PlayStation and Xbox Take Very Different Approaches to Next Gen

IGN: Sydnee Goodman talks about how PlayStation and Xbox seem to be taking very different approaches to next gen after PlayStation boss, Jim Ryan, says that PS5 games don't have to run on PS4; but, new PS4 games do have to run on PS5 and there's a PS5 conference coming June 4th.

[Obscure_Observer]

Very different indeed.

[averagejoe26]

Yep. Sony focusing on amazing new games and Xbox focusing on nostalgia and old games

[Actually]

How do you know neither has shown their first party offerings yet?

[Hayter456]

Do you say that about PSNow?...

[RosweeSon]

Which they are limited on as well 🤷🏻‍♂️🥴 😜 who wants to play binx the cat. Halo collections already remastered and there’s a newer better version of Forza most years I don’t really get what’s to go back for on Xbox 1000 games 10% off which are worth playing 10% of that which are top notch. So about 10 games. 🤷🏻‍♂️✌🏻 ;🤓

[King_Noctis]

Why do you keep ignoring new MS’ games?

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Fan fiction.

You make it sound like MS is solely only focusing on BC which would be stupid. Or let's ignore games they already have announced and more being announced In July. Just because they're doing BC better doesn't mean that's all their doing.

But that's the new N4G fairy Tale now. Since you guys love imagining and pretending.

[neutralgamer1992]

averagejoe26

No doubt about it there will be games only available for PlayStation 5 coming from Sony while every game coming for Microsoft can be played on last generation consoles along with PC

And people who are saying Sony news support PlayStation 4 Yes they are supporting it with two of their biggest games. I feel like since the last 3 years of Xbox 360 and this whole generation Microsoft Xbox team and their fans have been saying just wait just wait till next year just wait till next year this has become my E3 slogan for them. If the last of us part 2 and ghost were being made by Ms they would have delayed them to launch alongside Xbox series x this is how much confidence Sony has they are releasing them on current gen consoles

[Edito]

@Acctually

They don't have to... Sony is Committed to knew experiences no PS5 games on PS4, and Microsoft is committed to same games on all Xbox consoles and PC so yeah you will be playing new games with last gen experience because they will have to make a new game run on Series X and the original Xbox One...

[Imortus_san]

"Sony focusing on amazing new games and Xbox focusing on nostalgia and old games">

Reallity

Game Pass focusing on amazing new games and PS Now focusing on nostalgia and old games

[DarXyde]

RosweeSon,

For me, Burnout Revenge and Ninja Gaiden Black would be cool to revisit.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Aimotussan...that is whataboutism and has zero bearing..Gamepass does not move the needle for MS at all...they are getting destroyed to this day..Gamepass is a good service, but fanboys grossly overrate it's importance.

[UltraNova]

Imortus_san

You should first learn the difference between a game service and actual games.

[darthv72]

It should come as no surprise that the initial batch of launch games for a new console generally are starting life on their previous console. Unless, of course, the new console never had a prior release. Like when PS1 came out or the og xbox. Sony not making cross gen games is their choice. MS making cross gen games is also their choice. There is no rule that they both have to do the same thing.

And yes, there will eventually be SX games that wont work on the previous XBO but until that time comes... MS is making sure people have something to play if they have not upgraded to the SX. I plan on getting the SX so those initial games will take advantage of the SX but just not 'full' advantage. And that is usually the case anyways. It isnt until after the first couple of years that we really start seeing what the new hardware is capable of. Keep this in mind, games like Last of Us 2 and Ghost of Tsushima are still running on the same hardware from 6-7 years ago. And look how much better the devs got at understanding the hardware over time. That is the creativity and experience with the hardware more so than the hardware itself. Next gen will be no different.

[4Sh0w]

Thats BS, 95% of all the games this gen could be scaled back to run on 360/ps3. Sure it would mean at least 1 or a combination, possibly all of some things like less effects, lighting, physics, lower framerate & longer load times but you're buying the hype if you truly believe most of these games this gen or next gen CANT BE DOWNSCALED to play on older hardware while existing in all its glory that the devs intend it to be with the newsest hardware available. ITS A SIMPLE MATTER OF WILL & BUDGET.

Shiii if Sony/Micro/Devs wanted to they could make ANY next gen game devs wanted with latest high end ray tracing, vast open world, 4K 60fps, graphical beast with no thought in mind of current gen, downscale & port it. I mean these are essentially computers of which all have very similar architecture of various power levels. Its always been true that when dev said X wont run on Z they meant in its current form. BUT if you cut a) from X you got it running on Z, albeit at lesser performance. Sony here is clearly articulating they are just not willing to do that...not unlike previous gens, micro on the other hand has chosen to buck that trend, gamers should be happy as long as of course they put forth the effort to make impactful XSX games.

[DJStotty]

Yeah because all that 3rd party showing for xbox series x was all "nostalgia and old games"

Don't be mad that xbox may have better BC options for the consumer, demand the same from your plastic manufacturer.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Jim Ryan does have a point. Why would you spend millions of dollars developing and manufacturing new consoles if you aren't going to create new games that make full use of 3D audio, SSD speeds, and increased processing power? I find it odd that some seem to think that doing things that undermine sales of consoles is a good idea.

[UltraNova]

Exactly. Imagine for a minute if Epic went to MS wanting to showcase their U5 engine on their platform and MS asked to make it run on Xbox one too. How would that go? Can you imagine how would that demo look like on Xbox One? Would Epic be able to deliver that kind of fidelity or would they have to significantly limit their vision due to orders of magnitude slower IO speeds, CPU and GPU? Worst yet, how would lumen and nanite look like? Would those features even be showcased? How much would they have to sacrifice to be able to make it run on last-gen?

Sure they could downscale everything to make it work but that's not all there is to it; the entire game dseing would have to be gimped too to run on xb1. That's exactly the predicament I wish devs won't have to find themselves in while developing their games going forward, having to allocate time and resources in gimping their tech/vision instead of focusing on making their games as advanced as they can and that's exactly what they'll have to face for the next two years in order to release their games on Xbox SX. What does this mean for 3rd party games on PS5? Fortunately, Sony 1st party will not find themselves in that situation.

