Topic: PS4: Its real and...thats about it.

[idolminds]

Sony showed off the PS4 tonight. Well, sorta. We didn't see the system itself and only have a vague "Winter 2013" release with no prices. The hardware itself is basically an x86 PC with 8GB of RAM. Showed off Killzone, inFamous, Drive Club, and Watch Dogs. Blizzard came out and announced...Diablo 3. Which is also coming to PS3. Media Molecule apparently had a neat demo using the Move controller to sculpt in 3D. OH yeah, they also showed The Witness.

They were really pushing social stuff. The Dualshock 4 has a new share button (and a touchpad). You can take screens and share them, and I think the system has a kind of "rolling video recording" so you can hit the button and share the last x minutes of gameplay. Kind of cool but man we're they pushing that stuff hard.

Anyway...it exists. So yeah.

[MysterD]

PC Gamer builds a PC rig w/ PS4 specs for $600.
Hmmm....I wonder if that'll be around the cost for PS4 at launch.

GameTrailers claims Watch Dogs PS4 Demo was running on a PC w/ similar PS4-like specs.
Here's the Watch Dogs PS4 Demo w/ Commentary.

EDIT:
I also wonder if code-name "Deep Down" (action-RPG) from Capcom is actually Dragon's Dogma 2.

[W7RE]

I also wonder if code-name "Deep Down" (action-RPG) from Capcom is actually Dragon's Dogma 2.

During the post-show part of their steam, one of the guys at GiantBomb said that Capcom's Facebook confirmed that Deep Down is set in the Dragon's Dogma universe.

[MysterD]

Interview on Watch Dogs:
http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/ezxpr9/watch-dogs-ps4-event--post-show-interview--stream-?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

-- Game was running on a PC w/ PS4-like specs
-- Demo was just FREE-ROAMING, not an actual Mission.
-- It's trying to blur the line b/t MP and SP; SP and MP stuff can cross paths b/t each other.
-- Game will be for PC, PS4, PS3, X360, & also WiiU

EDIT:
Rev3 Games -> Watch Dogs interview.

[Quemaqua]

How very boring.

[Cools!]

Yes it was.

However Media Molecule's presentation got me interested.

[W7RE]

I want to know if Watch Dogs will be on the next Xbox. Of course no one's gonna say because that would be verification that the next Xbox exists.

[idolminds]

It will be. Its going to be on everything else, including WiiU. No way are they passing on the next Xbox.

[Cobra951]

Detailed story here.  It's looking impressive.  For one thing, they pretty much admitted (by their tech design) that Microsoft had the better approach this gen--familiar, PC-based architecture, for least resistance to most game devs.  So they're running with that a lot further.  The look of the new DS4 controller brought another smile to my face.  It looks like a controller! even with the touch pad.  Now if they stay away from forcing players to be online, they get their software ducks in a row, and they come in around the rumored £300 price point, I'm going to be looking at it very seriously.

[gpw11]

Detailed story here.[/urlThe look of the new DS4 controller brought another smile to my face.  It looks like a controller! even with the touch pad. 

This.  Honestly, I don't want anything but a standard controller. I tried the Wii U for the first time at a store the other day and thought the controller felt really really weird because it was so damn wide/big.  Like, remember how people used to make fun of the original Xbox controller?  Multiply that by four and put it in a really weird shape to be holding that way.   It wasn't uncomfortable, and I think it'd be fine once you were used to it, but for me the Dual Shock is just about perfection and I haven't seen anything to convince me that a tablet controller is a really great idea yet.

Keep in mind though, my opinion could be flawed: I thought the Wii controller was the best idea in the fucking world at release (come on, it was a great IDEA...the execution by pretty much everyone just sucked is all).

[Xessive]

The new controller certainly looks better, seems to have taken some cues from the X360 controller. The triggers (L2/R2) are finally concave (or at least not convex like the old ones).

[K-man]

Nothing really impressed me about the presentation, but they're probably saving the big guns for E3.  All it will take is some next-gen trailer featuring Snake and/or Big Boss to melt any resistance I have.

I'm really hoping to make it a one-console generation this go-round.  Not sure how realistic that is, though.  Truthfully I hope support for the current gen continues for at least another 3-4 years, since I'm nowhere near ready to upgrade.

