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PS4 / Orbis Rumoured To Feature “Native” OpenGL

“OpenGL is a layered API on the PS3,” our source told us. “It’s much easier to use than LibGCM, which is the main PS3 system.”

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thesixthaxis.com
Emilio_Estevez5151d ago

Anyone care to say what that means?

sinncross5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

From my understanding, OpenGL is an interface with which code is created and utilised for the use of graphics.

I may be wrong, but I am certain that Native is merely implying that the PS4 can access the OpenGL coding directly as opposed to the PS3 in which the code needs to be emulated by another source first (being LibGCM.

So as long as the original code is fine, it should run smoothly on the PS4.

That is how I understand it.

tigertron5151d ago

I read that as if it was being explained by Sheldon Cooper. :P

sikbeta5151d ago

Native OPenGL means easier for Devs, that's all you need to know, seems like Sony got it and don't want to make it difficult for devs like they did with the PS3, good...

PersonMan5151d ago

@tigertron Sheldon wouldn't start out by saying "I may be wrong" though....

dedicatedtogamers5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

More importantly, OpenGL (as far as I understand) isn't tied down to a licenced, controlled licence such as DirectX. It allows easier cross-platform development, cheaper development, faster development, etc. It's also more open than DirectX, allowing an engine to more directly access the hardware.

Think of it this way: why do a lot of games use Unreal Engine? A lot of it has to do with how easy it is to use and how many features EPIC has packed into the engine. Developers see Unreal Engine and think "hey, why do all the work ourselves? EPIC already built this engine with all these nifty features". However, you're still limited by the engine itself, and of course you have to pay to use it in a commercial game. Building an engine from the ground up takes more work, but the results are tremendous. It's why a lot of the games from this generation have that "Unreal Engine" look to them. It's pretty easy to spot. That's because all of the games are using the same tools (and are under the same limitations).

OpenGL versus DirectX is the same way. DirectX has a lot of bells and whistles built right in, but you're limited by licence costs and of course the limitations of DirectX itself (part of why Mac and Linux have significantly fewer games. They're not exactly built with DirectX in mind, which belongs to Microsoft).

If this is true, it could (emphasis on *could*) mean cheaper development, better game engines, faster development, many more indie games, and a wider variety of physics and graphical styles.

RememberThe3575151d ago

Thank you, that was really informative. I'm actually a little blown away, it's been a long time since I read an intelligent comment here.

DeadlyFire5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

Well OpenGL is x86 based. Being Native means there will not be a need to emulate it at all. It will be running directly as itself. Meaning there will be no need for LibGCM or other variation/combination.

Ulf5151d ago

OpenGL is an API -- it is NOT "x86 based".

At least bust out wikipedia, if you're going to pretend to know stuff.

DeadlyFire5150d ago

I know.....I don't know why I typed that. I have looked at it for years.

StayStatic5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

My understanding of it is Playstations use OpenGL which is an API (application programming interface) , which are a set of libraries can accessed using C++ code.

However Microsoft have their own API called Direct X which features in most PC games these days with , the ones that don't are games such as RAGE.

The Xbox games typically use Direct X , hence the name Xbox : DirectXbox.

I imagine their would be some sort of licensing charge for other developers to use direct X on their systems , which is probably why Sony will stick with openGL.

Which one is better ? , hell if I know but they have both been used to make great games.

CarlitoBrigante5151d ago

It means PS4 will have the best graphics again like the PS3 but much much easier for developpers. The system is now more open.

Long Live Play

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5150d ago
THC CELL5151d ago

I take all games will look better on ps4 :-)

Mr-Zex5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

And I take that you're trolling on N4G, hence only having one bubble.

But to be honest, Sony can sure as hell pack a punch when it comes to consoles, let's just hope they make this one a console that's "Easy to develop" in terms of what the Devs say.

tarbis5151d ago

All Sony supporters are always been targeted by N4G xbots mods. Hence, the 1 bubble. They'll bubs us down every chance they can get.

Ck1x5151d ago

Nintendo has used open GL natively since the days of the GC I believe and it basically means that PS4 will be a much easier system to not only program for and get game engines up and running on with ease. But it will take little to no efforts as well for developers to harness the systems full power without braking the bank(this is why developers like Vigil said they had Dark Siders 2 up and running on the Wiiu in a matter of weeks)... Ps3 uses a custom linux version for its OS and i believe the PS2did as well. This is good news for Sony and the right kind of steps that they need to be taking with their next gen system

frostypants5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

This isn't about the OS. The PS4 could still have a Linux based OS. That alone wouldn't dictate the method of graphics rendering.

LightofDarkness5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

Well, at least that opens them up to more developers, but still not nearly as many as Direct X. If it was late '90s or early 2000s this would've been big news for GL proponents. By now I think the only big-name, pure/native GL developer left is id.

Still, a step in the right direction.

That said, this is a console, and as such, generic APIs add unnecessary overhead, as the hardware is essentially the same across each SKU. It will likely be a custom feature set built specifically for PS4 hardware but based on basic GL libraries.

And come on, what else were they going to use? It's not like MS were going to let them use DX anyway :p

DeadlyFire5151d ago (Edited 5151d ago )

Anyone that develops on PS3/Wii/PS2/PSP/PSVita/N3DS, and so on uses Open GL/Open CL/other based API of some kind. DirectX is Microsoft's API.

LightofDarkness5151d ago

Wii/GC API is proprietary, but is closer to GL than DX. PS3 uses LibGCM and PSGL, which are both proprietary but similar to GL.

PS2, I believe, did not have a high level graphics API. The others I don't really know about.

FrigidDARKNESS5151d ago

From a previous report it will be Open GL4....