That's the difference in both approaches, one advances things and the other limits them.

I'm so happy Sony and MS are taking a different path.

[fiveby9]

I plan to upgrade to a PS5 first. I can play any Xbox exclusive on my PC or my X1x. I don't see a need to upgrade to the XsX at launch.

[LimpTool]

So when Horizons comes out next year on PS5 all PS4 owners will be SoL then. You'd make more money when it works on both consoles. Develope for the PS5 and port it to PS4.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@LimpTool
Well if you want to play Horizon Zero Dawn 2 you'll buy a PS5. That's how exclusives work.

[rainslacker]

MS is taking an either or approach. You can't have new gen games and support older hardware, so they'll just support older hardware, and make cross gen ports for the new.

Sony hasn't made it's full plans known with releases yet, but historically, they have continued support after a new gen starts, and still provide new gen games at the same time.

In the past, MS has just left behind the old gen, and made stuff for the new, so this time they're just taking the other extreme.

Whether that's good or bad I guess depends on your perspective.

@Limptool

Sony sold millions of copies of H:ZD because it was one of the first games that was truly what I'd call a next gen game. It probably could have been scaled back some for PS3, but memory issues may have prevented it. Regardless, pushing it to PS4 only, helped sell PS4's, which is what Sony wants. Same will be true with their next gen games.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Yeah Sony being in a position to Support both PS4 and PS5 launch simultaneously with exclusives while MS is way behind is different.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

@actually..Ms has said no Xbox Series X exclusives for 1-2 years...my explanation as to why is above, they do not have their first party ready and cannot do what sony is doing, supporting both PS4 and ps5 launch simultaneously..

[UltimateRacer]

Glad Sony are taking there approach, no cross gen games just PS5 titles from the start, another load of kick ass exclusives to come from there studios, going to be incredible.

[alb1899]

I'm not convinced that is the right way or the only way to do it right.
The first year of a new generation no game takes really advantage of the new technology so, I don't think that you will see amazing difference between what ether of them offer.
Plus, is good to don't have the pressure to change generation because there's still support and you can play with your friends no matter in what generation they are in to. Plus the Smart Delivery is just so good and the compatibility.
The AAA games take really long time to make so when they are ready, we well be impressed and almost everyone will have the new console.
Excellent.

[UltimateRacer]

Games like Killzone Shadowfall, Infamous second son etc took advantage of PS4 right from the start because they were only on PS4 so Sonys approach does and will work with PS5, it’s the right way to go no question but your entitled to your opinion, Peace.

[alb1899]

Ultimateracer
They took some advantages but how successful were does games?
They were average games and the real difference was shown one or two years later.

[thecodingart]

“
They took some advantages but how successful were does games?
They were average games and the real difference was shown one or two years later.
” - alb1899

.. You are entitled to your opinion man... but I don’t think anyone can take you serious after these comments.

[RosweeSon]

It worked for ps1/2 and 4 so I don’t see why them releasing games from day1 for the next gen console is a bad thing. Games console I don’t understand why this is a hard thing to grasp for a fair few and Microsoft but it’s about the Games for your games console 😑🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤣 it worked for pretty much every other console manufacturer previously the main times it didn’t work is crazy ideas always online etc and Nintendo have some mad ones but they see them through good or bad they’ll still support it for a few years. The main times it doesn’t work tho is lack of support lack of games and just bad ideas all round. Nintendo found that out after wii u and a very slow start with 3ds Sony found out with Vita and especially with ps3 hence PS4 corrected it big times games from day one vita ports of some brilliant games even stole gravity rush 2 from vita and went ps4 only games galore and you’ll win the war 🤓✌🏻😜

[alb1899]

Thecodingart
And that's your opinion.

[UltimateRacer]

Funny thing is I recently watched a digital foundry video we’re even now they praised both Killzone Shadowfall and Infamous Second Son saying they both hold up really well for early gen titles.

[alb1899]

Rosweeson
I never said that it is a bad thing what I did said is that there are more than one way to do things right and that I think both have oposit aproch but both can be right.

[alb1899]

Ultimateracer
You just said it: "they both hold up really well for early gen titles."
What that implies? ;)

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

alb1899 - It implies that they were technically very solid upon release.

The games Sony releases at launch on PS5 will likely be the same.

But let's not split hairs - at the end of the day Sony 1st parties are competing amongst themselves.

WWS will show what next gen consoles are about. And Thursday is when it all starts.

[OB1Biker]

'is good to don't have the pressure to change generation "
Oh come on.
Ps4 has incredible support and cross gen play was announced last year already.

[outsider1624]

Some of you guys don't understand at all.
This is about setting up next gen. You got to make console enticing enough for the millions of casuals out there. If every game is playable on xboxone, xboxX and pc...what is the reason for people to buy the Series X. Thats the question. Please explain to me how you're going to sell the new console.

If MS were the only console manufacturers, then yeah. But they have a competition, and not just any competition, they're up against Sony's Playstation.

Sony's trying to transitioned from current gen to next gen. Those who still wants to play on the ps4, they can. They still got TLOU2 and GhostofT coming up. With the Ps5 you can still play ps4 games but at the same time New Games/ Exclusives playable ONLY on Ps5. They may not take advantage of the system right now..but they're giving you a reason to play Next Gen Games not capable on Ps4.

Exclusives sells consoles. Why do you think MS purchased all those studios. So they can create new IPs for the Series X but those studios don't/ won't have time to release their games on time for launch. That's why they won't have Exclusives for the Series X until 1-2 years.

Feel free to debate with that.

[Knushwood Butt]

'But let's not split hairs - at the end of the day Sony 1st parties are competing amongst themselves'

So true, and somehow they keep going one better, to the point that when, inevitably, one of them doesn't, it will still be an extremely high quality product.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Consider this. If Xbox Series X games can be played on PC and Xbox One what would be the reason to spend $500 on a Xbox Series X? Minecraft at 4K/60FPS?

