XBOX Next Gen Rumor and Speculation Thread - Reveal May 21st

[CLW]

The newest rumor is in regard to the next PlayStation’s ability to stream games. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that “Sony Corp. is planning to offer technology to stream games to its next videogame console,” according to its own sources.

The new technology, to be unveiled Wednesday along with the new console, will allow users to play games delivered over the Internet, these people said. The streaming service, they added, is designed to use current PlayStation 3 titles on the new console; the new device is also expected to play new games stored on optical discs.

As WSJ points out, such a move on Sony’s part would be unsurprising. Even when it was drowning in red ink, it still took a massive risk when it bought streaming service Gaikai for $380 million. There is absolutely no doubt that, with an investment that significant at such a difficult time for Sony, that the company’s technology will be poised to play an important role in Sony’s future.

Streaming games to PlayStation 4 (and perhaps other Sony devices) would be significant, giving gamers access to a wide array of titles that they never had to purchase outright. This could suggest that Sony may have a game rental-like service on its next PlayStation, or perhaps even a new subscription service that would give gamers access to a library of offerings. At this point, everything remains speculative.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/...l-stream-games

That would be really cool. I'd pay a monthly/yearly fee if the library was significant and of course trophies.

[JBHuskers]

They used the term backwards compatible with the streaming talk. I wonder if you maybe put in the disc, there is something on there that would say "hey this guy has the game, he can stream it" the game wouldn't play off the disc, but something on it would trigger the unlock to stream the game.

[Rudy]

They used the term backwards compatible with the streaming talk. I wonder if you maybe put in the disc, there is something on there that would say "hey this guy has the game, he can stream it" the game wouldn't play off the disc, but something on it would trigger the unlock to stream the game.

That would be a good freaking idea.

[CLW]

Sony clearly "building up" to a PS4 announcement with a "look back" on Youtube:

[CLW]

[JeffHCross]

Exactly, this is one of those things that people are usually mistaken.

I'm not totally sure I believe that M$ gets money from every Blu-ray disc sold. They backed HD-DVD for a reason, after all. Unless they got more from one than the other ...

But, I also don't think including a Blu-ray player will be the end of the console wars. Primarily because money from Blu-rays, assuming Sony gets some, is not likely to go directly back into the Playstation division. If anything, it would prop up the other Sony divisions to the point where the company may not go completely out of business. But if wouldn't be something that would turn the war. I always thought M$ would be unlikely to back "Sony's" format, in the last generation, but not because it would turn the war. Just because I don't see M$ as the type of company to license technology from a competitor.

[CLW]

[Rudy]

Both MS and Sony have taken big hits over the last few years and are nowhere near as solid as they were at the beginning of this gen. Sony has been bleeding a lot of money lately in all their businesses and the PS3 has been a pretty big failure in terms of profit. They lost a crapload those first few years on the system. MS is finally making money on the 360 but with the PC business basically dying their financial bottom line and future is nowhere near as strong as it was when it launched the 360. Both companies need their next console to be profitable and I think the slow sales of the Wii U make it unlikely the tablet filled marketplace will support three consoles in the future (maybe not even two). Good luck trying to sell a new console at $400+ this time around.

[bdoughty]

I'm not totally sure I believe that M$ gets money from every Blu-ray disc sold.

I never said every disc. I said every disc where the VC-1 codec was used.


What video codecs will Blu-ray support?

MPEG-2 - enhanced for HD, also used for playback of DVDs and HDTV recordings.
MPEG-4 AVC - part of the MPEG-4 standard also known as H.264 (High Profile and Main Profile).
SMPTE VC-1 - standard based on Microsoft's Windows Media Video (WMV) technology.

Please note that this simply means that all Blu-ray players and recorders will have to support playback of these video codecs, it will still be up to the movie studios to decide which video codec(s) they use for their releases.

[JBHuskers]

According to The Times in the UK, the PS4 will launch at £300; which is the equivalent to $399 here.

[CLW]

According to The Times in the UK, the PS4 will launch at £300; which is the equivalent to $399 here.

Only one option? I assumed they would go with a tiered approach again.

[I OU a Beatn]

That probably is the standard option. I'd imagine there would be one with a bigger hard drive for $450. I think they really want to have at least one model at that $400 price point, though, because that's exactly when the PS3 started finally selling the way they imagined.

[JBHuskers]

Only one option? I assumed they would go with a tiered approach again.

Stretching out the tiers is probably the best model. You'll get those who get the first, then want to go out and get the next one up, and trade the old one in.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.

[CLW]

Stretching out the tiers is probably the best model. You'll get those who get the first, then want to go out and get the next one up, and trade the old one in.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.

I'm hoping the HDD is the same size and its buy the cheap model and just pop in the old PS3 harddrive after clearing it out.

[JBHuskers]

I'm hoping the HDD is the same size and its buy the cheap model and just pop in the old PS3 harddrive after clearing it out.

Depending on the streaming details, I'll still be playing a ton of PS3 games, so I'd initially be still in need of my HDD. Plus I'd still have to get a new HDD since the TB HDD I had didn't work well and I had to go back to my 320GB.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[CLW]

[JeffHCross]

I never said every disc. I said every disc where the VC-1 codec was used.

Ah. Didn't realize there was more than one.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.

Almost no way it's 1 TB in my mind. I'd honestly be surprised to see 500 GB, even. Maybe for the "higher" option.

[JBHuskers]

Ah. Didn't realize there was more than one.
Almost no way it's 1 TB in my mind. I'd honestly be surprised to see 500 GB, even. Maybe for the "higher" option.

You gotta think these games are going to take up more space, plus more digital delivery. Going the SATA route, they don't license or sell hard drives. I'm guess not too many people buy a console, then jump on the next one that has a bigger hard drive. Makes sense to launch with a bigger hard drive.

[Rudy]

I'm still not a fan of digital distribution. I want a physical disc I can buy and sell when I'm done. Of course if they block used game sales digital will be nice and easy but it also makes gaming more expensive. I trade/sell almost everything and I'll rent once in awhile. I hope they have a digital rental store. Huge hard drives only add to the cost of the machine.

[JeffHCross]

You gotta think these games are going to take up more space, plus more digital delivery. Going the SATA route, they don't license or sell hard drives. I'm guess not too many people buy a console, then jump on the next one that has a bigger hard drive. Makes sense to launch with a bigger hard drive.

See, it's the "makes sense" part that makes me assume it won't come to pass.