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80°

(For Southeast Asia) New Price Changes for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player

For Southeast Asia, new price changes.

Prices effective starting May 1st, 2026.

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blog.playstation.com
22d ago Replies(1)
BeHunted22d ago

Looks like PlayStation took a hit with Marathon and is now quietly adjusting prices worldwide to recover the losses

andy8522d ago

Lets be honest raising prices doesn't do that when no one's buying it. I imagine the profit it greater selling 10 times more at a lower price

Pergele21d ago

Whatever you say buddy, let's all wear the tinfoil hats.

IceKoldKilla21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

LMFAO Your comment alone says a lot more about you than anything else. When has one game not selling 10 million copies made a company raise the prices of their console? Then Xbox would be costing $5000 by now lol. You remind of the crazy drug addicts on the street rambling on about conspiracies. xD You sure you don't need a hug, buddy?

ChunkyMonk21d ago

One game that Sony payed $200 million for. lol
Also, you sure were quick to get triggered. Maybe your the one who needs a hug?

Eonjay21d ago

If nothing else, we should be united against the real issue here. AI and unnecessary tariffs that are effecting all gamers.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 21d ago
Athlon10122d ago (Edited 22d ago )

The price increases are due to the RAM demand associated with AI and the US-Iran war. You can look to any business news website and local news to see that. Heck, even the 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo I've been eyeing has faced delays and has had a price increase of $400; that laptop has two specs. Asus is doing a staggered release with per-orders for the lower spec now and shipping in May and pre-orders for the higher spec that I'm eyeing starting in June. Basically, all computer manufactures are affected. It'll most likely start affecting smart phones too if it hasn't already. I can't remember the last time any major console maker (Nintendo, Sony, Sega, etc) increased the price of their console mid cycle outside of Microsoft just to make more profit.

S2Killinit21d ago

Its not the war. Its the RAM issue.

jznrpg21d ago

War is causing gas prices to rise. Transport of everything requires gas so the prices of those items go up as well. So it does have an impact

Athlon10121d ago (Edited 21d ago )

The blockage of the Straight of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war has affected raw components used in semi-conductor manufacturing such as bromine, aluminum, and helium. Iran had attacked the liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Qatar which is a large producer (1/3 globally) of helium which is used in semiconductor etching. So it's the both the war and the RAM crises.

badz14922d ago

Oh no...should I get the Pro now before the price increase?

80°

Former Xbox Exec Says Developers Didn't Want a Sony Monopoly

Former Xbox executive Ed Fries comments on the early days of Xbox, the opinion of Japanese game companies, and more.

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insider-gaming.com
35d ago Replies(2)
Reaper22_35d ago

I dont think that'll ever happen. But i must say back in the day, they were definitely trying because they were more cash rich than their competitors.

CosmicTurtle34d ago

I think MS were and still are the richer company. They tried to acquire Sega back in the day (and considered doing so again more recently), they obviously bought exclusivity to Halo which was originally shown as a Mac title. I don’t think as a company MS can claim the moral high ground here. It’s a wilful lack of self awareness.

Of course Sony would try exactly the same if they had the resources, but when the PS2 dominated the industry was in a much healthier place with an abundance of great third parties.

This has been a depressing generation as far as first party decisions are concerned. The fact we are debating business plans rather than which game is better is a sad reflection of the state of things.

Darkseeker35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

There was Nintendo as well, Sony wouldn't have had a monopoly. In fact, the world would be better today if Xbox never existed in the first place. They pretty much brought all bad practices we have today. We might have gotten all of it either way, but not this early. In term of franchises, I don't think there is anything Microsoft released that would actually be missed if it didn't exist. Even Halo the world wouldn't notice if Halo didn't exist.

S2Killinit34d ago

MS was definitely a bad influence on gaming.

raWfodog35d ago

I think almost everyone will agree that a monopoly is not good for the industry. But that being said, the competition needs to be smart and strategic with their business. Simply buying up publishers and traditional third-party studios just to keep them out of the other companies reach is not a sustainable practice. That goes for all parties so don't think I'm just referring to Xbox.

I'm no business guru by any stretch of the imagination but I firmly believe that the best way to drive consumers to your software and hardware is to invest smart in your first-party studios. Give them full support and guidance in making unique, fun games that are only available to play in your ecosystem and the gamers will come.

Reaper22_35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

But first party studios aren't enough. They only make up a small portion of the industry. Without 3rd party there would be no industry for Microsoft or sony.Developing games take time and money and sometimes you gotta make moves to stay competitive.

raWfodog35d ago

Nah, I never said first-party was enough. I said it’s the ‘best way’ to drive gamers to your platform. 3rd-party is a free-for-all and there’s no guarantee that gamers will use your hardware to play the game. If you want to push your own software and/or hardware you need first-party, or at least exclusive deals with third-party studios.

SimpleDad35d ago

They Shure did a great job... 25 years later Xbox is dead.

Reaper22_35d ago

Then why be so emotional and continue to talk about it. Xbox will never die be ause it stays in so many people's head.

lodossrage35d ago

How can you even see him being "emotional" in that comment?

If anything, you're the emotional one, constantly trying to go at anyone that says anything against Microsoft. So when you call him emotional, it comes off as deflection

Elda34d ago

I own an XBSX & I can say it's becoming irrelevant out of the 3 current consoles.

35d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (34)
40°

Sony Shows Off 20 Minutes of Crimson Desert on a Base PS5

Sony uploaded gameplay footage of Crimson Desert on a base PS5 running in what appears to be Quality Mode at a stable 30fps at 4K.

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powerupgaming.co.uk
BlazedKong61d ago

looks god awful on the base systems