[Games1st]

They are using the main strength PlayStation 5. Making games quickly with single platform, by balancing ease of development with power. PS5 is easier to developer for than PS4. Dead time was 1-2 months, now under a month. Developers will gain more experience and put out more games throughout early years.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Total nonsense..Sony is supporting PS4 and PS5 simultaneously, MS is behind on their first party projects, and are spinning it as they are..

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

@ALB..the sales figures are out there..Shadow fall sold very well and Infamous sold 1 million in it's first 9 days./.....either way nice strawman, no one said anything about sales, stop spinning

[alb1899]

Outsider1624
You are right, if nothing changes in the next 3 months you are right 100%. I can't argue with that.

[neutralgamer1992]

Ultimate

whole purpose of new consoles should be that games are possible on them which are not possible only last generation consoles. there is absolutely no way a game that is built for ground up for PlayStation 5 or Xbox series X should be able to run on last year and consoles how is that even possible when we have to take into effect the SSD the stronger GPUs and CPUs. The SSD factor alone shouldn't make it possible

So that in itself will hold back a lot of games that Microsoft will make because they have to support console which is 12 teraflops and console which is one teraflop

alb1899

Yes and they are supporting PS4 with 2 if their biggest exclusives yet to come out. Sony knows 3rd parties will continue to support PS4 for years because of the install base so they can focus on next generation

Something Ms should have wanted to do and leave this gen behind where they got manhandled by Sony/ps4

[starchild]

Infamous Second Son could easily have been scaled down to run on the PS3. It wouldn't look nearly as nice or run at as high of a resolution, but it could have been done. It didn't even look as good as Assassin's Creed Unity on PC, so this idea that it was doing things that no other gaming device could possibly handle is just nonsense.

[--Onilink--]

A game built from the ground up that simply cannot be done on the previous gen wont be coming out on the 1st year anyway. And usually the more technically advanced those launch games are, the more they lack in other areas, because those games dont have the luxury of delaying for polish or extra content.

Killzone is still a looker, but it was just decent. Ryse also looked great and it was mediocre overall. The closest one I would say was Infamous (which did have a couple more months) and even then most of the side content in the game was incredibly repetitive or boring, especially compared to Infamous 2

[neutralgamer1992]

Starchild

Yeah I don't think so the ram factor alone won't make it possible. But PS3 was on another level the cell processor is Uber strong even now if developers actually knew how to use it

--Onilink--

Get ready for June 4th I think Sony will prove it otherwise. They have been getting ready for next gen for past 3 or so years and many of their developers have had ample amount of time and they are the ones who gave a lot of feedback to cerny . Ps5 is the easiest console to develop for since ps1. I know what you are saying in the past has been true usually early on consoles don't get excellent games but I think this time might be different

[starchild]

Nope. It's part of the reason a console like that will never be my primary gaming device. I bought my PS4 Pro only around three years ago and it could easily run any game they make for the PS5, except with reduced settings, resolution, etc. They are only concerned with getting you to buy their new console. Now a perfectly good piece of hardware is going to be effectively dead, because consoles for me are only for the exclusives anyway. So if my PS4 Pro gets no further exclusives then it only got three years of life, which is pathetic.

I prefer PC because you have such tremendous backwards and forwards compatibly. My current PC will have no problem playing upcoming next gen games, but it also has backwards compatibility with decades of PC games. Compare that to Sony's consoles where you get no forward compatibility on the PS4/PS4 Pro and only partial backwards compatibility on the PS5.

[Knushwood Butt]

If you bought a PS4 for the exclusives, like you say, then you have access to every exclusive released during the PS4's lifespan.

[OB1Biker]

When you think of it, it's a bit like crying because you have to upgrade your 7 year old PC to play the latest games.

[outsider1624]

What rubbish!! Are you a developer?
You think Second Son will run on a 512 mb ram machine? Easily scaled down to what? No npcs, less buildings, lets not even talk about lighting and the graphics.

3 years of exclusives? Lol...stop lying man.
If you really bought your pro for exclusives you'd have a whole lot of exclusives from 2013 (for cheap too) till July this year.

They are only concerned with getting "you to buy their new console."

They have done this practically for generations and have always become the top selling console. If you feel that Sony are just forcing you to buy a new console. You should stick with PC and enjoy it or better yet get the Series X and play all your old games at 4k 120fps.

[remixx116]

@outsider

Exactly his argument is dumb as hell, he knew damn well the limited time frame of relevance that comes with purchasing a mid gen upgrade. It's always been like this so I'm confused why he's treating it like it's something brand new.

PS3 had 512 mb ram, PS4 had 1.8 tf. Trust me when I say those are limitations don't and I'm positive most devs don't want to be held back by.

Saying "just downscale" doesn't work because there is a point where you can't downscale to fix it unless you want to remove entire chunks of the world, disable functions or reduce certain physics actions and even then it still may not be enough.

[Imortus_san]

Incredible like this gen? were they have 6 great games out of 100?

[rainslacker]

Did they so no cross gen games? I think they'll probably still have some. Maybe not their big blockbusters. But they have said that they'll have next gen only games, which is counter to what MS has said for the early gen.

[Godmars290]

I think MS is conceding the console war while pretending they're still in it. Are more focused on BC, cementing themselves in gaming culture, while putting the Xbox brand into a position where its physical box can be phased into irrelevancy. Be a multimedia app playable on PC, phone or TV via streaming.

[EazyC]

I hope you're wrong, it's not a good thing for any of us if Sony is the only show in town when it comes to serious gaming.

[The Wood]

Wait Nintendo and pc do exist.

[rainslacker]

When I think about it, I think I'd rather see Nintendo compete in the home console market in the way that MS is now, rather than care if MS continues or not. But I think Nintendo couldn't do that with MS still in the market. Nintendo would have to make a few changes, but I believe if they managed to take a more "mature" approach and added a few games that aren't as cartoonish to push more mature sensibilities, then they could get back to being a major player in the hardcore high end console market. It's not that their games aren't good, its that their presentation is not going to be something that is perceived by the masses as something that appeals to them. Or more aptly described as not diverse enough in terms of presentation.

[Godmars290]

Between MS maintaining a console presence, even if in name only, Nintendo and Amazon trying to come in -maybe even Stadia - Sony's not likely to become complacent. In that regard at least.