[Cobra951]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-21-playstation-4-does-not-require-an-internet-connection

Another box ticked with a plus, a big one for me.  This will probably force MS to follow suit.  I'm not counting chickens till they hatch, though.  So far, so good.

[Xessive]

One more notch on the Pro list: PlayStation 4 won't block used games, says Sony

[Pugnate]

I am not surer about the excitement about the controller. It looks like the standard PS controller? (which is good). I personally prefer the PS controller to the Xbox controller. The analog stick on the 360 is just HORRIBLE.

[Cobra951]

I am not surer about the excitement about the controller. It looks like the standard PS controller? (which is good). I personally prefer the PS controller to the Xbox controller. The analog stick on the 360 is just HORRIBLE.

Hmm??  I had to do a double-take on that, thinking I misread it, but no.  The D-pad can be horrible, though they seem to have improved that in the most recent controller I got.  But I've never had trouble with the joysticks other than drift with lots of use.  That's really more of an Xbox system issue, though.  It should recalibrate the center when you turn on the system, but it doesn't.  It's stuck at theoretical perfect center.  Dumb.  My old controller is now hooked up to my PC, which of course allows calibration.

Do you mean the position of the left stick?  I can see that being an issue if you prefer the classic DS layout.

I saw the story on not blocking used games yesterday.  I only learned about offline play today.  These, plus the seemingly non-gimmicky controller, sort of make my day.  I hope the rest of the news is equally good from now till release.

[idolminds]

So I wonder if the Diablo 3 port can be played offline on PS4. If so, then Blizzard has some explaining to do.

[Xessive]

I've never had trouble with either analogue sticks of the X360 gamepad or the PS3 gamepad. I don't even mind either layout. For me, the contrast between the two boiled down to this:

X360 gamepad:
+ awesome triggers
- terrible shoulder clickers (LB/RB)
- cheap d-pad (which is not an issue on my Transforming D-pad edition)

PS3 gamepad:
+ awesome shoulder buttons (R1/L1)
- terrible convex-shaped triggers

Overall I do prefer using the X360 gamepad due to its shape and comfort in my relatively small hands.

[W7RE]

I much prefer the XB360 controller. The stiffer sticks, concave stick tops, better triggers, stick placement, I even prefer the shape. Also being able to change the batteries. I've got the MS charging dock and 2 battery packs that have kept me going since I bought the system. (the play and charge kit is garbage though)

The PS4 controller does look better to me though. I still don't care for the stick layout, but the thick rim around the top of the sticks looks better than the convex domes of the current controllers. I haven't seen the triggers in any pics yet, but people are saying they're fixed.

[Pugnate]

Whenever I tried to use the analog sticks on the 360 with EA's grandslam tennis or EA's tiger woods... the reading is just inaccurate.

Might have something to do with EA.

[TheOtherBelmont]

I was actually impressed with the show.  The main thing that has impressed me about Sony, so far, with the new system is they seem to be learning a lot from their past mistakes with the PS3.  The move to the x86 is a huge step forward for them compared to the PS3.  The Cell processor was a neat idea conceptually, but I'm glad they are abandoning it to make it easier for developers. Not requiring an internet connection is great too.  I wish they had said if playing online was still going to remain free or not though.  I don't play online enough to pay for it so I hope it remains free and they continue the PSN+ program for people who do want to pay for it.

[Pugnate]

I am glad we are getting a new console. Shall definitely get the PS4 at launch.

[W7RE]

I really like the look of the D-Pad by the way. I've heard some people say they don't like a separated d-pad, and maybe it's the type of games I play, but I really like them separated. Though I remember intense gaming sessions where the PS1/PS2 d-pad would start to hurt, though this one looks like it'll be more comfortable.

Some high rez pics of the controller here.

(btw, do we still have anyone on dialup? idol? Every time I go to post images I wonder if I'm causing trouble for anyone.)

[W7RE]

Sony: PSN games won't transfer to the PS4, nor will your game saves

Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has just confirmed to us that current-generation PSN titles won't transfer across to the PlayStation 4. The company admitted last night that PS3 games wouldn't be compatible with the latest console, but has added that it will try to make titles playable "in some form." Because the architecture of the Power-PC-based PS3 and x86-based PlayStation 4 are so different, Sony will only bring across games that don't guzzle the latest console's power in emulation. The executive also said that the company aims to offer server-side and cloud services to offer a wider library of older games, but said that's one for the "longer term."

