will go bankrupt. And even with this downgrade it will still be more powerful than the 3DS if thats whats worry u.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 5348d ago
iamtehpwn5349d ago

Trust me if they were lowered, it's not but very much. Many of the games are already in full swing production, so it cannot be that significant, Although I remind you almost all consoles specs are cut.

Even PS3's. If you remember, the original PS3 when it was revealed could rendered to TWO HDTV's at once in full 1080p. The only thing about it is, we would've been paying $1000 for a PS3 at launch.

KeiserSosay47885349d ago

Didn't they also say that games would run at 120 FPS? I remember something like that

jetlian5349d ago

wouldn't have cost 1000. in theory it could do it but actually it could not.

First real reason is the ps3 cell is not the same as the original one Its weaker

second reason you can never get 100 percent of an electronics' power at all times.

Active Reload5349d ago

I remember them saying they'd have a satellite dish in the PS3 too...

Max_Dissatisfaction5349d ago

They can lower the specs quite a bit because I seriously doubt that the launch games are going to be utilizing the full power of the NGP. Imagine if Dead Rising was using X360's full power, LOL.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5349d ago
BubbleSniper5349d ago

I really hope this is false. My pocket burns and the NGP is the only water available.

xAlmostPro5349d ago

I doubt they'd downgrade anything that would ruin what they've already shown..

Misterhbk5349d ago

IDC about the specs being downgraded...It won't be by much..I just want this thing by the end of the year! USA release only makes sense with the Holidays...Please be a US release.

bwazy5349d ago

Heck no, I want a Canada release >:|

flankhim5348d ago

Told you guys 2011 months ago.

Mr Logic5348d ago

It's impressive that you knew all these details 167 years ago. 0_o

likedamaster5348d ago

Make the price point more attractive, then we'll talk.

UnbiasedGamer5348d ago (Edited 5348d ago )

Nooooooooooooooooooo! I want the beast power! Phones have more RAM then that these days! hopefully not true. Lowering RAM means lowering so much possibilities. Phones these days have 1GB RAM!!

lil Titan5348d ago

might be for the best i just got info from an insider that the NGP they brought on stage to demonstrate could hack and control an F-35

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 5348d ago
fluffydelusions5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

Would suck if true. Same thing happened with Kinect. Specs were downgraded to save on costs.

guigsy5349d ago

So was the PS3, it was supposed to have like two HDMI ports and three ethernet ports.

heylo5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

seriously I can't believe this rumour

look at this:
iPhone 4 SDRAM costs $13,80 and that's 512MB
http://www.isuppli.com/Tear...

I know the NGP's LPDDR2 is a bit more expensive now but won't be in a few months when production in 30nm starts

Cutting the RAM nowadays is easily the worst and ineffective way of reducing the costs

HOSe5349d ago

need a worldwide release date :(

f7897905349d ago

No such thing when it comes to any form of media. Things have to be "regionalized" as to not offend assholes with nothing better to do.

-->AUSTRALIA<---

BlackKnight5349d ago

Hopefully it is not true at all. While my Droid X phone has slower CPU and GPU than the NGP, it atleast has 512RAM. Hopefully the downgrade isn't true. Hell, I would expect it to have more RAM that my phone does, like 768MB or even 1GB since it is a portable gaming device.

Philaroni5349d ago

True but Cellphones cost Upwards of $600 They are not very cheep devices. I don't think Gamers would let Sony get away with a price point above $400 even though it would very much be worth it. If it is true then the reaction of gamer's to the speculated price is really only to blame.

BlackKnight5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

But phones are not sold like consoles/handhelds are. They (NGP) are sold usually at a LOSS because they expect to make up for it with royalty sales from each game sold.

Sony gets money for each game sold on the NGP.
Motorola gets NOTHING for apps sold on my DroidX, unless they made the app (which all the apps they make are free).

You would still think a handheld DEDICATED or at least FOCUSED to work for games would have better specs than a phone, that's all I am saying.

SuperM5349d ago

They are not cheap to buy but they dont cost nearly as much to produce. An iphone 4 cost about 180$ to produce yet they sell it for 600$+

ABizzel15349d ago

What Philaroni says is exactly right.

Your phone only cost $199, because your getting a contract for your phone bill along with that price. Without it it's $500 - $600 for most high tech smartphones.

That being said the drop is understandable in order to keep the price low. It didn't matter to me I was getting the 3G version regardless, but if they want to get more of the casual market then they need to be as close in price to the 3DS as possible.