Seem to have actually learned from their mistake with the PS3.

[kneon]

@Godmars290

They were not complacent with the PS3, nor were they taking their position for granted. People whined about the price but it was actually a steal for what you were getting. It came out of the box with features that xbox would only add years later. And it was by far the cheapest blu-ray player on the market.

It was a bargain but people seem to think that consoles shouldn't increase in price every generation, even though most things in life do.

[King_Noctis]

“ Wait Nintendo and pc do exist.”

Based on alot of people here, Nintendo is not in the competition and PC is not a console.

[Godmars290]

@kneon:
It was complacency, of a sort, making system architecture difficult to use, and by default hard to port to other systems, as a way to manipulate the market. By all counts they used the same tactic with the PS2 so only repeated it. Because of that move which pissed off devs, an exec's off comment which along with the $600 MS beat into the ground, they hurt themselves.

Thing is, that price when BR players were twice the price, the PS3 as an early BR media center was an extreme bargain.

[Ausbo]

Godmars has been predicting the downfall of Xbox since I joined this site over a decade ago. Ignore him

[Veneno]

Choices and competition are good and important but when you weigh what is in front of you instead of spewing the tired old lazy " Sony Monopoly" lie you will realize that the reality is that Xbox dropping out and a new company filling in the spot would be more healthy for the console market.

Realistically if Xbox dropped out, It's totally viable for Sega to find investors to revive the Sega brand of consoles because everyone loves Sega games, they just made too many mistakes with hardware. As I've said in the past I think it would be killer if a European company like Ubisoft or perhaps a UK company would enter the console market. PC machines made in Europe were very popular back in the day. There's already a legacy. And Europe has an abundance of developers.

But these scenarios would only be possible if Xbox were to drop out as there would be more opportunity. So tired of hearing the ridiculous " we need competition" ignorant comments. Competition is constantly coming in even now. Who would have thought that Google, Facebook, and Epic would have entered the ring? No one saw that coming.

[-Foxtrot]

It makes sense to be honest.

Get people drawn into buying a brand new Xbox console one more time and you have 7 years or so to put your new vision for the Xbox brand in place. Maybe these new studios after the first game or so will end up focusing on Gamepass

If Microsoft ends up putting a small exclusive title on Nintendo consoles, and I mean a full on Microsoft exclusive (not something second party) then it could be a sign of them slowly turning themselves into a publisher, wanting their brand on as many devices as possible, could be why Horizon is coming to the PC because Sony knows this. Who knows what the future has it store.

[Godmars290]

"If Microsoft ends up putting a small exclusive title on Nintendo consoles,"

Or, just keep buying studios committed to multiplatform releases that include the PS4. Aside from Minecraft, isn't Outer worlds on PS4?

[UltraNova]

@godmars.

The outer worlds was to be released on ps4 long before MS acquired the studio. They had to honor the previous contract. Now, if tOW 2 comes out on ps5 then you'll be on to something,

[Kabaneri]

MS is playing the long game... they know they can't beat Sony in console sales but they're making the right moves to become a permanent force in the games industry. Just look at all their recent acquisitions and the partnership they have with Sony on the Azure servers. Sony is using a strategy similar to Apple with their closed off ecosystem. It will be interesting to see which approach results in more profits.

[Godmars290]

People have been saying that since OG Xbox. They were suppose to match Sony with their 2rd system, then outperform them with the 3rd. This was before OG got dusted, 360 "won" or the X1X crapped itself out the gate.

We have literally seen their long game with the results being the Xbox brand is a joke internationally while needs to be propped up domestically. They're talking system power, doing nothing of real substance with it, while actually being all about streaming, old libraries, new bought IP, and above all games as services with emphasis on 'Pay Me".

[EazyC]

Eh... the way I see it, MS have diluted their brand to a dangerous point...they started to falter sometime around when Kinect was announced... They kept pace for a while but Sony has been dominating for years now.

[neutralgamer1992]

Kabaneri

Og Xbox
Xbox 360
Xbox one
Xbox x
Xbox series x

What long game they started out last and they are still behind Sony and nintendo. For the last 10 years their E3 slogan is wait till next year

[starchild]

@Godmars290
You live in a bubble, Godmars. Most gamers are not hardcore fanboys like many of you on this site. You're a tiny yet vocal minority. Most normal people do not see things in black and white the way you do. The fact that Samsung greatly outsells Sony in TVs doesn't mean that Sony is seen as a "joke" internationally. The fact that iOS has a much smaller market share than Android does not mean that people view iOS as a joke platform. There are still tens of millions of people that buy Sony TVs, iOS phones and Xbox consoles. Just because they aren't leading in sales doesn't mean they are irrelevant or seen as a joke.

[UltraNova]

starchild

You are right that hardcore gamers are the minority but that's also why you are wrong because the vast majority of Xbox owners (casuals) could care less about buying the new Xbox since they can simply stick with their existing one to play MS games whereas Playstation casuals will have to buy a ps5 to able to play new Sony games. You either are in the race to win (MS still makes consoles) or you're not. In other words, as long as MS makes consoles they'll either win or lose in that respect.

[Spurg]

"Are more focused on BC"
They are not more focused on BC. This stems from way back to the reveal of Xbox one where Don said absurd quote like" If you want backward compatibility then you're truly backward". Xbox one was heavily criticized for not having BC.
Phil and team have that feature in the console whether people will use it or not its there choice. The BC isn't tacked on either is a unique feature different from how BC usually works. Plus the fact that you guys are not criticizing Sony for BC is astounding as their library is supposed to be superior and will be locked on the Sony consoles and for that generation only. I'm guessing Sony gamers much rather spend money on a 4k remaster later down the road which may be Sony's intension.

"I think MS is conceding the console war while pretending they're still in it."
What does that even mean? Acquiring 9 studios and having a stronger focus on core gaming with high end hardware...how does that mean they are conceding.

"while putting the Xbox brand into a position where its physical box can be phased into irrelevancy."
???

"Be a multimedia app playable on PC, phone or TV via streaming."
I'm sorry I thought you were describing Psnow.