[TheOtherBelmont]

Sony: PSN games won't transfer to the PS4, nor will your game saves

That's not surprising. It would have been nice for some backwards compatibility, but that whole concept has been a thing of the past since the PS3 launch units were stripped of it, Microsoft hardly supported it, and Nintendo stripped it out of the Wii.

[Cobra951]

It won't matter to me if I end up with one.  I passed on the PS3 completely.

[idolminds]

[MysterD]

So I wonder if the Diablo 3 port can be played offline on PS4. If so, then Blizzard has some explaining to do.

I want to know this, as well....

If D3 PS4 can be played offline, they better patch offline mode in D3 PC...

[W7RE]

That video was great.

[Quemaqua]

Fucking lame. I likely won't buy a PS4, then, but instead a replacement PS3 when this one finally croaks. I have way, way too many games I haven't played to any real degree yet. If it had been backward-compatible I'd have gone that route instead, but nope. I don't play games enough to care anymore for the most part, and I definitely can't afford it.

[Cools!]

[MysterD]

Rev3 Games -> Adam Sessler's Final Thoughts on the PS4 Announcement.
Rev3 Games -> Adam Sessler; Jefft Gerstmann (of GiantBomb); and Chris Morris (or Variety).

[idolminds]

Something I'm not sure about is the touchpad on the controller. What will it be good for? People have been saying ports of mobile games but those rely on touchscreens where you can see what you are touching. This will have a weird disconnect because you'll be touching the controller and sort of guessing where on the screen you're going to hit (so not really accurate). I thought maybe a pointer for a browser but that just seems like using the stick would be good enough. I'm just afraid its going to make the controller even more expensive without being any more useful.

EDIT: to answer my own question, if its multi-touch then I guess you could do things like pinch to zoom, rotate, and scroll.

[Pugnate]

While it is lame it is understandable because they've changed the whole architecture. The new hardware simply won't be compatible.

BTW Que, you said the same thing during the last gen and bought the new consoles. I have no doubt it will happen again. And I will be happy when it does.

I am not going to resist. BRING ON THE NEW CONSOLES!

[PyroMenace]

The non-backwards compatibility thing I saw coming and it was why I stopped buying stuff through XBLA and PSN a little while back. I'm holding out on getting any next gen consoles for as long as I can, I'm sticking with the PC, D had it right all along :p. I'm sure ill eventually get one, when enough exclusives I'm interested in builds up and there's an eventual PS4 redesign. The last half of this generation I've built up such a huge backlog of games it's insane so ill have plenty to keep me occupied.

[Xessive]

While the device itself may not backwards compatible, Sony have suggested streaming options (since they bought Gaikai). So it's a distinct possibility that PS3 titles may come to the PS4 in the form of streamed games.

[Cobra951]

While the device itself may not backwards compatible, Sony have suggested streaming options (since they bought Gaikai). So it's a distinct possibility that PS3 titles may come to the PS4 in the form of streamed games.

Ick!  Streaming is fine for movies and music.  I can't see ever relying on it for more interactivity than slow turn-based games, like chess.  Plus it brings back the specter of a forced online connection.  No thanks.

[sirean_syan]

I think my strategy this time around will be similar to Pyro's. My PC is due for an upgrade, that'll happen this summer. I'm sure I'll get something eventually, but probably not for a year or two. There is nothing on the level of a must have console exclusive for me that I see coming so I might be able to stick to my word too. Even then, it seems like big exclusives have been fewer and further between for the past five years. Ignoring third party stuff, all the consoles have looked like the Gamecube.

It seems like the PC/console exchanged has leveled off pretty well lately and while I'm sure a good deal of that is because we are late in the current cycle it's hard to imagine the market drying up as bad as it has in the past. Steam and Origin have done their share to ensure something of a stable user base and console architecture is even more PC like this time around. Brand loyalty this cycle seems like more about where you want to play your games and if you want any easy extras with it (movies and whatnot).

[Cools!]

I'll probably get the PS4 a year or two after launch. That'll be plenty of time for good games to come out and the price to drop.

[idolminds]

I'm also going to upgrade my PC before buying new consoles. Figure by the time Yakuza 6 comes out, then the PS4 will have enough games for me to want one.