Another thing to remember is that phones are multipurpose devices which is why they need 512MB of RAM, and while the NGP is a multipurpose device it's main function is gaming where most of the RAM will be applied.

The NGP is still a beast, but this sucks if it's true.

BlackKnight5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

Well like I said above, when phones are sold out of contract, they are sold at a profit still, unlike gaming devices. Gaming devices sell at a loss (generally) and is made up in game sales.

Even though phones are "multipurpose" as you put it, gaming devices still benefit from large amount of RAM, always. From better textures to more sounds and larger levels able to be loaded and more character variety, it really does help.

EDIT @ABizzel1:

Well looking at my phone, I can close a shit ton of apps and only use 144MB right now (OS, Txting, Media player, some apps I dont want to close right now,) and leaving the remaining amount of 368MB for whatever on my phone. There IS a 256MB version of my phone, the Droid. I guess what really blows my mind is that RAM is so cheap right now, 4,000MB of highspeed stuff on PC is 50 bucks...

@ABizzel1:
I do look at my xbox and PS3 games and see what I get, then I play on PC and see how it IS severely limiting :(

ABizzel15349d ago

That's true, but the only difference is consoles don't NEED it (I'm all for better graphics, AI, etc...) whereas a phone NEEDS it (if my phone is chugging to load something I'm getting rid of it and getting a new one).

Philaroni5349d ago

Well its not so much about that. The Android OS takes up much more system RAM then the NPG will on top of that you have all that stuff in the background running. That and the CPU and GPU are much more powerful then the ones on cell phones. I'd not worry to much the Xbox and PS3 have very limited RAM and look at the kind of games we get on it.

SuperM5349d ago

if you put to little ram in a gaming device it wont be able to produce as good graphics as it could and you are basically wasting processing power. Then you might aswell go with a weaker processor/gpu.

Philaroni5349d ago (Edited 5349d ago )

@Super M

That is not how it works, Graphics come mostly from good texturing and the art skills of the Devs. Lighting and Rendering are mostly handled by the GPU where AI and other things by the CPU. Ram is used mostly to store textures and help do more things at once. The difference lets say between a game like Killzone and Gears VS something like Alpha Protocol is the time and $$ put in to the game and the talent in the studio.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5349d ago
buckley5348d ago

The consoles don't even have that much RAM

littlebigmarcpsps35349d ago

wtf....ill wait for confirmation.

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80°

RAM Price Increases Could See Next-Generation Console Releases Delayed

Insider Gaming has learned that the ongoing price increases in RAM due to the rise in AI could delay the next generation of console releases.

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
18d ago
slate9118d ago

What is even the incentive of upgrading to the next-gen after this console generation we've had? Graphics are plateauing, prices at an all time high, studios skipping entire generations or simply releasing just one game for it...
Its a mess

Jin_Sakai17d ago

Been gaming all my life. This is the worst generation ever.

jznrpg17d ago

How do you gauge each generation? There has been a lot of really good games this gen. I only care about the games. First party hasn’t been the best but the generation isn’t over yet

DarXyde17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

jznrpg,

Thing is, every generation before this one has had something that defined console identity. Very little beyond bigger/more detailed games and performance modes are really there.

I feel the last generation that cared very much was gen 7; Capcom's darkest era, but I have to give them props for being really experimental at the time. We saw plenty of new games that still tried to do something new. Outside of Metaphor and Clair Obscur, this gen has been pretty forgettable if you ask me. I'm sure a lot of it is the corporatization of the industry and the creative talent has to keep making sequels and spiritual successors because the cost of development is out of control. But even then, plenty of these experiences are experiences we've had already. And the thing is. Switch 2 and PSVR2 could really be doing incredible things, but it's just not there. Xbox I just don't see the value or point anymore but that's just me.

anast17d ago

Why has is been the worst? I've been gaming all my life and this gen. has been one of the best.

Vits17d ago

Not to mention that just like this generation, the next one will also be shared between the current and next gen console at least for a couple of years. So the few titles that it will had, just like this one, will run on the console you already have.

franwex16d ago

We will be getting games on PS4, PS5, and PS6, haha.