See now that goes again what you just said about "phasing into irrelevancy" as being on those devices will multiply is relevancy.

You just don't have any argument.

[Godmars290]

They are not going to have any Series X games for their Series X console when it launches. When they do, they're also going to be on PC. They may be on phones via streaming. That doesn't sound like any focus on console hardware.

And they've bought studios before. Rare, if you actually look at their history under MS, literally exemplifies the best and worst of what MS does with studios they buy.

"I'm sorry I thought you were describing Psnow."

When we were talking about PSnow, we weren't talking about current gen, AAA high profile day-one releases. When I'm talking about irrelevancy I'm talking about hardware, not the Xbox brand itself which, again, is not strictly the hardware.

MS's next system, which wont have anything to justify getting it day-one except better looking titles from older hardware. Or, as MS themselves have said, years after their newest hardware is out.

Hell, they may not even have or be talking about one new system when their one new system comes out. Wont emphasize power, rather cost.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

"Are more focused on BC"

There are just more excuses being made here. So them talking about BC recently isn't foreshadowing them scaling back or narrowing down on anything, it's just a feature, a feature that MS at the beginning didn't believe in.

"while putting the Xbox brand into a position where its physical box can be phased into irrelevancy."

Again if that was remotely true then they would release the S Series with no X version in sight and no plans for a mid gen X Series refresh. A console that would be 2 to 3x faster than Xbox One One X and would last no more than 4 years then be out dated then phasing out the console and would want you to invest in PC and other devices later. While all the X Series major specs and features being only on the newest high end PC's and devices while the Series S will oy have half the feature. XGP would of released on PC, phones, Tablets etc first then console second. Smart Delivery would on be between X1 and PC etc enticing gamers to go on PC and again other devices. None of those things are happening with any
if MS directions and announcements. So your theory is vastly unfounded.

If X Series fails then yes they'll do a slow phase as you described.

[Godmars290]

All I'm reading is that you agree with me, only you've tried to write it like you don't.

Have to wait for MS to actually put something out, literally show their hand, but things come off as this being, if not an expensive yet empty gesture, then their last honest push into the console market. And if they're already talking about a cheaper, less powerful or disc-less version of the Series X before its even actually out, guess where I'm putting my money.

Yeah, it not MS. Not either. Not yet anyway.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Angelic - "So them talking about BC recently" - thats been their natrative for the last 4 or so years.

It's going to be a long gen for ms.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I'm sayin I would agree if the console fails or under performs then I can see a slow phase out. But everything you described has no evidence or any backing or logically what you said makes no sense from their direction lately. But It's hard to tell what would be consider a failure in a sense in MS eyes.

[Godmars290]

How are you going tell MS considers their system a failure when they've done everything to either remove or confuse public sales information? Have throughout their time in consoles shown levels of denial and delusion. A "we"re *ALWAYS* doing *GREAT*!" mentality that's actually effected their products when their other mentality is "put it out now, patch it later."

[neutralgamer1992]

Godmars290

I think you have a legit point Ms rather their games be playable everywhere and selling a box isn't important to them but selling Xbox live and gamepass memberships are important to them and those can only truly succeed if you have your own hardware

[Godmars290]

Game Pass is on PC, will be on phones and maybe TVs, m'dude.

[-Foxtrot]

I just feel Microsoft has something up their sleeve with sticking with last gen, and it's not because of them being super nice.

Why have all that power then decide to let last gen hold you back in some areas. It'll be used as an excuse down the line, just you watch.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Well everyone complained MS dropped support to early on their last consoles now that they're supporting the old console for a little while longer ppl complain.

So what's really the outrage here? At least make the complaints consistent.

[The Wood]

C'mon man you know what people are saying. They dropped support for the 360 in the final 3rd of last gen and this gen was worse than last gen in regards to output and unit sales. They know they aren't global like their main competitors so banding all of the platforms together under the guise of leaving nobody behind is definitely their best chance of competing. Some call it 'gamer friendly' some see the swerve especially in comparison to how they tried to enter this gen and the metrics they used to hold dear. Being gamer friendly is being consistent with quality output for a generation not just a portion. I'm glad each company has different approaches to be honest. Each to their own.

[The Wood]

C'mon man you know what people are saying. They dropped support for the 360 in the final 3rd of last gen and this gen was worse than last gen in regards to output and unit sales. They know they aren't global like their main competitors so banding all of the platforms together under the guise of leaving nobody behind or being gamer friendly is definitely their best chance of competing in the mindshare department. Some call it 'gamer friendly' some see the swerve especially in comparison to how they tried to enter this gen and the metrics they used to hold dear now being irrelevant. Being gamer friendly is being consistent with quality output for a generation not just a portion. I'm glad each company has different approaches to be honest. Each to their own. Unit sales will still matter as will quality exclusive output.

I'm well glad Sony will make dedicated next gen only games. I'm not dropping x amount of p on new hardware that is being held back or hamstrung. I expect the internal teams to reach for the stars

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

They are pitching $500 hardware upgrade without any unique software for 18-24 months.... this has never been done by a console launch.

[Chevalier]

Its not BC that is the issue. Its this supposed 'support' you speak of. Set the low bar in games and thats where Xbox is this whole generation. Next gen should be easy to step over the low bar.

[Godmars290]

No immediate 1st party support for their new console(s)?

[rainslacker]

It's all about game pass. The games they have for the XSX launch can run on this gen, so if they can manage to keep their current user base engaged in Game Pass, it helps to give them time to improve game pass, and hopefully, people will not become impatiant with next gen games.

What it comes down to is that if they don't have games for game pass for the current owners, they will lose out on subs, because I think they now that the XSX has to do a lot to become a major player for next gen.

some of the things they're doing are the right direction to go, but they just aren't in the position yet to actually deliver. What remains to be seen is how it all pans out, and what they'll eventually deliver. But as it stands, Game Pass is more important to them, and their future streaming service is going to be just as important. If they make more money there, they'd drop the console market quick enough, because why fight so hard when Nintendo can make plenty of money without catering to the high end console market, and Sony has such a firm grip on the high end console market.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

It is a bad thing they're not dropping X1 immediately now, ok. I guess it all determines how their exclusives will look across X1 and X Series. If they look fantastic Then X Series only games will look much better. If Halo Infinite not only looks better and plays drastically better on X Series. Then the X Series will be a easy sell. I've used Titan Fall as an example because That game sold better on X1 than it did on PC and 360. 360 being way more popular than X1 and the X1 still sold way more even after the after math of its terrible philosophy. Why? Easy, advertisement.

Everyone loves talking about history so it should make sense here. Watch Dogs on PS4 sold better than the PS3. That bundle also helped it.

MS will work that exact same magic with X Series. Like I said if whatever they show looks good on X1, looks better on X Series then I imagine X Series only games to look much pretty ground breaking.

That all remains to be seen.

[Baza]

Focusing on a truly next gen experience. Im on board.

[chiefJohn117]

Not really

[Tross]

Yes really. MS is basically saying there will be no XSX exclusives for a while as Xbox exclusives will all also run on the XB1. Sony is saying that the days of PS4 exclusives are over (or at least that such titles will work on the PS5, if you're really hung up on semantics), but there will indeed be PS5 exclusives.

[chiefJohn117]

We already know for a fact there will be XSX exclusives and ps5 will also have some Cross gen games. Soo not really lol. Some of you are so simple minded you ignore something right in front of your face

[OB1Biker]

It's different in that Sony is pushing to use the PS5 potential from the beginning and with true exclusives.
Ms wants to push cross gen games for the moment.
That doesnt mean SX wont have true next gen games (more likely from 3rd party first) and that doesnt mean PS5 wont have cross gen games.

[ElementX]

I posted this quote in another article that's not looking like it's getting approved, so here it is:

"We have always felt that we had a responsibility to serve that [PS4] community for several years after the launch of PS5 and that it represented a huge business opportunity for us," Ryan says. " https://www.gamesindustry.b...

Obviously people cherry pick the part of the interview where Ryan states that Sony believes in generations... but nowhere is it explicitly stated that all Sony games going forward will be PS5 exclusive.

[rainslacker]

Support for the old doesn't mean you can't also give exclusive support to the new. Sony seems to have found the proper balance with the PS2 and PS3 so far, and chances are, they'll have some of that balance for the PS4 to PS5.

It's not a all or nothing zero sum proposition like MS is making it into for a year or two. The early adopters tend to be the people who want to see what new hardware is capable of, and never once before this thing with MS, have I ever seen an acceptance of the "lazy dev" scenario when it comes to launching next gen games.

[ElementX]

People have commented that Sony is switching over to next gen completely, that isn't going to be the case. Look around on reddit and other sites. People always look to the quote brought up in the video without reading the full interview. I'm just bringing it to everybody's attention because people here and other places look at the headlines and not the full article on many stories. How many comments do you see asking "did you even read the article?" People are too lazy to look at the whole picture and then jump to conclusions

[rainslacker]

Yeah, and I feel that people are taking one extreme or the other. That's not atypical though, because it makes it easier to make arguments that serve an agenda.

[ElementX]

People do take things to extremes. There seems to be no middle ground, it's either Sony or Microsoft. People making a comment get downvoted even if they are making sense and have valid points just because they like the other console. At the end of the day it doesn't matter because they are just stupid votes, but it shows how closeminded some people are. Rain, at least you make valid counter points/arguments. I don't believe I've ever downvoted anything you've said, because it makes sense even if sometimes I don't always agree

[rainslacker]

Usually downvotes, or even agrees, I don't pay much attention to. What I notice as well is if you try to take the middle of the road, or at least try to understand but don't take an extreme, even if you aren't on board with something, it's still an us vs. them thing.

It does get tiresome.

[OB1Biker]

Ps4 will be supported but the difference is in the philosophy. Sony is pushing more for using next gen potential from the get go even if some games are still cross gen like TLOU2 MP.
Ms big marketing will be to push Halo which is cross gen. The problem is people pretending Sony approach is anti consumer while it's not at all. PS5 owners will be very happy to have next gen games and ps4 still has great support.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Sony has always supported previous gen consoles for a few years after a new gen starts, but Ryan is clearly saying that PS5 exclusives will not be playable on PS4.

[Hayter456]

Both have interesting takes. MS have been making all the right moves and Sony no doubt will have great games too.

[Bruh]

NO amount of scaling is going to allow you to push visuals when the Xbox One is your base performance target. This is exactly why PC games while boasting higher resolutions, textures, AMO quality, framerate etc, do not possess graphical fidelity beyond what consoles are dishing out. Its when console cycles see an upgrade that developers start to evolve their game engines to match the newer standard in hardware.

Point is, despite having the more powerful hardware, Series X can't be pushed by developers who have to account for the Xbox One and its archaic hardware. I don't want to see Xbox One games at double the frame-rate and at much higher resolutions. I want to see games running on engines that cannot be possible on the base Xbox One. Especially from first party, we all know your CODs, BFs, NBA 2Ks and Maddens are gonna be cross-gen for another 2 plus years.

[starchild]

And yet PC games, with scaling and all, will continue to look better than anything on console, just like last generation and the one before that and on back. People make these outlandish claims every generation and it never comes true. PCs do have higher quality assets in games. What do you think "graphical quality" is comprised of? It comes down to the quality of the assets--the LODs, the textures, the shadow quality, the amount of geometric complexity, etc. PC games do have higher core graphical quality. If you're too blind to see it, that's on you. You're probably better off staying on console.

Yes, consoles do dictate when we see significant new jumps in graphical quality, but that's only because they are a large part of the gaming market, as is PC, and no 3rd party multiplatform developer wants to leave any of the three main platforms out.

[Bruh]

What exactly is the point of your comment? lol you acknowledge console hardware dictates leaps in graphics technology and I never stated PC versions aren't the best possible versions of each title. But I also have yet to see anything look as good as TLOU Part 2 even on PC, because while you can push resolutions, frame-rates and asset qualities. PC versions do not run on a vastly different engine from their console counterparts and as such they are only limited to those improvements.

[Chocoburger]

This! Right! Here!