Extermin8or3_16d ago

I think people have to remember the pandemic at start of this gen and how it effected game development. This next gen we will see the PS4 etc support dropped and truly see the full utilisation of SSD's improvements to ray and path tracing and the impact of AI upscaling etc will be where the biggest improvements will come from.

isarai_lee16d ago

My sentiments exactly, next gen has got to prove it's worth before i buy into it this time. This has been the weakest generation in my 30yrs of gaming. From the drawn out cross gen garbage, to so many games getting stuck in development hell or canceled, to the ABSURD levels of trend chasing to the point of self destruction, this gen just wasn't worth it

thorstein16d ago

I'm pretty sure I've already read a story that said Playstation is only halfway through this console's generation and that PS6 is a way off.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 16d ago
darthv7217d ago

Im good with next gen being pushed back to 27/28. It feels like this gen has only just begun.

Melankolis17d ago

Covid-19 held back everything at least 2 years worth. Although many people disliked, i think only UE5 can generally distinguish this gen from the previous one.

DarXyde16d ago

UE5 is definitely impressive, but I would also give the nod to the current version of Decima, at least the way it looks for Death Stranding 2.

CornholioX17d ago

That's normal how you think. Time goes faster when you're older and i bought my PS5 since day 1 release and now it's 5 years old. I don't mind a year delay to release PS6 in holiday 2028.

DoubleYourDose17d ago

Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us.

Eonjay16d ago

I was under the impression that next gen wasn't coming till 2027.z u9gsq

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 16d ago
victorMaje17d ago

Regardless of RAM price increases, I strongly believe there’s still a lot of potential left for the current gen. I’d be fine with at least 3 more years.

jznrpg17d ago

Whenever it comes out is fine with me. I still have backlog for the next year at least

Show all comments (38)
120°

Bad Robot Games Teams With Sony

This is interesting and unexpected news as Sony and Bad Robot Games are partnering.

-Foxtrot43d ago

Was excited until I saw “an unannounced four-player, cooperative shooter”

Christopher43d ago

It's from the same guy who made L4D. Wouldn't expect anything otherwise.

-Foxtrot43d ago

I just thought since Back 4 Blood didn’t set the world on fire and died pretty quickly support wise he might have done something a little different.

StoneTitan42d ago

awesome, cooperative games are great

Scissorman42d ago (Edited 42d ago )

@Foxtrot The creator of L4D, Mike Booth, didn't have anything to do with Back for Blood, and that's probably why it didn't set the world on fire. This new project just might be the successor we've been waiting for.

JEECE42d ago (Edited 42d ago )

Gosh it would be so nice to have a true successor to L4D 2. Back 4 Blood introduced nearly every annoying, unnecessary aspect of multiplayer game design from the last ten-ish years, while simultaneously making the gameplay and world less interesting than L4D. Ironically I think it didn't actually have MTs, despite feeling like it was designed to sell them.

Sadly, I just can't see a true successor coming out now. I'd happily be wrong, but I bet this will have a hub world, multiple progression systems, multiple currency systems, skins, heros/operators/specialists, and battle passes, and the speed of the game will be toned down from L4D2, just like B4B was.

Whitey2k42d ago

I shall keep an eye on this. Expecially if Mike booth is involved Left for dead 1 & 2 was amazing on pc.

Should be left for dead 3

More enemies and boss battles
More maps and missions
Also bring back like the witch and tank and other nasty top dogs

JEECE42d ago

The "PC" feel is one of the key reasons B4B doesn't match up to L4D. L4D is clearly designed for mouse and keyboard, and the speed of the game reflects that (this is why it never felt quite right on 360 and the devs had to add in that "quick turn" feature to compensate). Meanwhile B4B is slowed down to better suit playing with controllers. Unfortunately this game will likely be the same, given the PS5 version.

And yes you are right the specials were so lame in B4B compared to L4D.

Whitey2k40d ago

That's because the 360 didnt support mouse and keyboard. Now we're in that era ps5 or ps6 and magnus should easily support mouse and keyboard to play with pc players

JEECE38d ago

@Whitey2k

Technically consoles support m/k now, but practically speaking most console users still just play with a controller, so this game is likely to be designed primarily with controller players in mind. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but I doubt I will be.

160°

Sony: PS5 Is “Only in the Middle of Its Journey;” Multiplatform Helldivers 2 Doing “Extremely Well”

During Sony’s quarterly financial conference call CFO Lin Tao provided relevant information on the performance of the PlayStation business.