People defending MS's bad decisions keep mentioning that Xbox Series X first party games will have better graphics than Xbox One games.

Yeah. Okay. So? We all know that already. No one is debating the graphical capabilities of the Xbox Series X. The issue isn't one of visual fidelity, its about interactive game worlds, and the lowest common denominator hardware that dictates how the developers craft those interactive worlds. Fact is, 2013 hardware is going to hold back MS's first party games on their latest console since they have to take into account what the Xbox One is capable of.

[masterfox]

Is really sad MS and Nintendo lost its way on what a new generation of gaming consoles is about, when releasing a new console for a new generation has always been about the games and how the new technology can provide us new experiences in our games, Nintendo knew this in the past , NES ->SNES-N64->Gamecube , Gameboy --> Gameboy Color, GameBoy Advance, for MS was only the xbox to the xbox360, MS with the xbox One just wanted to focus in services, monthly charges to consumers and in the end this was its demise.

Each generational jump in the past was really special for gamers cause we had these gaming companies that were thriving to show who is the best and the games released in that time were really good, really missed the days when you wanted to own all three consoles cause each one them delivered its own unique stunning game for example, Xbox - Halo - Splinter Cell, Otogi, Ninja Gaiden or Nintendo with Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Metal Gear Twin Snakes, Star War games it wasn't only about Marios and Pokemons like this days, but all this is lost know, each console in the past had its design flaws but didn't prevent consumers from buying them cause the games were really good.

The only gaming company who has remained true to its roots at the moment is Sony and this is the reason why they have been the best of all these past decades and well deserve number 1, the real One ;)

[WGAF]

Hum...this sites N4G starting to look more like a cult kinda thing...or it has always been that way?

[EazyC]

This site has an extreme bias towards Sony/Playstation, and I say that as a fan of Playstation. Possibly the most PS-biased community outside of actual PS-focused sites.

[King_Noctis]

You’re quite new here. If you’re looking for news without fanboys and sometimes moronic comments, you’d be better off looking elsewhere.

[Knushwood Butt]

If you are new here then King_Noctis is far from being impartial.

And while we are on the subject, neither am I.

[starchild]

It's a great site, but the userbase is largely dominated by fanboys, particularly Sony fanboys. Saying something in favor of PC, Xbox or Nintendo will usually get you a bunch of downvotes. Personally, it really annoys me. I hate cult-like thinking in any area of life: politics, the AMD vs Intel thing, Chevy vs Ford, etc. It's all mindless tribalism. Real discussion becomes impossible. You enter a fantasy world where nothing real, factual or objective is being talked about. It's all about twisting things into the reality you desire where your "side" is the best and everything else is terrible, or at least very inferior.

[Knushwood Butt]

Only looking at your posts in this thread you clearly state that PC is the best.

What 'real discussion' are you looking for?

You were deceived by Sony when you bought your Pro because you assumed it would be forward-compatible with first party exclusives?

If I buy a PS5, I sincerely hope the games make full use of the new potential.

[Elda]

I'm hyped about Sony's approach with the PS5. Can't wait for this Thursday!!

[mandingo]

Code name for damage control because xsx is clearly and objectively the more capable console. The games remain to be seen tho.

[TheTony316]

In short: Sony is going traditional while MS is going taking the PC approach.

[Maywell]

Microsoft want to resell old games with price of new games? LMAO capitalism growing faster than before.

[Tross]

I know which I prefer. It's worth noting that Sony and MS tend to take different approaches to gaming in general. One tends to move way more units than the other, so it's pretty clear who is better at picking the most lucrative strategy.

[bamillington]

I'm xbox all the way not going back to that overheating bag of shite sony

[pornflakes]

Same

Check my profile - i played many Playstation games in the past. I was always a fan from Playstation. When i bought my first xbox one i sold it after 2 months and bought a used PS4 Metal Gear solid edition (red one).

It took MS some years to get me back on board and now i have to say that due to gamepass i dont want anything else. I like their consumer policy. My one X will get my son by the end of the year while i will buy the series X.

We will still be able to play together - he with worse graphics me on ultra settings - this is a great thing - only SOny fanboys deny this fact but believe me: If Sony would do such a step they would praise them how fair they are, lol.

Its a reason why MS will support for the next 1-2 years last GEN consoles. They wont hold new gen consoles back (thats fanboy thinking) as we will see the first UE5 engine games not before the end of 2021

[Rimeskeem]

It feels like MS are trying to sell you a really nice car but it uses really shit gas while Sony is selling a pretty good car but with way nicer gas.

[Dragonscale]

We already know the outcome and its not gonna be pretty for xbox.

[maikel19]

They said it for third-party developers obviously.
Microsoft has the same approach - you already have un development games that are only for series x, like SCORN. so they don't force to develop to both generations' nad has similar approach to sony who only enforce new registered games to also be developed for PS5(something Microsoft hasn't done because they have back compt)
It's different when it comes to exclusives- I bet sony will be the first to stop developing for PS4, and Microsoft will also follow at some point, and its the natural thing to do. but this will take years. at least 3 years because if not then I bought a ps4 PRO last year for no f**** reason

[Games1st]

Buying PS5 for PS5 games.

[arminukxbox]

So you telling me it’s nice to ignore 100 million people who bough ps4 and don’t make a game for ps4 anymore ?

[Knushwood Butt]

Maybe they'll do a Nintendo, and sell all the old games again at a higher price.

Knack Deluxe 4K - 70 quid!

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

They are making games for it, so you don't have a point..Sony is supporting both....Sony is in a position to support the launch of PS5 with new experiences and still support ps4..you cannot argue the ps4 has not been well supported unless you are dilusional...Making ps5 only games does not mean no more ps4 games.. MLB the show will be cross gen for a bit for instance and wont be the only one... we have TLOU and ghosts in the next two months, meanwhile at Microsoft...Crickets.

MS is totally ignoring the most hardcore fans who spend the most money at launch..Sony is catering to both PS4 and new PS5 users....By far the better way..Why even spend 500 on new tech only for it to be saddled with the old jaguar CPU for 1-2 years?