Read Full Story >>
simulationdaily.com
Pedantic9166d ago

Kinda figured the lifecycle for this gen and for Sony in particular will be longer, stronger hardware with better graphical enhancements is not going to show immediate jump in quality for games anymore like in the 90's, graphics have since plateaued and what they should be pushing for is art design, physics handling and locking down framerates to 60fps as the absolute minimum required. Sony will always have their 1st party with their heavy hitters but i would also personally want to see them invest more into AA, bring in younger talents, incorporate more experimental ideas to game design and prototyping like the early days with PS and PS2, maybe instead of investing 200-300+ million in bombastic cinematic experiences, invest atleast half of that into creating new teams for other genres you're currently lacking in to diversify your portfolio such as platfomers, jrpgs, horror, rythm, arcade racer, FPS, hell, maybe even a strategy game or two.

thorstein66d ago

What I've learned from this generation is that smaller studios are where I'm finding the best games.

The big boys just aren't cutting it.

This is great news for PS owners.

But what's the advantage to new hardware anymore? It's like cell phones. There's noting new or innovative. All the future tech isn't arriving any time soon: quantum computers and internet.

Profchaos66d ago

What I've learnt from this gen is to go retro until you get those big games like GTA Vi

Lightning7766d ago

People seem to complain whenever Sony does something different. If it's not the cinematic story driven games then most don't seem to care.

I forgot what game it was but We remember when Shawn Layden said some game didn't sell all that well but it was ok because they wanted to take chances with new types of games. That was a different times different generation now. What applies then certainly doesn't apply now.

PhillyDonJawn66d ago

Not necessarily. Ps5 could still be supported for years after ps6 release. I still would expect ps6 around 2027

MetroidFREAK2166d ago

As long as proper physical games keep coming out for PS5, I'll keep supporting it

Eonjay65d ago

At this point, going back and seeing just how incredible and soawling the PS4 library is, its nice to see that the PS5 will wind up just as good with continued physical support into the next decade and the full PS4 physical catalog as well.

MetroidFREAK2164d ago

I agree. I'm still picking up PS4 games I missed back in the day as well.

MIDGETonSTILTS1766d ago

New hardware is meant to expand possibilities for developers when their ambitions are constrained.

Looking at Death Stranding 2 and Yotei, and anticipating GTA6 and Wolverine will also blow away graphics expectations, I don’t think devs are constrained by the ps5 yet.

The longer they wait to release the ps6, the stronger it will be. People can wait. Just let Kojima finish Physint as a ps6 launch title. That should take at least another 4 years. That would be the lifecycle at 9 years, which would be the longest lifecycle yet, but not by much.

Eonjay65d ago

So I totally see what you are saying but I suspect that one of the effects of introducing stronger hardware is the older generations are then maxed by necessity.

But thats just my opinion. The real reason why Sony won't wait to release a next Gen console is because they are seeking to directly influence the next Gen of graphics hardware on an industry wide scale.. To them, they are making developers lives easier if they are developing for hardware that ubiquitous support features across platforms including PC.

This would literally lift everyone up at the same time. And for this reason the Next Playstation will debut as part of UDNAs debut. PS5 will continue to be optimized and supported for another 5 at least.

MIDGETonSTILTS1763d ago

If I’m following you, you are saying introducing a ps6 would be a way to immediately hit the PS5’s hardware ceiling. That would make sense, but I hope they force Xbox to release their console first, and they then counter with a slightly stronger ps6 a year later. I don’t expect Xbox to launch with a strong initial exclusives roster that would necessitate Sony being first to market.

Dexterio66d ago

Sony: PS5 Is “Only in the Middle of Its Journey;”
Nice to know. I wouldn't worry about PS6 for another 5-6 years, I guess.

monkey60266d ago

I wouldnt count on that. A console life cycle doesn't end with the announcement and release of a new gen.
We'll see a PS6 announcement in 2027 and release in 2028. I could bet on it

Eonjay65d ago

It could come out in 2027 and thats fine. It is quite common for people to upgrade their TV, phone or PC within that time period. As long as it is backwards compatible it makes total sense to upgrade and its justified on its merit alone. There is no reason why this can apply to consoles too.

jznrpg66d ago

I doubt it will be that long until PS6. My guess is around 2028 but who knows. Could be as early as holiday 27’ and as late as 29 but I can’t see it being any farther than that. I somewhat doubt as late as 29. Half way through PS5 life can also mean crossgen titles for a year or 2 into PS6

Lightning7766d ago

The rumor is 2027. Cerny said it's only a few years away. Possibly of 2028 but it definitely won't be 5, 6 years away.

isarai66d ago

With this statement, while Mark Cerby us teasing the basis of the next gen tech, it sounds like we're probably going to have another dragged out cross gen overlap 😒 ugh. I miss the days when launch ganes marked the starting line of new beginnings, games built from the ground up to take full advantage of whats new and exciting, instead of just upresed/remastered last gen games

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