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

MS and Xbox fans spinning MS lack of next gen readiness as "More consumer friendly never stops being hilarious:

Microsoft better hope the results we see over the next few months match with PR gloss they've been putting on this situation.

Because as is, the situation is that Sony was in a position to both serve their existing platform right up until the very end, and to start pivoting resources 3+ years ago into next-gen projects that would be ready for 2020. To serve both the PS4 audience throughout, and to start serving the PS5 audience with next-gen games from day one.

And Microsoft was not. Their hardware pipeline was ready for transition this year, their first party software pipeline simply isn't.

In terms of transitions historically, Microsoft's situation is the odd man out here, not Sony's.

Trying to spin underdelivery on first party games this gen, and the inability to start next gen projects on time for a 2020 release, as some kind of pro consumer philosophy, is a neat trick. But it's just that, pure marketing gloss over a much simpler explanation: that they simply didn't have their ducks in a row, and the rebuild of the studio group won't bear fruit for another while.

For example, there's nothing magical about the 1-2 year timeframe Matt Booty outlined from a consumer friendliness point of view - it's simply the lag time from the studio investments and/or when they managed to start allocating resources to new next-gen only projects. It's not magically pro-consumer to have those ready for 2021 or 2022 rather than 2020. They simply weren't able to have those projects ready earlier, at least not without reneging on existing public commitments to the Xbox One, which they were never going to do (e.g. without switching Halo Infinite or others to next-gen only).

In the end it comes down to the lineups. If the XSX lineup is competitively impressive despite all this, then they'll have jumped these hoops well. On the other hand if the lack of 'readiness' with next-gen only projects shows, then they will have a much bigger marketing headache than crafting response tweets I think.

[MADGameR]

Rumor has it that Halo MCC is coming to PS5!

[Jayszen]

It is right that the PS5 only plays PS5 games as well as PS4 games and that the PS4 will be unable to play PS5 games. Why else would we need to buy a new gen console? In addition, the hardware differences would limit games on both consoles due to the necessity of having to play on the lesser spec console. The PS4 never had BC included and Sony is only adding this facility to the PS5 due to some gamers demanding it. Now all of a sudden Microsoft is being labelled 'consumer friendly' because it is allowing games to be played across two generations? Frankly, it reeks of spin. PS5 games will be taking full advantage of the new hardware and PS4 games will play better on the new hardware. Games for the new Xbox console will have to be tweaked to allow them to play on the lesser hardware, possibly by removing certain features. Hardly consumer friendly.

[PETE1985]

Microsoft allowing games to run on both gens is no different than the scalability we have seen on PC for years. I have played gears 5 on my home PC (which is not a gaming pc) on low settings just to mess about and the One X version looks like a game from a different generation by comparison.
Sure compromises would need to be made such as fast travel loading due to lack of SSD and lower graphical presets but how is it different from a game running on the newest graphics card on a pc with an SSD Vs and older pc without these upgrades?
I for one have a huge backlog of games and will be happy to play these on series x with whatever improvements they may come with.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

It has zero to do with this and everyything to do with them not having their first party or able to support both PS4, and PS5 launch simulataneously:

aron Greenberg better hope the results we see over the next few months match with PR gloss they've been putting on this situation.

Because as is, the situation is that Sony was in a position to both serve their existing platform right up until the very end, and to start pivoting resources 3+ years ago into next-gen projects that would be ready for 2020. To serve both the PS4 audience throughout, and to start serving the PS5 audience with next-gen games from day one.

And Microsoft was not. Their hardware pipeline was ready for transition this year, their first party software pipeline simply isn't.

In terms of transitions historically, Microsoft's situation is the odd man out here, not Sony's.

Trying to spin underdelivery on first party games this gen, and the inability to start next gen projects on time for a 2020 release, as some kind of pro consumer philosophy, is a neat trick. But it's just that, pure marketing gloss over a much simpler explanation: that they simply didn't have their ducks in a row, and the rebuild of the studio group won't bear fruit for another while.

For example, there's nothing magical about the 1-2 year timeframe Matt Booty outlined from a consumer friendliness point of view - it's simply the lag time from the studio investments and/or when they managed to start allocating resources to new next-gen only projects. It's not magically pro-consumer to have those ready for 2021 or 2022 rather than 2020. They simply weren't able to have those projects ready earlier, at least not without reneging on existing public commitments to the Xbox One, which they were never going to do (e.g. without switching Halo Infinite or others to next-gen only).

In the end it comes down to the lineups. If the XSX lineup is competitively impressive despite all this, then they'll have jumped these hoops well. On the other hand if the lack of 'readiness' with next-gen only projects shows, then they will have a much bigger marketing headache than crafting response tweets I think.

[NeoGamer232]

Here is an idea....

How about each individual developer decide what they do?

And how about gamers assess the quality of games based on what is created, not just on the tech they use?

It is just as sad as USA politics right now.... Everything is political there.... And it seems like gaming is extreme fanboyism right now.

The reality is that great games are still great games no matter what tech is used. I go and play the original Contra a lot just for fun. Add ray tracing and that won't change the experience for me. It is great without ray tracing.

[m2stech]

I like Sony's better, quality over quantity.

[azizlksa1]

One is taking a smart obvious approach, and one is taking the dumbest approach to rewind what happened to it previous gen.

[FanboysKiller]

Microsoft are playing with the performance card and everyone is fine with that , higher fps count improves overall quality of games , games still gonna take time to take the full advantage of the hardware .

[amazinglover]

The amount of people who don't read anything is astounding. MS has exclusives they are not forcing devs to make games BC only there first party titles are for the next 2 years which they likely would have been anyways the games starting development know won't come out until after the mandate and we don't have any idea of how many they are.

There are already next gen exclusive titles announced for the series X and PS5 as well as there are already games announced that are cross gen for the series X and PS5.

[fortnitehack]

I'm expecting it to be.

[Yppupdam]

Personally, I'm not waiting 2 years to see next gen games when the PS5 will have some ready at launch. There is simply no reason to upgrade to a next gen console if you won't see the tech it has used for that long of a time. I could just wait two years for the Series X to finally show it's potential before I would even consider buying it.